Laos forum

Personal choice but I usually take about 20 litre bag and get used to wearing the same three shirts all the time and washing daily. When in doubt leave it out! Weather is warm and wet in July/August but a simple folding umbrella beats packing extra wet weather gear that just makes you sweaty anyway. I pack one soft pullover/sweater for evenings and everything else is minimal and light weight. A decent pair of walking shoes is worthwhile and cheapo flipflops to let your dogs breathe occasionally.

Logical route Bangkok a couple days to get over the jetlag and culture shock factor then head north to Chiang Mai (sleeper train can be a fun way). Spend at least a week in the far north, trekking, elephants, cooking course, markets, rent a scooter if you have riding experience to explore them hills. Air Asia has cheap flights from Chiang Mai to Phuket or get down to Chumphon via Bangkok and head for Ko Tao - Ko Phangan - Ko Samui which are drier that time of year and there are some non-touristy little gems along that east coast. You might also shoot over to Krabi and hit Railay beach or Ko Lanta but it might be a tad wet there in August (and it's Ramadan time so many Muslim-owned places shut down). Khao Sok national park is excellent for jungle trekking and boat rides on the humungo lake but again might be rainy. Closer to Bangkok cheack out Kanchanaburi for a few days (too much for a daytrip) as well as Ayutthaya and maybe hit Ko Samet at the end to "tan-up" before heading home.

And yes $50/day will do fine most places but in general the southern beachspots are more expensive than the north.