Trip to Bangkok and Phuket, how many days I need?
Well you are traveling during the most expensive time of the year when hotels and plane tickets are the highest. Also you want to go to Phuket, the most expensive place to visit. Already you have some financial concerns working against you. Bangkok will be cheaper than Phuket, especially when you consider local transportation. Start with Bangkok for a few days. Then visit Chiang Mai because why go all the way to Thailand and not see northern Thailand? Then fly to Phuket for a few days then back to Bangkok for a final night or two. That final night or two you can use for shopping, dinner cruises or fancy meals in restaurants. Also you won't have to rely on some last minute connecting flight being late and you lose your ride home. For hotel advice mention your price range. Because it is high season and you have not been to Thailand before - you should have some hotel rooms reserved. Work out a budget and how much you can afford to spend on hotel rooms per night and then ask for hotel recommendations in your price range. Use the below travel forums for specific advice. Read up on their handy tips for currency, scams, transportation, etc. Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Phuket - back to Bangkok works out pretty good for millions of tourists. Expect that hotels will impose a surcharge on your hotel cost for Christmas parties, etc. In Thailand if you want tours you can get them from local travel agencies. There are many travel agencies, some hotels even have tour desks. http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g293915-i3686-Thailand.html http://forum.virtualtourist.com/forum-1445238-1-Travel-Bangkok-1-forum.html http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/forum.jspa?forumID=51 You do not have to be at a beach to get a tan! Even Chiang Mai and Bangkok have enough sunshine for you to get a tan just walking around! There are cheaper beaches than Phuket. Good luck.