I offered you 2 years ago already 6 suggested itineraries for a stay in Thailand, an article that is quite popular, useful for giving ideas to those who do not really know where to start. This article also allows you to advise on the order and feasibility of a particular itinerary depending on the duration and the season.
For this new article, the idea this time is to define itineraries for those who would not come to Thailand for the first time (I had first titled the article "itineraries for Thailand addicts") and are therefore eager to really get away from the classic places to see further. This article can still just as well be addressed to those coming for the first time and having either the desire to skip the classic places (but still unmissable for some), or having time, to see both the must-sees and more "off the beaten track".
Thi Lo Su Falls, Umphang District.
(Photo credit: Yxejamir on Wikipedia)
These itineraries are above all optimized for a stay with independent transport, motorbike or car rental, it remains feasible by public transport to reach the main cities but you will need transport to get around anyway and you will have to allow for a margin in the timing proposed here.
So let's review, according to the same system of length of stay, the possibilities for a different trip to Thailand.
Itinerary for a 1 week stay in Thailand
Same story as last time, a week is short, but it happens... So I suggest among other things what to do in a week in Bangkok if you really like the city, and what to do around it.
Route 1, Bangkok lovers
- Day 1 : Arriving in Bangkok, depending on the time you probably won't do much for this first day.
- Day 2 : Start with a morning walk in Lumphini Park, head to Baan Krua, the Muslim community where Jim Thompson was born (not far from home), then take a boat to old Bangkok. You can stop at Bo Bae Market on the way, otherwise get off at the last stop, next to Wat Saket and walk around the area to Wat Suthat.
- Day 3 : Bike ride to Bang Kachao, the green lung of Bangkok (see what it looks like here), if you already know it, you can try a walk to Ko Kret, to the north (or vice versa if you know this place).
- Day 4 : Stroll in Thonburi, the other side of Bangkok, visit the community of Ban Bu (artisans working with bronze), Kudee Jin, the old Chinatown.
- Day 5 : Erawan Museum, Ancient City, Bang Poo seaside and mangroves, Wat Asokaram temple are all places to visit in the neighboring province of Samut Prakan.
- Day 6 : If it's a weekend, Amphawa floating market, boat ride to Don Hoi Lot, train market (Mae Klong market) and Wat Bang Kung are the possibilities to do in the Samut Songkhram region, less than 2 hours from Bangkok.
- Day 7 : A little rest and shopping, try other stores than MBK, not necessarily to buy but the "fun" of seeing what the city can offer, go for example to Terminal 21, Asok district.
Route 2, east side, a touch of nature
- Day 1 : Bangkok
- Day 2 : Direction Nakhon Nayok, near Khao Yai National Park, which you can also visit from there. You can also see the Buddhism Memorial Park
- Day 3 : Head to Sa Kaeo and Pang Sida National Park (I know, not a very glamorous name…).
- Day 4 : Visit Ta Phraya National Park, you can see the Lalu rock formations at Thap Rat village.
- Day 5 : Direction Chanthaburi, small seaside town, passage towards the Pet Pho Thong cave (see location)
- Day 6 : Chanthaburi
- Day 7 : Double R. Return and rest in Bangkok.
If you love nature and want to be amazed, then this itinerary is for you! A week in the countryside and not far from Bangkok (everything is within a 3-hour radius of the capital). Having stumbled upon it by chance, the Pet Pho Thong cave is a little gem that certainly did not leave me indifferent and literally captivated my mother. The road leading to Chanthaburi also has its charm in places.
A beach near Chanthaburi.
Overview of Pho Thong Cave, towards Sa Kaeo.
Route 3, west side, nature and beach
- Day 1 : Bangkok
- Day 2 : Head to Nakhon Pathom, for its imposing chedi and the Sanam Chan palace.
- Day 3 : Direction Phetchaburi, visit of the Khao Luang cave, the old town and its temples, possibly a trip to the beach.
- Day 4 : Visit to Kaeng Krachan National Park (4×4 essential!).
- Day 5 : Phetchaburi Beach, possibly Cha Am (more touristy)
- Day 6 : Phetchaburi Beach, possibly Cha Am (more touristy)
- Day 7 : Return Bangkok.
Even in a short week, you can fit in a bit of beach, certainly not the prettiest in Thailand, but they are still beaches! In the area suggested above, they are certainly not the most beautiful beaches, but the nature around is still very attractive!
Wooden building of Wat Yai Suwannaram in Phetchaburi.
