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Bourguibasco

Arras · 48 posts

2026-01-03

Hello!

After a long travel hiatus, we’re (finally) back on the road for some getaways! Now with two kids in tow, we’re heading to Thailand for two weeks next February (a destination that’s stood us up twice before but seems perfect for our first big family trip).

We’d have loved to stay longer, but two weeks is already a great start and will be plenty enjoyable.

Key points: - Experience Thailand, not just live our usual routine in Thailand - Avoid crowds as much as possible, even though February will be busy - Not big city fans, so Bangkok (BKK) will be kept to a minimum - Focus on nature, the sea, forests, waterfalls, hiking, kayaking...

At this stage, here’s the rough itinerary I’m considering: - Arrival at 7 AM + a day in BKK

- DEPART for SURAT THANI (BUS) - Transfer + Khao Sok (overnight on the lake / in the trees)

- RETURN to Ko Samui - Transfer to Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Tao (snorkeling)

- RETURN to Khao Lak. While there: * Visit Ao Phang Nga Park by kayak * Excursion to caves / Ko Khao Phing Kan (the "007 beach" lol) * ALTERNATIVE = SIMILAN ISLANDS

- RETURN to KRABI or Koh Phi Phi * Visit Koh Hong or Koh Yao Yai

* Flight from SURAT THANI to BKK - If time left in BKK: - Explore BKK: Wat Pho / floating market / Maeklong Railway Market / Chinatown... - Or a day trip to Ayutthaya - Or a day at Erawan Waterfall (Haew Suwat) - Day +1 = Return to France

Questions I’m pondering: - Is this too ambitious? I think it might be... but since we’d rather see as much as possible than just lounge on a beach... - How to get around on this route? Bus or rental vehicle (which I’d prefer to avoid) - Are there any inconsistencies in the plan I’ve outlined? - Should I adjust any connections or prioritize differently? - Krabi vs. Koh Phi Phi? - Koh Hong vs. Koh Yao Yai?

We’ve booked the first night (using some leftover backpacking perks), but nothing else—so open to all ideas!

If you know a local agency that can offer advice (for a fee), that could work too, since the options feel endless...

Thanks so much for reading this far, and even more if you’ve got tips or suggestions to share!! Best wishes ;)

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

SO Songsam Veteran ·2026-01-03

Hello,

Varied itinerary - Experience Thailand, not just live like usual in Thailand - Avoid crowds, even though February will be busy

(...) At this stage, I’m looking at a route like this: - Arrival at 7 AM + day in BKK - DEPARTURE for SURAT THANI (BUS) - Transfer + Khao Sok (overnight on the lake / in the trees) - RETURN to Ko Samui - Transfer to Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Tao (snorkeling) - RETURN to Khao Lak. On site: - Visit Ao Phang Nga Park by kayak - Excursion to the cave / Ko Khao Phing Kan (007 beach lol) - ALTERNATIVE = SIMILAN ISLANDS - RETURN to KRABI or Koh Phi Phi - Visit Koh Hong or Koh Yao Yai - Flight from SURAT THANI to BKK - If time left in BKK: - Wat Pho - Day trip to Ayutthaya - Day at Haew Suwat Waterfall or Erawan

Ouch!...

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-03

Hi there, "Aïe" = crowded or too packed, or both, captain...

Hello,

Varied itinerary - Experience Thailand, not just live your usual routine in Thailand - Avoid crowds, even though February will be busy

(...) At this stage, I’m looking at a route like this: - Arrival at 7 AM + day in BKK - DEPARTURE to SURAT THANI (BUS) - Transfer + Khao Sok (overnight on the lake / in the trees) - RETURN to Ko Samui - Transfer to Koh Phangan or Koh Tao (snorkeling) - RETURN to Khao Lak. While there: - Visit Ao Phang Nga Park by kayak - Excursion to the cave / Ko Khao Phing Kan (007 beach, lol) - ALTERNATIVE = SIMILAN ISLANDS - RETURN to KRABI or Koh Phi Phi - Visit Koh Hong or Koh Yao Yai - Flight from SURAT THANI to BKK - If time left in BKK: - Wat Pho - Day trip to Ayutthaya - Day at Haew Suwat Erawan waterfall

Ouch!...

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

SO Songsam Veteran ·2026-01-03

Day trip to Ayutthaya

About 5h30 round trip from your hotel in Bangkok. A bit less if you go through an agency. Add the time for sightseeing to that.

