Hi looking to travel to Bangkok, Phi Phi, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, about 3 weeks in total, from Australia.
Anyone know if its cheaper to pre book in Australia or just book flights and a night accommodation, then book the rest as we go. Traveling with wife and 7 & 5 year old girls.
Thanks
Reply to this Travelling with a couple of young girls I think you'd be better off to book it before you leave.You're not likely to get stuck for accomodation but you'd probably want to be certain.As to whether it's cheaper doing it that way or doing it as you go-I don't really know.
Reply to this I would book a few nights for Bangkok. Don't skip seeing Bangkok in the beginning of your trip because it makes it easier to make your connections to other places. When you are at that Bangkok hotel also book a final night in Bangkok just before you fly home. This makes it easier to make your connections. Keep in mind that there are two airports in Bangkok, some local within Thailand flights use Don Muang Airport on the other side of town.
A lot depends on when you will be traveling - Christmas and New Years high season periods may be more fully booked. Low season will be easier to get more places on a walk-in.
If or when you need a recommendation for hotels don't forget to mention how much you want to pay per night to narrow down the suggestions you get. Don't say middle priced or budget or some description like that - use a baht amount.
In Bangkok you can also book your flights to Phuket, your train to Chiang Mai or local tours from travel agencies if you want. Get a hotel in Bangkok near the Skytrain so you can use that overhead rail service to get around town. The Skytrain has a stop for the subway at Asok, the subway brings you to the national train station. But with four people in your party a meter taxi (only pay the meter fare) is a bargain too! A meter taxi fare in Bangkok covers everyone you can stuff in one car, price is not per passenger!
It is up to you, you have little kids to drag around so that is something you have to consider. Some tourists just use the telephone to pre-book their next hotel after they get to Bangkok. Some tourists even book their hotels through local travel agencies cheaper than from their own countries.
A lot depends on WHEN you need the hotels.
Good luck.
Reply to this Book as you go Jamie. VERY little here is fully booked. I talked to hotel owners who have seen occupancy drop to 10 - 20%.... and this is PEAK season. You should be able to get low season rates for accommodation the whole time.
Having said that, you may be able to arrange a really cheap package right now because hotel operators here are really desperate just to get guests into their rooms.
Reply to this Peter is right in the idea of booking as you go. I would however, suggest that you book your first night before you arrive. Even if you pay a bit more, getting a hotel for the night will give you a destination. This will allow you to get everyone there and some sleep before you have to decide where you are going. In the morning you will have time for breakfast, maybe a dip in the pool and be able to make some phone calls, arrange a taxi, etc,etc,etc.
As well, if you happen to be arriving at night, you won't be dragging your kids and wife around trying to find a place to stay.
YMMV
Reply to this If I was to Buy a good SLR digital Camera in Thailand would it have a valid warranty in Australia. Also would it be compatible with our power etc. If all is good, any suggestions on where to buy. Thanks
Reply to this Don't know for sure but I would say the warranty would have to be good as it is the camera company eg Nikon that gives the warranty.Just have to find the appropriate dealer.Power points,therefore the plug,in Thailand are different from Aus in as much as the two prongs on the plug are vertical and not on an angle.You can buy adaptors to suit.The actual voltage is not a problem as we have bought electrical items in Thailand with no problems.I've looked at cameras in Thailand and although I've never really gone into it that deeply there does not seem to be that much difference in price between Thailand and Aus.May be better to look at duty free ones before you go.Also,definately no problem with warranty and power-just need the adaptor to turn the Aus plug into a Thai plug which are available from Dick Smith's,Tandy's etc.
Reply to this I am not sure about Australia but cameras for sale in Thailand are usually more expensive than what I can get in the US. There may be an occasional clearance sale that is a good price but in the US I can find better deals with our weekend sales. So, do some research before you leave home and jot some prices down for comparison. (Same for computers too, cheaper in my country than Thailand.)
A few places you can try are the Panthip Plaza, located on Phetchaburi Road. Probably take the Skytrain to the Asia Hotel and walk down to Phetchaburi Road and turn right. About a 10 minute walk.
http://www.chiangdao.com/bangkokmap/location/Panthip+Plaza
N1 on the Map (Ratchathewi) is where the Asia Hotel is located.
Also, you can also check on sales at the Lotus Tesco, Carrefour and Big C Mall stores for special sales. There are several of them in the Bangkok area. In Pattaya you have the same mall stores above. In Pattaya you also have a nice computer/electronics store called Tukcom (not far from Friendship Supermarket and the end of Soi Buakhaw.)
http://www.mypattaya.com/85tukcom.asp
Good luck.
Reply to this I agree to book online before your arrival is better because your specific room or price may not be available when you check in.
Reply to this Just saw an interesting hotel ad. Accor has a super sale promotion for 3 days - Check it out, today is the last booking day online
Cheers! Reply to this Hi Jamie,
I bought a Canon 20D at Pantip Plaza here in Bangkok. It was cheaper than what I would have payed in Melbourne (although the US is definitely cheaper than here). From memory, the camera came with a two year domestic warranty and a one year international warranty. The battery charger is open voltage (100V - 240V) 50-60Hz. It has a standard American two prong plug, you just have to buy a $5 adapter to use it in Oz.
My advice would be to see what prices you can get on Amazon.com and compare them to duty free prices at home. If you can get the camera you want for the same price or 20% more, you are probably better off buying it before you come.
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