Thailand forum

2nd opinion for the 1st part of my travel itinerary please!!

Lakey

longtail driver
Posts: 8

Hello everyone

Can I just say what a great site. As a first time solo backpacker reading this site has given me some excellent advice and also put some of the old nervous to rest!

In terms of my travel I am not restricted by time at all and want to see as much as I can for the reasonable budget I have. I plan on seeing Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia & Malasyia but as this is the first time I have planned anything like this I would appreciate your advice on the first part.

Plan is to start in Bangkok then head to:

Kanchanaburi
Ayutthaya
Phitsanulok
Sukhothai
Tax
Umphang
Lampang
Chang Mai
Pai
Mae Hong Son
Mae Sariang
back to Chang Mai unless can get direct to Chang Rai?
Chang Kong & then into Laos

As I mentioned time is not a concern for me I just want to experience everything the regions have to offer. As I won't know where I'll be at what time I will be leaving the booking of accomodation to the last minute. Will this cause me huge problems as it will be high season?

If anyone can suggest maybe places I have missed out or have any other destinations then I am all ears.

Thanks for your help on this

#1 Posted: 31/7/2009 - 19:15
BruceMoon

mahout
Posts: 1941
Located in:

Lakey

I really envy you: no time constraints, and heading in the 'right' direction.

Might I suggest that once you are 'on the beaten track', you'll get so much feedback from those also travelling that you'll be burdened by trying to see/do it all.

But, then, when you're 'off the beaten track', you'll most likely meet ppl who will refer you to out of the way places that aren't part of the banana pancake trail (on this see this post). It'll probably be these ppl who will influence you most.

You've identified a great list of places in NW Thailand. John (MADMAC) will wonder why you're not visiting Isaan - Isaan is a great area, and quite different to the NW of Thailand. But, you may choose to return through Isaan at a later time.

The issue, I suggest, is that you have to start somewhere, you have to have an itinerary sort of mapped out (even if you depart it), not necessarily because you have to follow it, but because you have to start somewhere (sounds circular, but it isn't).

From Bangkok, you have to go SW (sort of) to go to Kanchanaburi. Then, unless you want to trek across to Um Phang (look on Travelfish for details), you will have to return to Bangkok to head to Ayuthaya and then northwards.

By making the points on a map, you are doing the right thing.

There isn't anything I'd suggest you ought see / not see. Rather, just be open and go with the flow. Your current agenda will change, and you'll be the better for it.

Gee, I envy you.

Cheers

#2 Posted: 31/7/2009 - 19:31

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Jon_Mak_Mak

adventurer
Posts: 464
Located in:

Hi Lakey,

Your list of places looks OK but you are visiting places that are all pretty similar (Central/North). Thailand is a very diverse country and the south is quite different from the North and the North East is different again. (different scenery, food, language, people etc..)

It's hard to get all of Thailand squashed into one trip but as you state that you have no time limit you could fit some other places in. Although it don't seem like a backpacker/traveller thing to do, taking a domestic flight with a cheap airline like Air Asia is a great way to get to somewhere in the south, say Hat Yai. You could then bus from there all the way up to Bangkok stopping at various towns on the way. (I've done something similar heading south) Then continue north from BKK.

Personally I would want to see all sides of Thailand but if your happy with what you have planned I can't see a reason why it shouldn't work.

Have fun!

#3 Posted: 7/8/2009 - 16:06

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somtam2000

admin
mahout
Posts: 5884
Located in:

Private message

For this bit:
Chang Mai
Pai
Mae Hong Son
Mae Sariang
back to Chang Mai unless can get direct to Chang Rai?
Chang Kong & then into Laos

If you reverse it, then you can easily skip Cm.
ie.,
Chiang Mai - Mae Sariang - Mae Hong Son - Pai - Chiang Dao - Tha Ton - river trip to Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong -> Laos.

Would also suggest fitting in Soppong (between MHS and Pai) and there's quiet a few other places along that loop worth checking out...

have fun

#4 Posted: 7/8/2009 - 21:02

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