Next year I'm the big 40 around Songkran time but due to study commitments I won't be spending it in Thailand but I am putting some serious planning into a 3 week trip in June. I've narrowed it down to two options, one touring around a few spots in Thailand and Cambodia and the other just sticking to Thailand which surprisingly is turning out to be logistically more difficult.
Option 1 - Few nights in Bangkok, thinking of staying in Silom, some great deals available for booking this far eg the Centre Point Silom which looks great is 160 euro for 3 nights which is nearly half price out but I'm just wondering what the bar scene is like here or will I be commuting to Sukhumvit for nighttime fun?
From there it's back to Phnom Penh for 4 or maybe 5 nights as I enjoyed my time a lot here in 2013 but felt like I left too quickly, never even got to Street 51 but I did the usual touristy stuff so can concentrate more on nightlife this time out. Then I'm thinking of getting the bus to Sihanoukville for 4 or 5 nights, not sure where to stay but the OC boutique near Ochheutel beach looks nice for about 160 euro. I like getting a nice 4*. Again not sure of nightlife options so would appreciate some information here. I know victory hill? is the p4p location but it looks pretty small and is it worth staying more than 4 nights?
Getting back to PP poses a bit of a problem as the flight back with Air Asia(incidentally 85 euro return) is at 17:00 so I'd have to be at the airport around 15:00 which means leaving Sihanoukville by 11 at the latest which would be cutting it tight so am thinking of just biting the bullet and getting a taxi one way which initial searches seems to cost around $50.
Then it's back to Patts for 6/7 nights although the last time I did this I was pretty wrecked from my travels and had a tame week in Patts so this might change to the start of the trip but it's so hard not to go to Patts when I'm in Thailand.
Option 2 - So same same for Bangkok and Patts but thinking about getting to Chiang Mai for 5 nights which seems very cheap to fly to, then back to Bangkok and hit Samui for 5 nights. No direct flights so it'll be a short stop in BKK. Had a few recommendations on hotels in Samui but not sure where's good to say in Chiang Mai or what the main sights are.
My own initial thoughts are that the Cambodia trip is more preferable but I wouldn't mind seeing more of Thailand. Option two is a dearer option too as there's more flights and hotels are more expensive in Thailand.
Any thoughts or suggestions?