Hi everyone,

We're leaving in less than a month, and I'm making a list of last-minute purchases. Could you please review/complete my list? We're traveling with no luggage, just one backpack per person. Here’s what I have on my list: - coral-safe sunscreen 100 ml – I started a separate thread on this topic, so if anyone can answer, thanks in advance ; - long-sleeve UV-protective t-shirts (for boat tours); - compression socks; - lightweight pants for visiting the Royal Palace (the schedule is tight, and I don’t want to waste too much time shopping at the start of the trip, unless we can find them at 7-Eleven); - waterproof pouches for phones and passports; - what else?

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi there, I can’t seem to find a car rental with a driver for several days in Chiang Mai to explore the surrounding areas, preferably in the countryside/mountains, villages, etc. Would anyone have a driver to recommend? Thanks

Hi there, During our Thailand trip, we're planning to arrive in Bangkok and then head up to Chiang Mai. So far, so good. But after that, we'd like to go to the islands—either Krabi or Koh Samui. However, the flights listed on 12go.asia seem complicated, with a layover of about 1 hour in Bangkok where we'd have to collect our luggage and check in for the second flight. That feels way too tight.

So, I'd love to hear about your experiences with this route and any tips you might have. Thanks everyone!

Hey everyone, We're currently in Thailand. I'm opening this thread to share practical info for those planning their trip. As for impressions and feelings—I love it, but I'll let everyone form their own opinions. The goal here is more about: how to do this or that, how to get there, etc.

Hi there,

I have a question about the Rome2Rio app. Can you set it up to show routes using the BTS and MRT (for Bangkok) instead of buses or taxis? For example, I’d like to know how long the trip from Chong Nonsi to Bang Khun Non will take, but the app doesn’t suggest the MRT or BTS, even though it’s totally doable. Any tips on how to fix this?

Hello!

A quick question about Chiang Mai. We’d like to visit the Baan Kang Wat creator market this year. For those who’ve been there before, what transportation did you use? I’m asking because we prefer to just be dropped off, not hire a "driver" for the whole day who waits for us and requires scheduling times, etc.

However, it’s about 20 minutes from the city center (historic square), and I know that in some areas outside Chiang Mai, it’s safer to plan your return trip because there are few taxis, tuk-tuks, or songthaews around, and Grab drivers won’t come if it’s too far. We had that issue at the Queen Sirikit Gardens—our driver warned us no one would come back for us, and sure enough, the place was deserted.

Is that the case there? I saw that it’s not too far from Wat Umong, and we went there by tuk-tuk without any trouble finding one a few hours later to head back, so I’m hopeful.

Thanks in advance for your help, and as always after our trips, I’ll be sure to share feedback on the questions we asked here during our planning!

Hi there!

I think the question’s in the title...

What price can I expect to pay in 2025 for a ride of about two kilometers in the tourist center?

Thanks😉

just one question for February—should I pick Phuket or Krabi?

Hey everyone!

I’ve got a question about buses, which we love using in Bangkok, but it’s always a bit of a challenge to figure out how to get around. We always (eventually) reach our destination because there’s always someone willing to help us find our way, but this year, I’d like us to be a bit more independent. We’re a bit old-school—we like traveling without phones for a real digital detox (no judgment, everyone travels how they like! :) ), so ideally, we’d find an up-to-date map of Bangkok’s bus network, but we don’t know where to buy one... We managed to get one back in 2015, but I think it’s outdated now, and during our last trips, we couldn’t find any...

And if traveling like this is really outdated, could you recommend a reliable app for buses? That way, we could plan our routes using the hotel’s Wi-Fi before heading out.

Thanks in advance for your help, and have a great day!