Itinerary for a 2 week trip to Thailand
This is a more "reasonable" duration for your new stay in Thailand. If you are in the idea of discovering Thailand "differently", you can make a choice as to the area to visit, combining for example itineraries 2 and 3. Otherwise, there remains the possibility of seeing a little bit of everything, with a choice of island that will depend on the season above all (Ideally, for the east coast between November and April, Gulf of Thailand between January and September roughly, Andaman Sea between November and April)
Route 4, the Thai countryside, Issan
- Day 1 : Arrived in Bangkok
- Day 2 : Departure to Phetchabun with possible visit to Lopburi on the way (but not convenient by public transport)
- Day 3 : Visit the Thung Salaeng Luang National Park with its savannah feel, unusual temple perched on the hill of Wat Pha Sorn Kaew.
- Day 4 : Direction Khon Kaen, visit to the Phu Kradaeng and Suan Hin Pha Ngam national park.
- Day 5 : Next stop, Roi Et, visit of the surrounding countryside, temple of Wat Pa Kung, a sort of small replica of Borobudur
- Day 6 : Join Ubon Ratchathani
- Day 7 : Sam Phan Bok (mainly December to April, ideally March/April), Pha Taem National Park
- Day 8 : Catch your breath in Khong Jiam, on the banks of the Mekong
- Day 9 : Phu Chong Na Yoi and Khao Phra Wihan National Parks, overnight in Si Saket
- Day 10 : Prasat Sa Kamphaeng Yai, Prasat Sikhoraphum and Phanom Rung, choice of night on Nang Rong or Buriram
- Day 11 : Khmer Temple of Phimai and the impressive banyan tree, also known as the Bodhi tree (Look for Sai Ngam on Google Mpas), Prasat Phanom Wan Ban in Nakhon Ratchasima.
- Day 12 : Khao Yai National Park
- Day 13 : Khao Yai National Park and/or return to Bangkok
- Day 14 : Visit/rest in Bangkok.
This itinerary allows you to go around the interesting points in this large region that is Issan, a region largely ignored by most tourists, so much the better for you and me since that is what interests us here! A first part more nature, and the second is more cultural/historical with quite a few Khmer temples scattered in the southern part of Issan.
Route 5, Northern Thailand
- Day 1 : Arrived in Bangkok
- Day 2 : Visit to Wat Muang in Ang Thong, stop at Wat Kaeo and Wat Tha Sung in Uthai Thani, possibly the one in Singburi, Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan and its 50-meter reclining Buddha! Night on Tak or Kamphaeng Phet
- Day 3 : Tak or Kamphaeng Phet – Phayao, passing by Wat Phra That in Lampang and Wat Phra Phutthabat Phupha Daeng, perched on its hill!
- Day 4 : Phayao – Phu Langka (possibility of sleeping on site, otherwise continue towards the Phu Chi Fah mountains by taking road 1155, the sunrise is more impressive from the latter, especially in winter between November and February)
- Day 5 : Phu Chi Fah, Doi Pha Tang, Chiang Khong.
- Day 6 : Chiang Khong – Chieng Sen – Mae Sai
- Day 7 : Mae Sai – Doi Tung (via Ban Pha Hi which I talk about here) – Chiang Rai
- Day 8 : A little rest in Chiang Rai
- Day 9 : Visit the surroundings of Chiang Rai in the Kok River Valley.
- Day 10 : Chiang Rai – Thaton – Fang
- Day 11 : Fang – Doi Ang Khang.
- Day 12 : Visit to Doi Ang Khang
- Day 13 : Return to Bangkok via Chiang Mai
- Day 14 : Visit/Rest in Bangkok
There is a possible alternative (among others) in the area around Chiang Rai, go through the Phrao Valley, and visit the Si Lanna National Park among others, to do for example instead of Phayao and then go up to Ang Khang and finish the journey in Chiang Rai, or skip the part including Doi Tung and go to Phrao between Ang Khang and Chiang Mai (Phrao is also not far from Chiang Dao which has its charm, I was just talking about it here recently).
Doi Pha Tang Mountains.
Route 6, descent towards the south, Andaman Sea side
- Day 1 : Arrived in Bangkok
- Day 2 : Bangkok – Hua Hin
- Day 3 : Sam Roi Yot National Park, night on Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Day 4 : Direction Ban Krut or Bang Saphan, quiet and often deserted beach, if you can, I invite you to stay on Ko Talu Private Island, a little gem!
- Day 5 : Direction Chumphon.
- Day 6 : Islands around Chumphon (not Ko Tao! Like…).
- Day 7 : Chumphon – Ranong
- Day 8 : Ko Chang and/or Ko Phayam
- Day 9 : Ko Chang and/or Ko Phayam
- Day 10 : Laem Son National Park
- Day 11 : Khao Lak
- Day 12 : Phang Nga Bay (not just James Bond Island…)
- Day 13 : Return to Bangkok via Phuket (the closest) or Krabi, or even Surat Thani depending on the price of plane tickets (if returning by plane of course)
- Day 14 : Visit/Rest in Bangkok
Route 6a, descent towards the south, Gulf of Thailand side
Instead of focusing on the Andaman Sea coast to the west, the alternative is to focus on the Gulf of Thailand (depending on the season it will be more interesting). The beginning obviously remains unchanged so it would give this:
- Day 1 : Arrived in Bangkok
- Day 2 : Bangkok – Hua Hin
- Day 3 : Sam Roi Yot National Park, night on Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Day 4 : Direction Ban Krut or Bang Saphan, quiet and often deserted beach, if you can, I invite you to stay on Ko Talu Private Island, a little gem!
