Bangkok and Beach Resort

Thailand

We are very happy to be able to offer this new holiday in Thailand, where the bright lights of Bangkok are a perfect foil to the idyllic beaches of Khao Lak beside the Andaman Sea.  The warmth of the Thai people is legendary, and we know that we will be very welcome at our chosen hotels, which offer great value for single travellers without compromising on standards.

Throughout the holiday, a Friendship host will be on hand to help you to cram in as much sightseeing and new experiences as you like, from elephant trekking to sea canoeing. But if your idea of paradise is white sand, turquoise sea and reading The Beach after a leisurely lunch, then no-one will stop you!

You will find our 12-day holiday outlined here, with full details of our chosen hotels and all the sightseeing, as well as holiday prices.

Days 1-2
A late evening (21.30 departure) direct flight with EVA Air from London Heathrow on Day 1 arrives in Bangkok in mid-afternoon on Day 2. Check in to the 3* Plus Naria Hotel for 2 nights.

Day 3
You can choose to do your own thing, or join our optional full day tour of this amazing and fast growing city. This evening, we all enjoy a short tour along the river, before an excellent Thai dinner in a traditionally styled restaurant overlooking the Chao Phaya River (payable locally).

Day 4
The morning is free for DIY sightseeing or shopping. At lunch time we transfer to the airport for our flight to Phuket in the south-west of the country, and by late afternoon transfer (50 minutes) to our base for the next 8 nights, the Khao Lak Sunset Resort – a lovely 3 star superior hotel.

Days 5 – 11
The days are yours to spend as you wish, from lazing on the hotel’s private beach to exploring the natural beauty of the islands or the lush green mountains of the Khao Lak National park. Whatever your idea of paradise is, you will find it here. Your Friendship Travel host is happy to arrange excursions for you. Ask for further details.

Day 12
Sadly, we have to leave after breakfast, to transfer to Phuket airport and start our journey home, travelling via Bangkok to pick up our flight home. The miracles of international datelines mean we return to London Heathrow mid-evening on the same day (19.10 arrival).

We have chosen Thailand’s dry season for our holiday dates, with temperatures typically 25-30C. Other operators offer the unbearably hot and wet monsoon season, so check dates when comparing prices.

Khao Lak - 3* Superior Khao Lak Sunset Resort

This is a wonderful stretch of coastline, with the Andaman Sea in front of us, and the rainforest rising up behind the resort. Among the spectacular islands – including the one featured in The Main with the Golden Gun and now known simply as ‘james Bond Island’ – our favourites include Similan and Surin, famous for their diving and snorkelling opportunities. Nightlife here is low key, though Khao Lak has a number of bars and restaurants along the main beach strip, just a few minutes from our hotel.

The three stars superior Khao Lak Sunset Resort is a low-rise modern building offering just 60 rooms in a fantastic location with friendly service. There’s a free-form swimming pool and sun terraces, though the private beach is only a few feet away. The thatched, open-sided restaurant specialises in seafood and watching the sun set over the Andaman Sea is not to be missed. Rooms are spacious and contemporary, with individually-controlled air conditioning, cool, tiled floors and wooden furniture.

Bangkok -3* Superior Naria Hotel

Bangkok is the country’s capital and is a bewildering mix of ancient and modern – with skyscrapers looming over golden-roofed temples, and western shops jostling alongside noisy street markets. Bangkok is a great place to shop, with everything from genuine Thai silk crafts to designer brand fakes. To get a real taste of this extraordinary city, we recommend our full day tour, which not only shows you the sights, but with its Thai lunch and boat trips, is a real experience that gets the holiday off to a great start.

The Naria Hotel has recently been completely refurbished and offers all the modern facilities you would expect of a city three-star plus hotel, with the added bonus of a Gym, an outdoor pool and sun terrace plus. There’s 2 restaurants an informal lounge and bar. Located on the Silom Road the hotel is convenient to all the major areas of the city.

Please also note – Our February group coincides with Half Term School holidays. Teachers can leave school on Friday afternoon and catch the flight from London Heathrow at 21.30. You arrive back the following Sunday into London Heathrow at 19.10, relaxed and tanned ready for the next school term.

Bangkok Full Day Tour - As well as the striking modern architecture that we see as we drive around the city, we discover three Buddhist temples on our fascinating tour and enjoy our first Thai meal (lunch, included) before boarding a long-tailed speedboat for a ride through the kongs (canals) to see the lifestyle on the outskirts of the city. Before we return to the hotel we take a different journey, on a converted rice barge along the larger canals, where many Thais live and work right on the water. Cost approx £40

Sightseeing:

Khao Lak excursions and activities

• Elephant trekking
• Phang Nga, Khao Lak and Khao Sok discovery tours
• Snorkelling and scuba diving
• Phi Phi and Khai Island tours
• Jungle adventures
• Phuket excursions