Holiday to Thailand - Phuket - Bangkok - Chiangmai

[teomingern]

On 9/18/2024 at 7:46 PM, speedydav said:

I was there in July of 2019 for a long vacation with my family, including two kids. June would likely be better than December, especially with kids. Still hot but not peak-season crowd. In Bangkok, check out the Khao San Road area—loud but family-friendly. In Phuket, look at Patong if on budget, or Karon/Kata for nicer beaches. Chiang Mai, an old city, centrally located. You check Thailand's official tourism site: https://www.tourismthailand.org/Trip-Planner. There are some good-preplanned tours available.
Talking about tight budget, It cost me like $5500 for 3 weeks, mostly for shopping for my wife 😆. I don't know what your budget is. I would suggest reading this article by Lukih https://listsbylukiih.com/thailand-trip-cost-breakdown/ She gives a perfect breakdown of expenses, including this one to plan your trip perfectly https://gowithguide.com/blog/how-to-plan-a-trip-5-essential-steps-5730 and reduce your overall cost.  

 

Wow! Thank you! That's really amazing tips! And yes I think $5500 is really within my budget... air tickets today are a lot more expensive than in 2019 unfortunately... so are hotel costs... just worried that June would excessively hot and humid... these days the temperature is in the order of 40-50°C in some of these parts... not very pleasant especially for my young kids... but thank you once again... will read through everything thoroughly... just a quick scan already tells me so much I need to know... 

[teomingern]

Any suggestions for hotel in Bangkok? I want a budget option that allows me to have both my kids in the same room as up. Most international chain hotels don't have family rooms which can accommodate 4 persons... usually I get a recommendation for 2 separate rooms... my kids are 4 & 6 years old... so having them in a separate room is obviously not possible... 

Would perhaps a room with king-bed and add a bed be more available in Bangkok? I find it quite restrictive.

Was looking at some places which were more affordable like Parkroyal Suites near Nana BTS but I read a few reviews on Booking.com which says it's not suitable location for kids since it's right smack in the red light district - the infamous Nana Plaza being round the corner or something... anyone has any advice? I don't want to walk back from the station only to find sex workers lining the street to this hotel...

[Lala81]

On 10/6/2024 at 5:18 PM, teomingern said:

Any suggestions for hotel in Bangkok? I want a budget option that allows me to have both my kids in the same room as up. Most international chain hotels don't have family rooms which can accommodate 4 persons... usually I get a recommendation for 2 separate rooms... my kids are 4 & 6 years old... so having them in a separate room is obviously not possible... 

Would perhaps a room with king-bed and add a bed be more available in Bangkok? I find it quite restrictive.

Was looking at some places which were more affordable like Parkroyal Suites near Nana BTS but I read a few reviews on Booking.com which says it's not suitable location for kids since it's right smack in the red light district - the infamous Nana Plaza being round the corner or something... anyone has any advice? I don't want to walk back from the station only to find sex workers lining the street to this hotel...

There should be multiple airbnb and booking.com places along sukumvit road?

Based on my previous trip, BKK doesnt have much family suites. 

 

[teomingern]

On 10/6/2024 at 5:45 PM, Lala81 said:

There should be multiple airbnb and booking.com places along sukumvit road?

Based on my previous trip, BKK doesnt have much family suites. 

 

Sukhumvit is the red light area? A bit concerned about apartments cos not sure safe or clean or not... I usually don't stay in these but willing to try... just not experienced, not sure how to assess based on Booking.com reviews...

[Lala81]

On 10/6/2024 at 6:36 PM, teomingern said:

Sukhumvit is the red light area? A bit concerned about apartments cos not sure safe or clean or not... I usually don't stay in these but willing to try... just not experienced, not sure how to assess based on Booking.com reviews...

Sukhumvit is a long road bah. Just read the reviews lor. Avoid Near Soi Cowboy area and Nana area (I've not been there, just my basic understanding). 

But across the road from Soi cowboy area is Terminal 21 which is a pretty big mall. 

I stayed near Chit Lom the last time. 

[teomingern]

On 10/6/2024 at 7:03 PM, Lala81 said:

Sukhumvit is a long road bah. Just read the reviews lor. Avoid Near Soi Cowboy area and Nana area (I've not been there, just my basic understanding). 

But across the road from Soi cowboy area is Terminal 21 which is a pretty big mall. 

I stayed near Chit Lom the last time. 

