46-Day Itinerary in Thailand

Hi there, I’m also a huge fan of India... for a long time now. But I really love Thailand too. It’s so different from India, and I enjoy spending 1 or 2 months there after India. To answer your questions... transportation is very well organized, comfortable, and... punctual. The main roads are in great condition. In cities, you’ve got tuk-tuks (the equivalent of rickshaws) and metered taxis. As for car rentals, I’ve never tried it, but renting a scooter or motorcycle is no problem at all. For accommodation, I pay around 550 to 800 THB for two. Have a great trip to the Land of Smiles!

Really nice itinerary!

Personally, I’d skip Lopburi (no interest at all).

I’d try to add Sangkhla Buri (Thailand’s largest teak bridge over the lake) after Kanchanaburi. Such a great vibe and it’s so beautiful!!

I prefer Sukhothai over Ayutthaya.

Between Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai, Pai is also lovely—gorgeous nature.

In Chiang Rai, check out Doi Chang and Singha Park.

Phrae and Loei aren’t must-sees for a first trip.

In Asia, Agoda is way better than Booking for prices, and you can often cancel for free.

For prices, you’re spot on—easy to find between 800 and 1400 THB.

Taxis are cheap, and public transport is dirt cheap.

100–150 km a day is no problem for exploring around your hotel

I’m also a huge fan of India... for a long time now.

Yeah, I’ve seen you post on the India forum before.

Travel is very well organized, comfortable, and... punctual. The main roads are in great condition. In cities, you’ve got tuk-tuks—same as rickshaws—and metered taxis. I’ve never rented a car, but renting a scooter or motorcycle is no problem. For accommodation, I pay around 550 to 800 THB for two. Enjoy your trip to the Land of Smiles!

Still, I’ve read everywhere to avoid tuk-tuks and go for taxis instead—they’re super cheap. No way I’m renting a scooter, let alone a motorcycle ;) Thanks so much for this message—it’s reassuring!

Really nice itinerary!

Personally, I’d skip Lopburi (no interest at all).

I’d try to add Sangkhla Buri (Thailand’s largest teak bridge over the lake) after Kanchanaburi. Such a great vibe and it’s so beautiful!!

I prefer Sukhothai over Ayutthaya.

Between Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai, Pai is also lovely—gorgeous nature.

In Chiang Rai, check out Doi Chang and Singha Park.

Phrae and Loei aren’t essential for a first trip.

In Asia, Agoda is way better than Booking for prices, and you can often cancel for free.

For prices, you’re spot on—easy to find places between 800 and 1400 THB.

Taxis are cheap, and public transport is dirt cheap.

100–150 km a day is no problem for exploring around your hotel.

Hi and thank you so much! I’d written a long, detailed reply based on all your tips and suggestions. But at the last minute, the page glitched again—it’s a nightmare on VF!—and I lost everything. I’m not starting over. Anyway, a huge thank you!

When you're writing a long post, every few paragraphs, copy-paste and save it in your notepad that you’ve already placed on your desktop. For the rest, as I mentioned, I think I’ll be able to reach out to you tomorrow.

So, IS ANYONE going to help Marien33 out?

to avoid changing locations and hotels almost every day and constantly packing and unpacking my suitcase. Instead, I plan to explore the surrounding areas each day within a maximum radius of 50 to 70 km.

I’m not sure if it’s more relaxing to travel every day? 70 km x 2 still adds up to 140 kilometers of public transport or taxi rides in a single day...

Should I change locations more often but stay at least 2 nights each time to balance both approaches?

950/1000 THB per night

That’s just under 30 € per night.

You didn’t specify the category.

On average, I’m spending around 45 € (for a double room) in mid-range accommodations, mostly in the pricier part of Thailand (the southern triangle: Krabi, Surat Thani, Khao Lak).

1 week for visiting Bangkok – Kanchanaburi/Erawan National Park? – Ayutthaya/Lopburi? – Muang Boran – Samut – Songkram/Amphawa

So, changing your base for each of these places?

Bangkok -> Chiang Mai by overnight train in 1st class sleeper

Those sleepers are popular among travelers. Don’t forget to book as soon as reservations open.

And like in India, when there’s AC, it gets freezing...

PHIMAI (Nakhon Ratchasima/Khorat) (5 days/6 nights): Phimai – Prast Muang Tam Prasat Hin – Phanom Rung – Prasat PhanomWan

I loved Phimai and Phanom Rung—it had a bit of an Angkor vibe. My memories are old, though; the area wasn’t touristy at all back then. I get the feeling Isan is still off the beaten path.