- Day 5 : Direction Chumphon.
- Day 6 : Islands around Chumphon (Mu Kho Chumpon).
The fork in the direction occurs on the 7th day:
- Day 7 : Chumphon – Khanom
- Day 8 : Khanom
- Day 9 : Tai Rom Yen National Park – Khiriwong (Khao Luang) – Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Day 10 : Nakhon Si Thammarat – Thung Song
- Day 11 : Thung Song – Thale Noi (Phatthalung) – Ko Yo – Songkhla, night on Hat Yai
- Day 12 : Trang then Ko Muk / Ko Kradan or Ko Ngai islands
- Day 13 : Ko Muk, Ko Kradan, Ko Ngai
- Day 14 : Return Bangkok via Trang or possibly Krabi
If instead of going down gradually towards the south you prefer to take a direct flight to Surat Thani for example, you can more or less combine the 2nd parts of itineraries 5 and 6. You can of course, depending on your tastes/preferences, skip one or two places to enjoy a longer beach/island suitable for your desire to relax.
Coastal landscape in Chumphon.
Itinerary for a trip of more than 1 month in Thailand
The first possibility here is to simply combine itinerary 5 with itinerary 6, but I suggest a variation here without southern Thailand.
This is an itinerary that is inspired by the one tested recently (the 2nd part from Chiang Rai especially) with my parents over a period of one month, but this one included an excursion to Laos then Cambodia, knowing that here the goal is to focus only on Thailand, hence a variant that I have not tested myself but seems interesting to me. The whole allows you to see the north of Thailand, a part to the east and islands (east coast, if it is the right season ...), and allows you to see unique places very rarely visited.
Route 7, Northern and Eastern Thailand Loop
- Day 1 : Arrived in Bangkok. Rest
- Day 2 : Journey to Uthai Thani, passing through Ang Thong, stopping at Wat Muang. In the region, you can visit the glass temple (Keao Temple), the Wat Tha Sung by its real name, which is also a meditation center. In the city itself, you will find the old houses, the riverside with the floating houses and the Phra Phutthamongkhon Saksit temple, dominating the city since it is on a hill.
- Day 3 : Go explore the surroundings of Uthai Thani, visit the meditation center of Wat Tham Khao Wong, explore the national park and nature reserve of Thung Yai-Huai Kha-Khaeng.
- Day 4 : Journey to Tak, passage to Kamphaeng Phet (ancient important city with ruins).
- Day 5 : If the season is good (December/January), extend the visit to the Thi Lo Su falls, in the Umphang district, but allow 3/4 days for the round trip (ideally from Mae Sot). Otherwise, stick to the national parks around Tak, such as Ramkhamhaeng, near Sukhothai.
- Day 6 : On the way to Mae Sot, Lan Sang National Park, and/or Taksin Maharat National Park.
- Day 7 : Mae Sot – Mae Sariang, tribal villages, Mae U Su cave will be on the way.
- Day 8 : Mae Sariang – Mae Hong Son.
- Day 9 : Mae Hong Son.
- Day 10 : Mae Hong Son – Mae Lana, Tham Lot Cave, the main attraction of the region.
- Day 11 : Mae Lana – Pai.
- Day 12 : Direction Chiang Dao.
- Day 13 : Chiang Dao – Thaton – Mae Salong.
- Day 14 : Mae Salong.
- Day 15 : Mae Salong – Chiang Rai.
- Day 16 : Chiang Rai – Chiang Khong.
- Day 17 : Chiang Khong – Doi Pha Tang – Phu Chi Fah (either is great for sunrise) – Phayao.
- Day 18 : Phayao – Phrae, visit to Phae Mueang Phi.
- Day 19 : Phrae – Uttaradit, via the lake instead of the main road (you can see what it looks like here), otherwise you can visit Wat Phra That Suthon Mongkhon Khiri and extend the visit to the historical park of Si Satchanalai if you don't already know it (it's a bit like Sukhothai's little sister).
- Day 20 : Uttaradit – Phetchabun.
- Day 21 : Phetchabun – Chiang Khan.
- Day 22 : Chiang Khan – Udon Thani, passing through Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
- Day 23 : Udon Thani – Phimai.
- Day 24 : Phimai – Sa Kaeo, passing by the local Khmer temples (see itinerary 4).
