Southeast Asia forum

I'd suggest considering a bit of rerouting -- putting Angkor wat and Phnom Penh first. So something like:

Arrive Bangkok ->(overland) -> Siem Reap -> (boat) -> Phnom Penh -> (fly) -> Bangkok -> (overland) -> Ko Pha Ngan -> (overland) -> Kuala Lumpur -> (fly) -> Bali -> (fly) Singapore -> home

Doing something like the above removes the extra trip to Bangkok and there are cheap flights from KL as well as Bkk to Bali -- so shouldn't make much of a difference.

Hope that helps

Brucemoon, thanks for your response.

You really seem to be on a once man crusade against people whow neither have the time, patience, funds or inclination to extensively tour Asia. There is a big world out there and lots to see outside SE Asia.

You constantly bang on about people not spending enough time in certain areas or criticise people for trying to cram too much in to one trip. I guess you just won't be happy until we've all spent 2 weeks in Siem Riep and know every inch of the place. Clearly you have a lot of local knowledge and could be of great help to other travelers but I'd suggest you could climb down off your high horse and be a little kinder to others who clearly haven't spent half their life in the region. Only yesterday I think I saw you flame "tourists" for taking time to adjust to their surroundings?! Yeah, and?

On my part I could have been a little clearer. When I had cities listed they were intended as a base only. For example I had no intentions of spending the first 4 days in Bangkok, but would be flying into the city and flying our four days later. Doesn't mean I stay in Bangkok. For info we'll most likely be heading North and leaving Bangkok a day or so later.

But you are correct about the beachy holiday - after thinking about things a bit more we've decided to cut our time spent in beachy places. We've also cut out Singapore as it was only an intended stop so we could get back to the UK. I've now managed to secure flights out of Bangkok. Additionally, we've also managed to extend the trip by a few more days.

I also have no intention to spend anymore than two days in Siem Riep, I'm quite sure I can buy a pass for three days and then leave after two days, no big deal. But I appreciate that on an ideal trip (if I had more time) we'd perhaps take a more relaxed pace. I can always return later in life.

Thanks for your contribution

"Cities do not provide what I call adventure"

Bruce
Most of the time I agree with you - I definitely agree you need to go slow here even at the cost of going to fewer places. But I don't agree with you ref cities. Define adventure? Walking along a boring path somewhere, maybe taking in a waterfall or something? That's not adventure in my book. Nightlife, meeting interesting people, listening to good live music... or cruising down the highway at 150 KPH on your chopper - that's adventure. Walking into a bar in a city where you know no one and no one knows you - that's adventure. Cities are where all the adventure is in my book.

Lol, I forgot about this thread, it's been a while.

Ok, plans have changed a fair bit.

Day one, arrive PM in Bangkok, stay for two further days.
Day four, early flight to Chaing Mai, stay in Chaing Mai for a further three days.
Day 9, Early Flight Chaing Mai to Bangkok, overland to Siem Reap . Stay Siem Reap for a further two days (sorry Brucemoon, I know you're not gonna like that ;p)
Day 12, overland to Bangkok, flight to Thai / Malay border, travel to Perhentian Islands (Kecil). Stay further 4/5 days on Kecil.
Day 18, Overland /sea to Koh Phangan/Koh Samui, stay a further 8/9 days.

Day 27 (?) flight from Koh Samui to Bangkok and home to UK.

So yeah, its become a bit more beachy, but upon reflection its maybe a good idea. We're first time backpackers/flashpackers so its proably best hat we have a nice easy introdction to the area. This first 10 days are quite manic, the rest is designed to be a bit more relaxing - island hopping.
It's a pity we have so many flights, but needs must. We have a deadline to get back to the UK.

Bruce, we are travelling overland to save a little bit of money. $250 per person (one way) is a bit steep. Besides, its one of the few occassions that we'll travel by any form of transport other than by air. Might be interesting. I reckon we can make each way in around 5/6 hours. Don't know if this is realistic or not?

Sparts

Have you considered the Discovery Air Travel Pass?

It sounds like you may have overlooked this one - go to:

http://www.travelfish.org/travel-planning/airline-ticket

Then click on 'Discovery Airpass'.

It might save you money, and give you some better options.

Cheers

Thanks Lawoat, I think we'll be taking a taxi to the border, and then anther form of transport from there.
Hoping we can get to the border from Bangkok in maybe 3 hours. Should be around $60 for that leg of the journey - a lot cheaper than Bangkok Air!

In Chiang Mai now - Love it!