For Khorat, there was a train.

Chiang Mai -> Chiang Rai

I’d originally planned these destinations until I learned March is burning season.

Since you’ll be there in February, you should be fine.

My tip: take the train instead of the bus, even if it’s slower, so you can enjoy the scenery (plus, you can move around—it’s way more comfortable). With 46 days, you’ve got plenty of time!

Good evening,

If there’s such a thing as useless posts, I think yours might just win the golden chocolate palm of failure.

It might’ve been a good idea to read the thread before jumping in (a few people have already shared some answers), or even better, to "fuel" the debate with relevant opinions and suggestions on the topic...

Anyway...

To add a little grain to the mill for the author of this thread, I’ll probably be a bit less enthusiastic than the previous contributors.

For a first trip, the itinerary seems very—if not way too—ambitious, but that’s just my opinion.

You say you’re "no longer young"

Without being too wrong, I think you’ll end up exhausted from this trip.

The route is a tourist highway for a good part of the stay.

Bangkok in 7 days right off the bat will already be overwhelming.

The next 6 days with Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, and the rest won’t be a walk in the park either, especially since I still haven’t figured out if your plan includes a round trip to Kanchanaburi from Bangkok. If that’s the case, it’ll be a marathon.

Skipping Chiang Mai and Mae Hong Son and the rest in 6 days—we’re continuing the marathon, and if you’re thinking of doing Chiang Mai->Mae Hong Son as a day trip, expect to take a minivan there and back without barely setting foot in Mae Hong Son.

I’ll stop here because you can imagine the rest of your "delights" will, in my view, be more of the same.

Regarding your questions about travel distances, it’s definitely manageable, but since I’ve only rented cars without a driver, I can’t give you any pricing details for a chauffeur service. However, I’m convinced that to stick to such a packed schedule, you’ll need to use one every day outside Bangkok.

Also, knowing that Chiang Mai-Chiang Rai are tourist factories, there’ll be plenty of options, but it might be harder or more expensive in less-visited areas like Khorat or Buriram.

For the third question: the answer is yes, without hesitation. Except it shouldn’t be your first trip there, you need to have at least a basic grasp of Thai, and you need to know how Thailand’s transport system works—which is far from easy for a first-timer, even for some Thais. I don’t think you can check all those boxes, so drop the idea fast. Even with 10 years living here, I wouldn’t do some of these trips without being accompanied by Thai friends, because even if some don’t have the transport know-how, they have one advantage I’ll never have: the Thai language.

As for hotels, after many experiences, price isn’t always a guarantee of quality in Thailand, so there’s no saying you won’t be disappointed. That said, reviews on booking sites can be helpful.

Far from me the idea of worrying you—Thailand remains an incredibly interesting and fascinating country—but in my view, it’s best enjoyed at the pace of the Thai people and their serenity.

Obviously, everything I’ve written above is just my opinion, which others may not share at all. Such is life.

It’s up to you to find the right solution if it exists—the one that suits you best...

Safe travels.

Partir

Hello! I’m heading to Thailand at the end of November for two months before heading off to India ;-) For Thailand, I recommend downloading the GRAB app. The prices are unbeatable. It’s a great complement to tuk-tuks, which are usually for very local trips. It works like Uber, except you can pay in cash even when booking through the app.

There are also the Bolt and InDrive apps.

But it’s not always better than a taxi, though it does give you a price indication. And in some areas, it doesn’t work at all.

Always remember that taxis in Thailand are very cheap.

So, IS ANYONE going to help Marien33?

😏😏😏 Dying of laughter!!

Hi Kate, I’m reaching out to you to respond to this gentleman who replied to me—not directly, but through you. And he did so in a rude and aggressive way toward you, even though you’d just wanted to give me a kind word of encouragement, since I’d mentioned in another discussion that I wasn’t getting many responses... I want to thank this gentleman for taking the time to send me such a long message. For my part, I’ll be more concise in telling him that even though I mentioned being a certain age, I don’t travel—yet—in a wheelchair. In fact, I’m a grown man, I’ve got a brain that works just fine, and if I see for myself that I’m too tired or that I’ve been too ambitious—I prefer the word *ambitious* to *marathon*—I’ll be smart enough not to push myself to see everything or even make drastic cuts to my plans. But 46 days gives me plenty of time, especially in Thailand, which isn’t India when it comes to transportation. In the end, this gentleman didn’t really teach me much except that I’m a newbie in Thailand, which I already knew myself—otherwise, I wouldn’t have posted this request. Still, I sincerely thank him for his reply, and I’ll take it into account... or not—wink to Attila.