- Day 25 : Sa Kaeo – Trat.
- Day 26 : Ko Chang / Ko Mak / Ko Kood.
- Day 27 : Ko Chang / Ko Mak / Ko Kood.
- Day 28 : Ko Chang / Ko Mak / Ko Kood.
- Day 29 : Return Bangkok.
- Day 30 : Visit/Rest in Bangkok
A possible variation if the islands are not a necessity, you can branch off from Chiang Khan to follow the Mekong, which would look something like this:
- Day 22 : Chiang Khan – Nong Khai.
- Day 23 : Nong Khai – Bueng Kan.
- Day 24 : Bueng Khan – Phu Wua Nature Reserve, Wat Jetiyakhiri – Nakhon Phanom.
- Day 25 : Nakhon Phanom – Mukdahan and its national park
- Day 26 : Mukdahan – Ubon Ratchathani
- Day 27 : Ubon Ratchathani – Khong Chiam – Pha Taem National Park
- Day 28 : Khao Yai National Park
- Day 29 : Return Bangkok.
- Day 30 : Visit/Rest in Bangkok
If, on the other hand, you still want to see islands while keeping the base of this itinerary, but while the weather is really not favorable (the rainy season is particularly marked in this area), you can possibly reach Nakhon Ratchasima after Phimai and take a flight to the south.
I am aware that such an itinerary is not necessarily easy, you are free to adapt it by favoring an area according to your tastes/desires, the idea is to give you a guideline, but it is not necessarily to be followed to the letter, that goes without saying 😉
Mukdahan National Park.
If you want to make a small excursion to Laos, we crossed the border from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai, from there we left on the Mekong for a 2-day cruise to reach Luang Prabang. A possible option is to return to Thailand after Luang Prabang via Vang Vieng then Vientiane, thus skipping the corresponding part in Thailand.
For a tour in Cambodia, this would give what we did, namely:
- Day 17 : Chiang Khong – Doi Pha Tang – Phu Chi Fah (either is great for sunrise) – Phrae.
- Day 18 : Phrae, visit to Phae Mueang Phi – Chiang Khan.
- Day 19 : Phrae – Uttaradit, via the lake instead of the main road (you can see what it looks like here), otherwise you can visit Wat Phra That Suthon Mongkhon Khiri and extend the visit to the historical park of Si Satchanalai if you don't already know it (it's a bit like Sukhothai's little sister).
- Day 20 : Uttaradit – Phetchabun.
- Day 21 : Phetchabun – Chiang Khan.
- Day 22 : Chiang Khan – Udon Thani, passing through Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
- Day 23 : Udon Thani – Phimai.
- Day 24 : Phimai – Sa Kaeo, passing by the local Khmer temples (see itinerary 4).
- Day 25 to 29 or 30 : Siem Reap – Angkor temples
Old banyan tree of Phimai.
Now that you have more or less in mind your next itinerary, all you have to do is book your hotels 😉 To do this I invite you to search via my affiliate link at Agoda, in addition to finding your happiness, it will give me a helping hand!
If you are trying the public transport adventure, here is a tool that could help you:
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happylude
I discovered your blog, how can I explain that I'm a total fan 😀!
I am a big lover of Asian countries but especially Thailand! It is such a beautiful country!
Roman
Well what can I say except a big thank you!
Adeline J
Hi Romain,
Your blog is very interesting!
Quick question about the roads. At this time, mid-late June, is it dangerous to go to Pai or Chiang Rai from Chiang Mai by bus? It probably rains less than in summer but if the roads are wet I hesitate to go there for a few days.
Otherwise, which area do you recommend, I have about 10 days left?
Thanks in advance for your advice!
Roman
Hello,
The roads are in good condition, and the rains rather in the late afternoon so not really a problem to go to Pai. The Chiang Rai region is also superb, you can go to Mae Salong, Doi Tong, or to the places I just talked about on the blog, Phu Chi Fah and Doi Pha Tang. Towards Chiang Mai, there is Chiang Dao, Doi Ang Khang, the village of Mae Kampong which are worth a look. Good luck!
Arnaud
Hello,
Thank you for your very interesting site.
I'm coming to do a road trip in Thailand for 3 weeks, I've targeted several destinations including some complicated to reach. The best, from what I understand would be to rent a car but I don't have the international license with me.
What other means of transport would you recommend? I saw that buses go to a lot of cities but the schedules are random if you don't leave from the departure station and I can't afford to hire a private driver...
We look forward to seeing you!
Arnaud
Roman
Hi Arnaud,
What are your complicated destinations in question? If you don't have an international license it's indeed a bit of a miss, the scooter remains an option because the rental companies don't ask for a license, but the police do... so effectively the bus and other local transport would remain (the famous pick-ups that we call songthew)
SOBRIE Aurore
Hello Romain,
I am starting to prepare our 3rd trip to Thailand and while looking for a new itinerary, I discovered your blog: a great blog full of information! In fact, I intend to take inspiration from your itinerary 6 to organize our family trip planned for April 2017.