Hi everyone, I hope you're doing well! Just a quick question—I wanted to know, excluding accommodation and flight tickets, just for leisure activities and food on the spot, I go out a lot so I’d like to know what the costs are for a budget that includes some outings, drinks, eating (local food), and a few massages (local massages). Could those of you who know share some prices, please? Do you think a budget of 100 € per day is reasonable? I’ve read in some places that it’s more than enough, and in others that it’s really tight 😕 I hope I won’t have to watch every penny 😅 I’m staying for two months, from May 27th to the end of July.

Hello, I’m planning to leave on April 27th for Bangkok via AF (Air France), direct flight. We’re quite familiar with this destination (we’ve been there about a dozen times). My question is: what’s the current situation and atmosphere like there? Is it easy to get around—taxis, buses, flights, etc.? I know there’s always a gap between what the articles and French TV news say and the reality on the ground. Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

I’d like to arrange a custom tour with a French-speaking guide, and I came across the "Destination Bangkok" website. Has anyone here used their services before? What did you think?

Thanks!!

Hi there, I’m arriving in Thailand with my family on February 9th (2026). We land at BKK that day and then take a direct flight to Krabi.

My first little question is this: We’ve booked a hotel 4 km from the airport (B2Krabi). Should I reserve a taxi through an app (which one?) to get there, or do you think I’ll easily find a taxi/tuk-tuk on the spot, considering we’ll arrive around 8/9 PM? Any idea of the expected price (for three people) for this short trip?

For the Krabi/Ko Phi Phi route, I’m not entirely sure where the departure point is—I’ve attached a photo of the map. Which company is the most affordable? Do you think I can buy my ticket the day before departure and still be sure to get seats? Is it better to book in advance (and if so, on which site)? Same question for the return trip from Ko Phi Phi to Krabi!

Hi there, I’m arriving in Thailand with my family on February 9, 2025. We land at BKK that day and then take a direct flight to Krabi. My first little question is this: we’ve booked a hotel 4 km from the airport (B2Krabi). Should I book a taxi through an app (which one?) to get there, or do you think I’ll easily find a taxi/tuk-tuk on the spot, considering we’ll arrive around 8/9 PM? Any idea of the price to expect (for three people) for this short trip?

About the Krabi/Ko Phi Phi route, I’m not entirely sure where the departure point is—I’ve attached a photo of the map. Which company is the most affordable? Do you think I can buy my ticket on the day just before departure and still be sure to get seats? Is it better to book in advance (if so, on which site)? Same question for the return trip from Ko Phi Phi to Krabi!

Hi, Which buses operate between BTS Ekamai station and Democracy Monument? Back in the day, it was bus 15 and bus 47. Thanks.

Hi there, I’m looking for a good and affordable guide to visit the national park with my wife and two young adults. It’s pretty urgent since I’d like to do it this week, departing from Koh Phangan. Thanks for your tips and contacts!

Hi, I’m planning to travel from April 12 to 24, 2025, for my first solo trip. I’m torn between two destinations: Thailand or Vietnam. Which one would you recommend? Thanks so much for your advice!

Hi everyone... I apologize in advance if some of my questions have already been answered on this forum—I didn’t have time to read through everything.

I’m planning a family trip to Thailand in July for 6 people: - 4 adults, 1 child aged 14, and 1 aged 9. We’ve started looking into travel agencies that specialize in the country and offer custom trips.

Our initial idea was a budget of 2500 € per person for a stay of around 14 days, including:

- 3/4 days in Bangkok (visiting temples, floating markets, Chinatown, river cruise, etc.) - Kanchanaburi - Ayutthaya - 3/4 days in Chiang Mai (elephant sanctuary, rice field visits, temples, etc.) - Then a domestic flight to finish the trip in Krabi for 3/4 days (free time + excursions to Koh Phi Phi and/or Phang Nga, for example).

I’d also have liked to visit Chiang Rai, Lopburi, and Sukhothai, but we’ll have to make some choices.

So, my question is: - Is it better to go through well-known agencies to plan our trip, or is it possible to use local agencies for visits with French-speaking guides (if needed) and book flights and hotels on our own?

Does a budget of 2500 € per person seem reasonable for this kind of classic itinerary?

