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First time to Thailand - recommendations/help?

Posted by on

I am planning a first-time trip to Thailand and am having a hard time determining when to go/where to go/where to stay/how much time is needed. I have already done some research, but there are so many options it becomes overwhelming.

I know that I want to visit Bangkok and an island - thinking Koh Samui, as well as possibly Chiang Mai. I'd like a mix of city/culture/temples, as well as some R&R at a beautiful beach location (good snorkeling would be a huge plus). I would also love to visit an elephant sanctuary, which is my main reason for considering Chiang Mai.

I would like to keep the trip to no more than 10-12 days total (flying from Chicago) and don't want to spend TOO much time on trains/planes, etc. traveling from place to place once we're there.

For those who have been:
1) What 2-3 locations would you consider for a first-time trip and how many days do you think are necessary?
2) What do you think is the best month to go? I'm very flexible with that
3) Is Chiang Mai worth adding in, or can I see and do what I want (elephants, temples) without going there?
4) Which island would you recommend?
5) Any must do tours/activities/hotels/restaurants, etc.?

Posted by
8518 posts

ellen, I know that you posted a question on this Forum a couple years ago, asking about potential tour companies. I wonder if you then wound up taking a guided tour, but it appears that you’re planning on visiting Thailand on your own.

However, for what it’s worth, we just returned from a Vietnam and Cambodia trip. Vietnam was with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT), which was 13 people (their maximum group size is 16), and Cambodia was a customized private tour for the two of us with Little Vietnam Tours. Little Vietnam was cheaper and also spent more time at Ankor Wat/Siem Reap than the OAT post-trip extension, per our individualized itinerary. It was our second trip with OAT, and first with Little Vietnam, and both offer Thailand trips. My first time in Asia, and my husband had only had two nights in Bangkok coming/going from a Nepal trip 27 years ago.

We just got a 360-page catalog of OAT trips for 2025. They have a new “Discover Thailand” trip in 2025; 16 days (including flying to/from Bangkok), for $4,395, including airfare from Los Angeles. One day visits an elephant care center near Chiang Mai, with a dinner at a local family’s home the night before. Their promotion is a $750 discount, per person, on any OAT trip booked by Jan. 31 (use code NEWYEAR25). That’s more days than you said you wanted, but again, for what it’s worth.

Little Vietnam worked with us to develop our itinerary, and I’m sure they could develop one with your timeframe and interests. For what it’s worth.

Answers to your earlier Tour Company posting mentioned that COVID caused some companies to not happily give cash refunds. OAT cheerfully gave credits for future trips, but wasn’t enthusiastic about cash refunds back then - it was a tough time for everybody, customers and businesses. After our Africa safari with OAT in 2022, we signed up for a Jordan/Egypt/Red Sea/Cyprus trip that was supposed to happen in December 2023. The Israel/Hamas/Houthi conflict cancelled that, and OAT did give us a cash refund, although it took them 6 weeks to issue it.

Posted by
3647 posts

Agree with David’s comments above. After flying 20+ hours to get to Thailand from Los Angeles years ago, I was there for 3 weeks. I wouldn’t think of doing it for less than 3 weeks because it takes so long just to get there.

Posted by
216 posts

I lived in Thailand for two years. It was mostly during COVID so tourism was way down, so my experiences might be different.

Timing- the best months are November through January. Cooler and less humid. Burning season in the north is in the spring, and it gets really hot. Summer through October can be very rainy.

My favorite places were Chiang Mai, Khao Sok National Park,.Railay Beach (super touristy but worth it), and Koh Lipe (hard to get to but stunning beaches). I don't like Koh Samui because it's so touristy and overdeveloped. I actually like Phuket, as long as you stay away from the Patong and nearby beaches area.

I personally wouldn't devote a ton of time for Bangkok.

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