My girlfriend and I are travelling to Thailand in December / January. We only have 11 days, and after two days in Bangkok we were planning to head either to Angkor Wat or Chang Mai for ~3 days before heading to a beach (probably Krabi / Railay Bay). Does anyone have any thoughts on Angkor Wat vs. Chang Mai.
Thanks!
2006-10-29 17:44:39 · 11 answers · asked by Brian M 2 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Thailand
Angkor Wat is a wonder of the ancient world and, whilst I like Chaing Mai, I don't think it can compare with that. As to the road from the border of Thailand to Siem Reap, yes, it is pretty bad. I needed a lot of Thai massage in Bangkok to sort out the aches in my back and elsewhere after I did the trip. However, you don't have to go by road. There is at least one airline that flies into Siem Reap (Air Asia - www.airasia.com); although it doesn't have a direct flight from Bangkok. What I did one way, and with retrospect probably should have done both ways, was to fly from Bangkok to Phnom Penh (Air Asia had a promotion at the time) and, having looked around there for a couple of days (Killing Fields, Grand Palace, etc.), took the bus to Siem Reap. The road from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap is in much better condition than the road from the Thai border to Siem Reap.
2006-10-29 20:53:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Brilliant - you''l love it. I travelled around that region ohhhh about 8 years ago! I assume you're flying into Bangkok. Stay in Kho Shan Road - and have a look round the city for the first day or so. There's a city about an hours north of Bangkok which has some amazing Wats, but I can't remember the name of it... If its still there - at the end of Kho Shan road is a petrol station, and just next to it down the side was one of my favourite restaurants in that part of the world - an Israeli restaurant owned by a Thai family. The food was great! Travelling north to Changi Mai and then going for a three day trek is pretty amazing. You stay over night in a little village and see some amazing senery, oh and get to ride an elephant! From here you could cross inito Laos and take a lesurely two day boat trip down the Mekong river to Luang Pra-Bang (sp?) a UN world heritage city and absolutely beautiful. Also just north of LP is a great lilttle town with amazing scenery and the buildings have old bomb casings holding them up! Head south by bus to Vientiene which has an amazing waterfall and you could when I travelled, rent huge rubber rings and float down the meakong back into town! Heading down to the the capital Van Vien isn't too far and is also the crossing back to Thailand. If you time if right you should check out the Full Moon Party on the islands - you can get an overnight train down to Kho Samui. Fron Bangkok I'd recommend flying into Cambodia and then onto Vietnam, but unfortunately I didn't travel either country so can't really help you, but if your ticket allows - stopping off in Hong Kong is quite an experience too! Enjoy your trip! Sorry for the dodgy spelling but it has been a while!!!
2016-03-28 01:24:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with much of the above - I love Thailand and Thai people, but Angkor Wat is a one time, must see experience.. CM has become pretty touristy and shopping oriented - I live not too far from there, in a place w/few tourists.. If you choose Angkor, yes, you are best advised to fly.. I think do some research on Angkor and if this intrigues you, there is no place like it.. but beware, you are a tourist in a poor country there.. Cambodia is not Thai..
2006-10-30 01:09:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have been to both places and highly recommend Seam Reap (where Angkor Wat is located). Out of all the places I have been in the world this was one of the best! You can do the entire thing in three days. There is nothing like walking through some of those temples alone, early in the morning! If you have any questions you can email me. Chang Mai is fun, but nothing compaired to Angkor!
2006-10-31 10:13:47 · answer #4 · answered by michiganwife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thailand is great, you'll like it, especially if you like spicy food. I spent some time over there back in 1998 during a kick boxing tournament. I also traveled a lot in the military but never to Angkor Wat, Chang Mai is rather nice though. I recommend staying at the Lotus Pang Suan Kaew Hotel, it's a really nice place and it's reasonable. Anyways have a good trip and take lots of pictures so you'll have all those memories of your trip together!!
2006-10-29 18:07:28 · answer #5 · answered by dave p 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd go to Chang Mai if I could only do one. It's a beautiful, safe and history filled city. Lots to see and do and alot quieter than Bangkok. If you want the single, "wild life" adventure then by all means include Bangkok.
2006-10-30 00:39:06 · answer #6 · answered by EMAILSKIP 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the road to angkor is so bad, it will take you a full day each direction.
you can fly to chang mai and save time
but..
it is completely different from each other
2006-10-29 19:03:03 · answer #7 · answered by zilber 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would go to Chang Mai, could be somewhat restricted and most outsiders have not seen it lately, very beautiful!www.parasolinn.com Good luck!!!
2006-10-29 17:53:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thailand better
2006-10-31 00:13:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Stay in the USA.
2006-10-29 17:47:24 · answer #10 · answered by mathlete1 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