Thailand forum

Many many thanks for sharing Thailand information. Thailand is a tropical getaway for the hedonist and the hermit, the prince and the pauper. And in between the kissing cousins of sea and sky are dramatic limestone mountains standing sentinel.

Thanks a lot,
Rick

I agree that this itinerary is a lot to pack into six weeks. As suggested above, you can save time by skipping a few spots, like Chiang Rai. Is there a specific reason you want to visit Phitsanulok and Kamphaeng Phet too? I like both of those places, but wouldn't normally think to include them on a first trip to Thailand or a busy itinerary. There is a decent historical park in Kamphaeng Phet, but I think most folks would say the ruins in Sukhothai and Ayutthaya are much better, and even those are modest compared to Angkor Wat.

I also agree that you could cut out an island or two on the southern Thailand leg of the trip. You might do better to stay just on the Gulf of Thailand side or just the Andaman Sea side, but if you need to see both, maybe pick one or two islands on each side. That way you'll spend much less time and money getting from place to place.

Finally, since it looks like you'll be travelling over the new year, please keep in mind that new year's is one of the busiest travel times in Thailand. Trains, planes, and automobiles will be packed full, so you may want to find a good place to stay and hang out there for a few days before and after January 1st. Have fun. Cheers.

Depends how much time you spend in Bangkok/Kanch before and how keen you are to see islands on the other coast. What do you want to do on these islands? Tao is for diving, Samui allrounder and Pha Ngan is relaxing except for the busy FMP.

Trang islands are mostly for relaxing but there's some good snorkelling and the Emerald Cave on Muk.

If you're not a diver you could visit Tao on a daytrip only.

Samui/Pha Ngan - if you like Samui base yourself there, if you don't like it go to Pha Ngan and base yourself.

You'd probably want 7-10 days total around here.

Trang islands being quiter can be done in 4-5 days. Stay on Muk or Ngai and visit the others on a tour.

Trang town night market is good so you could check that out on your last night before flying out. See Air Asia for Trang flights (note they fly to Don Muang airport in Bangkok not Swampy where your international flight probably goes from so best to spend a night or 2 in Bangkok at the end)

Lipe is further away still and you might be pushed for time.