Thailand January 2014

Arriving in Bangkok Flying Thai Airways, Arriving 06: hours, 20 min flight time Transfers: Go for a taxi Accomodation: Anantara Riverside 257/1-3 Charoennakorn Road Thonburi, Bangkok 10600, Tel:  Breakfast inc  10am early checkin possible  Gym, Spa, Tennis, Pool  Nice dining options in hotel inc Riverside terrace with entertainment

Notes for BKK Pack light and covered/long clothing for visiting Wats (temples) Tea at the Mandarin Oriental Author’s Lounge Patpong night market (red light area with night market) Siam Square – alleys of street traders/ thai designers Wat Arun (temple on the river) Wat Pho Central world shopping mall Pak Khlong market (24 Hrs) Flower market (old city rattanakosin) Bank of Asia robot building – Sathorn thai road Sukhumvit Road (shops, bars (escudo), busy area… Benjasiri park to relax nearby) Ratchadapisek Royal City Ave (RCA) Saxaphone pub (live music) Chinatown – Roti Mataba restaurant Silom/ Downtown – Hai Somtam / Basilico Dusit – tara tara thai (riverside) Fruits to try: Coconut, Jackfruit, Mangosteen, Durian, Longans, rambutan

BKK: Day 1 Chinatown (Chinese New Year) -Roti Mataba restaurant Wat Arun Wat Pho Author’s Mandarin Oriental – on the way to grand palace Grand Palace Khao San: backpacker area near the palace with food and markets (good for evening fun)

BKK: Day 2 Chatuchak market (Train to the biggest market outskirts of BKK)

BKK: Day 3 Food Stalls closed on Mondays Thon Buri Khlongs (old BKK canals) – can get a boat tour from any main pier. Central World mall Dinner at Banyan Tree RooftopBanyan Tree Drinks at Sky Bar where The Hangover II’s opening scene was filmed!Sky Bar

Arriving in Chiang Mai Thai Airways flight, arriving at 14:05 Transfers: taxi is best Accommodation: Royal Princess, Chiang Mai 112 Chang Klan Road Chiang Mai :+66 (0)  Basic hotel inc Breakfast and Fruit plate (Other hotels we saw in the area that looked nice include Le Meridien, Anantara, Four Seasons and more)

Chiang Mai Notes Khantoke dinner Galare food centre Night bazaar and food court Nois kitchen (outdoor) Vieng joom on (tea) Whole earth (live music – need to book) Couples massage Riverside bar at sunset Tea house Talat Warorot market Eat khao soi (chiang mai noodles) Aroon rai restaurant – cheap good food Sala Mae Four Seasons for rice paddy view resto Hire bikes and discover outside the city Boy blues bar (night market) Players music bar Thai country bar:

Chiang Mai – Day 1 Explore local area Night market

Chiang Mai – Day 2 08:30 – pickup from hotel for Elephant tour (all day) – Best to go for an elephant sanctuary not a camp…. They ensure the animals are well kept. Highly recommended is

Chiang Mai – Day 3 09:00 – pickup from hotel for Waterfall trek (all day)

Chiang Mai – Day 4 Khantoke Dinner

Arriving in Krabi Thai Airways arriving in Krabi via 14:35 Transfer: Diethelm (better to organise transfer on this one) Accommodation: Ritz Carlton Phulay Bay 111 Moo 3 Nongthalay, Muang, Krabi Thailand +66 (0)  Including Breakfast, Bottle of wine, Romantic reserve picnic

Krabi notes Krabi town (40 min from hotel) -Day and Night Markets (food) -Sightseeing Railay beach -Rayavadee hotel - cave restaurant/ local beach nightlife (Pranang Cave Beach) -Mu Koh Poda island nearby Sea Kayaking Snorkelling Ao Nang beach and entertainment (30 min away – en route to Railay) Nopphrat Thara Beach (near ao nang) Koh Pi Pi (‘The Beach’ movie setting) Koh Lanta (quiet nature area, need private boat) Koh Paid (bamboo island) Hong Island (nature reserve – free shuttle boat with Ritz Carlton) Beach massage/ dinner

KRB: Tuesday 11 th Feb 08:00 pick up from hotel for Jungle Tour with hot springs

KRB: Friday 14 th Feb Valentine’s day! Depart 20:00 Arrive 21:20 Dep 00:15 Arr 06:20

To Do Get Vaccinations! Book taxi for LHR both ways Pack parasol, flashlight, adapters, deet, warm stuff for waterfall (20kg baggage)