I’ve received (or will receive) quotes from agencies like Evaneos, Tourlane, Havas, Sawa Discovery, Nomade Aventures, etc. They all seem very professional but offer rather high-end services.

If any of you have recommendations for local agencies, I’d love to hear about your experiences. Also, is it possible to organize this kind of trip to Thailand on your own?

I know I’m not being very original, but I really want to make this a fantastic vacation with the best tips possible to avoid cutting the trip short to fit my budget.

Wishing you all a great day, and thanks in advance for your replies! Best regards, Julien

Dear VoyageForum members,

For the past two months, I’ve been checking flight ticket prices to spend 4.5 weeks in Thailand from early July to early August. I’m traveling from Brussels with a young child, so I want to avoid layovers. That’s why I’m only looking at Thai Airways’ website and only choosing direct flights.

At the end of August, I saw tickets for 955 € per person. On October 1st, they were 1,225 €. Today (October 22nd), the price is the same as on October 1st. (Same dates: Departure: July 4th, Return: August 7th.)

My question is: Is it possible these prices will drop significantly in the coming months?

Note: I clear my browser cache before every search, which I always do during the week and in the evening. This time, I also checked with my work computer, which has a VPN. So, the price isn’t influenced by cookies.

Thanks in advance for your feedback and tips.

Damien

Hello, I’ve been to Thailand three times a long time ago, and I’d love to visit neighboring countries too: Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia (while returning to Thailand 😛). The catch is that I’d like to go at the beginning of the year, but I’ve heard that’s peak tourist season for these countries. Ideally, I’d prefer to avoid peak season to save money (I’m not exactly rolling in it) and to be able to travel without reservations—without being forced to take a room in the local "palace" that still has availability because of its exorbitant prices.

From my distant memories of Thailand, I usually paid around the equivalent of 20 € per night (with a hearty breakfast) for a hotel room with a mini-bar.

What are the average prices for this type of accommodation in Thailand and its neighbors during "peak" season these days? Do prices fluctuate a lot depending on the season, or is tourist demand not that different from one season to another, keeping prices relatively stable? Are the chances of finding a "budget" room without a reservation still high, no matter the season, in this part of the world? 😇

Since I have reduced mobility, which hotels would you recommend? All the ones I’ve seen have stairs and are on steep slopes ¾.. I’d love one by the beach and close to a diving center. Thanks in advance

Hello, For my partner’s birthday during our trip to Thailand, I’d love to take her on a "spa" day to beautiful waterfalls and/or hot springs (and maybe find a nice hotel nearby, plus a lovely night and a massage to complete the experience!). We’ll be there between January 29 and February 11, 2026, which is the dry season in many regions... Bummer if we arrive and only find a trickle of water for the surprise! We won’t be heading north—we’re doing Bangkok, then Krabi, and an island in the south. I’d spotted the hot springs near Krabi, like Namtok Ron Khlong Thom (and maybe the Emerald Pool), but what will the water levels be like there at that time of year? I’d also considered Erawan Falls, even if it means leaving Bangkok for a day/night, but same question about the water flow...

Has anyone here been to these places or have any feedback? Or another spot like this that fits within our planned route? Thanks in advance, and have a great day everyone!

Hi there, Has anyone got any great tips for long-term car rental (1 month, maybe more) in Chiang Mai?

Hi there, I’d love to do a one-day trek that includes visiting waterfalls, swimming, etc. with my family, starting from Koh Phang Nga. Thanks in advance for your tips on finding a guide. Best,

Hi there,

I’ve planned to visit Koh Chang during my trip in November. I booked the Bangkok to Koh Chang route on 12go Asia with the company: Boonsiri High Speed Ferries, departing from the "Boonsiri Khao San office." Has anyone tried this company before?

Then, on Koh Chang, do you have any tips for keeping busy for 3–4 days?

Finally, I’ll need to return from Koh Chang to Bangkok to catch my flight back to France. What’s the best option?

