Family coming over, want start with discovering Thailand in 7 days, what to suggest them?

[flyDelight]

Any suggestions on 'squeezing' the best of Thailand in a 7 days holiday?

Suggestions are much appreciated.

[pgrahmm]

Any suggestions on 'squeezing' the best of Thailand in a 7 days holiday?

Suggestions are much appreciated.

Where are they landing & what area do you live in.....

There's so many good places localized by areas.....

BKK is good for two days but pretty much a waste of time after that.....But if you take two days there you're really chopping off the time for the remainder of the trip....

7 days is really not much time for Thailand - especially if they are jet lagged.....

Krabi for 2-3 days? It's what's always shown on web sites.....Then concentrate on another area.....In country flights are short and would allow you to do that.....

[KhunBENQ]

They arrive in the western holiday season? (July, August?).
Long haul flight?
How old are they?

Where do they live at home (big city? countryside?)?

Thailand without Bangkok is not complete.
Wat Phra Kaeo, Wat Po, Wat Arun are an absolute must for culturally interested tourists.
A boat tour on the Chao Praya. and a cocktail on the Oriental terrace.

Bangkok should fill two whole days.
Skip the crazy overpriced shopping, sky bar stuff, mega malls etc.
No soul, no character.
Assuming your family has that from home.

Do not plan too much, too long. Ask them for feedback.
Watch the weather and decide on a short term basis whether to go north (golden triangle, jungle and elephants) or go south for scenic beaches.

7 days is not enough for Bangkok, South AND North in my opinion (they are not Japanese by chance ).

Or does "squeeze" really mean traveling thousands of kilometers?

Edited May 22, 2016 by KhunBENQ

[flyDelight]

I'm currently living in ChiangMai, know the city and near surroundings.

Yes long haul flight from Germany, people in their late 30s. They don't like mass tourism, prefer the more characterful places.

It's about July or August.

Many thanks guys.

[dddave]

When my Sister & Brother in Law came from the US, not clearing the airport until close to midnight, the first thing was to get them into their hotel and allow them a good nights sleep and a fairly leisurely morning to acclimate. They had 3 days budgeted for Bangkok, then an overnight train to Chang Mai. After 3 days there, they took morning flight back to Bangkok, then onto Myanmar where they were meeting friends to continue their trip with.

In Bangkok, first we took the Skytrain to the river and took the reasonably priced tourist boat from Saphan Taksin. We could have taken the super cheap "River Express" boats to most of the same destinations but they are crowded and not comfortable where the tourist boat has abundant seats and good viewing and photo opportunities. Naturally, we visited Wat Arun, Wat Phra Keow and the palace. I had forgotten about the long pants rule so we had to use the free "baggies" they provide. Admission then, 2 years ago, was B400/pp.

By the time we got finished exploring the area, they were hot and tired so we took the boat back to Saphan Taksin and BTS back to their Asok area hotel. In retrospect, I wish I had directed them to one of the moderately priced riverfront hotels rather than Asok as they were not really nightlife people and were in bed shortly after finishing dinner at Cabbages & Condoms on Suk. 12, a big hit with them.

The next day, we returned to the river and spent B2000 to charter a "Longtail" to take us on a 2 hour tour of the back klongs and for them, that turned out to be the highlight of their time in Bangkok. We had a good driver in that he did not keep up a constant commentary and did not try to con us into the many canalside tourist shops. He also did not deduct the 30 minutes we had to wait to pass through the canal locks from our total time. The back klongs are a genuine window into Bangkok's past and the trip was fascinating, for me as well as them. Well worth it.

There last day was spent in my neighborhood of Phra Khanong which has a few little known attractions like a very authentic wet market, some ancient Chinese shophouses and it's own B20 "Longtail canal tour up the Phra Khanong Canal to Srinakarin, then return...about 2 hours and again, a fascinating window into a Bangkok we normally never see. Dinner later at a good seafood restaurant then onto Hualamphung to catch the train to Chang Mai. They stayed at a GH owned by a friend of mine and had a great time there, doing the usual touristy things; walking around the old city at night, Doi Sutep, a day trip into the hill tribe area and a visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens which they really loved.

For the little time they had, they got a pretty good first dose of Thailand. They aren't beach people so southern beaches were not on the menu.

They liked what they saw enough that they returned the next year with 3 weeks to spend and saw a lot more.

