1

Into the search box, type "2 weeks in Thailand" and trust me, theres no shortage of ideas.

2

Well, you can't miss the Full Moon Party! That's the best cultural experience in Thailand. You see these natives that somehow have white skin and speak this language called English. They all drink their traditional whiskey, something called coca cola, and redbull buckets and listen to their traditional dub step and top 40 music. The best part is when they partake in this interesting dance where they jump through ropes of fire after they ingest copious amounts of their drinks. The strongest members of the tribes don't get burned.

Non cultural Thailand with Buddhists, Thai food, villages, art, massage, etc sucks dick.

3

We are interested in outdoor activities and seeing cultural exhibits.

The full moon party would fulfil both of these objectives. Not only is it outdoors, but it is a true Thai cultural experience!

Too bad you won't be there during a full moon. Did you even LOOK at the full moon calendar? I think not.

ps ... it's the day before you arrive.

4

We arrive in Bangkok on December 29th and we will leave Jan 11 2013,,,,And should we book hostels in advance
Highest of the high high high season. Of course you should.

5

Bit harsh joey!
I checked on a web site and found that there are no less than THREE FMPs in December. LOL. Any excuse to make money!!!!!

Full Moon Party Dates 2012
Tuesday 25, December
Friday 28, December
Monday 31, December
..................
New Year 2013 Party Date
Monday 31 December 2012:
New Year Party
Tuesday 01 January 2013:
New Year's Day After Party

6

Well ... there is only 1 actual full moon, on the 28th. they arrive on the 29th and want to go to the party ... I may be harsh, but they are bad planners. The party on the 31 is a New Years Eve party ... anything but the real 'full moon' thing is just a 'poser' and not true to the 'thai culture'.

there's no 'y' in joe.

7

Hi,

Forget the Full Moon Party (you miss it anyway). Go north and enjoy it. You have two weeks only and you need a night in BKK either side of your travel really. If you have to do north and south find a decent place, safe and enjoyable. Unless of course you like drinking yourself in to a stupor and taking the risks others do. Lot of people have regretted going to this type of night out - do a search and read the stories.

8

There is a New Year's "Full Moon Party" , yes I looked it up

9

thaibeachlovers, so should I book hostels from hostelworld.com or is there another website? I have had some bad luck with them, e.g. arriving at the hostel (since it is a third party booking agency) and the hostel has no reservations/is full/my friends and I get separated in different rooms, etc. My friend that has traveled there before went during a different time of year so it is hard to get good advice about what to book. We really want to do some elephant trekking excursions in Chiang Mai, should we book those in advance too?

I think we have pretty much ruled out the Full Moon Party at this point, but we don't want to miss out on experiencing a Thai beach. It seems impossible to see the beach and Chiang Mai in 2 weeks though.

10

Book any tours when you get there. No shortage of travel service places that do local tours no matter where you go.
I dont see a problem doing both beach and the north in 2 weeks using sleeper trains. My daughter and grandson joined us earlier this year for a week and we did both CM and Bangkok without rushing. Add another week and theres your beach.

11

"Thailand has many beautiful beaches in the south of the country that are very popular with visitors. Pattaya and Phuket are the most popular, and both are very commercialized. Phuket has perhaps Thailand's best beaches, while the beach in Pattaya is average at best but for most visitors this is compensated for by the nightlife scene.

Ko Samui and Ko Phi Phi and are about as developed as Phuket and almost as popular. A bit less developed but with beaches that are just as nice are islands such as Ko Pha-Ngan, Ko Tao, Krabi, Ko Samet, Ko Lanta and Ko Chang. It's still pretty easy to find deserted beaches by wandering off the beaten track in some of the Southern provinces, such as Trang.

The north of Thailand is better for more cultural and historical sights. Chiang Mai is popular for it's temples, shopping and nearby activities (hilltribe trekking, elephant rides, rafting etc...). Other northern towns, such as Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son, are similar but smaller and a little less developed.

Sukhothai historical park (and nearby Sri Satchanalai) is Thailand's nearest equivalent to Cambodia's Angkor Wat and Indonesia's Borobudor. This is a very large site with many impressive temples, and is definitely worth stopping off at on a trip between Bangkok and Chiang Mai. Ayuthaya, just a couple of hours north of Bangkok, is similar but most people seem to rate Sukhothai as the better of the two.

Thailand's northeast Isaan province is the poorest part of the country and is rarely visited by tourists. This is a bit of a shame, since the prices are cheaper and the people friendlier here than perhaps anywhere else in Thailand. Nong Khai at the top of Isaan is the most touristy, mostly because of its the main border crossing into Laos but also for it's relaxed atmosphere and attractive location on the Mekong river. The historical temple ruins are the main tourist attractions in this area and are some of the country's best, such as Phanom Rung and Phimai.

The most visited National Parks are Erawan National Park in Kanchanaburi, Khao Yai in Nakhon Ratchasima and Doi Inthanon in Chiang Mai. Khao Yai is the best for animal spotting, while Erawan and Doi Inthanon both have impressive waterfalls. Others that are quite easy to get to and worth seeing are Khao Sok (near Phuket), Khao Sam Roi Yot / Kaeng Krachan (near Hua Hin) and Khao Luang (near Surat Thani)."
(I found this on a travel website.)

Look like you had make a very good choice since December- February is the best time to visit Thailand.
Hope that you have a good trip to this country :)

12

If you want to visit Chiang Mai only, below is the suggestion:

• Touring the sacred temples of Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Chiang Man.
• Making merry at Chiang Mai's Sartuday Walking Street and Sunday Walking Street.
• Learning how to feast up a Thai feast with a cooking course.
• Embarking on the popular pirgrimage to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
• Escaping to the country with a weekend trip to Chiang Dao.

13

As you're there for New Years Eve I would try to get to the NYE Beach Party on Surin Beach - looks fantastic:

http://www.myworldwebcams.com/new_year/phuket_thailand.html

Basement Jaxx, Alex Gaudino LMFAO headlining this year!

14

so should I book hostels from hostelworld.com or is there another website?
Sorry, can't advise on that. I never book ahead unless I've stayed at the place before, and use e-mail, but I've never tried to stay anywhere at Xmas/ NY either.

It seems impossible to see the beach and Chiang Mai in 2 weeks though
Not impossible if you fly, but rather too rushed to enjoy. I always say that 3 weeks minimum is necessary to do both.

should we book those in advance too?
See #11.