Pour info une nouvelle excusion a la journee est proposee depuis peu au depart de Phuket, l'ile de Koh Mai Ton.
J'y suis alle dimanche et franchement pour ceux qui aiment le calme, les eaux turquoises et transparentes le snorkeling et les plages de sable blanc, c'est l'endroit ideal. L'ile est situee a environ 20 minutes de speed boat au sud est de Phuket.
Inconvenient:
Il n'y a qu'une compagnie qui prospose cette excursion donc le tarif est eleve. Comptez entre 2,500 et 3,000 baht par personne.
Avantages:
Comme il n'y a qu'une compagnie, il y a peu de monde. Nous etions 10 sur le speed boat. Il y a un hotel sur l'ile, mais malgre tout la plage semble deserte. Meme si c'est cher, ce n'est pas comme Koh Phi Phi qui est devenu n'importe quoi et ou on se retrouve a 3 millions et 700 speed boat a Maya Bay .....
Le prix inclut le transport depuis votre hotel jusqu'a l'ile ainsi que le retour, l'equipement de snorkeling, le repas de midi (tres correct) et les boissons non alcoolisees. On peut acheter neanmoins de la biere sur place (Chang ou Heineken uniquement) pour environ 70 baht la canette.
Il y a un point de vue en haut de l'ile qui est sympa a faire et pas trop fatiguant a grimper 😎
Bonjour Philippe,
Wouah 😎 ! ça donne envie ! Merci pour l'info.
De quel endroit part le bateau à Pukhet ? Nous envisageons de partir en Novembre/Décembre en Thaïlande et cette excursion me tente.
Bon voyage.
Véronique
Salut Philippe, peut tu me.dire si il y avait des méduses sur l.île?
Car sa fait deux jours que je reste à la piscine car il y a trop de méduses un peu partou.
J'aimerai bien partir en excursion mais j'ai peur de payer une excursion et de pas pouvoir profiter de l'eau à cause du banc de méduses qui est au large.
Cordialement.
Il y a des meduses depuis quand a Phuket ? Je ne vais en general a la plage que le dimanche et comme dimanche dernier je suis alle a Koh Mai Ton, je ne savais pas qu'il y avait des meduses en ce moment. Dimanche il y a 15 jours je suis alle a Paradise beach il n'y en avait pas.
super pour ce petit coin de paradis! je pars à phuket dans 10 jours je compte bien essayer cette nouvelle destination! j'espere juste que le temps sera au beau fixe!
Maiton island a toujours été une destination pour une clientèle très aisée qui a les moyens de se payer ce resort island.
Cette excursion reste dans le haut de gamme et veut probablement à accroitre les revenus du propriétaire sans compromettre la spécificité de cette ile .Franchement, malgré la beauté de l'endroit , cela reste très cher et la Thaïlande peut offrir de tels endroits pour beaucoup moins cher .Je crois me rappeler que notre Philpatong vend des prestations et je suppose que Maiton island fait partie de son catalogue .........Ce post ne serait donc qu'un encart publicitaire qui a réussi à passer la modération.
Je crois me rappeler que notre Philpatong vend des prestations et je suppose que Maiton island fait partie de son catalogue .........Ce post ne serait donc qu'un encart publicitaire qui a réussi à passer la modération.
Euh ...... on se connait ? Perso je n'ai absolument aucun souvenir de toi ni d'aucun de tes posts d'ailleurs. J'ai un hotel a Patong, pas une agence de voyage ok ?
J'ai en tout et pour tout 86 messaages sur ce forum. Donc avant d'avancer tout et n'importe quoi sans reflechir du haut de ton arrogance, tu lis mes posts et tu vois ou j'essaye de vendre mon "catalogue".
Salut PPhilippe, les 4 derniers jours il y avait pas mal de méduses. J' en ai aperçu sur la plage de paradise, et de nai harn, des amis à moi les me confirme en avoir vu énormément sur karon et leam singh.
