Southeast Asia · Thailand

ko samui

For a few years now, it’s become obvious that the typical tourist in Thailand is increasingly "mimile"—I see it every day. The issue is that Thais know how to adapt and are offering more and more things that appeal to this kind of crowd. That’s why we’re seeing more and more pizzerias and burger joints... Even hotels are proudly displaying up to 5 stars for places that barely deserve 3 by European standards, and this "working-class" crowd is over the moon, totally buying into it! In short, travelers looking to discover other civilizations and cultures might end up pretty disappointed.

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



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

Hi there, I’m heading to Laos at the end of the year. We’ll be landing in Bangkok, and from there, we’d like to hop straight on a train to Vientiane. I think the line exists now. I’m guessing it’s from the new station, which I don’t know yet. Can anyone tell me about it, as well as the visa for Laos if I take this mode of transport? Thanks

Hi everyone,

I’m arriving in Phuket on March 1st until the 10th. We’ll have about 9 days there with two kids, aged 10 and 7.

We’d like to visit a few islands... Any ideas? We’ve looked at Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Similan Islands, Phang Nga Bay...

Based on your experiences, what could be a good mini-itinerary?

We’d like to do some diving or snorkelling, a bit of sightseeing (viewpoints, etc.), and some beach time...

Thanks everyone

Hi there,

My friend and I are heading to Thailand for three weeks between December 14th and January 4th.

After a week of relaxation in the south by the beach, we plan to explore northern Thailand to see the mountains and discover the country’s history before wrapping up in Bangkok.

I’m torn about which region to explore. For convenience, we’ll arrive in Chiang Mai, spend a few days in the area, then head to Lampang, followed by Sukhothai, and finally Bangkok.

After Chiang Mai (1 or 2 days—I’m worried the period might be too crowded and we won’t enjoy it much), we’ll have 3 days and could go to: Mae Hong Son (with a potential return flight); Chiang Dao and Fang; or Nan province, though that seems a bit far for just 3 days. We could also spend only one day in Chiang Mai and have 4 days instead.

For these 3 (or 4) days between Chiang Mai and Lampang, we’d love to do some beautiful hikes, preferably on our own, and see stunning landscapes, nature, and small villages.

Among my options, which would you recommend? Or where can we find great hikes that we can do independently and that aren’t overrun by mass tourism? I’ll admit, I’m struggling to find info—there are lots of small national parks, but details are scarce, and even AllTrails doesn’t have much for some of them...

Just to clarify, we’re considering hiring a car with a driver if needed.

Thanks so much to anyone who can help, and have a great weekend!

Leslie

Hi everyone, great to be back here. In 10 days, we're heading to Thailand to escape the gloomy weather here and warm up our old bones over there. On the southeast coast, we're torn between Ko Chang and Ko Kood—we're looking for tranquility and the chance to do some snorkeling along the coast. Do you have any great tips for accommodation (max 30 €)? Maybe we should head straight to the southwest coast instead. Thanks for your input!

So happy to see that VoyageForum is back up! We're planning a trip to Thailand in October 2025. We're looking for quiet islands with nature/jungle, beaches, and pretty villages (no party scene!). We'll be traveling with our 5-year-old son. I've done some research and found a few islands that seem to fit our criteria. We're torn between the islands on the Gulf side (Koh Chang, Koh Mak, Koh Kood) and the Andaman Sea islands (Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai). What are your tips? Any area to prefer in October? Are there other islands you'd recommend? Thanks

Hi, Has anyone else run into problems renting a car with a French credit card at Bangkok International Airport with international rental companies (like Avis, Budget, Europcar, Hertz)? These international car rental companies require a "credit card" to hold the deposit when picking up the vehicle. However, in several countries, French credit cards are considered "debit" cards rather than "credit" cards (even if "credit" is printed on your Visa bank card, for example). The rental agencies can't "block" the deposit with certain bank cards (though paying for the rental itself isn’t an issue), and they’ll refuse to give you the vehicle even if the rental was already paid during booking. I’ve already had this issue in several countries (Chile, Canada) with international rental companies that refused my bank card for holding the deposit, even though "credit" is clearly printed on my Visa Premier card. Has anyone encountered this problem in Bangkok? Thanks for your help! P.S.: I have a valid international driver’s permit, and I’ve searched the forum for answers about Thailand.

