Is a day trip from Phuket to Khao Sok National Park worthwhile?
A: The 646-square-kilometre Khao Sok National Park in western Surat Thani province, off Route 401, is an amazing place, boasting Thailand� oldest evergreen rainforest.
There are also waterfalls, limestone cliffs, an enchanting lake and hiking trails.
Getting there from Phuket takes a little less than three hours. In fact, the day trip you�e asking about it now very popular, and a growing number of travel agencies will make the arrangements. The price should be less than Bt3,000.
You can canoe down the Sok River and see the wildlife along the way, usually with a local guide in tow. You could also stop at an elephant camp and ride a tusker along a jungle trail.
Many travellers agree that Khao Sok is well worth an overnight stay, especially if you book a bed on a raft-house on Chiew Larn or Ratchaprapa Lake. Activities include tube rafting, canoeing, bird watching and swimming.
One option is to take the Surat Thani bus from Phuket and get off at the entrance to Khao Sok. There you can contact the guesthouses and have tour staff organise your stay â€" on a raft or in a tree house.
You could also hire a car from Phuket. The road is clearly signed when you get into Surat Thani, with pointers to the lakes and the park.
Q: My family of five â€" four adults and a four-year-old â€" need an affordable apartment-style hotel in central Chiang Mai. Any suggestions? â€" Jennifer
A: Hotel rooms are usually too small for a big family. You�e best to look for a two-bedroom suite and ask for an extra bed. Usually a child under 10 can stay for free.
I checked the hotels along Nimmanhemin Road first. It� quite central, though not in the Old City. You� be near restaurants, markets, nightlife and lots of shopping.
For good quality at reasonable price, the Kantary Hills Chiang Mai on Soi 12 is a fine choice. A two-bedroom suite or 103 to 115 square metres costs Bt5,500 a night if you�e there before November.
On the same soi is the At Pingnakorn, but the two-bedroom apartment is much smaller and still costs Bt3,700.
The nearby Nimman Viengping is a good option: Its two-bedroom rooms cost Bt3,200, right on Nimmanhemin Road.
All of these options include a kitchen and living room.
Nearer to the night bazaar, the Maninarakorn on Sridonchai Road has two-bedroom suites for Bt3,300, and at the Grand Napat they�e Bt4,500, including a shuttle bus into town every day at 6.30pm.
In the city centre on Tha Pae Road, the Studio 99 serviced apartments offer a two-bedroom balcony apartment for Bt2,800.
These are average rates for central Chiang Mai. Further away from the restaurants and shops, there are some interesting places on Soi Wat U-Mong off Suthep Road. Both Le Chalet Suite and Central Hill have two-bedroom suites for Bt2,000.