[Ashtonsmum]

3 weeks today

The only tour we have booked is Phi Phi Island - my sister is a travel agent and she suggested it. Apart from that we will probably just see what happens day to day. Ive only got 10 more shifts at work which is awesome as I havent had any annual leave since going to Bali in September last year.

Pulled the suitcases out of the shed this morning. Need to give them a good wipe over and then organise what we are going to take with us.

[My-3-Pinks]

Thanks for the currency suggestions

I've started getting my girls to try on last summer's clothes so I know what fits and what I might need to buy before we go. So excited!

[nlman]

Get some thai baht at a Thai ATM. there are plenty at the airport and you get a better rate there rather than here.

I definitely agree with this. We have been to Thailand a number of times and have never taken any currency with us. I just withdraw from an ATM - they are everywhere. I normally have abut AUD$500 in case of an emergency and then if I haven't used it, spend it when I get home!

[My-3-Pinks]

*Mrs Puddles* - great information - thank you! I told my girls earlier you have to pay to pee and they nearly wet themselves laughing

How much spending money approximately do you normally take? We've only been overseas once with the children and that was last year to Fiji and we didn't need all that much since most tours etc were through the resort so we paid with the credit card or had it charged to our room. I'm presuming we are going to use more cash this time with the markets/shopping type stuff etc.

[nlman]

Is breakfast included at your resort? I always go the included breakfast option! We then normally eat a mix of street / market food and resort food. I tend to budget about AUD$100 but our kids are still tiny.

[261071v]

*Mrs Puddles* - great information - thank you! I told my girls earlier you have to pay to pee and they nearly wet themselves laughing

How much spending money approximately do you normally take? We've only been overseas once with the children and that was last year to Fiji and we didn't need all that much since most tours etc were through the resort so we paid with the credit card or had it charged to our room. I'm presuming we are going to use more cash this time with the markets/shopping type stuff etc.

We just allow for $80-$100 Australian a day in our accounts. How much you spend will depend on how western you eat, and how much is covered by your resort. We carry about $100 just in case we get caught out, other than that its ATMs all the way- you will need to check if you want to island hop.

[My-3-Pinks]

Thank you. Yes, breakfast is included. My girls are 9, 7 and 3.

[lizzie04]

Hi, we just returned from our holiday staying in Patong at the Holiday Inn. It was amazing! I have a 7yo and 2yo and have lots of tips - definitely check the tripadvisor Phuket forum which was brilliant.

One big tip is that this trip was very different to my experiences there without kids - so there are some places I wouldn't go with kids that I would have before.

If you have specific questions please feel free to pm me and I will help as much as I can.

[SKP1972]

We love Thailand too, honeymooned there 13 years ago and have been back twice since. Definately do Fantasea, and book a few days ahead, despite what people say it is good to get seats in the front section A, B and C from memory, we were in Row W last time and it was ok, but not as good as the first time when we were in Row G, be aware that they confiscate you camera's before you go into the auditorium as they have photo ops with baby elephants and tigers which are about 15-20. Camera's are completely safe (and this is coming from a self confessed camera lover) they hand you an id tag and you pick it up at the end, is worth having the camera for taking pics around the park, and if you can eat before you go you can get dinner included but it is just a buffet and prob not worth the extra money.

We have stayed in Patong and Karon Beach and enjoyed both, be aware that you will also have to pay for a seat and umbrella on the beach about 5.00 is the norm from memory.

We also did a day trip with a driver cost about 50.00 and went to the Big Budha, Wat Chalong temples (which I loved) and the Chalong Elephant rides (they will pickup if at Karon and Kata and drop you back for no extra charge) is about 40.00 per adult for about 1/2 hr, our kids loved it.

The last time we did a boat day trip with our 8 and 5 yo to Phi Phi Island, Kai Island, Maya Beach and Monkey Island - whilst it was great to see so much in one day it was probably too much to cram into one day, but it was lots of fun.

Another good hint too is to go into the family marts as they have fresh yogurt and premade sandwiches as well as icepoles and soft drinks and were great to have a quick cheap lunch or snacks.

If it rains and you are in Phuket, then Junceylon is the big shopping centre which has a theatre and bowling alley, is alot like Westfield with lots of big shops, good cosmetics and supermarkets, good if you want to get out of the heat for a while and if you are looking for something in particular that you might have forgotten, there is also a Boots Pharmacy there as well which is good.

Make sure you get a massage, in Karon Beach there were a number of off the street ladies who were about 8.00 for a 1 hr massage and they were pretty good, my daughter had her waist length hair braided for 10.00 which was awesome as it takes about 1.5 hrs. Also found a great dayspa the last time which was not as flash as the big hotels but really good called Body@Soul at Karon Beach, they pick up from local hotels and drop back, I had a full body scrub and massage took about 1.5 hrs for 40.00 (this was also negotiable depending on how many people.

I also love the shopping for the kids and hubby, not so much for me as I was too big for alot of stuff as i am a size 12au but it didn't stop me buying handbags and sunnies.

Hope that helps,

Soni

[carls888]

For Thailand we normally budget $100-$120 per day but if you plan on drinking alchohol double it.

Food is cheap, shopping is cheap, massages are cheap.

I love the place!

Have fun

C