Thailand forum

Getting off the beaten path is VERY easy. There are several reasons why people don't do it much:

1. Language. When you leave the beaten path, it's tough to get by on English, where menus are not written in English, people don't speak English and so forth. That creates a challenge.

2. There aren't very many "amazing sites" to see. If there were, the places would be on the beaten path.

Thai life is routine - just like everywhere else in the world. The routine isn't rdically different from the routine in the US or wherever. People get up, go to work, etc. etc. There are elements of the culture that are most certainly different, and that you'll slowly observe over a period of time (language though will definitely inhibit some of this). You're a little short on time here, but to strike out for parts unknown would still be somewhat of an adventure.

"Open to all suggestions and also interested in places with good nightlife."

Nightlife isthe easiest part, as Thailand does this really well, with this one caveat - Thais love Karaoke. I mean, they love Karaoke. It comes in two types - naughty and just drunk Thais singing. If you don't like Karaoke, then you'll want to stay in the provincial capitals for nightlife and go to clubs in those places. In the smaller locals, most nightlife revolves around Karaoke, but in the provincial capitals there are other clubs and bars are well.

In Mukdahan, where I live, you can rent a motorbike (or scooter) and do everything that you have described above. If you want to come out this way and link up with me, I'll can steer you around as I have lived here for five years. Periodically a Travelfisher will come out here and I have helped orient them.

I'm only good on beaches and islands.

A lot of the islands are touristy and lacking in Thai culture - I'd say the best off the beaten track islands with a bit of culture (mainly agricultural/fishing village lifestyle - bit hard to find temples, ruins on the islands) are Little Ko Chang Andaman side, Ko Phra Tong, Ko Kho Khao, Ko Yao Yai, Ko Yao Noi, Ko Libong, Ko Siboya, Ko Sukorn, Ko Kood.
Now motorcycles can be taken to these places - the locals usually load via a plank onto the ferry or public longtail taxi. But two places which actually have a vehicle ferry are Yao Yai and Kho Khao. The latter is a very short trip from the mainland.

I can't help with southerland Thailand and beaches and so forth. On that, Tezza is A LOT more experienced than I am. I don't like the ocean and I don't like beaches. I'm an Issan guy.

It is ridiculously easy to get off the beaten track in Thailand. Most tourists are very lazy and do not travel much more than a couple of hundred meters from the beach/the tours. I have managed to get lost in Samui (tourist hotspot) before while randomly driving through the island and little kid would point us out to their parents because of how infrequently they see white faces.

No, you are absolutely right, I wasn't judging at all. I am going down to Pattaya/koh Lan next weekend and fully intend to stay firmly on the beaten track, drinking beer on the beach with my friends for 3 days and doing nothing adventurous whatsoever.

I personally don't know where you can do that - sort of like a "Hertz rent a bike". Everywhere I know if you rent a bike you have to bring it back to the place where you rented it from.