Hi there! So happy the site is back up—it’s amazing, really!! I’m heading to Thailand solo for the first time, from February 22, 2025, to March 8, 2025: - 3 days in Bangkok - 4 days in Chiang Mai - 4 days in Krabi What are your must-do activities?! I’m active and looking for dynamic experiences but also cultural ones. Any favorites or great tips? Thanks in advance! Laurence from Bayonne

Hello, we’d like to return to Thailand after having been there as a couple. We’d love to focus only on beach and island spots, especially Phuket, while avoiding Patong. Which area would you recommend for a rental? Best regards

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

Hi there! We’re heading to Thailand next February and will be stopping in Chiang Mai with our 4- and 6-year-olds, plus a couple of friends with a 6-year-old as well. We’re looking for a boutique-style hotel (we’re not big fans of large chain establishments if we can avoid them) with a pool. The tricky part is finding family rooms.

Any recommendations, please? :) Thanks so much for your help!

See you soon! !

Hi there,

We (5 adults and 1 child) want to travel from Battambang to Chanthaburi via the Ban Pakkad border crossing. I’d like to know what transport options are available (bus, taxi, songthaew). Are there any direct buses from Battambang to Pailin (I haven’t found any) or from the Thai border to Chanthaburi? If you know of any taxi companies that might cover these routes, I’d really appreciate the info.

Thanks in advance!

Hi, Is it better to get around Ko Lanta with kids by taxi, tuk-tuk, or by renting a car? I don’t want to use a scooter since I don’t have a motorcycle license. Thanks

hi everyone,

we’re heading to Thailand for 15 days at the end of February/beginning of March.

We haven’t booked our flight tickets yet, but we will soon... we’ve scoured quite a few sites to figure out where to start, but it’s still not clear.

We like to alternate between relaxation on beautiful beaches and sightseeing.

We’re thinking of landing in Bangkok and staying there for 2 or 3 days. Then, we’d spend a day visiting Ayutthaya. I’m skipping Chiang Mai on purpose—it’s too far north. After that, we’d head south (by plane?).

We love snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, or any water sports. We won’t have any means of transportation—no car rental, or at most, a bike! We’ve looked at Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Tao... and I’m already getting lost with all the options...

The kids might enjoy seeing elephants, but only if it’s done in a way that respects animal welfare.

That’s why I was thinking we could fly back from Bangkok instead of another city.

There are a lot of questions, but the biggest one is figuring out the route.

Thanks so much for your help!

Hello,

My partner and I are planning a trip to Thailand, Laos, and Japan. To do this, we’re thinking of booking a flight ticket from Paris to Bangkok, departing in January 2025 and returning in April 2025. During this period, we’d travel overland to Laos and fly to Japan from Thailand, then return to Thailand. What type of visa should we apply for at the Thai embassy? Thanks in advance. Best regards,

Hi everyone, During my upcoming trip to Thailand in summer 2025, due to organizational reasons, I’ll be staying in Ayutthaya for 3 days. On the last day, I’m thinking of visiting Wat Muang and doing something else nearby—but what? That’s the point of this post... What can I do around Ayutthaya or near Wat Muang?

Thanks for your suggestions!

Marsyork

PS / So happy to be able to post on VoyageForum again

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?

Hi, does anyone know the status of the ETA that’s supposed to go into effect in December 2024 (and needs to be requested on the e-visa portal www.thaievisa.go.th)? Is it officially starting on December 1st? I’ve got my flight on the 7th of December and I’m on a Non-O Retirement visa with a re-entry. From what I understand, it’ll only apply to visa-free entries and should allow a 60-day stay in the kingdom with the option to extend for 30 more days. So I’m wondering if I need to apply for this since I already have a valid visa. Thanks in advance for your answers! 😊

Hi, my current question: which airline to pick—the cheapest one and also the one that takes the least time from TOULOUSE? Thanks for your help

Hi everyone,

We’re planning our 2-week trip to Thailand for December 2024 with our two teens! We’d like to visit Bangkok and Ayutthaya, Khao Sok National Park, and finish on an island. Which island would you recommend to wrap up our stay? Thanks for your help

