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#1
23-01-2007, 02:18
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Flight advice / thoughts please
OK, I arrive BKK at 18.10 on 5 april if we're on time, and depart 3.15 am 18 April from BKK with Emirates. I want 2 nights in BKK, the rest in Phuket
So, do we have these 2 nights at the beginning or the end. If we decide to go stright to Phuket, the flights times are 19.40, which may be a bit risky if we are a tad late, or 21.10, both with Air Asia. Thoughts on this option are, which flight do we go for?, we aint gonna miss the big flight home as we'll leave Phuket mid day on 16 April. If owt goes tits up we have 2 days to sort. If we arrive quite late in BKK we'll lose our money if booked in advance, and its a bloody long day, as we leave UK 20.50 on 4 April. Alternatively, we stay in BKK when we arrive, and leave for Phuket on 17 April midday ish. Thoughts are if owt goes wrong we could be fooked, and where do we put our gear till 3am. If you can spot any ther issues pls feel free to tell me, There are 5 of us coming and we cant make a decision on the best way to go here, so what do you guys think, also do we book in advance or simply wait till we get to BKK and book then in the airport. cheers THE HOOF Last edited by HOOF HEARTED : 23-01-2007 at 02:22. 
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#2
23-01-2007, 02:46
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I would say have the last days in BKK.
Reason 1# Jetlag, how do you feel about going sightseeing in one of the most busy cities in the world not knowing if you are asleep or awake? Reason 2# Spendings, i know nothing about your economy, but burning too much money on shopping in the beginning might leave you with a somewhat dry vacation if on any kind of budget.
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#3
23-01-2007, 03:29
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I made the mistake of doing my first two days in Bangkok after travelling from Canada in October, and just like Jimoholio said I lost the first day to jetlag! That 3:15 a.m. flight from Bangkok going home will be a bit of a tester. Suggest you stay in Sukhumvit at one of the decent hotels (see BKK hotel forums for girl-friendly suggestions), and you will be able to check your bags with the front desk when you check out on the last day. Just come back to the hotel when you're ready to grab your taxi to the airport and pick up your bags at the same time. Do a bit of research on Bangkok and you'll find that two days is plenty to cover all the "must sees" - Grand Palace is at the top of the list! Enjoy your time in LOS!
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#4
23-01-2007, 03:44
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Forgot the last question in your post - you want to book in advance (at least one month ahead) to be sure your group all gets to stay in the same hotel. Saw a post for Somerset apartments (Home - Somerset Lake Point) and they have one and two bedroom apartments that seemed like a good deal, and also an excellent location. Somerset actually has more than one location in the Sukhumvit area. There are also a number of other places offering "serviced apartments" that might suit your needs also, but check the Bangkok "girl friendly" hotel post to get recommendations from BM's that have actually stayed at them.
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#5
23-01-2007, 03:58
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I think its the flight he is talking about booking Superstarry. Same advise applies though, book it as soon as you as certain of your plans. It can be very busy that time of year in LOS, and internal flights sell quickly.
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#6
23-01-2007, 04:55
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I usually have a night or two in Bkk when I arrive then fly onto Phuket / Chiang Mai or wherever I go then fly back the day I leave and drop my bags into the left lugguage go into town and return to the airport for my departure.
If the jetlag on arrival worries you you arrive at 18.10 perfect time for a few beers and hit the sack with a gorgeous lady for the night. Wake up refreshed next morning and a daytime flight onto Phuket. Your then refreshed for your holiday to start. If your worried about missing the flight home why not return to Bkk the day before you leave.
__________________
 Played 5 Won 5 Grand Slam 2008
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#7
23-01-2007, 05:03
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If they reopen Don Muang, you've have buckleys chance of making that.
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#8
23-01-2007, 05:19
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1) There is a left luggage place in the airport - last time I used it was 70 baht/bag.
2) Prettty much wherever and whenever you want to fly you will be able to - the only differential is the cost 18 Apr might be pricey though. I'd go straight to Phuket, booking tickets when you arrive for the next flight and have a couple of relaxing days at the end in BKK. In my experience Thai Air business fare for just turning up is 4k baht so anything else should be less than that.
