Thailand forum

Advice for 2 Nights/3 Days near Bangkok

Merrianne

newbie
Posts: 4

Hi Everyone,

I will be heading to Thailand for three weeks late May/June. I have a couple of days at the beginning of the trip while I wait for my sister to join me in Bangkok and have researched three travel options for a two night trip. I would love your feedback on which of these possibilities you think would be best for a weekend bit of travel from a Sat-Mon (2 nights, 3 days).

Ayutthaya
Bang Saen
Jomtien Beach

I'm an experienced indie traveller and have been to Thailand a few times, but haven't visited any of these places. I like a beach, though not the stereotype of partying that often accompanies it. I run, read, write and wander about when I travel and I have a modest, though not heavily restrictive budget. I'd like to keep things to a max of 600B a night, but would spring for more if the accommodations warranted it. I'd appreciate your feedback.

Any other suggestions for something within 2-3 hours from Bangkok? I did consider Koh Samet, but while lovely, it seems like a little too much travelling for 2 nights... unless someone can convince me that it's better than all the options I've mentioned.

Thanks so much for your help.

Best regards. Merrianne.

#1 Posted: 16/5/2011 - 02:02
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

If you are going to Jomtien because you are looking for a beach, I'd have to say the water quality isn't very good there, and obviously there are tons of people. If you aren't interested in the other things it has to offer, going just for the beach probably is a waste. Given your time constraints, I'd look at Cha'am instead. Also, I would lop off one destination. You only have a few days, which means hours traveling each of them.

#2 Posted: 16/5/2011 - 10:45

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Victory in Pattani
Merrianne

newbie
Posts: 4

Thank you -- I don't want to travel to all three, just one...looking for the best of the lot, I suppose. I'll look into Cha'am. Best.

#3 Posted: 16/5/2011 - 12:04
Tilapia

under-employed
Posts: 1204
Located in:

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This may be a bit further than you want to go, but Sangkhlaburi is really nice and interesting. It's about hours by minivan from Kanchanaburi . And if you've never been to Kanchanaburi before, it's worth a couple of nights.

Otherwise, from your three choices, I'd go with Ayuthaya.

Cha-am on weekends can be a madhouse with folks from Bangkok.

If you want to try something really different, you can take a train from Wong Wien Yai Station (in Thonburi ... not far across the river from the Flower Market) to Mahachai (amazing seafood town), then continue on another train to Samut Songkhram and then go to Amphawa. A real adventure! You can take the train back, or make it easy and take the bus. You could also take the bus there and then the train back .... which would probably be a bit easier.

Lots of homestays in Amphawa as well as a pretty cool floating market. It's about a 3 hour trip by train and songthaew. It's about an hour by bus from Bangkok. Amphawa is a really nice town. Few westerners, though it attracts quite a lot of Thai tourists.

#4 Posted: 16/5/2011 - 18:55
Merrianne

newbie
Posts: 4

Excellent suggestions. Very much appreciated. All the best.

#5 Posted: 16/5/2011 - 22:24
MADMAC

mahout
Posts: 3999

I'd have to second Ayudhaya. The boat ride back to Bangkok is pretty cool too.

#6 Posted: 16/5/2011 - 22:37

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Victory in Pattani
yippie65

motodop
Posts: 21

Hua-Hin, Cha-am and Pranburi could also be another choice of yours.... You will be able to enjoy more of beautiful beaches and sunny day

#7 Posted: 27/5/2011 - 14:02