Apparemment il y a un banc de méduses pas très loin en mer.
J ai donc profiter hier et avant hier de la piscine, aujourd'hui je suis reparti à nai harn et il n'y en avait plus.
bonne nouvelle mais hélas Philippe maintenant beaucoup vont le savoir!!!!!!
tu aurai du garder le secret juste pour toi....car dans quelques temps ça ne sera plus du tout tranquille 😕
merci en tous les cas tes photos sont magnifiques😉
sinon des amis m'ont demandé où ça en était pour les transat à patong , karon etc ???
Ben ca en est toujours au meme point. Je parle pour Patong, car je ne vais pas a Karon.
La Mairesse a maintenant interdit aux gens d'apporter leurs propres chaises / transats / fauteuils mais les parasols sont autorises. J'avais poste l'article de la Phuket gazette a ce sujet dans le fil que tu avais ouvert (plage de Patong plus de transats).
Dans les faits c'est un peu different, je suis passe par le front de mer je ne sais plus quand et les gens continuaient a venir avec leurs transats. Je pense que la police n'intervient plus car un coup c'est oui un coup c'est non donc ils doivent baisser les bras.
La Mairesse est completement depassee par les evenements, est incapable de gerer la situation de facon rationnelle et est surtout incapable de tenir ses promesses et tout ce qu'elle devait faire pour Patong apres le coup d'etat.
Les taxis sont toujours hors de prix, les taxis meters se comptent sur les doigts de la main d'un lepreux, les jets skis sont toujours la malgre un sondage dans la PG ou plus de 75 % des votants (Thais, expats, touristes) voulaient qu'ils disparaissent, et le service de navettes (taxis collectifs) qui devait sillonner Patong 24/24 et 7j/7 est deja mort et enterre avant que d'etre né ....
Encore une fois je parle de Patong, mais si j'ai le temps j'irai faire un tour des plages pour voir comment c'est ailleurs. Bon a Karon la majorite de la municipalite etant en taule, je suppose que rien n'a change non plus ... 😏
La Mairesse a maintenant interdit aux gens d'apporter leurs propres chaises / transats / fauteuils mais les parasols sont autorises. J'avais poste l'article de la Phuket gazette a ce sujet dans le fil que tu avais ouvert (plage de Patong plus de transats).
merci beaucoup, oui j'avais vu ton post mais comme d'un jour à l'autre ça change !!!
c'est fou ces revirements.. ils sont en train de faire partir les touristes en quête de transats vers les zones où il y en a...dommage..
je savais pas qu'à karon c'était encore plus "mafia".....
j'ai conseillé à mes amis d'aller dans les iles phuket n'est plus ce que c'était c'est vrai... il ya plus de 25 ans c'était le top... bref on n'y peut rien .. dans beaucoup d'endroits d'autres pays , ça devient du grand n'importe quoi...
Jai yen yen l'ami .Je connais Maiton depuis plus de 20 ans et je constate comme tu l'avoues toi même que tu es un professionnel du tourisme et donc il est important que les forumeurs le sachent car tes avis ne sont peut être pas toujours dénué d'un intérêt commercial .Qui dit hotelier, dit aussi revendeur de prestations d'agences de voyages en Thaïlande car chaque guest house , chaque hôtel possède son petit comptoir pour vendre des excursions, des billets .Le forum est destiné aux voyageurs qui échangent des infos , des réflexions sur une destination et je regrette que des professionnels y viennent régulièrement apporter des éléments pas toujours dénués d'arrière pensée commerciale.Il suffit de voir les réactions épidermiques de certains professionnels dès qu'on évoque certains aspects peu reluisants de telle ou telle destination.
J'espère que la zénitude t'envahit à nouveau et que la colère s'est enfin apaisée .En Thaïlande , celui qui perd son sang froid, perd la face .Ne jamais oublier que les chiens aboient et la caravane passe .....
