Two weeks in Thailand in September - Spec me

Megahurtz400 · 21 Oct 2017 at 10:21

Hi all,

Looking at going to Thailand with the Mrs. next year, towards the end of September.

Looking for advice on itineraries, hotels, transfers etc.

We're not big drinkers, so big parties aren't a priority. A friend said that flying into Bangkok, have a few nights to explore the markets and have a night out on Koh San Road if we fancied it, then head south to Koh Phi Phi and Krabi area for a week in a nice hotel, relax and sleep for the week etc. before heading back up north for the flight home, maybe a few nights in Bangkok again?

So yeah, any recommendations would be great!

We're both 26 (going on 50) if that helps

Budget: Max £1300pp all in really, including flights there. Would rather spend more money on luxury hotel during the "relaxing" phase of out hotel and just have a decent place to sleep during the "city" phases

Cheers

killem · 21 Oct 2017 at 12:05

Try Travelbag.co.uk friend booked a 4 nights bangkok followed by 10 nights in Krabi with them including transfers for way under your budget and had a great experience. look at the 4* multi center thailand holidays area of the site for plenty of other options.
I may be wrong but isnt september the wrong time of year to go? I thought november to feb are the best months to go.

FlakGunna · 21 Oct 2017 at 12:10

Ko Pha Ngan and Koh Samui are beautiful.

JBuk · 21 Oct 2017 at 13:33

For two weeks I'd fly to Bangkok and do a couple of days there, temples, zoo, tuk tuks, boxing, khao san road, river cruise, etc then fly to phuket for a few days, ferry to phi phi for a couple of days, hire a long tail boat and go to maya bay, snorkeling, diving, walk the island, relax on the beach then ferry to krabi, either stay there or fly to koh samui, speed boat trip to ang thong marine park then finally another day in Bangkok relaxing in a swanky hotel and doing some shopping at the MBK and siam Paragon before the flight home

Possibly even get a visit to chiang mai in

There's tons more places and things to do so I'd suggest buying the latest rough guide to Thailand book and having a read for some ideas

JunkBot · 21 Oct 2017 at 19:21

Likely to be wet in September

Megahurtz400 · 23 Oct 2017 at 09:49

JunkBot said:
Likely to be wet in September

How wet? Raining all day everyday or the odd crazy tropical storm, with sunny spells as well?

killem said:
Try Travelbag.co.uk friend booked a 4 nights bangkok followed by 10 nights in Krabi with them including transfers for way under your budget and had a great experience. look at the 4* multi center thailand holidays area of the site for plenty of other options.
I may be wrong but isnt september the wrong time of year to go? I thought november to feb are the best months to go.

Thanks for the advice will check it out! And yeah, we’re going in the quiet season to save some money on flights and just how our work calendars work out really.

Xire · 23 Oct 2017 at 09:53

Megahurtz400 said:
How wet? Raining all day everyday or the odd crazy tropical storm, with sunny spells as well?

Thanks for the advice will check it out! And yeah, we’re going in the quiet season to save some money on flights and just how our work calendars work out really.

Pretty rainy, thailands rain season ends in October. September is probably the most wet month.

http://www.thaizer.com/weather/when-is-the-rainy-season-in-thailand/

I also made a thread on Thailand last week, if you search my history, there were some very useful replies.

Rotty · 23 Oct 2017 at 10:35

Phi Phi is pretty naff these days

Skiddley · 23 Oct 2017 at 10:41

Megahurtz400 said:
How wet? Raining all day everyday or the odd crazy tropical storm, with sunny spells as well?

Occasional rain in the days and thunder storms in the evening. Rain can be very heavy for short periods.

I've been in September (Koh Samui) and it was fine, just don't expect wall to wall sunshine.

Megahurtz400 · 23 Oct 2017 at 22:47

Skiddley said:
Occasional rain in the days and thunder storms in the evening. Rain can be very heavy for short periods.

I've been in September (Koh Samui) and it was fine, just don't expect wall to wall sunshine.

Will the Mrs. be able to get a tan? I’m the whitest man alive, so really doesn’t bother me, but I’ll have no ears if she doesn’t get a tan...

Begbie · 23 Oct 2017 at 22:58

I went in September, it was mostly hot but it rained a lot. I only stayed for a weekend then went on to Vietnam.

a1ex2001 · 24 Oct 2017 at 03:11

We went in August (wife is a teacher) weather was mostly fine with just the occasional epic thunderstorm which freshened things up and never lasted long we certainly had enough sunshine! Did the same in Vietnam and Cambodia, Cambodia was worst weather wise not because of rain but the heat and humidity at Angkor was unbearable I was sweating so much the dye was running in my tshirts!

wez130 · 24 Oct 2017 at 06:56

I was there in September just gone, mostly cloudy days with rain every day, got caught in a monsoon at the zoo, damn it was heavy! The last day we were there was best, sun was out but still clouds. Had thunder storms about 4 out of the 7 evenings we were there. It was hot too, more uncomfortable than when we were there in February. I'd try and hold off till November if i were you, especially if you're going to beach resorts.

Skiddley · 24 Oct 2017 at 13:50

Megahurtz400 said:
Will the Mrs. be able to get a tan? I’m the whitest man alive, so really doesn’t bother me, but I’ll have no ears if she doesn’t get a tan...

I would imagine so. Presumably she's aware of the season too\it's a joint decision so you can't be held completely responsible for UV levels

Begbie · 24 Oct 2017 at 13:52

Koh San Road is a good night out, but very partyish and touristy. Also be weary of pickpockets, fights etc. Though saying that, I ended up drinking with some Americans and an English lad in the hostel. Barely remember getting there, eat a scorpion, ran home (I think) and woke up very hungover.

Drinks are very cheap.

If I was going again, I think I'd want to go north, Chiang Mai, Pai area. Do some hikes, elephant sanctuary, rent a bike etc.

Paul11 · 24 Oct 2017 at 14:15

east islands.. koh phangan/samui and tao/ then up north for chaing mai and bit of bangkok on way home

EddScott · 24 Oct 2017 at 17:02

Might sound like a dumb question but when is the best time to go when the temperature is coolest?

I love travel and would really like to go but I don't like being uncomfortably hot

Liquid_Entity · 24 Oct 2017 at 17:10

Chiang Mai and Pai are great places to visit and also Kanchanaburi for the death railway history. No beaches though.

Head south for koh phangan, koh samui and Koh Tao. Phi Phi was nice too when i went but partyish and I even spent some time on coast by Krabi.

2 weeks is not long when you counter in travel so if you can afford it I'd fly everywhere as it will be quicker.

Edit: this was between 2008 and 2010 so things may have changed a lot

MikeTimbers · 26 Oct 2017 at 21:26

Best time for not so hot but still really nice is actually Christmas. November through March or so is the dry season with temperatures in the 20s maybe touching 30. In fact my mother-in-law has to wear a thick sweater in January

For the OP, if you're not into the parties have you considered not going south but south-east? Koh Chang is much less developed, less noisy, less touristy, more beautiful, more natural, less crime-infested. Big island with lots to see. And if you wanted a trip to Siem Reap it's doable. Mini-bus to Aranya Prathet, cross over into Poipet and taxi to Siem Reap to do Angkor and Tonle Sap. You'd need at least one night in Siem Reap.