Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Koh Samui en été

Personally, when I suggested skipping Chiang Rai, it was just to give you more time by the sea or on the islands (like Phangan).
When I used to travel to Southeast Asia with my family, I preferred the beach for the kids...
Mine weren’t big fans of temples🤪

Exactly, the main reason for skipping Chiang Rai is that the trip isn’t long enough to include it.

Yes, I completely agree that the White and Blue Temples don’t have much real interest and are mostly just eye candy, but they’re pretty. Now, whether it’s in Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai, why do people visit temples? For their history? I don’t buy that for a second—most go because they’re beautiful and photogenic, that’s it. As for the "paid entry" aspect, some of the most famous and visited temples in Chiang Mai are now paid too, so that’s not really an excuse in favor of the White Temple, but the facts speak for themselves.Honestly, I’ve long thought that the Chiang Rai region can easily rival Chiang Mai’s for many of the same reasons—and others—and from all the time I’ve spent on forums, I know I’m far from the only one who thinks so. That said, I wouldn’t go so far as to say one is better than the other—both are worth seeing.

That’s a reasonable argument, I see your point.

Hello,I don’t share your view on this either.The "age" of a monument (temples in this case) doesn’t always determine its interest, just as being recent doesn’t automatically make it uninteresting.While I find the White Temple delightfully kitsch, there are others like it elsewhere in Thailand. But the Blue Temple, which I’ve never seen another example of, is more unique and might justify a visit—plus, it’s free, unlike the White Temple (at least it was when I visited).I think I read somewhere that the person behind the White Temple project was inspired by Gaudí and his Sagrada Família in Barcelona, which, like the White Temple, is still unfinished.Going back to the old vs. new debate, in the same vein, I could take you to see some modern churches in France that, at first glance, wouldn’t even catch your eye. But inside, they hide little "treasures" that rival those in much older buildings.Best regards,Partirdeloin.

Hi everyone,
Sorry I’m not replying to everyone specifically. I get the "old vs. new" debate. Last year, I really wanted to go to southern Taiwan to see a monument (Dragon & Tiger Pagodas) because the pictures looked amazing. My dad tried to talk me out of it, saying it was just soulless new construction. We went anyway, and I totally saw what he meant when I saw the brand-new, shiny paint...
Same with the Fo Guang Shan Monastery and its huge golden Buddha. Everything just seemed *too* new.
Thanks for reminding me of that experience. It’s true that the Instagram-worthy blue-and-white temple in Chiang Rai initially drew me in. Or maybe for a future trip where I could spend several days there, enjoying the rice fields and nature around Chiang Rai.In the meantime, I’ve spent days and nights searching for hotels. No problem making a choice for Chiang Mai, but I’m stuck on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui (we’re visiting both islands after all). It’s not easy finding the perfect place based on our criteria: AC, pool, beachfront if possible, and—most challenging—two beds (one double + one single). After reading all the negative reviews on Booking, especially about rocky beaches, coral, murky water, and the sea being un-swimmable due to low tide in August, I’m having a full-on depressive episode —not to mention all the stuff I’ve read about car rental scams...
The flight tickets still aren’t booked, and my Google Flights alerts are telling me the nonstop fare has jumped to 4,300 € for the three of us. Great, even with a comfortable budget to start with, I feel like this trip is going to cost us a fortune. I totally get all your advice about not trying to do too much—yeah, traveling + accommodations add up fast. Anyway, I’m wallowing in despair, but I also have the flu, my daughter does too, and we had to cancel Christmas tomorrow, so I’m just venting. Things will look up once I’m better and flight prices drop to 3,800 € Happy holidays to all!

First off, sorry about this tough time—don’t get discouraged, just think of the heat and sunshine!I’m not sure if it’s still the case, but airlines like Qatar often had great deals in the first half of January for summer travel. Keep an eye on that.
Before COVID, you could find round-trip tickets for around 1000 € per person, but I’m afraid 1400 € might be a good price now. Any readers able to confirm?Watch out for the Instagram effect. Where it goes, authenticity often disappears.
Just in downtown Chiang Rai and especially Chiang Mai, there are tons of temples that are centuries old—it’s really something else.
That said, it’s all about personal taste. Newer temples can be spectacular, aesthetic, and great for photos. Like the older ones, they’re dedicated to venerating Buddha and his teachings.Don’t stress too much about hotel reviews—you’ll find everything and its opposite. Even by the sea, a hotel with a pool will at least save you from jellyfish, which are pretty common in that area.Check out Agoda; it’s often cheaper than Booking. From my experience, August to January are the best months for prices if you’re booking for summer. Don’t wait too long—there are lots of Thais, Malaysians, Indians, and Chinese travelers, and they’re *extremely* numerous.

