I will be arriving at Don Mueang airport around 9am on an AirAsia flight and then flying out from Suvarnabhumi at 8pm the same day.

Could you recommend a good and convenient location that I can use as a base during the day? Ideally, I'm after a budget hotel where I can take a nap, go for a walk and shopping then checkout for the airport. Thanks in advance! Claudia.

The best place is somewhere near the Airport Rail Link on which you can travel to Suvarnabhumi in the evening. If you look at the map of the Airport Rail Link, you will find that the stations in the city centre are Phaya Thai, Ratchaprarob and Makkasan. Just search for a hotel in your budget range on the booking websites. Of them all, Phaya Thai Station is the most convenient as it has an easy connection to the BTS Skytrain. That will allow you to go to the MBK Centre and Siam Square to shop and perhaps even do some sightseeing at Jim Thompson Museum. There are more attractions all along the Skytrain line and also within walking distance of Siam station.

Ratchaprarob station is near Bangkok's biggest wholesale clothes market and still within walking distance of CentralWorld Plaza and the Erawan Shrine. This part of the city is rather hectic and the traffic is always heavy, but it's fun to shop in the Pratuman area.

Makkasan station allows you to connect with the MRT's Phetburi station from where you can ride to Sukhumvit then interchange with the Skytrain's Asoke station.

From Don Mueang to Phaya Thai Station is about 23 kilometres, and it should take you less than an hour by taxi.

Another option would be to head to Khao San Road where you'll find plenty of budget accommodation. It's located about 28 kilometres from Don Muaeng and you shouldn't have trouble finding a taxi to take you to Suvarnabhumi though the traffic can be bad. Hope this helps!

I was looking at a map Pattaya and discovered a less-known island called Koh Si Chang. Are there any quiet sandy beaches and is it possible to spend a few days there? How can I get there from Pattaya?

The beaches at Koh Si Chang can't beat Koh Samet in nearby Rayong province, or even Koh Larn off Pattaya's mainland. The island is located 12 kilometres from the shore of Sri Racha district of Chon Buri province but it isn't the sort of island where you'd choose to spend an entire holiday.

Koh Si Chang's best beach is Tham Phang (literally collapsed cave) where you can find kayaks, inner tubes, canvas chairs and beach umbrellas for rent along with a small number of restaurants and shower facilities. From the main pier, you can travel in a skylab, Si Chang's version of the tuk tuk. You will also find a beach in front of the palace's green pavilion, known as Tha Wang.

Basic accommodation is available on the island and many visitors enjoy the quiet and the local way of living.

Once a fishing village in the Gulf of Thailand, it gained fame when King Rama V visited more than 120 years ago. The king built the Judhadhut Palace in 1890, but later decided to remove the palace buildings to Bangkok where he constructed Vimarn Mek Palace 10 years later. Some structures remain and these are being restored by the Fine Arts Department. Today Koh Si Chang draws a small number of overnight visitors but receives mainly local and Chinese day-trippers, who pay respect to Chao Por Khao Yai and sightsee at the Judhadhut Palace.

All buses on the Pattaya-Chon Buri route pass through Sri Racha from where you can hire a tuk tuk to Koh Loy pier. Ferries from Koh Loy to Koh Si Chang run daily from 7am to 8pm, and tickets cost Bt50 one way.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/03/20/i-will-be-arriving-at-don-mueang-airport-around-9am-on-an-airasia-flight-and-then-flying-out-from-suvarnabhumi-at-8pm-the-same-day/