As a little anecdote, while browsing your blog, I realize that we already met in Bangkok during a bike ride in April of this year, with Sugar and another French family….. :-)) A ride that the children loved and that they consider to be a highlight of their first trip to Asia.
Thank you for all this information.
Good continuation.
Aurore
Roman
Hello Aurore!
And yes, it just goes to show that the world is small 😉 I am glad that you have very good memories of this day with me! Good preparation for your stay!
Eva
Hello Romain!
Your blog is a gold mine for my 15-day trip to Thailand that I am currently planning... I was inspired by your itinerary 6 (southwest) which I adapted a little but I am having trouble finding possible transport between my different stops.
Can you give me your opinion on my itinerary and the journeys please?
Bangkok 2d -> bus
Prachuap Khiri 2d -> bus / train?
Khao Lak -> bus
island on the Phang Nga side (Ko Yao or Ko Jum?) -> bus
Trang Island (Ko Bulon, Ko Linbong or Ko Saturn?) -> Bangkok plane
thank you in advance for your help
Eva
Roman
Hello and thank you for the compliment!
To go to Prachuap, you can either take the bus or the train, it won't change much in the timing, just, the train is generally slower than the bus. I don't know (yet) personally the islands you mention. But I know that the views of Phang Nga Bay will be much better from the islands of Koh Yao.
Regarding Trang, Bulon seems nice but the island is very small. Satun is not an island to my knowledge…
Maud
Hello Romain,
Very nice blog rich in information! Thank you for the time and passion described in these few pages.
I would need advice for a first trip to Thailand of around 1 days where we would go as a family, therefore with 15 children (who will be aged 3 to 13 years old).
Bangkok (4-5 nights): Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Phra Kaeo, Royal Palace, Lumpini Park, Klongs, Amphawa market, and shopping 😉
Khao Yaï (1 night): national park (monkeys?)
Sukhotai (2 nights): old Sukhotai and Si Satchanalai
Chiang Mai (2 nights): flower market, Doi Suthep temple, night market
Mae Hong Son (2 nights): giraffe women and big ears, Sop Pong: bat caves
Return to Chiang Mai (1 night) for 1 flight to Bangkok then destination Kanchanaburi and the Erawan waterfalls (2 nights)
Then Bangkok (1 night) to leave 🙁
What do you think about this trip and its feasibility?
I saw the distances in km but it was impossible to have estimates of travel times, knowing that we do not have an international license and that we would take transport such as pick-ups, buses, trains for long journeys.
I have no idea how much time we'll spend on transport, so if you have any specific information on this subject and any good tips, I'm all ears 😉
Thank you in advance and good luck
Roman
Hello,
I was there again yesterday and so I confirm, yes, there are indeed monkeys in Khao Yai 😉 The trip seems feasible to me, since you talk about time "overnight" and not during the day, I hope you don't plan the same time each time on site, because be careful to take into account the transport times precisely (which sometimes make you lose a day). Looking at the routes on Google Maps, it gives you an idea of both kilometers AND time (I don't know if that's how you did it). I don't really have any precise information because appreciating my "independence", I travel across Thailand either with my own vehicle or by renting scooters on site... but very rarely with public transport (this is, I admit, my weak point on the blog, because I know that the majority of you do it and should therefore be able to provide information on this type of transport...)
Aude
Hello Romain and this is an additional congratulations that I send you today!
I am leaving with my husband and my soon to be 2 year old son for the last 15 days of December in Thailand.
We arrive in Bbk on Sunday 18/12 and will leave directly for Sukotai by an internal flight to spend 3 nights there (historic center).
Then we plan to take a taxi/driver to go to Chiang Mai for 3 nights as well.
We then want to return to Bbk (domestic flight) on December 24th for Christmas.
Then go to Kanchanabury for 3 days also.
We are leaving BBK on January 1st!
We understood that traveling with a baby requires more organization, which is why we would like to book accommodation and transportation before leaving. We will favor fairly "fast" transportation, not too frequent in the same day and not too tiring for baby. In addition, the days will be punctuated by his rhythm (unpredictable 😉) and we will not be able to wander throughout them and until the end of the night as we did when we were only two! But what a joy to make him discover these landscapes, these people, these atmospheres and cuisines that we appreciate so much when we travel!
I have a few questions to ask the expert that you are! 1000 Thanks in advance.
– how to find a driver for the sukotai-Chang Mai route? Do you have anyone to recommend?
