Thailand Advice - family trip

[Brycare]

Hi guys.
Starting to plan an early 2024 family trip to Thailand (2 adults and kids 5 & 7). We are planning on spending a week in Koh Samui and also 3-4 nights in Singapore either at the very start or end of the trip (we could leave this part out if needs be if we find we need to shorten the trip closer to the time).
We will then have somewhere in the region of 5-7 full days left and looking for advice on where to spend those days.
Ideally I’d like to spend them on the West coast (will fly) rather than the islands closer to Samui.
Anyone any advice on a good area to stay and/or specific accommodation advice?
Some places that are on the radar so far are Bangtao beach (Saii Laguna) or possibly even somewhere in Krabi.
I’d love to go to Koh Lipe but I think it’s probably too much of a tel there and back maybe?
Any advice/suggestions greatly appreciated

It’s not on the coast but Chiang Mai is amazing - we did cooking classes, visited an elephant sanctuary, explored the temples. We then flew to Koh Samui, where we got our beach fix.

Also Bangkok is great for a night of you haven’t put it in the itinerary - it’s really buzzing. Do this at the beginning as you need the relaxed beach afterwards.

We got the night train from Bangkok to Chaing Mai and it was an amazing experience.

I’d say 4 nights might be too long in Singapore unless you’re planning on dedicating a day to Universal. We did most of it in 3 days (and that was during the Grand Prix weekend!).

Thanks for the reply. Would you recommend including Singapore?
The idea is 3 full days - that would be 4 nights if we do it at the start (as would not have time to do anything really on day one) or 3 if at the end.
Chiang Mai does sound lovely but I don’t know if I’d do it and Singapore in the same trip. The Singapore idea is really because we would be flying via either there or Bangkok anyway most likely.
Chiang Mai would involve a further internal flight again - I have heard good things about it though.

I’d probably stick to Thailand and fly into Bangkok. I wouldn’t skip Chiang Mai personally - I’ve done Thailand 3 times and have always included it.

Last time we did this itinerary and it was great:

1/2 nights - Bangkok
Night train to Chiang Mai
4 nights Chiang Mai
Fly to Koh Samui
1 week Koh Samui
Fly back to Bangkok for 1 night

I love Singapore, but I really loved the excitement and buzz of landing into Bangkok. It felt like more of a culture shock (in a good way!).

I wouldn’t skip Chiangmai either, it’s very different to Singapore and BKK.

I’m going to Thailand with my 5yo soon and I find that we’re better in more built up places with him- for example Koh Samui rather than island hopping as he has no appreciation for it and it’s a bit gruelling to keep changing hotels with a young child.

Maybe a three centre trip is a bad idea and am better off sticking to two places - so only one change of accommodation etc.
Some food for thought. I really wish we had longer as would love to do all of Chiang Mai, Koh Lipe, Krabi, Samui and Phuket & take our time. Unfortunately two weeks is all we have.