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Hi everyone,
I’m looking for addresses for guesthouses or, even better, houseboats or rafting houses on the River Kwai, between Kanchanaburi and Sangkhlaburi, to spend a few weeks contemplating this beautiful river.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Premaria
Hi there,
we’re currently in Mai Chau and tomorrow we’re hitting the road back to Hanoi to head up toward Bac Ha and Sapa.
We haven’t really had a set plan since we arrived—we’ve already done the Halong Bay on land and by sea.
I’ve got 2 free days before heading to Bac Ha and Sapa.
Any tips?
Thanks, and looking forward to hearing from you.
Hi fellow travelers,
First trip to Vietnam.
We’ll be arriving in Ho Chi Minh City during Tet.
Is it complicated to find accommodation and get around during this period?
Any tips would be welcome.
Thanks for your replies.
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
Hi there,
I didn’t plan to return to Thailand this year, but my health conditions mean it’ll be the best place for me to stay between two trips to India. The tourism setup there is so well-organized that it’s the most "comfortable" country for a short visit. Thailand feels too sanitized for my taste, and there’s too much religion, Buddha, and the King, but it’s still the best option given how my health has been evolving. I’d considered two weeks in ThaTon for hiking, but I got too sick from the burn-offs during my trips to the mountains around Chiang Rai. So I’m not sure where to go this year. Definitely not the sea, touristy spots, or the mountains with burn-offs...
Hello.
In 1996, we crossed Vietnam from Saigon to Hanoi by motorbike—Minsk bikes we bought in Saigon. I haven’t been back since, and it seems like a lot has changed.
- We’re heading to the south (well, the north and center) with the family in July-August (3 people).
- Is the road network more developed now? Back then, there was only National Route 1 from south to north. I’m thinking of renting a car this time (no motorbike with the family—though in ’96, they had a Jawa sidecar for sale, and we hesitated… maybe it’s for the best).
- Is Halong Bay really something to avoid because of overtourism? Even back then, it was pretty crowded. Is there a less touristy alternative?
- We’ll be traveling from Hanoi down to Danang (the only city we didn’t stop in back in ’96). Even though it’s a bit overhyped in a Chinese-tourist kind of way (from what I’ve read), we’re only going for the beach—pure relaxation for 7 days. The beaches are stunning, and I know the South China Sea is warm like coffee.
- Then, we’ll visit Hoi An, where I stopped in ’96. It was already popular with backpackers back then, but no glowing boats or all the touristy fuss!
- After that, Hue, where I have great memories—it’s a beautiful city.
- And also the nature around Ninh Binh, followed by 2-3 days in Hanoi.
That’s the plan. I’d love to hear any tips to avoid mass tourism, and if anyone’s done this before:
- Is it possible to rent a car in Danang and drop it off in Hanoi?
Hey everyone,
I’m over in East Borneo in mid-July.
I’m struggling to wrap up the end of my itinerary, even though it’s pretty straightforward (long but simple).
Last year, we did Malaysia (KL and the mainland + around Kuching).
Day 1 – Arrive in Kota Kinabalu early, stroll around town and hit the must-sees.
Day 2 – Excursion to Tunku Abdul Rahman Park, snorkeling at 3 islands.
Day 3 – Hike around Mount Kinabalu without summiting (450 per person, no way).
Day 4 – Poring Hot Springs + evening flight to Sandakan.
Day 5-6-7 – Kinabatangan River (still looking for the right guide).
Day 8 – Sepilok for the orangutans, the Sun Bear Centre, and Rainforest Discovery Centre.
Day 9 – Selingan, turtle island.
Day 10 – Head to Semporna.
Day 11-12-13-14 – Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai.
Day 15 – Bohey Dulang.
Day 16 to Day 25: I’M STUCK.
I looked into Danum Valley, but for 3 days/2 nights, they’re quoting 650 € per person—come on, that’s ridiculous.