Day trip to Haew Suwat Erawan Waterfall

Are you talking about Erawan in Kanchanaburi Province? Then it’ll be around 8 hours round trip from your Bangkok hotel by taxi + public transport, or a little less if you go entirely by car. Plus sightseeing time in both cases.

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-03

I think I’m totally off-base about travel times, honestly. The more I re-read, the more I realize it’s too much—the urge to see everything... just impossible in Thailand.

We’ve reached out to someone who helps adjust, organize, and plan trips (we don’t want a cookie-cutter package), which should help us focus on what’ll bring real human connection. It seems way too many places have lost their authenticity, beyond just Koh Phi Phi or other big-name spots...

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

SO Songsam Veteran ·2026-01-03

"Ouch" = too crowded or too packed, or both, captain...

The 3 mentioned in bold.

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-03

Since we don’t know the country, we’ve been reading guides and other sites... If you have any suggestions to make this trip more peaceful, authentic, or enriching, we’d love to hear them—that’s what this Forum is for! [;)]

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

SO Songsam Veteran ·2026-01-03

If you have any suggestions to make this trip more peaceful, authentic, and enriching

I’m not entirely sure what you mean by "enriching" here, but the other two adjectives work for me.

If I make suggestions, they won’t include the beach, and you won’t find tourist sites at every stop—far from it. Some days might just involve staying in villages and living at the local pace. That said, all stops will be reachable by public transport, and each will have at least one place to stay. You should also keep in mind that you can’t demand authenticity without sometimes accepting the language barrier. Are you up for that?

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-03

First off, thanks for your replies. By "rich," I mean the richness of discoveries, exchanges, culture... what you take away from a trip. After staying with locals on Lake Titicaca or ditching resorts in Bali, I totally get what you’re talking about. Sure, there’ll be questions about challenges, comfort, and practicality... but that’s really what matters most... beyond 30°C water, which is pretty nice, let’s be honest 😊.

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2026-01-04

If it's for February 2026, especially for Khao Lak or Koh Tao, I hope there will still be available places to stay, and I'm wondering about the prices.

To avoid crowds, don’t go during peak tourist season and don’t pick only ultra-touristy spots.

There are waterfalls in most places you’ll visit. Just know that the most beautiful ones are mostly in the north of the country.

Don’t forget to do the TM6 (arrival/departure card) within 72 hours before arrival.

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-04

Thank you for your feedback! You're absolutely right—with these dates, we won’t escape the crowds, but we’ll try to avoid party towns and the flood of boats on the same beach (no need to name names)... kind of like skiing at a family-friendly resort that doesn’t do après-ski and has no Chanel boutique...

We’re fully aware that in 2 weeks, during this season, with two kids on their first trip, we won’t be able to go as off-the-beaten-path as the country deserves. So if you have any recommendations to tweak our route—villages, hikes, or towns that haven’t been overrun by tourism—we’d be *very* grateful ;).

Thanks a million!!!

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

Attila Globetrotter ·2026-01-04

Hello,

If I understand correctly, the goal of the trip is the beach?

All the ones you’ve chosen are pretty touristy.

For a combo with fewer tourists and more authenticity, it might be better to aim for the central coast—maybe Koh Pha Ngan if the budget allows (due to flight costs).

For example: fly from France to Koh Samui, transfer to Koh Pha Ngan, then to Surat Thani. Rent a car if you have an international driver’s permit, drive along the coast to Hua Hin where you return the vehicle, then take a train or taxi to Ayutthaya and Bangkok.

Or take inspiration from my latest travel journal, skipping Krabi to spend more nights on the central coast.

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-04

Hi there! First of all, thanks for your feedback. Yes, it does seem very / too beach-focused. So, since yesterday, we’ve tweaked our itinerary a bit. We’re going to spend more time in BKK to visit Ayutthaya and Ratchaburi.

We’re flying into BKK. So we were thinking of taking a bus / train / flight down to Surat Thani to explore the south before heading back to BKK. Bad idea? Would a car be better (even if it’s not really what I want)?