Hi there, I’m looking for upscale bungalows near CHANTABURI that overlook the sea or the lagoon—somewhere pretty quiet. Thanks! LAGATDU

Hi everyone,

I’ve finally gotten around to writing up a little recap of our Thailand trip in July 2017. Better late than never, right? 😛 It’s not a full travel journal, just a quick rundown with a few (modest) photos. I’d been wanting to explore Asia for a while, but nothing was set in stone. Then, by chance, I found some great flight deals from Toulouse to Bangkok (1650 € for the three of us—my husband, my 17-year-old son, and me). What the heck, I booked them! We arrived on July 6th around 6 PM and left Bangkok on the 25th in the late afternoon. So, now I had to plan the route… Let’s be honest: with only three months to prepare and zero knowledge of Asia, sleep wasn’t going to be a priority! That’s where I have to say a huge *thank you* to all the forum members who love this country! I devoured as many travel journals as I could on the forum, discovered all sorts of blogs, and managed to "put together" an itinerary. My husband isn’t a fan of crowded places, so we decided to see a few "must-sees" and then head to spots that are much less frequented by tourists—way more peaceful.

Here’s our route with the accommodations (prices for 3 adults):

- 3 nights in Bangkok (Isanook HOTEL, 180 € with breakfast) - 1 night on the train to Chiang Mai (69 € for a sleeper berth) - 3 nights in Chiang Mai (Lanna Tree Boutique Hotel, 230 € with breakfast) - 1 night in Donsak (Lam Tong Resort, 37 € with breakfast) - 3 nights on Koh Phaluai (Angthong Beach Resort, 135 € with breakfast) - 3 nights in Bang Saphan (Palms Gardens, 111 € without breakfast) - 3 nights in Prachuap Khiri Khan (Sunbeach Hotel, 94 € without breakfast) - 1 night in Bangkok (Anajak Hotel, 129 € with breakfast—we treated ourselves 🙂) For the hotels, we could’ve gone cheaper, but being able to take a quick dip in a pool isn’t so bad, right? Especially in Bangkok and Chiang Mai, I think I booked a little late, so options were more limited. No regrets with any of the accommodations—every single one lived up to what we’d seen and read about them. I’ll say it again: without the travel journals from the active members of this forum, I wouldn’t have been able to plan this trip. I won’t name names, but you’ll recognize your contributions here and there. I was starting from scratch with zero knowledge of the country, and what matters most to me when I travel is gathering as much info as possible on local customs—so we can blend in and avoid any major faux pas! Thanks again to all of you!!! 🙂 😉

Practical details: - The overnight train was booked as soon as reservations opened, about two months in advance. - From Chiang Mai to Surat Thani, we flew with Air Asia for 196 € with three checked bags, booked two months ahead. From Surat Thani to Donsak, we arranged for the son of the Lam Tong Resort owner to pick us up at the airport for 1500 baht. - The round-trip ferry from Donsak to Koh Phaluai cost 1200 baht for the three of us. - On Koh Phaluai, we hired a guide, Ton, for two days to explore Angthong Marine Park: 8700 baht (including lunch). I booked these two days through Mathilde, who’s been mentioned on this forum. - From Surat Thani to Bang Saphan: train, tickets bought the same day. - From Bang Saphan to Prachuap: same. - From Prachuap to Bangkok: public bus.

Bangkok:

Our hotel was in a neighborhood away from the city’s most touristy spots, so we really got to experience "normal" life. How else to describe it? It’s like being in Paris in the heart of the 20th arrondissement, far from the Eiffel Tower… You wouldn’t think you were in a megacity like Bangkok! We loved this part of town, especially the Sam Yan metro station with its market, its cows (!), and its temple. We also enjoyed the street food stalls right by the hotel, with no crowds.







