Thailand forum

so what would be wrong by visiting your library and lending-or perhaps even buying in a real shop, that thing called guidebook? Do you expect us to copycat such a thick book here?PS: read laos-forumpart: tubing has now been banned by lao authorities, due to incessant and rampant exhibitionist drinking, swearing, nude-walking etc.-all habits that Laos disapproves of, but that seem to signify ''freedom from parents'' for the tipial obnoxious teenage (mindset having) youngsters going there.
As a result the small town of VgVg-once only existing of budget guesthss, is also near empty now-does not matter, as locals are rich already by Lao standards.

There are many posts on Lonely Planet Thorn Tree about the crackdown on the tubing scene. Read posts here. The changes began August 30 this year and latest I've heard is you can still float in a tube down the river but all the river bars are shut down. Obviously it's putting a big dent in the backpacker business, but the situation was just getting ridiculous with record number of fatalities last year and several deaths per month this year. Tubing sure as hell isn't a reason to go to Laos, I mean it can be fun and I've gone many times, but you gotta avoid all the booze on offer that they litterally pour down your throat. Glad to see the end of that.

To the OP, there is some good info to be found on this site:

For working out an itinerary, distances and travel time: http://www.travelfish.org/trip_planner/

To do some research on what there is to do in Thailand and Laos: http://www.travelfish.org/country/thailand
http://www.travelfish.org/country/laos

Start with that and work out a general plan for yourselves based on what you are interested in. I think you will find people are happy to help out if you have specific questions, and if you've done some initial planning work for yourselves.