We were planning: - Arrival in BKK + 1 day for sightseeing - Head south

We’d like to mix in hikes (to waterfalls—my wife is obsessed with them... they’re our travel theme), kayaking to see limestone formations / islands, beaches, snorkeling... Ko Tao seems too far, so we’re focusing on:

- Khao Sok (Cheow Lan Lake) - Khao Lak (Ao Phang Nga National Park) - Ao Nang (for Koh Hong) - Ko Samui (if we have time) (via national marine park / hike)

- Return to BKK for Ayutthaya / Ratchaburi

Are we reading this wrong? I’ll check out your travel journal! Thanks for sharing! 😊

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

Attila Globetrotter ·2026-01-04

Is a car preferable (even if it doesn't match my preferences)?

A car lets you escape the tourist highway and take side trips off the beaten path (flexible departure times, different starting points, unplanned excursions that aren’t on agency itineraries, etc.).

Most importantly, it lets you escape the group. Personally, I much prefer exploring a place on my own.

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

Jojoone1 Globetrotter ·2026-01-04

Ratchaburi isn’t really worth it.

There are 1 or 2 fairly small waterfalls near Khao Sok, 2 or 3 bigger ones close to Khao Lak, and the same for Koh Samui.

For getting around, just a reminder that you’ll need your driver’s license AND an international permit.

I put together 2 travel journals with lots of photos in 2013 and 2015 for the southern part—click on my username to check them out.

« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-04

Thanks for sharing! I read your travel journal, and it’s true that having a vehicle gives you a lot of freedom (I’ve already tried it in a few Central American countries, Morocco, etc.). Unfortunately, a 5-month wait for the international permit... so we had to fall back on public transport—no other choice.

I noted a few key points: - Confirmed for Kaoh Sok / Koh Hong / Phang Nga (while staying near Ngop-Ko) - Avoid Ao Nang - Leave very early to beat the crowds (with a private boat when possible) - Great viewpoints at Koh Hong and Ding Daeng Doi - Nam Lot Cave - Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park - Eat at roadside diners ;)

Quick question: which hotel did you stay at before your return flight? In BKK or near the airport? I’m worried about morning traffic (return flight at 9:30 AM).

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

SO Songsam Veteran ·2026-01-04

So we were thinking of taking a bus/train/plane down to Surat Thani to explore the south before heading back up to BKK. Bad idea? Is a car preferable (even if it doesn’t match my preferences)?

Of course not. You might occasionally need a taxi for short trips, but you definitely don’t need to be stuck in a car all the time. Thailand is probably one of the easiest countries in the world to explore by public transport—it’s packed with options, they run frequently, and there are all kinds, so independent travelers have been using them for decades without any issues. Renting a car is something only a minority of foreign travelers do, so if you’re not keen on it...

waterfalls, my wife is in love with waterfalls... (...) kayaking

Kanchanaburi Province (which makes it super easy to hop on the southern rail route afterward). Several famous waterfalls and kayaking on the Kwai rivers.

as well as Ratchaburi.

What’s there to do/see? I’ve spent months in that province, and even the locals I hung out with never encouraged me to visit its capital. That said, I know the less-visited Phetchaburi, a bit further south on the way to the beaches. It’s discussed starting from reply 25 in this thread: https://voyageforum.com/forum/plage-proche-bangkok-d10801432-2/

On the big Kwai:

Kanchanaburi Province, on the little Kwai, Sai Yok Yai waterfall(s) with a night on a raft moored near one of them:

Attila Globetrotter ·2026-01-04

I stayed in Ayutthaya before heading back.

With a return flight at 09:30, the best option is to sleep near the airport or a Bangkok Airport Rail Link stop.

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

Attila Globetrotter ·2026-01-04

Thailand might well be the easiest country in the world to visit using public transport, given how numerous, frequent, and varied they are

Maybe that was true in the past, or in certain parts of the country, or for traveling between cities. I didn’t see much public transport during my last trip (15 years ago, yes, there was some) except within cities. Most of the places I visited would’ve required either doubling the trip duration or taking taxis or group tours.

For taxis and ride-hailing services, I do find it’s a very easy and affordable country.

Having a car is a huge plus for exploring non-urban areas, especially when you only have 15 days for the trip. It’s also perfect for avoiding all the haggling.

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

Attila Globetrotter ·2026-01-04

Unfortunately, a 5-month wait for the international permit... so we had to fall back on public transport... not much choice

Yeah, that’s *way* too long! We ended up pushing our trip back a whole year because of it. Still, I’d recommend applying for one for the future—you never know when it might come in handy!

