Thailand in March

[Chemenger]

We’re off to Thailand in March (has to be then for a variety of reasons). We’ll be spending some time in Bangkok but hoping to visit a couple of other places too. Chiang Mai was high on the list but I’ve seen that air quality is a real issue at that time of the year - can anyone advise about how bad this is? Suggestions for other interesting places to visit. We’re not really resort/beach holiday people but DH would like to snorkel and I’m happy to read a book in a nice shady spot.

Suggestions for nice Bangkok hotels would also be appreciated. 😀

I am a frequent visitor to Thailand, and live there part of the year.

You may want to keep your options open for side trips from Bangkok unless you are buying a single ticket for all your flights: there are budget airlines which fly all over Thailand, and as March is at the end of the season, it should not be difficult to get flights at short notice. That gives you the option to hold off deciding for/against Chiang Mai, depending on smog forecasts at the time. I went in March last year, we were lucky, but the week after the smog was bad. Phuket is nice (the old town, as well as beaches).

Recommend any hotel by the river in Bangkok - it's great fun to use water taxis, and there is a sky train station right by the river. For budget, try Chann Bangkok Noi; Anantara Riverside is more expensive but great location.

Thanks, that’s useful. DD is currently living in Thailand so can keep an eye on conditions. She’s an expert on $10 a day hostels but we’re hoping to be a bit more at the luxury end of things! Any recommendations of ethical elephant experiences? Or other wildlife opportunities.

I am afraid I don't know of any "ethical" elephant experiences - my direct experience is that they are tourist traps, and animal welfare is neglected. Happy to be corrected if others have had different experiences.

We went in March too and had the same thoughts as you. Ayuttaya the ancient capital is well worth a visit and drivable from Bangkok.

All of the sights in Bangkok are superb - just tick off everything in the Lonely Planet guide.
TBH any of the hotels in Bangkok you fancy as they are so much cheaper than UK! There are some amazing rooftop bars well worth visiting for the incredible views even if you're not into cocktails. I think Moon bar was one if I recall.

Krabi beach very nice to visit though not necessarily stay, phi phi islands for views / hike and beach, and Koh Lanta is a lovely island if you want peace and quiet.

Depending on your budget there are some fabulous hotels which offer snorkelling trips.

I'm also going to Thailand in March - Bangkok, Chiang Mai and then Koh Samui. I've been to Chiang Mai before in March and no issue with air quality but as someone said the internal flights are so cheap you can keep an eye on it and book a couple of days beforehand. It's very easy to get around on the trains in Bangkok, the hotels are really cheap so you can get a 4/5 hotel for a bargain. Perhaps search on booking.com and filter it to 4/5 if you want a pool, breakfast included, near to certain areas/metro etc. Staying by the river is a good option too.

I just read about an elephant park in CM where it is ethical and they go to 'retire' or are rescued, you can spend the day there: https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/enp/visit-volunteer/projects/elephant-nature-park-single-day-42/view

Viator is also a good site to give you some suggestions on activities/days out in the areas you are staying and most pick up from your hotel too.

Thanks for all the advice. I am sceptical of elephant facilities, I would like to see them but don’t want to feed ill treatment. I’ll look at @SnowfallSnowball ‘s suggestion.

My tip is:
Visit the temple that's tucked away down the side of the Paragon mall. Wat Pathum Wanaram.
We did the main big ones but despite being the rainy season it was a heatwave, there was zero shade and you could barely see the monuments for the amount of people in costumes posing everywhere. Don't regret going but on our last day I impulsively dragged us to Wat Pathum Wanaram, and it was the opposite: smaller buildings set in an enclosed park, quiet, and the hand painted interiors of the temples was absolutely breathtaking. So glad we didn't miss it.

We have literally just come back from the Elephant Nature park and can highly recommend it. We did the half day morning tour which was perfect. No touching, feeding or washing of the elephants, just walking in a small group (12 people) amongst the elephants with a very knowledgeable guide. Some of their stories are heartbreaking. They are such beautiful, gentle animals. I think the morning tour would be better than the afternoon, it was very hot by the end but relatively cool in the beginning. They pick you up from your hotel and a nice vegan lunch is included. I’m really glad we did it.

I have to say it was hotter than hell in the temple @evtheria recommended, but it is beautiful and quiet.
For anyone else thinking of coming here we stayed in the Chatrium Riverside in Bangkok, really lovely. We had a two bedroom suite which was very spacious and gave access to a lounge with refreshments and free cocktail hour. In Chiang Mai we are in the Thee Vijit Lanna which is small but beautiful with a nice peaceful little pool and garden.