– for our 3 days in Chang Mai (CM) do you recommend renting a car? (We have an international license and are used to driving on the left, we like this independence and driving to discover beautiful landscapes a little far from the tourists 😉 ) or maybe that would not be suitable?
and if yes do you advise us to rent directly from Sukotai? But we will have to return it to Chang Mai..
– we will only have 2,5/3 days in CM, knowing that we prefer calm and beautiful landscapes (we will go to Doe Sutep I imagine) in which area do you advise us to stay if we have / if we do not have a rental car?
– public holidays 21, 24, 25, 31 December: will we be hindered by transport etc? New Year at BBK?
– for the Bbq – kanchanabury trip: do you know a taxi/driver? How do you search?
– in Kanchanabury we will take the famous train that goes to Nam Tok (too long to take it from Bbk), we will make the round trip in the day, do you have any particular advice to give us for its reservation? Will we do it on site or should we reserve it before?
A huge thank you for the help you give us all!!
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Aude
Roman
Hello,
Regarding your first question, I don't really know to be honest, I'm used to either public transport or my own vehicle... I would have offered but I wouldn't be available on those dates.
If you are used to driving on the left (previously in Thailand too?) why not, renting a car is indeed the best way to enjoy your independence, no timetables to respect and free to go wherever the wind takes us 😉 Maybe it would indeed be easier to rent directly from Sukhothai. More precisely from Phitsanulok airport. Because you will not return the vehicle to the same place as your departure, you need to find a rental company that allows this, basically only the "big" rental companies allow it. I regularly use Hertz which allows you to return the vehicle to another place, without additional costs depending on the duration of the rental.
If you don't have a vehicle, the easiest thing is to stay in the central part of the old city (the famous square), otherwise, since it's a bit of a hassle to get around inside, maybe stay outside if you have your vehicle, although it's not essential. For example, Nimmanhaemin district. To visit I recommend Doi Inthanon, 60km south of Chiang Mai, great setting.
Regarding New Year, it's really the peak of the season (like many tourist places) so yes, it could be a mess in terms of transport but it's Thailand, there is still a wide choice of transport.
I don't know any driver personally who could do the trip, theoretically, any taxi would be able to do it but many would refuse because it's too far (even if the fare would be proportional of course...) Generally speaking, it could help you out, you should get the Grab Taxi App, a sort of Uber Local which works pretty well.
For the train, it is not easy to book in advance, other than on site... you would therefore have to be able to go through Bangkok station before taking your flight to Sukhothai... otherwise take it on site on the day, hoping that there are still places.
Aude
THANK YOU!, for this super precise information! We are now diving a little deeper into the preparation of our trip!
I'm going to read your article on accommodation in Bangkok for our last 3 days.
All the best.
Aude
Roman
Thank you 😉
Beatrice
The area in the introductory photo of this article looks beautiful but it is not filled in. What area is it? thanks 🙂
Roman
Hello,
This is a viewpoint that can be found at Sam Roi Yot National Park, south of Hua Hin, which is good because I'm currently writing a full article about it 😉
Marie Luce
Hello Romain,
I can only thank you for your website which is a real treasure. I have been browsing it extensively for a few weeks. What a joy and what an inspiration!
I am planning a last minute trip to Thailand. My main goal is to do a retreat in a monastery around Surat Thani. I am taking the opportunity to explore the rest of the country. Your itinerary 6, at least in part, caught my attention, and especially the Sam Roi Yot nature park. I will be traveling alone and I wanted to do without a car, but rather opt for public transport.
I saw the bus companies you recommended, but the sites are either in Thai, or the link no longer works, or does not serve the south, and I was unable to find my answers. I wanted to know if there is the possibility of stopping at Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ban Krut or Bang Saphan? Do you know if there are several buses per day?
My second question is how can we get to Koh Talu?
I thank you in advance infinitely for your help, and thank you again endlessly for sharing with such generosity all these beautiful adventures and your precious advice.
Roman
Hello and thank you for this message full of encouragement!
Also thanks for notifying me about the broken links, it's fixed now. Actually, you have several options to get to this area, the most direct being the train from Hua Lamphong or Thonburi station, there is a station in Bang Saphan. It's not the fastest but it's a nice experience.
Then you have buses from the southern bus station (Southern Bus Terminal or Sai Tai Mai), notably the Bang Saphan Co. company which stops there (the other companies will drop you off at the edge of the highway 15km from the town itself…). Still at this same bus terminal, you will find vans also doing this kind of journey.
There are several departures per day so no worries about that.
You can check the timetable and book the train via this link: https://12go.asia/fr/travel/bangkok/bang-saphan-yai/?z=16406
Note if you don't know that Koh Talu is a private island, if you have booked your accommodation and want to go there by yourself, you have to go to the Banmapraw Resort Harbor dock (if you look for this name on Google Maps they even indicate that it is the Talu Resort, which belongs to the island managing the transfer)
Nikilann
Hello! Thanks for all this advice. I have a big question: I have two weeks of vacation at the beginning of May and I was thinking of going to Thailand. Good or bad idea? I read that the climate is really the worst at that time. I live in Korea at the moment so I have a minimum resistance to humid heat but still ^^
The idea is to go north, or ideally, northeast.