Thanks in advance! Florent

Hi everyone,

My husband and I are heading to Thailand with our two boys on July 8th. We’ll be moving around: Bangkok (3 nights), Ayutthaya (1 night), Chiang Mai (4 nights), Koh Samui (4 nights), and Koh Phangan (3 nights). We have a flight from Koh Samui to Bangkok in the afternoon the day before our return to France, arriving around 5 PM in Bangkok (it’ll be a Friday). I’m still wondering where to stay in Bangkok for this last night in Thailand. Initially, I thought about booking a hotel near the international airport, but I figured there might not be much to do there... maybe we’ll want one last crowd-filled night at a food market? So, I considered booking a hotel near the metro instead, for easy access to the airport the next morning, while still being central enough to go out for our last evening before heading back to France.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this :-) And if you lean toward the second option, which neighborhood/hotel would you recommend?

Thanks in advance for your help! Have a great evening :-)

Christelle

Hi, I’ve booked tickets to Phuket to stay in the Andaman Islands (Ko Phi Phi, Ko Lanta Yai Noi, etc.). I’m really struggling to book our hotels because the reviews are so bad. We’re looking for mid-range to upscale hotels. Any tips or recommendations would be super welcome!!! Thank youuuu

Hello, I’m Buddhist by conviction. Even though I don’t practice anymore, I have a Buddhist altar at home that’s becoming increasingly ecumenical—just like in India, it includes Ganesha, the Holy Family, a Virgin of Lourdes, several Shivas, Tara, Avalokiteshvara, and more... I was hoping to buy a beautiful wooden, stone, or metal Buddha statue in Thailand. On top of that, I wanted to have my statue "blessed." But then I heard it’s forbidden to take any statue or representation of Buddha out of the country... What’s the reality in practice? Have any of you brought back a Buddha statue or other representation in your luggage? Did you make the mandatory declaration? Thanks

Hi everyone, I’m a die-hard fan of India, but it’s time I discovered Thailand too to broaden my Asian horizons. I’m heading there on January 19, 2025, for a 46-day trip (no visa needed as I’m French). I’ve pored over a few guidebooks and travel blogs. Based on what caught my interest, I’ve put together a rough itinerary and list of sights. But since I know absolutely nothing about Thailand, I’m kind of flying blind here. Since I’m not exactly a spring chicken anymore, I’ve opted for a few bases where I’ll stay several days in the same place. That way, I won’t have to change locations and hotels every day or so, packing and unpacking my suitcase constantly. Instead, I plan to explore the surrounding area each day, within a maximum radius of 50 to 70 km. So, first question: Is that kind of round-trip distance manageable in a day in Thailand? In India, renting a car for a day—with a driver—currently costs around 35 to 40 € per day. Knowing that 1,300 to 1,500 THB would be my absolute max, and even then, only if I don’t rent a car every single day. Which brings me to my second question: Am I being unrealistic? Otherwise—third question—once I’m settled in the city I’ve chosen as my base, can I get around within that 50–70 km radius using public transport? I’ve already booked all my hotels—with free cancellation—on booking.com at an average price of 950/1,000 THB per night. Does that put me in a good range for value for money? Or am I dreaming?

Here’s my plan:

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

Bangkok -> Chiang Mai by overnight train in first-class sleeper

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 worth seeing and transport options

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.

Chiang Rai -> Phrae

PHRAE (4 days/5 nights): Lampang and surrounding areas, depending on what’s interesting to see

Phrae -> Loei

LOEI (4 days/5 nights): Phu Kradung – Chiang Khan and surrounding areas, depending on what’s worth seeing

Loei -> Buriram

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

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

Day 46: BANGKOK -> KOCHI

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice!

I'd like to know if anyone has already done the "Charmes de Thaïlande" tour by Climats du Monde. My trip is planned for January 18, 2025, and based on some reviews, I'm worried about getting scammed. Can you give me some info?