Hi there, I'm heading to Thailand at the end of November for 2 months before heading off to India ;-) For Thailand, I recommend downloading the GRAB app. The prices are unbeatable. It complements tuk-tuks, which are usually for very local trips. It works like Uber, except you can pay in cash even when booking through the app.

Thanks so much for the tip. I’ll definitely keep it in mind.

There are also the Bolt and InDrive apps.

But it's not always better than a taxi, but it gives you an idea of the price. And in some areas, it doesn’t work at all.

Always remember that taxis in Thailand are very cheap.

Thanks so much to you too. I’ll keep that in mind.

Good evening,

If I didn’t reply directly, it’s because I know that, as the thread author, you’re notified of messages posted here.

But well, if I’d known you were so sensitive...

I don’t see any rudeness or aggression in my message—I just pointed out how useless this post is, especially when no info is given about the requests.

If uselessness is your thing, then by all means...

As for the rest of your message, it doesn’t bother me if my post "doesn’t teach you much"—that’s probably because of your vast knowledge, which I hadn’t suspected.

That said, it at least helps us understand why most of the old-timers from before don’t come back to post replies.

Have a good evening.

Leaving

Hello, I’m only responding to what I know a bit about since I traveled through some of these places back in 1980!

And I plan to explore the surrounding areas each day, within a maximum radius of 50 to 70 km. So, first question: is this round-trip distance manageable in a day in Thailand?

Yes, but it’s pushing it—though the roads are much better than in India. If you have to do this often, it might get tiring.

CHIANG MAI (6 days/6 nights): Mae Hong Son - Hot Springs - Chiang Dao - Caves – Lamphun – other places to be determined on-site based on what’s interesting and transport options

That doesn’t add up at all. To visit Mae Hong Son, which is over 200 km from Chiang Mai, you’ll need to stay there or within 30 km. Chiang Dao is over 100 km from Chiang Mai!... Lamphun is south of Chiang Mai (25/30 km) and is best done by taxi or songthaews.

CHIANG RAI (7 days/8 nights): Fang – Tha Ton

A suggestion for traveling from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in 2 or 3 days (or more if you have time). That’s what I did (among other things) in 1980. From Chiang Mai, go to Fang (now takes 3–4 hours by minibus), then to Thaton (by bus or taxi). A half-hour taxi ride. Stay there overnight. The next day (or the day after), take a boat down the Kok River to Chiang Rai.

In Mae Hong Son (you *must* stay overnight!), there are plenty of temples to visit and villages like Lahu, Karen, Lisu, etc. Things have probably changed a lot... and the villages may have become overly touristy. I did this on foot over several days back then. After Mae Hong Son, I recommend heading to Mae Sariang (about 150 km south), by a river and surrounded by forested mountains. It was very peaceful at the time, with a lovely traditional market, tea fields, and plenty to see, including several old wats. For the rest, I don’t know much, and I’ve also forgotten a fair bit.

Here’s an ambitious and spread-out itinerary. There’s some streamlining and development to be done. You’ve chosen hotels in a price range that isn’t the lowest, which will help you avoid certain discomforts and provide a bit more comfort—something that’s not insignificant for a month and a half. I sent you an email.

Hello I’m only responding to what I know a bit about since I traveled through some of these places back in 1980!

And I plan to explore the surrounding areas each day, within a maximum radius of 50 to 70 km. So, first question: Is this round-trip distance manageable in a day in Thailand?

Yes, but it’s pushing it—though traffic is much better than in India. If you do this often, it could get tiring.

CHIANG MAI (6 days/6 nights): Mae Hong Son - Hot Springs - Chiang Dao - Caves – Lamphun – other places to be decided on the spot based on what’s interesting and transport options

That doesn’t add up at all. To visit Mae Hong Son, which is over 200 km from Chiang Mai, you’ll need to stay there or within 30 km. Chiang Dao is over 100 km from Chiang Mai!... Lamphun is south of Chiang Mai (25–30 km) and is best done by taxi or songthaews.

