Holiday Suggestions Please

[narak86]

Hi all, im getting married in thailand next year, but have family and friends coming over also,

i'm a bit confused on where to send people, i've got maybe 10 25-30 year olds, then my parents 50ish with 4 friends similar age and 16 year old sister, then brother 32 with wife and 3 young children,

was thinking of going to chiang mai after the wedding with the new wife, and sending the 25-30s to koh samui/phuket/koh phangan full moon party kind of thing?

then the rest to hua hin/krabi/koh chang/phuket (mother enjoys beaches, father would enjoy temples/elephants etc)?

All spend maybe 1st 3 days with me in Bangkok river cruise, temple tours and palace etc then 2/3 days in phetchabun for wedding then its what to do for the next week or 2?

Any help suggestions will be much appreciated, Thank You

[craigt3365]

To make sure you don't get blamed for something, get a few guide books and let the people peruse them and decide for themselves where they want to go...or at least read up on the options. As you mention, it's a really diverse country. Chiang Mai and the North are completely different from BKK which is completely different from Samui/KPN which is completely different from Hua Hin and surrounds...etc.

You mention:

hua hin/krabi/koh chang/phuket

Don't underestimate the travel time here. Phuket to Koh Chang is a long way...really needs to be done via air...at least part way. IMHO, you could pick a few of these places and just focus on them rather than try to see them all. Otherwise, you're going to be eating up a lot of your vacation in transit. Which is generally fairly easy here in Thailand, but not always fast.

For the young crowd, don't forget Phi Phi and Krabi (Railay). Phuket might not be for them...

Another thought, renting a van with a driver is not that expensive. Especially when you share it among a number of people. Some of the vans are really, really nice!

[narak86]

To make sure you don't get blamed for something, get a few guide books and let the people peruse them and decide for themselves where they want to go...or at least read up on the options. As you mention, it's a really diverse country. Chiang Mai and the North are completely different from BKK which is completely different from Samui/KPN which is completely different from Hua Hin and surrounds...etc.

You mention:

hua hin/krabi/koh chang/phuket

Don't underestimate the travel time here. Phuket to Koh Chang is a long way...really needs to be done via air...at least part way. IMHO, you could pick a few of these places and just focus on them rather than try to see them all. Otherwise, you're going to be eating up a lot of your vacation in transit. Which is generally fairly easy here in Thailand, but not always fast.

For the young crowd, don't forget Phi Phi and Krabi (Railay). Phuket might not be for them...

Another thought, renting a van with a driver is not that expensive. Especially when you share it among a number of people. Some of the vans are really, really nice!

wasn't intending on travelling to all these places, just 1 or 2 just wanderin what people suggested, and where suitable for the different age groups, maybe split the group up into 2 parties, someone suggested Ao nang, and yourself suggested railay, any advice between these 2, now am intending in 2/3 days bangkok, 2/3 days phetchabun for wedding, then fly to chiang mai for 1 week with thai mother and father in-law, whilst my family fly to ao nang or railay then after chiang mai, fly to krabi to see my family, and then thinking let the younger ones do as they wish

[craigt3365]

To make sure you don't get blamed for something, get a few guide books and let the people peruse them and decide for themselves where they want to go...or at least read up on the options. As you mention, it's a really diverse country. Chiang Mai and the North are completely different from BKK which is completely different from Samui/KPN which is completely different from Hua Hin and surrounds...etc.

You mention:

hua hin/krabi/koh chang/phuket

Don't underestimate the travel time here. Phuket to Koh Chang is a long way...really needs to be done via air...at least part way. IMHO, you could pick a few of these places and just focus on them rather than try to see them all. Otherwise, you're going to be eating up a lot of your vacation in transit. Which is generally fairly easy here in Thailand, but not always fast.

For the young crowd, don't forget Phi Phi and Krabi (Railay). Phuket might not be for them...

Another thought, renting a van with a driver is not that expensive. Especially when you share it among a number of people. Some of the vans are really, really nice!

wasn't intending on travelling to all these places, just 1 or 2 just wanderin what people suggested, and where suitable for the different age groups, maybe split the group up into 2 parties, someone suggested Ao nang, and yourself suggested railay, any advice between these 2, now am intending in 2/3 days bangkok, 2/3 days phetchabun for wedding, then fly to chiang mai for 1 week with thai mother and father in-law, whilst my family fly to ao nang or railay then after chiang mai, fly to krabi to see my family, and then thinking let the younger ones do as they wish

Understood....I saw your post as potentially 3 itineraries, for the 3 different groups.

Ao Nang is the place you catch the long tail over to Railay. It's OK, but the younger crowd head to Ton Sai and Railay. A backpacker scene for sure. Same with Phi Phi.

Check this out for great descriptions of the islands and beaches:

http://tezza-thailandbeachesandislands.blogspot.com/

[rajeshn]

If the kids have had enough of lying around on the beach during your Thailand holiday and you are looking for something else to keep them amused why not take a look at the following suggestions:

Hire a car (For the whole family)

The island is very accessible by car and will only take you about an hour to go around the main coast road. Many people hire jeeps or if the kids are old enough you could go for a scooter. Daily hire is pretty cheap why not visit one of the many waterfalls or see 'Big Buddha'? These are bound to be highlights of your Thailand travel experience.

Mini Golf (For the whole family)

You can find mini/crazy courses at Bo Phut in the north of the island or there one around Chaweng Beach. These are both great ways to keep you kids amused on your Thailand holiday. If the real game takes your fancy there are also a couple of 18 hole courses including the well known Santiburi Country club and the Royal Samui Golf & Country Club.

Snorkelling (For the whole family)

If you are going to spend your time on the beach then snorkelling will often be great from many beaches in Thailand. You can often hire the kit from your hotel or a vendor on one of the major beaches.

Go karting (For the boys)

In the north of the island around Bo Phut there is a large outdoor track that caters for all ages and has different engine carts depending on ability and age. Great for keeping the boys smiling on your Thailand trip.

Shopping (For the girls)

Pick up some last minute bargains from a street stall or head to the shopping centre of Tesco Lotus or HomePro located around the Chaweng area.

Muay Thai Kick boxing(For the boys)

Learn this traditional martial art seen throughout Thailand at one of the boxing schools on the island. Just hope the kids don't use their new found moves on you!

Spas (For the girls)

There are many spas on the island offering all kinds of treatments, you could try a traditional Thai Massage for a few minutes or indulge yourself for the whole day.

Fishing (For the boys)

Head out to the high seas for some big game fishing or the fresh water lake on the west of the island where you can fish.

Horse Riding (For the girls)

Want to see this island from another perspective. Head to Chaweng for a gentle ride or you can arrange to head into the mountains for a longer trek.

Thai Cooking courses (For the girls)

These are fun days out where you can learn a new skill or improve your repertoire of dishes.

Bowling (For the whole family)

You can find 2 indoor bowling alleys in Chaweng. A great activity for all the family on your Thailand holiday.

[HeavyDrinker]

I think that even at 25-30 the younger members of your party will feel out of place and will probably be mortifird at the Full Moon Party.

It's changed drastically from the late 1980s when it was a crowd of about 200 or so people outside of Paradise Bungalows chilling out to Floyd, The Orb and such like under the stars with the waves gently lapping on the shore....

I remember those early parties very well and couldn't believe my eyes when I went back in the early 1990s and saw how they'd exploded!

That said, I've been to a few recently and it's all harmless enough. Nothing worse that you'd see in Ibiza or Ayia Napa these days but it is an awfully young crowd.