I checked out a detour into Indonesia (still East Borneo), but I’m having trouble deciding what would be amazing.
I read about Sangalaki + Kakaban (2 islands, 1 base) / Mahakam Delta - Kutai (orangutans and river) / Sungai Boh (Dayak Kayan) – jungle & culture.
But honestly, I’m struggling to finalize this itinerary.
If we venture that way, we’d head back to KK from Balikpapan.
For a 4-month stay in Egypt, I had ENORMOUS problems. The regulations are very bureaucratic and extremely nitpicky there. For a 4-month stay in the Philippines, I was wondering if the procedures are just as complicated? I’m bringing my cell phone with an eSIM. Should I choose a plan from Canada for use in the Philippines, or should I get a plan only once I arrive? After 30 days, do I renew with the Canadian provider I chose before leaving, or do I switch to a local company? Do I need to register my phone with the authorities in the Philippines? (That was the case in Egypt.) For the 3rd and 4th months, will it be just as simple—renewing with a Canadian or local provider—or should I expect problems?
Hello,
I’ll be in Malaysia with my wife, mainly in Langkawi and Penang for Christmas and New Year’s at the end of 2026.
If you’ve had the experience—and since I’ve read (though it’s not very clear) that these two islands get quite crowded during this period—would you recommend booking accommodation well in advance, or is it easy to find something on the spot?
Hotels or Airbnb?
Do you have any great tips for accommodation or any practical info to share?
We’ll be staying 5 to 7 days on each island.
Thanks in advance for your replies
Hi there. To make the most of Lake Toba, is it better to find accommodation on the lake’s shores (which one?) or on Samosir Island? Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
We’re heading to Vietnam as a family on July 8th for a little over 3 weeks (north and center). We’ve only booked the first 3 nights in Hanoi, and nothing else after that. We like to decide things on the spot and go with the flow, without rushing everywhere. But I’m still a bit unsure: when heading down to the center (Hue), is it better to book the overnight trains in advance? We don’t want to take any flights while we’re there—just use the overnight train for the long trips. But I’m worried we won’t get seats if we buy the tickets on the spot, say, 2 days before. What do the experts here think? And which website can we use to book the tickets? Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hi everyone!
I’m heading back to Thailand in July 2026 with a stopover in Cambodia to visit the Angkor site.
After Angkor, I’ve booked a stay on Ko Chang island. Does anyone know if there are direct transport options from Cambodia to Ko Chang without having to go back through Bangkok? That would be amazing!!
I think there are, but I’d need more details!!
I went to Thailand in February 2025 and don’t remember having to apply for a visa—is that still the case now? And for Cambodia too?
Thanks so much!!!
Laurence from Bayonne
I’d love to get some feedback on our itinerary—it’s probably pretty basic! This is our second trip to Asia and our first to Indonesia. We have three kids aged 20, 18, and 12. We land in Jakarta at 4 PM, spend 3 nights/2 days there, then take the train to Yogyakarta for 3 nights/2 days, followed by the train to Surabaya for 2 nights/1 day, then the train to Bromo for 1 day/1 night, a private driver to Ijen for 2 nights/2 days, then on to Bali (Ubud) for 4 nights/3 days, followed by Gili Air for 3 nights/2 days, Senggigi (Lombok) for 2 nights, and finally 5 nights in Kuta. I’m considering cutting the 2 nights in Senggigi to just keep Kuta and extend it to 7 nights. In Lombok, I’m not sure how to get around since I’m not comfortable with scooters... Your thoughts on all of this, and any advice, are more than welcome—don’t hesitate!
For those wondering why cities like Jakarta and Surabaya: we don’t often get the chance to visit big Asian cities, so we wanted to include that discovery in our trip. The trains between Jakarta and Yogyakarta, Surabaya and Probolinggo are booked. The return flight from Lombok to Jakarta is also set. Accommodations are booked but flexible (same for the trains).
Hi,
After our trip to China, we want to spend a week in the Philippines for some beach time and snorkeling.
