Planning a Honeymoon in Samui

Q: My niece is getting married in Koh Samui next year and we are trying to get the cheapest flights or packages to Bangkok. We would like to spend two nights there before going to Samui. Where should we stay and which is the best way to get from Bangkok to Samui? - Gwyneth Plummer

A: You will probably find that the cheapest way to get from South Africa to Bangkok is to buy a package which includes two or three nights accommodation in the city. This would suit you perfectly. To find packages check the advertisements in this magazine or try the websites http://www.seekers.co.za/ or http://www.thompsons.co.za/. If you are looking for flights without accommodation, your best bet may be via the Middle East on Emirates, Etihad or Qatar Airways. Have a look at http://www.flightcentre.co.za/. If you need to book your hotels separately, you should definitely check out the discount hotel websites. Among the best are http://www.bookings.com/, http://www.asiarooms.com/ and http://www.bangkok.com/. The best areas to stay in are the Sukhumvit Road and Siam Square shopping areas, the Silom/Sathorn entertainment district and along the riverfront. Both Bangkok Airways and Thai International fly directly from Bangkok to Koh Samui, but the flights are not cheap. You can save money by flying from Bangkok to Surat Thani on Nok Air (or Thai International) and then taking the ferry across the bay to Samui. (23/10/11)