I’m getting back to you after reading this comment.For rental cars, go with the international companies: Hertz, Budget, Avis, Sixt, etc. You won’t have any bad surprises, and you’ll be fully insured if you choose that option. I’d advise against renting from local agencies—you won’t have any guarantee of insurance, and I’m not even talking about the vehicle’s maintenance.About the beach I recommended, I’ll say it again: what negative reviews have you read? Don’t forget that some people, for a relatively reasonable price, expect services worthy of a palace. It’s exactly the same with airlines.
[angry]Merry Christmas

hi, thanks for your encouraging words on this Christmas Day [embarrassed]"You’ve gotta be wary of the Instagram-worthy. Where it goes, authenticity dies." Exactly!I also read about the risk of box jellyfish—so scary. But life’s an adventure Yeah, I noticed Agoda had bigger discounts than Booking.
I think once the holiday season’s over, airfares will drop a tiny bit. I’ll buy them once and for all, along with all the hotels, and that’ll be that.

Hi,
I took note about the "official" car rental companies. Good to know—I thought it’d be convenient to go directly through the hosts.For accommodations right on Crystal Beach, unfortunately, for our dates on both Agoda and Booking, there’s only one place left, and it only has one bed for the three of us.What do you think about the sea in the north in August around Mae Name Beach or Bo Phut Beach? There are quite a few places that would work for us there.
That would also let us get closer to Fisherman’s Village and head to the night market in the evening. I’m saying this, but I think the night markets only start on Fridays, and we’ll be flying to Bangkok on Friday.The opening days of night markets in Thailand are so confusing too—I planned my departure day from France to line up our days in Chiang Mai with the Saturday/Sunday Walking Street and our arrival at the end in Bangkok for Chatuchak Market, etc. You’ve got to think of everything!

The risk of "box jellyfish" is zero for the period you're considering. Very high between October and December (rainy season).
It’s not in Samui that you should look for "authenticity". There’s nothing authentic left there

I said something really stupid and I don’t know what it was?

No no, no silly stuff... I love your safety-conscious side: the pool to avoid jellyfish in the sea. Good call! But you’re forgetting the sandflies on the beach ;)

I’d shared this on the forum before: one day in July on Phangan, I let myself fall backward, arms spread out in the sea, right at the edge of the beach. Two or three months later, I found out that a child aged 5 to 7 had died almost in the same spot after coming into contact with one of those tiny jellyfish. Box jellyfish—one-third of the time, it’s fatal, and another third of the time, it leads to serious neurological damage.Yeah, it’s pretty rare, but it’s the kind of thing I just can’t get out of my head.Anyway, I’ve run into way fewer mosquitoes—I think they’ve all migrated to France

True, especially in the low season, some pools are only maintained when groups are staying there.
I’ve seen places where the pool’s only purpose is to take a nice photo on the first day for booking sites.
Overall, it’s acceptable. It all depends on the owner of the place.

Hi there,For the "Instagrammable" side of things, if you're interested, you might want to check out this reportOtherwise, my buddies have already given you plenty of great tips (by the way, we nickname our national Jojoone "Huggy the Good Tips" and even if it's not true, I just had to say it! )Just a little extra tip for hotels—some allow kids to stay for free (check the age limit), often with a rollaway bed. Don’t hesitate to ask; it doesn’t hurt to try...As for the islands, I can’t really help much since I’ve never been there and probably never will—unless I have a Thai friend with family there who invites me... Hey, a girl can dream, right? Anyway, sorry to hear you’re feeling under the weather during the holidays. I hope you still have a pretty good time, and you’ll probably make up for it with New Year’s. Wishing you all the best!Sending you a bit of tropical warmth (temperature-wise, no misunderstandings here...).Best regards,Partirdeloin

Love the video! That’s reassuring!