We're looking for the best spot to settle in—nice beaches, great marine life, and short transfer times.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Does anyone know of a private transfer or taxi company that organizes transfers from the Sukhothai area to Chiang Mai?
Our routes are Sukhothai-Lampang, Lampang-Chom Thong, and Chom Thong-Chiang Mai.
My searches on Google Maps, 12Go, and others haven’t turned up much...
For our Bangkok-Sukhothai trips, I use a company I’ve already tried, but they don’t have a fleet available from Sukhothai and have to go through third-party companies—which, understandably, take their commission. This nearly doubles the prices...
There are four of us, and we’re not traveling light, so a minibus isn’t an option. ;-)
Hello,
While traveling in Thailand, I’m looking for a Buddhist kumlai reed bracelet.
Does anyone know where I can find one?
In Bangkok, I visited a few temples but didn’t see any in the nearby shops.
If you have any ideas, I’d love to hear them! Have a great day! :-)
My trip’s coming up, and I’m having a bit of trouble with three bus/minivan routes. Usually, I find everything at this time of year, but this time—yikes!
Sandakan → Sepilok:
No app for this one—you just hop on bus #14 at the local terminal (pay cash on board). But where do I catch it, and where’s the stop??
Sandakan → Semporna:
From what I’ve heard, it’s the Sida Express company (great name, right? 😄).
Can’t book online, but apparently, you *have* to because there’s only one bus at 8 AM.
Where do I board, and where does it drop me off?
Semporna → Tawau:
Found this via AI—is it legit?
No online booking, as far as I can tell.
Minivans leave from a stop in the Jalan Hospital area, near the Milimewa supermarket, supposedly????
And when you arrive, does it drop you at **Sabindo Square** in Tawau?????
Hi there,
we’ll be in Mai Chau in June and we’re thinking of heading to Sapa, but first spending a few days in Bac Ha to do some hiking and explore the area.
Is this a good idea for those who’ve been there?
How do you get there?
Thanks for your feedback.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hi everyone. As I’m planning my trip for next winter, I’m looking for hotel suggestions in Camotes, Bantayan, Malapascua, Bohol, and Siquijor. The ones I had in mind seem to be fully booked (unless it’s too early?). For those familiar with the area, is it easy to find accommodations on the spot in January/February? I’m specifically looking for hotels with a pool, beachfront, air conditioning, and easy scooter rental nearby. Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
I’m planning an itinerary and would love some feedback on whether it’s doable and if the number of days per destination is enough—or too much. I was also debating whether to add an extra night on an island or spend an extra night in Kampot to visit Kep or Battambang.
March 23: Arrival in Phnom Penh in the morning
March 24: Phnom Penh
March 25: Phnom Penh
March 26: Depart for Kampot
March 27: Kampot
March 28: Depart for Battambang
March 29: Battambang
March 30: Tonlé SAP to Siem Reap
March 31: Siem Reap
April 1: Siem Reap
April 2: Siem Reap
April 3: Siem Reap
April 4: Siem Reap
April 5: Departure
Hi there,
Yesterday in the Thailand section, 100% of the new threads were just about beach destinations 😕...
So here’s the counterattack in the form of this photo thread, dedicated solely to the countryside: the locals, their livestock, fields, farms, rice paddies, small rivers, and agricultural machinery. If you’ve got any pictures that fit these categories, feel free to add them!
Comments welcome.
For each photo, I’ll (or you can) indicate the area where it was taken.
Hope you're all doing well! It's been a while since I last traveled, but I'm finally heading out again soon!
For those familiar with SOUTHEAST ASIA, I'm planning to leave in mid-June (with the trip ending at the latest in November), and I don’t have a precise idea of exact places or itineraries yet. The thing is, this period is usually the rainy season...
Any advice? I was thinking of Malaysia or Indonesia, like Sulawesi, for example (all countries and islands in Southeast Asia interest me except Bali).