We loved visiting Wat Pho in the morning before the crowds arrived. We weren’t alone, of course! (They wouldn’t give us a private tour… 🤪) But it was smooth and peaceful, and we got to watch groups of schoolkids singing together on the floor or drawing. The Grand Palace later in the morning was a different story—so many people, long lines at the checkpoints and ticket counters, and *very* loud crowds. Khao San Road during the day was pretty "calm." We just passed through and spent more time around Soi Rambuttri, eating at a small restaurant where a waiter showed us why Thailand is called the Land of Smiles. We loved hanging out at the end of the street by the river. We also stumbled upon a little market in that area, but I have no idea which streets it was on. Taking the river shuttles was such a nice way to enjoy the views of the riverbanks. We really liked Chinatown with its narrow alleys, vendors, hustle and bustle, and smells (not all of them pleasant…). The greenery and calm of Lumpini Park were so refreshing—not just for tourists, but for locals too, who come to eat, play board games, or go for a walk. The contrast between the hyper-modern side of the city with its massive malls, skyscrapers, and more working-class neighborhoods is fascinating!











Chiang Mai: Very touristy, but we knew that going in, so we knew what to expect. We’re not big on temples, but we still really enjoyed discovering some of them as we wandered around—some packed, others much quieter. We loved getting "lost" in the old city’s alleys. The Doi Suthep site is truly exceptional, and despite the crowds, we managed to find little corners where there was almost no one! So we could enjoy the site and the views of the surrounding landscapes in peace. Still on the hunt for quiet spots, we headed to Mon Cham, about 40 km from Chiang Mai by scooter. Such a relaxing place—what a great discovery! During our stay in Chiang Mai, the rain played cat and mouse with us, and I’ll admit, it often won!

















More to come soon…. Fabienne.

Hi there, My questions might be repetitive, but I’d love to find a hotel close to a beach where we can swim without having to travel too far. The teens would stay at the beach while we go on excursions.

Hi there, we’re heading to Thailand and Malaysia for 3 and a half months at the start of 2025, and I’m looking for tips on transport and the best route to get from Kuala Besut to Nakhon Si Thammarat. Thanks

Well, yes, it'll be me, the one, returning to our travel or vacation site about this destination. A site still imitated, never equaled, and by far.

A country that, when you discover it, charms you. Then comes the time for nostalgia, followed by one or more returns to the Land of Smiles. It's almost inevitable.

It's a real gut punch when you've met and grown fond of locals, only to learn about all the hardships the Covid sequence brought upon them. Broken careers, shattered hopes, disrupted lives.

Like after the tsunami, life and activity have bounced back, sometimes in different forms. Many things haven't changed much: the exchange rate, the quality of the food, the politeness and kindness of the Thai people.

As for us, we've lost members of our VF Thailand community along the way, to whom we pay our respects, but we're now happy to reconnect with both old and new faces. Sometimes in life, it's a chance to start over, forget old worries and squabbles, and be able to exchange thoughts again on one of our favorite topics.

A quick shout-out to Monsieur François Boucher, without whom, as the saying goes, none of this would have been possible. The growing success of VF over the years silences any criticism on that front. He kept his word on both the maintenance and sustainability of the site. Finally, he can be congratulated for his courageous stances during this troubled period, which, in hindsight, we must admit he got right. On a personal note, it did me good to hear voices like his speak up.

Soon, for the Thailand destination and all others, the word Covid will finally stop appearing, and long live the new era!

Sawadee khrap, with my respects to the gentlemen, my regards to the ladies, and my greetings to everyone else.

Hi there,

I’m thinking of (re)visiting Thailand in a few months, and my planned itinerary includes an overnight train ride.

My goal is to book a first-class compartment, so I should reserve it as soon as possible...

Which website (reliable, please!) can I use to make this reservation, and are e-tickets available?

Thanks!😊

Hello again!

For an upcoming trip to Thailand, I’m looking for names of reliable car rental companies based in Phuket.

I’d also like to know about local road rules and the current amount of traffic "fines."

Are foreigners targeted or profiled when driving a rental vehicle?

The routes I’d be taking aren’t in Phuket itself—Phuket would just be the arrival point—but rather around Khao Lak, Krabi, Surat Thani, and the inland areas in that region.

Thanks! :)

Hi everyone,

We’re starting to look into whether it’s possible—like in Australia or South America—to buy a reasonably priced camper van and then travel as a family in Thailand, Malaysia, or India. From what we’ve read so far, it doesn’t seem very doable, but you never know... A big thanks to anyone with experience or insights!