CHIANG RAI (7 days/8 nights): Fang – Tha Ton

A suggestion for traveling from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai in 2 or 3 days (or longer if you have time). That’s what I did (among other things) in 1980. From Chiang Mai, go to Fang (now takes 3–4 hours by minibus), then to Tha Ton (by bus or taxi). About half an hour by taxi. Stay there overnight. The next day (or the day after), take a boat down the Kok River to Chiang Rai.

In Mae Hong Son (you *must* stay overnight!), there are plenty of temples to visit and villages like Lahu, Karen, Lisu, etc. Things have probably changed a lot... and the villages may have become overly touristy. I did this on foot over several days. After Mae Hong Son, I recommend heading to Mae Sariang (about 150 km south), by a river and surrounded by forested mountains. It was very peaceful back then, with a lovely traditional market, tea fields, and lots to see, including several old wats. For the rest, I don’t know much, and I’ve also forgotten a fair bit.

Good evening Jean Michel, I had written a long reply, and the page just crashed again. Everything’s gone... I’ll try again tomorrow. Thanks so much

Hi Jean-Michel, I’m picking up my reply from yesterday that got lost—I hope I manage to finish it this time!

That really doesn’t work at all. To visit Mae Hong Son, which is over 200 km from Chiang Mai, you need to stay there or within 30 km.

I’d actually made that note myself and had removed it from my itinerary. But a friend assured me it was doable by spending one night there—while leaving my suitcase at the Chiang Mai hotel and coming back the next morning.

Chiang Dao is over 100 km from Chiang Mai!…

I thought that by leaving early in the morning—by car—it’d be doable in a day with a return to my hotel in the evening without too much fatigue.

From Chiang Mai, go to Fang (currently takes 3–4 hours by minibus), then to Thaton (bus or taxi). Half an hour by taxi. Stay there. The next day or the day after, take a boat down the Kok River to Chiang Rai.

I’d planned that too, and it really interested me. But I saw that at this time of year, there isn’t enough water for the boat trip.

In Mae Hong Son (you *have* to stay there!) there are plenty of temples to visit and villages like Lahu, Karen, Lisu, etc. Things have probably changed a lot… and the villages may have become too touristy. I did this on foot over several days. After Mae Hong Son, I recommend going to Mae Sariang (about 150 km south), by a river and surrounded by forested mountains. It was very peaceful back then, with a beautiful traditional market, tea fields, and lots to see, including several old wats.

This makes me want to reschedule that trip and adjust my stays to include overnight hotel stops. I think I need to rework all of this—it was just a first draft. I’m a bit of a lone old bear, and I’d prefer to avoid places that are too crowded… But without knowing Thailand, it’s pretty tricky!

That’s an ambitious and scattered plan. There’s some trimming and fleshing out to do.

I put this itinerary together a bit blindly, just by reading a few guides and a -small- map, based on what I felt like seeing. I’m ready to tweak it, cut things out. I’m not one of those people who tries to cram in every sight. I like taking my time and avoiding crowds—you know that. If you’ve got any ideas or tips to share, don’t hesitate. Thanks a lot!

You’ve picked hotels in a price range that isn’t the cheapest, which’ll help you avoid some hassles and give you a bit more comfort—definitely not a bad call for a month and a half.

I’d like to travel as light as possible. Not like when I go to India, where I end up carrying a ton of stuff because I stay for 6 months or more. So I’ll be minimizing clothes. Are laundry services easy to find and reasonably priced in hotels, and do they usually dry things by the next day?

I sent you an email.

Didn’t get it...

I sent you an email.

I just found your email. It had gone to my spam folder.

Hello,

I think Loei Province is worth it.

A few photos to inspire you:

https://www.banatie.com/search?search=Loei

I think Loei Province is worth it. Here are a few photos to tempt you:

We must not have the same taste... I wouldn’t trade it for what I experienced in Mae Hong Son Province

Hi, Before I forget, I owe you all an apology. First off, the start of your reply to Kate really irritated me because poor Catherine just wanted to say something nice, and you tore her apart. Anyway, moving on. Then, before I realized what you were saying was right, I was put off by how you said it, which I won’t dwell on either. So I read other travel journals, especially Jojoone’s, who also sent me an email saying the same thing as you—but differently—and I realized you were right. Too much is too much. Especially for someone who likes to take their time everywhere, when traveling and in life. So I’m going to make some big cuts to my plan. AND since I’m being honest with myself, I’ve come to tell you about it. Now I just need to figure out what to keep and what to cut... So thank you!!! And no hard feelings

I think Loei Province is worth it. Here are some photos to tempt you:

We must not have the same tastes... I wouldn't trade it for what I experienced in Mae Hong Son Province

Hello,

I don’t know northern Thailand yet. Maybe one day!

