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Mathniz

RegularParis / Marseille · 52 posts

2025-10-29

Hi everyone,

We’re heading to Thailand with our four kids (ages 18, 17, 12, and 10) from August 3rd to 15th, 2026. I’ve been there twice before, but that was over 20 years ago, so I’m completely out of the loop !

We arrive in Bangkok on the morning of the 3rd and leave on the evening of the 15th.

Here’s our rough itinerary—I’d love your thoughts: 1 night in Bangkok on the 3rd (with a little sightseeing during the day), then the Grand Palace, reclining Buddha, and a floating market on the 4th. On the evening of the 4th, we take an overnight train to Chiang Mai. We’ll stay in Chiang Mai from the 5th to the 8th. On the evening of the 8th, we take an overnight train back to Bangkok. On the morning of the 9th, we head to Koh Samui. We’ll stay there from the 9th to the 12th, then return to Bangkok on the 13th. We’ll spend the afternoon of the 13th, the 14th, and the 15th in Bangkok before flying back to France [:(].

So here are my questions: - Do you think this "itinerary is doable"? - Do you think it’s necessary to travel first class, or is second class with Air Co sufficient for the Bangkok to Chiang Mai trip? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Chiang Mai? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Bangkok? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Koh Samui?

For hotels, we’d like to spend a maximum of 200 € per night for the six of us.

Thanks in advance for your help! Mathilde

SO Songsam Veteran ·2025-10-29

Good evening,

The 4th day is too packed—almost impossible, really. That first night in Bangkok won’t be much use; I’d add it to the end of the trip instead and take the overnight train to Chiang Mai as early as the 3rd. Floating market—which one? A second-class A/C sleeper train should be enough. Three nights in Chiang Mai feels a bit short. One extra night would be more reasonable. You didn’t specify, but based on your plan, it sounds like you’re flying Bangkok Airways from Bangkok to Samui (the only direct air option). It’d make more sense to take the direct Bangkok Airways flight from Chiang Mai to Samui—you’d gain a night* and avoid the cross-Bangkok trek from the train station to the airport (especially during rush hour). Train + plane = ~18 hours of travel without delays; direct flight = 1h45.

*Which you could add to Chiang Mai.

MA Mathniz Regular ·2025-10-30

Thanks so much for your reply, Thierry!

On the 3rd in the evening, my little family didn’t feel up to heading straight back for an overnight train after 15 hours of flying... I’ll try to convince them!

We’re actually flying there, but I was looking at Bangkok again because direct flights from Chiang Mai to Samui are way too expensive... I’ll try searching a bit more.

For the floating market in Bangkok, I’m not sure which one, but I’d just like to show them a floating market ;-)! Do you have one to recommend?

Thanks again for your help!! Mathilde

SO Songsam Veteran ·2025-10-30

For the Floating Market in Bangkok, I have no idea which one, but I just want to show them a floating market ;-)! Do you have one to recommend?

None within central Bangkok. One that’s less than 2 hours from downtown, still "authentic" enough, and open on weekdays is Bang Pli (closed Tuesdays). Time-wise, it’ll be nearly impossible to squeeze in a floating-market visit on the same day as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)—that day would be exhausting anyway.

On the 3rd in the evening, my little family didn’t feel up to heading straight back for an overnight train after 15 hours of flying...; I’ll try to convince them!

Little family with low stamina?...

On such a short trip that already includes Bangkok and a beach stay in the south, is it really worth making such a long and time-consuming (or expensive) detour to Chiang Mai for just a short stay? In my opinion, no. I’d skip the north and pick a stop closer to the center.

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2025-10-30

Just a heads-up: even the main floating markets in Bangkok itself are only active on Saturdays and Sundays.