Any recommendations? I’m doing my research online, but if anyone here has the time and knowledge, I’d love to hear from you.
My partner and I are planning a trip to Indonesia in September-October 2026. It’ll be our first time in Asia, and we’re thinking of hitting the classic spots in East Java and Bali, then wrapping up with a cruise around Komodo for some snorkeling/diving. Here’s a rough draft of our itinerary—I’m wondering if it’s doable.
20/09: Flight from Jakarta to Yogyakarta, arrive around noon, afternoon/evening and overnight in Yogyakarta.
21/09: Borobudur
22/09: Prambanan
23/09: Travel to Bromo (Cemoro Lawang)
24/09: Bromo
25/09: Kawa Ijen
26/09: Travel to Bali, overnight in Pemuteran
27/09: Excursion to Pulau Melujan, overnight in Pemuteran
28/09: Travel to Munduk, overnight in Munduk
29/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk
30/09: Explore Munduk and surroundings, overnight in Munduk
01/10: Route to Ubud (via Pura Ulu Danau Bratan, Jatiluwih?), overnight in Ubud
02/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud
03/10: Explore Ubud and surroundings, overnight in Ubud
04/10: Travel to Denpasar, flight to Labuan Bajo, overnight in Labuan Bajo
05/10: Komodo cruise
06/10: Komodo cruise
07/10: Komodo cruise, flight to Denpasar in the late afternoon/evening or overnight in Labuan Bajo.
08/10: Flight to Denpasar (if not taken the day before), afternoon in Jimbaran, overnight near Denpasar
09/10: 10:00 AM flight Denpasar - SIN, overnight in Singapore
10/10: Flight SIN-YQB
Hi everyone,
My girlfriend and I booked our tickets with Saudia Airlines for a trip to Thailand this summer, from July 5th to August 3rd. Given the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, we’re keeping a close eye on the news.
I was wondering if anyone here is in the same situation as us?
• Have you heard anything about possible mass cancellations or if the airline is still maintaining its routes to Asia?
• Are there any travelers who’ve recently returned who could tell us if air corridors have been changed (longer flight times)?
The idea is to know what to expect so we can prepare as best as possible. Thanks for your replies! !
Thanks for all your contributions on the forum—they’ve really helped me plan my trip. There are four of us friends heading to Sulawesi for 20 days. Based on all your advice, I’ve put together the following itinerary:
July 30: Makassar – sightseeing
July 31: Makassar – sightseeing + overnight bus to Rantepao
August 1–7: Tana Toraja with a guide
August 7: Tana Toraja to Tentena + visit Tentena
August 8: Early departure with a private driver to Ampana, then ferry to the Togian Islands
August 9–15: Togian Islands (2 different resorts)
August 15: Depart Togian Islands for Luwuk
August 16: Flight Luwuk to Makassar
August 17: Rammang Rammang
August 18: Stroll in Makassar, then return home
Overall, what do you think?
I also have a question about the connection between Tentena and the Togian Islands: Is it doable to leave early in the morning as planned and still be sure not to miss the ferry?
Hi everyone,
I’m currently working on a 30-day itinerary for May/June 2027.
10 days in eastern Java (Malang, Bromo, waterfalls, Meru Beriti Park, Banyuwangi, and Ijen), a short transit in Ubud for a few days, then Flores before heading back to Jakarta.
We’ll spend 15 days in Flores (the classic route: Moni, Bajawa, Riung, Ruteng, ending in Labuan Bajo).
I’d love some firsthand feedback on flights to Maumere or Ende from Bali Denpasar. I know there are no direct routes and that you have to connect through Labuan Bajo or Timor (I think), which isn’t an issue in itself.
But I’ve read here and there that flights to these destinations can be delayed—or worse, canceled—and that it’s better to fly in and out of Labuan Bajo, which isn’t exactly ideal...
Thanks for any tips or experiences you can share!