I really love rural Isaan, a bit off-road, for its "make-do" vibe—completely off the tourist trail.

With 40 days on a road trip, I think it’s a shame to miss it.

I really love rural Isaan for its "make-do" vibe, completely off the tourist trail.

After 40 days on a road trip, I’d hate to miss it.

I totally get that. What I meant was that looking at the photos (maybe not all of them), they don’t really inspire me, but I think they just aren’t the best representation of what this province has to offer. That’s just the opinion of a mediocre photographer, though.

Hello, Before I forget, I owe you a few apologies.

Good evening,

As the saying goes, a fault confessed is half redressed.

First, the beginning of your reply to Kate really irritated me, because poor Catherine had just wanted to say something kind, and you tore her to shreds.

That it irritated you, fair enough... But that "kind" word you describe should have stayed with you, because in the thread it was insulting to the people who had taken the time to participate in your topic before her post saying "no one to answer...". Besides, I wasn’t even one of them—I can’t even be accused of defending my "turf."

"Tore her to shreds"—isn’t that a bit excessive? I invite you to reread my lines, but like you, this lack of respect (because that’s how it comes across when you don’t know "the full story") toward those who take the time to share their experiences really gets to me.

Then, before realizing what you were saying was right, I was put off by how you said it...

It’s said simply, directly, and without frills—from a tablet and with a bit of jet lag. Sorry if it lacks lyricism, but I don’t recall seeing any in your questions, nor is this a forum dedicated to that...

That said, I found you quite harsh, especially since I was just repeating your own words about accusing me of treating you like an invalid.

So I read other travel journals, especially Jojoone’s, who also sent me an email saying the same thing as you—but differently—

I can only encourage you to take his point of view—and that of a few others—into consideration. He’s a veteran of this forum with an impressive track record.

Enough is enough. Especially for someone who likes to take their time everywhere, in travel as in life.

It wasn’t exactly jumping out at first glance, but as I told you in my previous post, Thailand is savored if you hope to grasp the richness of its people and culture. Unfortunately, few people do, no matter where they come from.

So I’m going to make some drastic cuts to my plan.

Why call them drastic? 😛

And since I’m being honest with myself, I’ve come to tell you.

Since you publicly lashed out at me, it was only right to correct it the same way.

Now I just need to decide what to keep and what to cut...

Unfortunately, I’m not you, but I’ll still take the liberty of giving you a few points that might, I hope, help your reflection based on what seems most important or essential to you.

BANGKOK (13 days, 14 nights): 1 week for visiting Bangkok – Kanchanaburi/Erawan National Park? – Ayutthaya/Lopburi? – Muang Boran – Samut – Songkram/Amphawa

If you really want to keep this part, I suggest splitting it into two: one at the beginning of your trip and one at the end.

Beyond how tiring Bangkok can be, there’s an important cultural reason: your dates coincide with the second-biggest event in Chiang Mai—the Flower Festival, which takes place the first weekend of February (February 1–2, 2025). It’s an event you should experience at least once. Personally, I’ve done it twice. It’s a bit less crowded than Loy Krathong, which just happened, but unfortunately, this year it falls right during Chinese New Year.

Bangkok -> Chiang Mai by overnight train in 1st-class sleeper.

You can book it now—it’s already open—but I’d strongly recommend 2nd class; it’s much livelier than 1st.

CHIANG MAI (6 days/6 nights): Mae Hong Son – Hot springs – Chiang Dao – caves – Lamphun – other places to be determined on-site based on what’s interesting and transport options

As has already been said: split this area, which is way too vast for your initial idea. For example, a 3-3-3 split (Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son-Chiang Mai) could be an alternative, with luggage storage at your Chiang Mai hotel to travel lighter.

Chiang Mai -> Chiang Rai

CHIANG RAI (7 days/8 nights): Fang – Tha Ton – Chiang Saen – Doi Tung – Chiang Khong – Doi Ang Khang, Phu Chi Fah, etc.

Split this area like Chiang Mai.

Chiang Rai -> Phrae

PHRAE (4 days/5 nights): Lampang and surroundings based on what’s interesting to see

No experience in this area, but this is where the off-the-beaten-path part begins, requiring more energy and time. From here on, you’ll have to make significant cuts.

