Southeast Asia forum

Burma is a fantastic country to travel in. The best of Southeast Asia, in my opinion, with regards to sites, atmosphere, and people. The food is good, but not as good as in Malaysia or Thailand, and travel is not always the most comfortable ... but it's worth it.

Also think that Laos is a more travel-friendly and accessible country than Cambodia, but that might have changed since I was there (in Cambodia, that is).

Hi guys,

I can offer no suggestions but myself and my husband are also going to Thailand for 8 weeks at the end of November and in the same position... Want to relax but would be such a waste not to travel around... I will be following your blog to get idea and if I come up with any I will let you know.

Good Luck!

We had a similar chunk of time back in 2006. It was my wife's first visit to southeast Asia too, so we did a large clockwise circle through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and then back to Thailand for our beach time at the end of the trip. You might consider something like this:

First two to three weeks in Thailand exploring Bangkok and surrounds and then working your way north and eventually over to Laos. Emphasis might be Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya and/or Sukhothai, Chiang Mai .

Two to three weeks working your way down Laos and then crossing into Cambodia. Emphasis might be Luang Prabang , Vientiane , and Pakse (incl Bolevans Plateau) and 4,000 Islands.

One to two weeks in Cambodia to enjoy Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh and perhaps some beach time.

Cross back into Thailand for last two weeks of serious beach time either along the eastern seaboard (Ko Chang and Ko Maak, for example) or head south for the myriad of other islands. Just remember that if you cross back into Thailand by land, you'll only get 15 days visa exemption at the border.

There is a fair bit of moving around in this itinerary, but hopefully not too much, and logistically, it is a workable path. But don't take my word for it. Check out some of the suggested itineraries and compare your particular interests with descriptions of different places to see what seems most interesting to you.

You might also work in a flight or two, such as Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang or Vientiane to Pakse to help cut down on the time you spend in transit. Hope that helps. Regards.

I actually did a big chunk of the Thai side of the Mekong River last January just as MADMAC suggests and had a really interesting, relaxing time. I wouldn't normally recommend it for a first trip to Thailand, but if you are looking for that off-the-beaten-path experience as MADMAC suggests, you'll find exactly what you are looking for in northeast Thailand. The down side is that there isn't much of an infrastructure for western travellers, so transportation, finding a room, and even getting a meal will be a bit more work (but more adventure as well). The up side, apart from really great bargain prices on just about everything, is that you'll find genuinely friendly folks who aren't jaded from years of contact with tourists.

In addition to the places MADMAC suggests, I'd recommend a stop in Bueng Kan to break up the bus ride between Nong Khai and Nakhon Phanom, and a stay in Sangkhom and more specifically at Bouy Guest House with it's huts and porch hammocks on a bluff overlooking the Mekong River. It is about as far away from Monday morning as it gets.

I first lived in Khon Kaen for 4 months back in 1985, and it still holds a special place in my heart. Khon Kaen University was there, but it wasn't much more than a collection of buildings compared to what it has become now. What an exciting place to be for your son.

Anyway, I wrote up a trip report shortly after I visited Bueng Kan in January 2010, so hopefully the notes I took will help you. You can read the review of the place I stayed and one other here:

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/tripreports/9692_bueng-kan--thailand--january-2010-

There didn't seem to be much night life, even compared to That Phanom, so you might just have an early night so you can save it up for Nong Khai, which, as you know, has quite a bit more happening.

Should be a great ride. Sounds perfect. Cheers.

And yes, it is a great opportunity for him on a myriad of different levels. I'm really impressed with how well he has integrated socially and linguistically. He knows he's getting a rare oportunity, and he's making the most of it. Lives cheap too - I can't afford to maintain him high on the hog.

If it were me, I would honestly treat New Years and Christmas as just another day, and not try to work your itinerary around them. No, that's not real romantic, but no matter where you are here, if you are from Europe, it ain't going to feel like the season to be merry here - at least not in that way. I live here, so yes for the sake of my little girl we have a little Christmas tree and give presents and she goes to a Chrstian kindergarten where they do a little Christmas show... but if it weren't for her, that celebration would be gone. And i manufacture that myself. If it weren't for my daughter I wouldn't even do that.

That's a great suggestion. I suppose its getting out of this mindset as come christmas no matter where we are it will certainly be a unquie day!Plus it means that we save money as accommodation in the more poopular/christmassy areas is much higher.