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#9
23-01-2007, 05:28
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I would do the BKK days at the end for sure. Less drama and stress for your trip home. If your connections are good then go straight to Phuket, get your travelling done in one hit.
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#10
23-01-2007, 05:39
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I agree with other in visiting Bangkok last. Besides being better adjusted to the time change there will be no chance of a missed connection on the return.
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#11
23-01-2007, 06:00
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You may be able to book Emirates/Thai straight through - best phone and ask (emirates) but I'm sure I have read this could be done.
Also I would never rely on air asia for an international connection - think i may have got that Emirates flight before and there's a Thai flight that gets in 11-12mignight.
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#12
23-01-2007, 06:02
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Maybe stating the obvious here but what about one day either side? Ie it would something like
arrive 5th april 18:00 - go to BKK hotel and have a night out somewhere april 6th - morning check out hotel but leave your luggage there, go do day time stuff in BKK and come back for your cases in time for a 18:00-20:00 flight to phuket, by the time you get back you've just about got time for some nighttime fun. Other than that I'd agree with the others 2 days at the end is better. What you have to consider though is with your dates doing that would mean you have to get a flight back to BKK right on the end of songkran when it's going to be jam packed.
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#13
23-01-2007, 17:09
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I normally catch the same Emirates flight to London (via Dubai) , so will get the last Thai flight out of Phuket at 21.20 (earlier flight is 20.40) , this means you can check-in for Emirates as soon as you hit Bangkok.
Whether to do Bangkok at the beginning or end of your trip is Up2U, talk of jet-lag applies to both places, if you fly all the way to Phuket you will probably arrive at about 23.00 after a long journey. If you do Bangkok at the beginning , you can at least catch a few Zzzzzz's before going out on your first night.
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Member of Phuket Hash House Harriers
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#14
25-01-2007, 02:37
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OK Guys,
Thanks for the thoughts. Looks like we are going to do Bangkok last. Now then, heres another bit to chew on. We hope to arrive in Phuket around 10.30 ish, will there be taxis / minibus available at that time to get us to Patong, bearing in mind theres 5 of us. Any ideas of a realistic cost for this?? Cheers for now THE HOOF
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#15
25-01-2007, 03:40
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Meter taxi's are at a stand outside the terminal to the right 400 - 450B I think has been quoted on the forum, Limo's bookable inside the airport to Patong are 550B.
I guess you would need 2 of these as they are only cars. There is a mini bus option bookable at the same place as the limo's the price is 150B per person, They have to fill a mini bus before they move and go around all the hotels dropping peoiple off which can take a while. A bloke offered me a privat hire minibus for 1300B on xmas eve.
__________________
Played 5 Won 5 Grand Slam 2008
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#16
25-01-2007, 03:42
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If flights are still coming in, the taxis will be working. I got a minibus/van in April for 550baht to Patong, but be prepared to pay a little more, I think I was lucky.
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#17
25-01-2007, 03:48
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If the plane is packed A little tip for a quick getaway from the airport and avoid the queues for taxi's limo's etc is One of you go through the doors to the agent and book the cars or mini bus when the other 4 wait for the bags.
Then you will be ahead of the passengers waiting for their bags in the queue for cars.
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Played 5 Won 5 Grand Slam 2008
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#18
25-01-2007, 04:03
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Top idea Marsy, the hotel we're staying at have quoted 7/800 baht for a minibus, I'm just waiting to hear if they'll come out late at night. THE HOOF
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#19
25-01-2007, 04:37
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seems very lucky Roger - I'm doing well if I manage to pay 400baht on my own. another tip is to find someone at baggage collection who looks like they're on their own and going to patong and ask if they want to share (taxi rather than BG!) - surprising at how many airports this works ...
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#20
25-01-2007, 04:47
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I think it might be the girls I'm with t0rn  that gets me a minibus for that price.Sharing is a good idea if you really want to save a couple of hundred baht.
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#22
25-01-2007, 04:57
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555555 How many did you meet last time Steve? Last time I counted, I only had two. They are bringing their boyfriends this time 
__________________
I want to die peacefully in my sleep like my Granddad Not screaming in fear like his passengers
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#24
25-01-2007, 05:13
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