Without a car and over 15 days, I’d steer clear of the central part of the trip I did (Nam Lot Cave – Khao Na Nai Luang Dharma Park).

Down south, it’ll be easier to sort out transport since it’s super touristy. Every agency runs excursions there.

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-04

Thanks! Confirmed that we won’t be renting a vehicle, even if it means paying for taxi rides. Perfect!

Thanks for the info—you’re right, it’s Kanchanaburi, not Ratchaburi! I’m getting mixed up at this point... I’ll look into Phetchaburi... it’s more than appealing, and my wife’s been talking about it since yesterday... I think I’m overdosing on info lol!

Also, we’re going to spend more time in BKK to visit more temples (since we won’t have time to go up to Chiang Mai but still want to see "active" temples). Doesn’t seem like there are many to see in the south...

I’ll rework everything based on your advice ;) Thanks again to everyone! !

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-04

I totally agree with you about the freedom of having a car, but that won’t be possible. And I also want my kids to experience the lack of comfort and appreciate the richness of interactions and discoveries beyond their usual environment.

I have great memories of buses packed with chickens or minivans designed for 10 people but crammed with 27...

True, we won’t be able to "wander around," but you can’t do it all. That said, once we’re there, I wonder if we could rent scooters or bikes for shorter, more spontaneous outings... We’ll see!

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-04

So... I’ve pulled together a bit of everything that’s been shared so far.

I think it’s still pretty packed, but I’ll admit I’m a little confused about what’s doable from PHANG NGA / KHAO LAK or even AO NANG, which seems like a place to avoid for staying (Ao Phang Nga National Park / Phra Nang Beach / Koh Hong). On the other hand, for accommodation, I’ve noted PHANG NGA, but I’ll look into smaller villages...

If it’s too hectic, maybe I can squeeze in a night at Cheow Lan Lake for a day.

Interested in your thoughts... I feel like there are so many options that it’s getting overwhelming (or maybe I’m just burning out on planning, haha).

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

Attila Globetrotter ·2026-01-04

I have great memories of buses packed with chickens, or minibuses designed for 10 carrying 27...

I’m afraid quite a few of those old memories will need to be left behind. Thailand has modernized.

I’m wondering if we’ll be able to rent scooters

Be careful—police and insurance companies require a motorcycle license.

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

Attila Globetrotter ·2026-01-04

I don’t know Phetchaburi, so I won’t comment on that stop.

I’d skip Khao Lak (it’s a detour for just a few hours) and head straight to the Phang Nga area instead.

You can visit Ko Hong from Ao Nang, Klong Muang, Tubkaek, or Ao Nam Mao.

Personally, Koh Samui didn’t leave me with amazing memories, and you’re still planning a full day on the train (theoretical 06:30 journey, not counting frequent delays).

Un si beau paysage : concours de photos amical de juin 2026 Rubrique Jeux Voyages C'est le moment de poster vos meilleurs clichés !

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-04

I’m afraid quite a few old memories will have to be forgotten. Thailand has modernized a lot.

Actually, this wasn’t in Thailand… clearly my first trip, haha!

Watch out: police and insurance companies ask for a motorcycle license.

Well, that’s a no-go then…

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

SO Songsam Veteran ·2026-01-04

Around what time do you plan to start your Bkk-Phetchaburi train journey on the 8th?

Your table isn’t very user-friendly: it’s tiny, you can’t quote sections from it, and it’s not immediately clear at first glance... Could you repost it in a normal size, please?

BO Bourguibasco ·2026-01-04

We haven’t checked the exact schedules yet. I’m just trying to get an overall plan together so we can make the bookings.

What do you mean by "recoter"? I’ve grouped everything by day: - MORNING/AFTERNOON/NIGHT - The place we’re visiting (in blue) - The transfer happening during that part of the day (in orange) - Where we’re planning to spend the night (column N: in green if already booked, in red if not yet reserved) - Then the activities on site

I can’t attach the Excel file... Is this better?

Otherwise, I’ll rewrite the plan. Overall, we’ve shortened some stretches to add stops (Phetchaburi) and spend more time in BKK and the surrounding area (Ayutthaya).

Thanks so much!!!

Mieux vaut une vie pleine de remords qu'une mort pleine d'envies

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Feedback on a 2-week Thailand itinerary with kids

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