I've been to Bangkok only once and I stayed at Novotel Bangkok @ Siam Square... that was 20 years ago... not sure if it is still as good as my memory of it... it's also near the BTS - those days don't have such trains lar... thinking of staying there but like it doesn't fit my requirements... cos not sure if they allow kids to stay free... especially with breakfast...

[jcmm]

On 10/6/2024 at 5:45 PM, Lala81 said:

There should be multiple airbnb and booking.com places along sukumvit road?

Based on my previous trip, BKK doesnt have much family suites. 

 

I dunno how u guys defined "family suites". There are quite a no. of family suites...a unit with 2 or 3 rooms, a unit with 2 double beds, example Somerset, Ramada By Wyndham Bangkok, the list goes on. Just google or use agoda n any hotel booking platform. 

Edited October 7, 2024 by jcmm

[jcmm]

On 10/6/2024 at 6:36 PM, teomingern said:

Sukhumvit is the red light area? A bit concerned about apartments cos not sure safe or clean or not... I usually don't stay in these but willing to try... just not experienced, not sure how to assess based on Booking.com reviews...

If u drive along Sukhumvit, from BKK u can reach Trat  

[teomingern]

On 10/7/2024 at 9:53 AM, jcmm said:

I dunno how u guys defined "family suites". There are quite a no. of family suites...a unit with 2 or 3 rooms, a unit with 2 double beds, example Somerset, Ramada By Wyndham Bangkok, the list goes on. Just google or use agoda n any hotel booking platform. 

Ah yes... but not within my budget lor... I should put in 'budget' type... maybe less than $200 per night... preferably $100-150 per room per night...

[Tohto]

On 10/7/2024 at 9:15 AM, teomingern said:

I've been to Bangkok only once and I stayed at Novotel Bangkok @ Siam Square... that was 20 years ago... not sure if it is still as good as my memory of it... it's also near the BTS - those days don't have such trains lar... thinking of staying there but like it doesn't fit my requirements... cos not sure if they allow kids to stay free... especially with breakfast...

This type of old hotel if no fully refurbished will be very old and run down. 

I also heard story of ah 飘 at thìs hotel....

[Kklim]

On 10/6/2024 at 5:18 PM, teomingern said:

Any suggestions for hotel in Bangkok? I want a budget option that allows me to have both my kids in the same room as up. Most international chain hotels don't have family rooms which can accommodate 4 persons... usually I get a recommendation for 2 separate rooms... my kids are 4 & 6 years old... so having them in a separate room is obviously not possible... 

Would perhaps a room with king-bed and add a bed be more available in Bangkok? I find it quite restrictive.

Was looking at some places which were more affordable like Parkroyal Suites near Nana BTS but I read a few reviews on Booking.com which says it's not suitable location for kids since it's right smack in the red light district - the infamous Nana Plaza being round the corner or something... anyone has any advice? I don't want to walk back from the station only to find sex workers lining the street to this hotel...

I stayed at Galleria 12 Sukhumvit Bangkok last year. Short walk from Asoke station and near Terminal 21 mall

[teomingern]

On 10/8/2024 at 2:15 PM, Kklim said:

I stayed at Galleria 12 Sukhumvit Bangkok last year. Short walk from Asoke station and near Terminal 21 mall

Nice! Thanks! Will look for it...

[jcmm]

On 10/8/2024 at 1:22 PM, teomingern said:

Ah yes... but not within my budget lor... I should put in 'budget' type... maybe less than $200 per night... preferably $100-150 per room per night...

Ok lower budget then go for Citadines, Lancaster..... 

[teomingern]

On 10/9/2024 at 8:34 PM, jcmm said:

Ok lower budget then go for Citadines, Lancaster..... 

Ok... those are good to know... I've heard of Citadines but not Lancaster... both available in Bangkok?

[jcmm]

On 10/10/2024 at 11:47 AM, teomingern said:

Ok... those are good to know... I've heard of Citadines but not Lancaster... both available in Bangkok?

yes...

[Jman888]

did a quick check on air ticket to chiang mai for December, no direct flight except scoot and the price is as good as buying a ticket to USA on SQ

 

[teomingern]

On 10/29/2024 at 9:08 AM, Jman888 said:

did a quick check on air ticket to chiang mai for December, no direct flight except scoot and the price is as good as buying a ticket to USA on SQ

 

Yeah... it's crazy for last minute trips now... that's why I'm trying to plan a year ahead... but now not sure if I'll proceed...