Thank you!
Roman
Hello,
Let's honestly say that the climate is not ideal indeed, it's the beginning of the rainy season, which is quite rainy (compared to June/July for example) and on top of that it's still summer, so it's very hot and humid, which means that the vegetation is dull, burnt, and there are no rice fields... So I would postpone the trip if possible or choose another destination.
Megann Trinquet
Hello Romain,
Your blog is great! We are going to Thailand in mid-June. We would have really liked to do a trek in the north but we don't want to do something very touristy without authenticity. We have seen mixed opinions on Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.. On the other hand, a blogger talks about the north-east of Thailand, in the Isan region (in Phu Wua). What do you think? We thank you in advance!!!
Roman
Hello,
I haven't had the chance to go to Phu Wua yet but I've already noted it in my list of places to check. Otherwise, for less touristy, there are also the regions of Nan and Phetchabun for example.
Megann Trinquet
Great, thanks for your advice, we'll take a closer look!
Megann Trinquet
We looked for Nan, indeed it looks great! But we can't find any information for transport, apart from Nan-Bangkok.. Do you have more information on this subject..? Ideally we would like to leave Bangkok to go to Ayuattaya, then Lampang then Nan, to then go to the Nong Khai side then Phimai.. Do you think this would be feasible..? We thank you again, your blog helps us a lot!
Roman
Hello,
Great program in perspective! After that I'm afraid I can't help you more... Having visited this region with my own vehicle, I can only tell you that going to the bus station in Lampang remains the solution to go to Nan then, after there the easiest thing is to rent a scooter to visit the surroundings... but be careful to have your international license (motorcycle stamp included to do so, otherwise it will have to go through local excursions.
Megann Trinquet
Thanks anyway for all your advice, your blog really makes us look forward to it!!!
Maurice Cael
Hello Roman
I discovered your site today because I am researching for a future trek in Thailand. At no point do you mention discoveries on foot. I want to tell you that your site is great, it has already made me start my trip.
Well done, good luck!
Jeannine
Roman
Hello,
The reason is simple, I have only done one day trek to date (which I haven't written an article about yet, by the way...)
There are of course discoveries on foot possible, notably in national parks but rarely on your own.
sarah
Good evening Romain,
I'm going to Thailand with my husband and my 3-year-old son at the end of February, beginning of March. We'd like to visit the most heavenly places, a week there (because we'll be in Singapore before that).
I think the South is more advisable for us.
What do you recommend for the week? (We live in the south of France and are therefore already very spoiled and therefore a little demanding... lol)
Roman
Hello,
There is the south and the south… If I say Koh Chang or Koh Kood, what do you think of the photos? 😉
oldcamel
Hello, Ben! Ben! Ben! ….Given the incredible quality of your blog, I simply put it in my favorites….the traditional guides next to it……meh! Congratulations for such work
Roman
Hello,
I must say that it is with comments like yours that it pushes me to persevere and continue to inform as best I can! Thank you!
Ariane
Hello Romain,
I'm leaving for Thailand in a week and I really can't decide on an itinerary, would it be possible to talk privately please?
Roman
Hello,
I just replied to you by email.
Adeline
Hello,
First of all, great blog, it really makes you want to go and thanks to you I have a little idea of what I want to do/see in Thailand 😉 I'm leaving for about 3-4 months (the return is not defined) for Asia, mainly from mid-May to the end of August. I read that May was really not the best month to visit the country, and so...what to do in May? Vietnam? Laos?
Have you had the opportunity to stay with locals? Helpx or wwoofing? We would like to meet people and participate in projects with them.
good continuation !
Roman
Hello,
The weather is pretty much the same throughout Southeast Asia at this time, so Vietnam or elsewhere won't change anything, it's the start of the monsoon... I haven't had the chance to sleep at a local's house as such but I know of a program, organized by the tourist office itself, which combines original activities according to the regions and a night at a local's house, it's here: One Night Stay With Locals
Karine
Hello Romain! Help! By dint of reading blogs, I am lost. We are leaving in 2 weeks with a 17 year old teenager. We are spending a week in Bangkok and its surroundings. We will stay the first 2 days in Bangkok (klong and visit the temples) but after that I don't know. The second week, we will go diving. We like more natural places, if there is a fun activity it could be nice. We like to take our time so no need to plan an overloaded week. We travel by public transport. And finally we like to settle down for at least 2 nights. Any idea?? Thanks!
