In January we jetted off to Thailand for a much needed break. It wasn't our usual non-stop adventuring and exploration of a new country as we wanted to relax, but we still saw lots. (And that gives us a great reason to return to explore more!)
The optimal time is between November and February, if you can. We had temperatures in January of low to mid 30s in Bangkok; ditto for Samui but with a feels like temperature of mid 30s to low 40s. Generally, hot season is March to June and rainy season is July to October, though this can alter slightly depending on which bit of the country you are in.
How to get there:
As we booked last minute, we did something we don't usually do and flew via a layover in Doha with Qatar Airways instead of direct. We figured as we were flying economy that two 6.5 hour stints with a quick layover in Doha might be kinder than a 13-hour direct flight. From Bangkok to Samui it's around an hour's flight time.
How to get around:
Taxis (Grab or Bolt) are super cheap in Bangkok, though you'll be at the mercy of the Bangkok traffic which can be as bad as everyone warns you it will be. From the airport to our hotel in Lumphini it cost around £12, but most of our journeys in Bangkok cost around 150 baht (£3.50). If you're using the BTS/MRT (tube) then you can't tap with a contactless bank card as a tourist and will need to buy a ticket. And that's obviously a lot cheaper than a taxi but not necessarily as convenient.
What to do:
In both Bangkok and Samui you're going to have temples aplenty to explore. Full blog post on what to do in Bangkok here, but the main temples are the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Wat Saket. Benchakitti Forest Park and Lumphini Park are great nature options - you'll see the water monitor lizards in Lumphini Park - and visit Charoen Kung Road and Talat Noi if you're into art. Bangkok is also big on shopping, with so many malls, but there's also markets like Chatuchak Weekend Market and Pratunam Market to sniff out a bargain at.
Where to stay:
In Bangkok we stayed at the Conrad in Lumphini for five nights, which is where a lot of the embassies are. Because of this it meant that public transport was mostly buses which is why we opted to take taxis to get around. We booked an executive club room to make the most of the executive lounge as it's always more of a bargain when in Asia. Bang Rak by the Chao Phraya River was another area we considered in Bangkok as it's more central - you'll find the Shangri-La over this way and lebua at State Tower (which is the hotel in The Hangover 2).
In Samui we stayed at Nora Buri Spa & Resort for eight nights in a beachside villa with our own private pool, which was fantastic to relax by. This was bed and breakfast, like the Conrad, but they don't have a club offering. The resort is near to the airport but with no planes flying above it, and it's close to the main town on the island, Chaweng. We got a great deal in the Black Friday sale - about 40% off - so keep an eye out!
Anything else?
Do see if you need to have travel vaccinations before you go to Thailand - I had to have top ups of typhoid and tetanus. And check that if you're coming from the UK you're still able to get a free visa upon arrival. Cards are widely accepted - you'll just need cash for songthaews and street food. Samui food recommendations can be found here; Bangkok ones here. x
In Bangkok we stayed at the Conrad in Lumphini for five nights, which is where a lot of the embassies are. Because of this it meant that public transport was mostly buses which is why we opted to take taxis to get around. We booked an executive club room to make the most of the executive lounge as it's always more of a bargain when in Asia. Bang Rak by the Chao Phraya River was another area we considered in Bangkok as it's more central - you'll find the Shangri-La over this way and lebua at State Tower (which is the hotel in The Hangover 2).
In Samui we stayed at Nora Buri Spa & Resort for eight nights in a beachside villa with our own private pool, which was fantastic to relax by. This was bed and breakfast, like the Conrad, but they don't have a club offering. The resort is near to the airport but with no planes flying above it, and it's close to the main town on the island, Chaweng. We got a great deal in the Black Friday sale - about 40% off - so keep an eye out!
Anything else?
Do see if you need to have travel vaccinations before you go to Thailand - I had to have top ups of typhoid and tetanus. And check that if you're coming from the UK you're still able to get a free visa upon arrival. Cards are widely accepted - you'll just need cash for songthaews and street food. Samui food recommendations can be found here; Bangkok ones here. x
No comments