If you want to visit Taling Chan or Khlong Lat Mayom, you’ll need to plan for Saturday, August 15th. Opening hours: 8 AM – 4:30 PM

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

Dennis2 Regular ·2025-10-30

Hello, instead of the floating market (which has long been just a fantasy from the old days), hire a longtail boat (a boat with a big engine) on the Chao Phraya with the kids and take a ride along the river and the klongs…

I’ve done this several times with kids—it always works—and since you won’t be in BKK long, it gives a great impression of the city…

Or, alternatively, a rooftop (like the Mahanakhon Tower) works well too…

MA Marsyork Veteran ·2025-11-07

Random tips:

Try to plan your trip so you don’t pass through Bangkok 3 times—it’s a waste of time and energy. As mentioned earlier, heading north for just 3 days is also, in my opinion, a waste of time, money, and energy. Another option (instead of CM): Kanchanaburi / River Kwai for nature or Ayutthaya (more historical).

Happy planning... Marsyork

SO Songsam Veteran ·2025-11-07

From Marsyork:

Don’t make 3 stops in Bangkok—it’s a waste of time and energy. As mentioned earlier, going to the North for just 3 days is also, in my opinion, a waste of time, money, and energy. Another option (instead of CM): Kanchanaburi / River Kwai—very natural

Great suggestion! Here’s a possible itinerary:

- Upon arrival in BKK, take a taxi to the minivan station at Mo Chit* and from there, a 2.5-hour* minivan ride (frequent departures) to Kanchanaburi (nature, history, temples). 4 nights to explore the area and its surroundings. - From Kanchanaburi, a 55-minute air-conditioned bus #81 to Ban Pong, then a 10-12 minute walk to the train station. From there, 1 night on a train to Surat Thani. - Upon arrival in Surat Thani, take a shuttle and then a boat to Koh Samui for 4 nights. - After the beach, fly back to BKK for 3 nights before heading home.

Fewer trips overall while still including an interesting stop, and only one stay in exhausting BKK.

*Alternative if you have a lot of luggage: From the airport, take a taxi to Sai Tai bus terminal, then a 2-hour air-conditioned bus #81 (frequent departures) to Kanchanaburi.

YU YuliyaS Regular ·2025-11-07

Songsam, are there toilets on those buses to Kanchanaburi? Is the AC really strong? I’m thinking of taking the train to Kanchanaburi instead because of the AC and toilets, but I’m still undecided.

SO Songsam Veteran ·2025-11-07

Yes, it's an a/c1 bus, so there are toilets (it's in the a/c2 buses that there aren't any, but there are no a/c2 buses on this route). The AC is on (but more bearable than in overnight buses). If you're sensitive to it, bring a light sweater and a wide-brimmed hat. No AC issues on the slow train from Thonburi since there isn't any, but the trip will be almost twice as long (delays are frequent) and there are only 2 departures per day, compared to buses or minivans that leave every 20 minutes.

YU YuliyaS Regular ·2025-11-07

Songsam, thanks for the info! Yeah, we're all sensitive to AC (we get sick easily), we'll see. Even with traffic, the bus ride takes 2 hours? True, by train it's about 2h45 according to the schedules I found online.

SO Songsam Veteran ·2025-11-07

Even with traffic, the bus ride takes 2 hours?

Yes, especially if you take the trip in the morning (traffic is in the opposite direction then), but the Sai Tai bus station it leaves from is way out in the sticks. During the last part of the trip (after Tha Muang), you might sometimes run into small groups of schoolgirls (in uniform) from Kanchananukro College in Kanchanaburi who "interview" foreign tourists on the bus to practice their English. They do this because it’s part of their school program—they take notes on the answers and then have to write a report that will be read and graded in class.

True, by train it’s about 2h45 according to the schedules I found online.

Realistically, count on 3 to 3.5 hours. Unlike what usually happens on buses, verbal contact with other passengers on a slow train is common.

YU YuliyaS Regular ·2025-11-07

Thanks for all this information!

WA Waterlily78 ·2025-11-26

Hi there, we visited Chiang Mai / Koh Samui - Koh Phangan / Bangkok in August. I have a very detailed post on the forum—feel free to check it out! :)

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Need advice for a trip to Thailand with kids

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