THAILAND: Jungle and islands - Islands and more islands

Where to go in Thailand

A trip to Thailand isn't complete without at least a little down time on the islands, and this trip has plenty. You'll touch on many of the favourite traveller scenes in Thailand, with opportunity for a bit of jungle, culture and history before heading south for the islands.

This isn't an "off the beaten path adventure", but remember the beaten path is so beaten for a good reason!

One advantage of using a trip like this as a base, is that there's lots of potential for sidetrips, and that two to three week-long stay can easily stretch out over a month.

A good way to minimise your time in transit is to make good use of Thailand's network of domestic budget airlines.

Weather

Pay attention to the weather! There's few things as miserable as a weeklong long sojourn on a sodden island. More climate information can be found here: Travelfish interactive weather map.

Remember this is just a guide -- often the best trips are the ones you make up yourself!

Trip length

The suggested minimum time for a trip like this is three week, though four to five weeks is far more comfortable.

Sample plan

1) Bangkok -> Kanchanaburi (lush scenery, river trips, national parks, trekking, historical interest)
2) Kanchanaburi -> Sangkhlaburi (Stunning scenery, trekking, boat trips, underwater town)
3) Sangkhlaburi -> Chumphon -> Ko Tao (island, diving, beach life, backpacker scene)
4) Ko Tao -> Ko Pha Ngan (island, full moon party diving, beach life, backpacker scene)
5) Ko Pha Ngan -> Ko Samui (island, beach life, tourist scene, clubs and nightlife)
6) Ko Samui -> Bangkok
7) Bangkok -> Ko Samet (island, beach life, backpacker scene)
8) Ko Samet -> Ko Chang (island, beach life, backpacker scene)

Save some time

Two days: fly from Bangkok to Ko Samui return
Three days: Visit Kanchanaburi as a long day-trip (not recommended)

Take a sidetrip

One day: Strike north from Bangkok to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. While it can be visited as a long day-trip, an overnight stay is recommened.
One day: Break-up the trip south with an overnight stay at Phetburi and visit the amazing Kaeng Krachan National Park
Two days: Fit another island in at stunning Ko Mun Nork -- not cheap, but it is lovely.
Three days: Strike out from Ko Chang for some more island-downtime on the very popular neighbouring islands of Ko Maak or Ko Kut.

Combine trip plans

This trip links in perfectly with the one month Cambodia Adventure, or if you want to spend more time in the north of Thailand, it is easy to combine it with the Northern Thailand Explorer.

Further reading

What is a good guesthouse in Bangkok?
The bridge over the RiverKwai festival
Ko Mun Nork -- paradise but a stone's throw away
What's a good beach on Ko Pha Ngan?
What's a good beach on Ko Samui?

Sample Trip Times (in hours)

To help you work out how you'll get around, we've listed the trip durations for the various forms of transport available. Note that with the exception of flight times, these are average trip times, so no hate mail if you take the slow train.

More trip planners

THAILAND: Isaan taster - just a sample of the northeast of Thailand:
Not everyone has the luxury of a month to explore northeast Thailand, so here's a short trip you could cover in as little as a few days. You'll get to see national parks, Khmer ruins and finish off with some sleepy Mekong River scenery. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THAILAND: Isaan explorer - get to know the northeast of Thailand:
National parks, ancient Khmer ruins, lovely Mekong river vistas and the wonderful Isaan food -- we hope you like it spicey! ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THE REGION: Southern Laos, Southern Vietnam and Cambodia:
For those set on getting an experience in Laos, Vietnam and Laos, but with only limited time, a trip like this is a good choice, as while you miss the north of both Laos and Vietnam, you save a lot of time that would otherwise be spent getting from A to B ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THE REGION: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam explorer:
This is the big one! Travelling throughout the region, you'll touch on the highlights of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

VIETNAM: Southern Explorer:
This trip concentrates on the south of Vietnam, with a taste of Mekong Delta and beaches thrown in. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

VIETNAM: Top to tail:
Long and thin, Vietnam is well suited to a short trip like this -- just don't forget just how long it really is! ... detailed trip plan itinerary

LAOS: Southern explorer -- experience laid back southern Laos:
Southern Laos sees far few backpackers and independent travellers than the north of the country, so if you're looking for less touristed destinations and a more "authentic" experience, then this trip could be for you. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

LAOS: Northern explorer -- head for the hills:
This takes you through the popular tourist towns of Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, but also gives you ample time to see some of lesser-visited Laos. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

LAOS: Snapshot -- one week explorer:
The trip that just about anyone who has been to Laos has done at one time or another. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

CAMBODIA: One month adventure:
If you want to really see much of what Cambodia has to offer, a month long exploration of the country will allow you ample time to see the most interesting destinations in the country. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

CAMBODIA: Two week explorer:
This two week trip gives the traveller to Cambodia a good mix of ruins, beaches and culture. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

CAMBODIA: One week explorer:
Most first-time travellers to Cambodia opt for a trip like this -- the bulk of the time spent exploring Angkor Wat and a quick trip to the capital Phnom Penh. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THAILAND: A one-week holiday that will have you back for more:
A trip like this is suitable for those who have just a week in Thailand but still want a bit of sun along with the culture. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THAILAND: Northern explorer - two weeks in northern Thailand:
You could spend six months in northern Thailand and not experience all it has to offer, but even with just two weeks you can still have a great experience. ... detailed trip plan itinerary

THAILAND: Mountains and Islands - a two week sampler:
Most first-time travellers to Thailand opt for a trip like this -- we certainly did. Striking north into the hills and then relaxing on the beach is, for many, the ultimate first-time Thai experience. ... detailed trip plan itinerary