Few Small Questions!

[SmileyPete]

Hi All

first off, thanks in advance for helping with what is probably mostly often asked questions!

I will be visiting Thailand In Nov for the first time, really looking forward to it, mostly Bangkok based but want to get out and see a bit as well.

So, one place I was looking at as I've always wanted to Visit was over in Cambodia at Angkor Wat. How easy is it to get some sort of trip organized from BKK, cost/time etc?

I'm there for 15 days, so gotta get a bit of beach time in, Pattya looks closet bet, I think I've managed to work out it's only a couple of hours from BKK by train. is this right, and how much would it be? good idea or bad?

thanks again to anyone who offers any hints!!

[sweetchariot]

If beach time is what you are really after, then Pattaya is not for you. Koh Chang offers good beach time, and very close to Cambo.

As a Pattaya resident I will extol it's virtues to anyone, but sadly the beach ain't one.

[Chaimai]

Suggest that you Google, things to do in:-

Bangkok

Krabi

Phuket

Samui

Pattaya

Then try www.tourismthailand.org and for a more accurate appraisal of Pattaya - www.hotel-club-thailand.com

http://www.hotel-club-thailand.com/video-pattaya.htm

[Farma]

A magazine called Thaiways has been very informative to me in the past. They have a website http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/contents.html

[Lite Beer]

http://www.sawadee.com/

[Super Hans]

Pattaya beach isn't that bad, and nearby Jontiem is a little better. Forget the train - get a bus from Ekkamai station - very regular and only 117baht. Then get a baht bus from the station to your hotel/the centre for 20 baht. Pattaya itself is an acquired taste. If you don't like it, you can always move straight on to the quieter Koh Samet or koh chang.

To answer the question, there are travel agents everywhere in thailand, and you'll be able to do organised tours to pretty much wherever you want to go, although you'll probably pay a bit more through an agent than doing it independently.

Look out for cheap flights to Krabi or Phuket, where the best beaches are to be found. Airasia often have very cheap deals.

[Lite Beer]

Yes www.airasia.com will get you to Phuket or Krabi cheaply and quick.

Don't bother with Samui as it will be the rainy season.

[Kerryd]

For the trip to Angkor Wat, it would probably be easier to go to one of the hundreds (thousands ?) of travel shops, see what they have to offer and the prices. I think there are some standard 3 day trips (fly to Siam Reap, spend a day or two touring the temples and shopping, then back to Thailand). Some go by bus, some by plane. Some may offer longer trips, or trips that fly to Phnom Pehn then bus you (or boat you) to Siam Reap.

Beaches ? As mentioned, Jomtien is better than Pattaya beach, but the islands are even nicer I hear (Koh Larn, Koh Samet, Koh Chang). If all you want is to chill out on the sand and maybe stick a toe in the water now and then, Jomtien is probably the quickest, easiest option. Only about 2 hours by bus south (east) from Bangkok. Plenty of hotels and restaurants and other activities. Other sights of interest not too far away (Crocodile Farm, Nong Nooch Zoo and Gardens and so on).

[SmileyPete]

that was quick!

folks, thanks a lot for the advice, I know it seems a bit lazy when a few hours of key bashing ould probably find out stuff, but it's always nice to hear from a few experinced heads some hints first.

really appreciated, cheers!

[Cuban]

Seconded. Beach Koh Chang is nice but quieter night life.

As for Cambodia - sort out a 2-3 day package deal, fly there. Not expensive and you will see enough Thai 'countryside' on other trips.