Logistic questions,First timer

I am planning on travelling to Japan,Bangkok,Phuket and Chaing Mai nxt Feb. I am trying to figure out which order to go in. Worried about the booking,and luggage restrictions on flights around Thailand etc. Will be visiting my dil%26#39;s family in Japan and thought I would like to end my trip in bangkok.Have never been to Asia before,so any advice would be appreciated.Initionally I had hoped to end trip in Phuket(sun/beach) but figured after shopping blitz and air transfers,it would be wiser to end it in bangkok.

Also in trying to figure out costs etc. what is the baht- us.dollar ratio? Finally,what can I expect for weather in Feb.? This is just a beginning of what I%26#39;m sure will be an avalanche of questions(my apologies) but you gotta start somewhere..lol

Much Thanks,

Sue

Logistic questions,First timer

Sue;

Dollar to Baht is about 30-31 baht to 1 USD. Exchange your money at a bank in Bangkok or currency exchange at Bangkok airport, not before arrival---better rates in Thailand. Use USD100 for best rate.

Weather in February is among best, coolest, but that is relative. Dry in Feb, high temps around 91-92 F. There%26#39;s lots of air conditioning in most venues, so not t oworry really. It%26#39;s not that hot or uncomfortable really.

In Bangkok, get hotel near BTS skytrain stop to get around and avoid traffic. BTS is very cheap. And will get you to all shopping venues, entertainment venues, most hotels, and restaurants.

Some good maps and weather sites:

http://www.urbanrail.net/as/bang/bangkok.htm bts maps and good photos

www.thaifocus.com/bangkok/images/skytram.jpg another good map with markets

johomaps.com/as/鈥angkokmetro.html really good map

Great weather map---cool. http://www.travelfish.org/weather_fish.php

Skytrain info:

- OPERATION

6:00 - 24:00, every 3 - 6 minutes, rush hours (7:00-9:00 and 17:00-20:00) every 2 minutes

- FARES

BTS (Green Line):

Single fare between 10 and 40 baht, depending on distance

Cash cards (';SkyCard';) are available from 200 baht

1-Day Tourist Pass - 120 baht

MRTA (Blue Line):

Single fare 14-36 baht, depending on distance travelled.

Hotels: check out these sites:

http://www.agoda.com

http://www.sawadee.com

http://www.hotelscombined.com/

You will love Thailand. It%26#39;s an awesome place and has great people.

Craig

Logistic questions,First timer

Craig,

You%26#39;re awesome !!! Thankyou. I am still trying to figure out which order of cities to visit. I am meeting dil%26#39;s family for the first time so that is my first stop-Japan, in which order should I do Thailand?

I will take a look at those sites you mentioned and again much thanks for your help.

Sue

For a guideline, your travel order in conventional way is Narita or Osaka -- Bangkok -- Changmai -- Bangkok ( transit point )-- Phuket-- Bangkok and back home. Minor variation may be feasible.

I guess you trip will begin at Toronto, Canada.

In a break down of the planning process, you work out the date how long you want to stay in Japan and Thailand. Then look for return ticket from Toronto to Bangkok. AC-TG or UA ( via Chicago ) would fit your itinerary.

The legs to Chaing Mai and Phuket are domestic flight or train journeys.

Thanks for your help !! Yes I will be coming from Toronto!! I guess I was hoping to fly direct to Phuket or Chaing Mai from Japan....At any rate,how much time (estimated) will I lose with air transfers -bkk-chaing mai,bkk-phuket? Knowing this will help me figure out number of days needed for this trip.Thanks again New Brunswick(sorry I forgot screen name) too anxious to reply :)

Sue

acne