Phrae -> Loei

LOEI (4 days/5 nights): Phu Kradung – Chiang Khan and surroundings based on what’s interesting to see

Same as above. The Mekong stretch to Nong Khai is beautiful but requires more independence for getting around.

Loei -> Buriram

PHIMAI (Nakhon Ratchasima/Khorat) (5 days/6 nights): Phimai – Prasat Muang Tam – Phanom Rung – Prasat Phanom Wan

Split and lighten this area—it’s still a part that demands more energy unless you delegate everything to your hotel, as with previous stops. But you should know that comes at a cost...

Phimai -> Khorat (airport or train station) -> Bangkok. Overnight in Bangkok.

As has already been said, the train is great.

To wrap up, I understand your need to book in advance—it’s comfortable to arrive without having to "shop around" for where to stay—but it has a downside: flexibility. While it’s justified for high-demand areas like Chiang Mai, for quieter parts, nothing’s stopping you from handling things day by day, having preselected your hotels. It would be quite extraordinary for everything to be fully booked, even if you can’t find the exact place on the booking site. And this gives you the freedom to stay longer in places that inspire you or cut short those that disappoint.

So thank you!!! And no hard feelings

Duly noted...

Leaving

Dear Mr. Partirdeloin, you shocked Mr. Marien and knocked out poor Kate, whose comment was really well-intentioned. You were quite naughty! You might end up like me—annoying everyone! 😛 😎

On the substance, you’ve brought up points that will help Jean Marie make good progress. It’s clear you know the country well.

It’s likely Jean Marie will come back with a less ambitious and more realistic version of his project, and in the end, he’ll be just as satisfied. When planning a trip at home, we think we can pull off an itinerary that would only be realistic and enjoyable if we could stretch out the days, right?

By the way, he’s into natural sites, temples, and authentic local crafts. Do you have any tips for him, even in a DM?

Contrary to what you wrote, the road between Chiang Khan and Nong Khai has absolutely no interest. You don’t see the Mekong at all. The road isn’t anything special—it doesn’t compare to the roads up north. The Mekong makes sense around Chiang Khong or near Nakhon Phanom, but that’s not the route the original poster asked about.

As for Chiang Khan, it’s a selfie spot for Bangkok locals on weekends, and the accommodations are overpriced for what you get. The area has little to offer overall.

Dear Mr. Partirdeloin, you shocked Mr. Marien and knocked out poor Kate, whose comment was really well-intentioned. You were quite naughty! You might end up like me, annoying everyone! 😛 😎

Dear Jojoone1,

I think I’ll survive... 😉

On the substance, you’ve provided elements that will help Jean Marie make good progress. It’s clear you know the country well.

Far be it from me to claim such expertise—after all, "no one is a prophet in their own land," so imagine in a country that isn’t even yours...

It’s likely Jean Marie will come back with a less ambitious and more realistic version of his plan, and he’ll probably be just as satisfied. When we plan a trip at home, we think we can fit in a route that would only be realistic and enjoyable if we could stretch out the days, right?

I hope so for him—though we all sometimes "bite off more than we can chew"...

By the way, he’s into natural sites, temples, and real local crafts. Do you have any tips for him, even in a PM?

Unfortunately, my dear Jojoone the First, as you’ve probably noticed, I have no talent for storytelling—unlike some of you. Not a single travel journal in 10 years... 😕 Almost a shame compared to all your talents, which I lack.

I must also admit that I don’t have much time, prioritizing real life, and I’m plenty busy with that...

And as I’ve said before, I’ve always been independent in the Land of Smiles—no agencies, tour operators, drivers, guides, or anything like that. Just my intuition, sometimes with no results, sometimes amazed, but always without knowing the name of what I saw...

Temples are like churches in France or other places of worship—I’ve always refused to pay entry. If I want to make a donation, it’s my choice, not an obligation. The only exception I made was the Silver Temple in Chiang Mai—50 THB at the time.

There are so many temples across Thailand. I’ve made some great discoveries, especially in the village of the friend we were talking about earlier. He showed me another temple with a crocodile enclosure on the grounds. I’ve also seen many Khmer temple ruins that I’ll never pay the prohibitive prices to visit at Angkor in Cambodia—though you can find photos of them all over the internet.

Have a great day.

Partirdeloin

contrary to what you wrote, the road between Chiang Khan and Nong Khai has absolutely no interest.