Edited May 22, 2016 by dddave

[daveAustin]

Live in CM?

Couple days Phuket/Samui and the rest in CM. On such a short trip, I would dissuade them from messing with Bangkok. Jet lag can last a week or more. They need to chill. [emoji6]

[kannot]

I'm currently living in ChiangMai, know the city and near surroundings.

Yes long haul flight from Germany, people in their late 30s. They don't like mass tourism, prefer the more characterful places.

It's about July or August.

Many thanks guys.

I went here once a lovely place and in your neck of the woods

http://www.tweecholbotanicgarden.com/main_eng.php

[marcusd]

Yes I have a few suggestions - save money and get the same if not more sincere friendliness and go to the Philippines or Vietnam.

Thailand WAS great but is no dirty, foreigner unfriendly and full of scamms

Such a shame

[Bender]

you might take your family to Hua Hin, i heard the local are very friendly. And after you take, what left of your family to kok tao, so they can experience thainess...................................................

[grumpyoldman]

Skytrain to Victory Monument - 34thb each.

Van to Kanchanaburi - 120thb each

Sugar Cane 2 houseboat rooms starting at 250thb the food there is good as well.

Spend money saved getting there on car hire (SC can set up) to get you to Erawan National park before the hordes get there.Leave 6AM get to the trail by 8:00AM hike to top pool straightaway, when crowds show up, head down the hill, take in other pools. Lunch on the river on the way back to Sugar Cane 2 bunch of spots. Have the driver take you to a couple other scenic places, maybe the elephant camp. Chill for dinner at SC restaurant.

I an not affiliated I just really enjoyed there accommodations and they were very nice.

From there head to the temples of Ayyudaya, back to Bangkok 7 days done ! Or do temples first and then Kanchanaburi, up to you !

Edited May 23, 2016 by grumpyoldman

[1FinickyOne]

Sukhothai - stay near the historical park - good for a day or so...

[TSF]

Take them straight to Don Mueng and put them on an AirAsia flight to Siem Reap, where they can see some truly impressive historical sites without fear of getting their heads kicked in by the locals.

[zaZa9]

Unfortunately my experience is that they will fart around and do very little.

They'll blame jet lag and , with some justification , the heat .

They will sleep the first day , and spend the second in the pool.

That night they'll eat themselves silly on bargain priced ( to them ) Thai food and sample way too many Thai beers.

The next day they'll be hung over and float around the pool and groan for a massage. Beer oclock will arrive and ...repeat day 2.

Day 4 they'll say , "We better do something .." , but retreat to the pool or a/c.

Day 5 they'll say , "Ok , less go to Chiang Mai or Krabi or something.

By then its too late.

If you plan any "trip" , book it for Day 3 !! 555

[smotherb]

Two Days on Sukhumvit, two on Bangla, two on Walking street and one in a VD clinic ought to round out the seven days well

[kingstonkid]

Personally i would just plan 7 days around CM is that is where they are landing.If they are landing in BKK then do the tours of the palaces and temples. Also take them out at night to Khoasan or patpong for the difference night time makes.

If in BKK on Saturday torture them and take them to JJ market. Then take them to a nice restaurant to cool down and relax from the ordeal.

I agree that 2 full days would be enough.

maybe take them to the beach or take the train to CM and let them see what your life is like.

[mike324]

If they land in Chiang Mai, then stay there, rent a van and tour the surrounding provinces and mountains. van rental can be had for around 2000 baht plus gas per day, which is good value. If they prefer big city, then take an overnight train to Bangkok.

[sead]

Walking street for the men and shopping malls/markets for women

[Muzarella]

Bring minimum luggage, real minimum. Buy travel/health insurance in your country. Do not rent car or motorcycle. Look for hotels with airport shuttle service. Keep passports and credit cards in hotel safe boxes, and keep hotel info with you. Pay only with cash.

Travel by AirAsia shopping best fare online in advance BK-Pitsanulok-Chiang Mai-BK

Renting a van with driver from a tour company every day will be cheaper and safer. About 2000thb/day plus gas.

3 days in Bangkok-Ayuttaya-Ko Samet 1 day in Sukhothai, 3 days in Chiang Mai - Chiang Rai -

More detailed info, just send me a message.

Edited May 25, 2016 by Muzarella