Roman
Hello,
There like that, I would say go to the Kanchanaburi region. You should find something to keep you busy, possible to do tree climbing activities, kayaking, a lot of visits (river kwai bridge, Muang Sing, death train etc), waterfalls (Erawan, Huay Mae Khamin), the lake, possibly extend the visit to Sangkhlaburi.
To get an idea: http://www.thailande-et-asie.com/6-visites-incontournables-kanchanaburi/
Fanny
Hello Romain,
First of all, thank you for this magnificent blog which is full of nuggets, advice, and magnificent photos.
Reading you allows you to travel before the trip! Thanks for that!!! 🙂
After a first trip cancelled in 2020 due to COVID, I hope to be able to leave for 3 months, starting at the end of November 2022.
Having already visited Cambodia, I would like to focus my trip on Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. I love nature and authenticity; and I think these countries will satisfy me.
But here it is… I have no idea how to organize the trip… Which country should I start with…? Where should I cross the borders to organize my journey in the best possible way…? With COVID, it seems easier to arrive via Bangkok, but how do I go from country to country afterwards, traveling both south and north?
Do you have any idea how to organize myself?
Thanks again! 🙂
Roman
Hello,
Thanks for the compliment and yes, I think I have my little idea on how to manage this kind of trip. As you mention, the most obvious is to land in Bangkok, especially because even if the difference is not huge, there are generally better prices to do a Paris-Bangkok than Paris-Hanoi for example.
Then, the climate will be ideal in the north of the country at this time. So that's where I'll start, two or three days in Bangkok to acclimatize, possibly one day in Ayutthaya, if not in Sukhothai (see both) and hop, heading north. Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, are the two main regions suitable for good walks, possibly, Mae Hong Son. Knowing that if there are 3 months in total, that leaves about 1 month per country. So in theory, that would be around 15 days in the northern part of Thailand, which would leave 15 days for the south.
You can cross (hoping that by now the land borders will be reopened) the border at Chiang Khong on the Thai side to reach Houei Sai in Laos. From there you can visit the north of the country and go down to the 4000 islands on the border with Cambodia. If you stay in the land border crossings, there is the passage at Bo Y International Border Gate to reach Vietnam from Laos. From there, you can either go down to the Mekong Delta and visit Dalat, Mui Ne on the way for example, or go back up to Hoi An then Hue before continuing to Hanoi. Depending on your desires, first do the Mekong Delta then go back up by land to Hoi An, Hue would make the timing a little tight to visit the mountains of the north so I think there will be a choice to be made.
From Hanoi, the ideal would be a flight to Phuket (where there will be a choice of companies) and from there, spend 15 days in the south of Thailand, knowing that by then it would be February, the weather is good everywhere, so you could choose the Andaman Sea side with the Krabi region for example, or the Gulf of Thailand, going to Ko Samui, Ko Phangan and Ko Tao.
It's just a suggestion, but personally, that's pretty much how I would do it. An alternative would be to visit northern Laos after Thailand, reach northern Vietnam via Dien Bien Phu, visit Vietnam from north to south and reach southern Laos via the border mentioned above. For example, by going back to Vientiane if you haven't already visited it before, you come back to Thailand via Nong Khai and from there, you can take a plane to the south to Uthai Thani (there are direct and cheap flights, convenient!).
The advantage of my first suggestion compared to this alternative is to avoid land border crossings, which often waste time and are even subject to scams. Since basically if I summarize, there would only be the Thailand-Laos crossing, which is not too problematic at this location, then the southern Laos-Vietnam border, i.e. only two crossings.
The alternative requires an initial Thailand-Laos crossing, then Laos-Vietnam in the north, Vietnam-Laos in the south, then Laos-Thailand, i.e. four border crossings.
There you go, I hope this helps to clarify things!
Séverine
Hello,
For our first trip to Asia with our 1 children aged 2 and 9 we would like to go to Thailand. We would leave at the end of October, beginning of November for 11 days. Knowing that in the middle of this stay we would like to keep 15 days to attend the motorcycle grand prix on the Buriram international circuit.
So I'm a bit lost because the places to discover are far from each other. What would you advise us? Can we consider going to discover the south too (unfavorable climate it seems to me)? At the same time the idea is not to spend all our time in transport. Do you know if it would be possible to organize a stay with a local guide, if so do you have any leads?
Thank you for all this information and all that already present on your site!
Roman
Hello,
It's not easy to organize with such an imperative, it will limit the possibilities. Personally, I would gravitate around Buriram to avoid too much travel. You have the Khao Yai national park, Phimai, the Phanom Rung temples, Prasat Muang Tam, with a passage before by Ayutthaya, it could already occupy you a good week. Then I would be tempted given the season to tell you to go down to Chanthaburi then finish the stay either at Ko Chang or Ko Kood. For an organizer, you have the wonders of siam.