Hello,

Unlike you, I’ve never compared your tastes with mine, as that’s a matter of personal preference.

But maybe you’re some kind of "Messiah" with divine words...

You don’t see the Mekong.

I could show you dozens of spots where it’s visible—I remember a temple perched on a hill with a 360° view that rivaled Mount Phu Chi Fa’s.

As for Chiang Khan, it’s a selfie zone for Bangkokians on weekends, and the accommodations are overpriced for the standard offered. The region has little interest.

That might be true on weekends and during holidays, but otherwise, it’s a very peaceful town. And for your information, *Monsieur Divine Word*, "Bangkorians" don’t exist—it’s your imagination. They’re called Bangkokians or people from Bangkok.

Finally, as I mentioned earlier, this area, in my opinion, can only be explored independently, which isn’t what Marien33 is looking for.

Partirdeloin.

It's true that with a drone, the Mekong is visible all the way between Chiang Khan and Nong Khai. Keeping your eyes glued to the control screen is doable with a good battery reserve. It’d be a shame to miss that on a first trip.

You must not have been to Chiang Khan in a long time—it’s become artificial, a selfie showcase, with another Skywalk and developments along the Mekong. It might appeal to Instagram tourists.

Hi everyone, I can’t seem to book a first-class sleeper from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on February 2nd via the train company’s official website. At first, I thought it was because I was searching too early. But now (December 3rd), it should’ve worked. No trains show up for that date.



Is there another way to book this train ticket? Thanks so much.

Hey Jean Marie,

Welcome back to the forum!

You need to enter Krung Thep Aphiwat, not Bangkok. And then the trains show up! !😉

Hey Jean Marie,

Welcome back to the forum!

You need to put Krung Thep Aphiwat, not Bangkok. And then the trains show up! !😉

Hi Agnès, Oh, thanks a bunch! Good to know... I didn’t have the right key to unlock it...😉

Hey Jean Marie,

Welcome back to the forum!

You need to enter Krung Thep Aphiwat, not Bangkok. And then the trains show up! ;)

Hi Agnès, Oh, thanks a million! I wouldn’t have known that... I didn’t have the right key to unlock it. ;)

Looks like I was automatically put on a waitlist, but I have no idea how the waitlist works...

Looks like it's fully booked.

This link explains everything:

https://www.thaitrainguide.com/2024/05/04/d-ticket-waiting-list-now-available-for-train-passengers/

Since you're staying for a while, maybe you can change the day?

Apparently, it's fully booked.

This link explains everything:

https://www.thaitrainguide.com/2024/05/04/d-ticket-waiting-list-now-available-for-train-passengers/

Thanks Agnès, that sheds some light! Apparently, the waiting list system is brand new but not quite polished yet since you don’t know your rank on the waitlist... So it’s holding me back from booking another option like a bus or flight...

Since you’re staying a while, maybe you can change the day?

I tried changing the date, but it’s the same... With Chinese New Year, the trains are packed. And I don’t want to linger in Bangkok either... Oh well... it’ll work out... it’ll work out... it’ll work out...

For day 3, that sounds good.

Otherwise, in second class...

Chinese New Year is pretty much hell. I ended up in Hua Hin during that period, and everything was fully booked... Spent the night in a dump waiting for the next day when it was over.

That’s partly why I like to book in advance!

For day 3, that looks good.

I tried too but it was waitlisted as well.

Chinese New Year is pretty much hell. I ended up in Hua Hin during that time and everything was fully booked... Spent the night in a dump waiting for it to be over the next day.

That’s partly why I like to book in advance!

All my rooms are already booked.

For day 3, I get this ???

Train at 18:40

For the 3rd one, I get this ???

Oh! On which site? The railway one? I tried too and got waitlisted as well. I’ll try again.

Train de 1840

???

For the 3rd, I get this ???

Plus, it's in French, so it's not the train company's site... which site did you find it on?

This is in French because Google did an automatic translation. I had selected English.

It's in French because Google did an automatic translation. I had chosen English.



Thanks so much for your help, but unfortunately, it didn't work. I got the same option as you, but when I click to select it, I get the message: **Seat not enough. Please select another train coach.** I’ve tried 4 times already...

I’ve solved the mystery!

There’s only one berth left, so it’s not possible to book an entire compartment.

And the remaining berth is a women-only one.



While helping you, I realized that bookings actually open 180 days in advance. I took the opportunity to make mine.