@Tony ********

May was cheaper than June so I imagine April is cheaper still, though still much more than $934 next month. Also Sydney would be cheaper than Melbourne.

@Jack ***************

Pretty sure if you withdraw money and it comes out but you fail somehow to get it (forget etc) it returns inside and you are not debited. Perhaps that happened to you.

Why do you prefer Thailand to Vietnam?

@Jack ***************

You're a bit rude for someone seeking advice! I don't understand why anyone would want to bring a dog for a short visit. From the moment you step off the plane it will be a hassle. This is not the dog friendly environment you'd find back home.

@Mikie ********

I stayed in On Nut, Victory Monument and Rangsit (visiting friends) last time, with the BTS in each case only a stone's throw from my hotel/apartment. My only complaint is the public transport system shutting down at midnight.

@Mikie ********

The Sky train and subway, along with the river and canal ferries, make traversing Bangkok so easy, and the maximum fare of 45 baht makes the sky train very economical if you use it for long trips. There is for instance a sky train/bus combination to Don Meuang airport using the Sukhumvit line. I lived 6 years in Bangkok before the construction of the rail system and owned a car. Often travelling anywhere was a bit of a nightmare. Now I am more than happy using public transport to get around. Bangkok is a great city and hopping from place to place really allows you to appreciate the variety to be found there. I basically only stay in Bangkok when I visit, last time in 4 different locations.

@Kay *****

I'd take a taxi as your hotel is not easy to reach with public transport. Looks like a little gem of a hotel. What you do have easy access to is the canal ferries which will allow you to quickly reach many of the major attractions and parks, but also the river ferry which will take you to Chinatown, Little India on Pahurat Rd and the flower market, all in the same area - my favourite part of Bankok, full of variety and life. Also near Kaosan Rd. An inspired choice of hotel!

@Mikie ********

Never had a problem with any taxi taken from the airport. The train is a good option if you are staying close to a station en route.

@John ******

You think I didn't read their post?! I thought it was obvious from my post that I was familiar with their needs and I expressed my opinion. If you don't like it, too bad. As I said, if they have the money to move a family and a dog to Samui, go for it. I must confess I don't have much time for people who say they are moving to places that they don't seem to know much about.

@Richard ********

As you say, each to their own. I lived there 6 months in 1997 after 5 years in Bangkok, and absolutely hated it, but I have to admit swimming in the sea has little appeal to me which does not leave much else to do, Unlike Samui, Phuket's natural vegetation had been stripped for tourism and the only vegetation I recall was the rubber plantations in the island's south. But I guess if you have the money and something to do there, the story may be different.