My husband and I are planning a trip to Thailand from January 2 to 10.
Departure from Brussels on January 1 – arriving in Bangkok at 6:00 AM on January 2.
Departure from Bangkok on January 11 at 2:00 AM, arriving in Brussels at 1:25 PM the same day.
For professional and personal reasons, we can’t extend the trip.
I don’t plan on just lounging on a beach in Phuket, so with 9 days on the ground, I know it’s short... But having done this before in Hong Kong and Shanghai, I know it’s doable, refreshing, and enjoyable. We did it with the kids and included a 2- or 3-day stay at Disneyland in each city. Basically, we spent 5-6 days in each city.
Anyway, I’m reaching out because I’ve heard and read so many conflicting opinions that my head is spinning.
Following the saying, "don’t bite off more than you can chew," I’m assuming I should keep it simple.
So I’m torn between just Bangkok or Bangkok and Chiang Mai.
If I go with the second option, I’m debating whether to head straight to Chiang Mai on the day we arrive (but given the flight times, we’d lose pretty much the whole day) or spend two days in Bangkok first, then go to Chiang Mai for 3-4 days, and return to Bangkok.
This will be really short, but if you find a flight in the morning of January 2nd to Chiang Mai, you could stay there for 3 and a half days until January 5th, then take a flight in the afternoon to Bangkok and spend 4 days there.
Here’s a suggested itinerary:
Bangkok – Chiang Mai: January 2nd, morning flight
Chiang Mai: January 2nd afternoon to January 5th afternoon
Chiang Mai – Bangkok: January 5th, evening flight or January 6th morning
Bangkok: January 5th evening (or January 6th morning) until January 10th
It’s doable, considering the flight between Bangkok and Chiang Mai only takes 1 hour non-stop.
Jordan31 suggests a great itinerary because just seeing Bangkok doesn’t give you an idea of life outside the capital, even though Chiang Mai is also a big city.
It’d be a shame to just breeze through Chiang Mai—you can easily spend ten days there and in the surrounding area doing all sorts of different activities.
Attila’s suggestion makes sense: a bit of countryside and/or a national park to mix things up.
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
To visit Bangkok and Chiang Mai in such a short time, it would have made more sense to arrive in Bangkok from Belgium and leave from Chiang Mai (or the other way around).
heading up to Chiang Mai on the day of our arrival (but given the flight times, we practically lose the whole day)
Hi,
I don’t understand why heading straight to Chiang Mai upon arrival would make you lose the day. I see several airlines*, low-cost or not, departing from your arrival airport (Suvarnabhumi, BKK) that offer flights leaving after 6 AM and getting you to Chiang Mai between 9 AM and 11 AM.
* I’m not sure if I’m allowed to write their names.
Why not just a little trip around Bangkok like Bangkok Khao Yai National Park Ayutthaya Kanchanaburi Bangkok?
Hello,
I think covering all these stops in the given time would be unreasonable:
At least 2 nights for Khao Yai N.P., same for Ayutthaya, 4 for Kanchanaburi, plus a few for Bangkok = we’re over the limit.
I’ll be spending 5 nights in Chiang Mai and then 4 in Bangkok. When you think that many travelers do the same in just 6-7 nights total...
For the 5 nights in C.Mai, I wouldn’t include a trek.
If you had 9 days in Bangkok, how would you fill them? Beyond Wat Phra Kaew/Po/Arun, the khlongs, and Jim Thompson House—which don’t need more than 2-3 days—any other ideas?
Because 9 days in Bangkok or Chiang Mai is too much. Of course, you can visit the surrounding areas and there’s plenty to see, but in that case, it won’t be just one destination anymore.
Response from a resident of 15 years: as several contributors have mentioned, it's a shame to rush through and only see a tiny part of Chiang Mai. I have another idea that I often recommend to my visitors. From Bangkok, with a private taxi or van, you can explore the neighboring provinces where Thai culture has flourished. In a week, you’ll discover around fifteen amazing sites that 80% of tourists miss: Kanchanaburi, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi. A 7-800 km tour over 7 days with unique experiences: a market on the rails (the only one in the world), a real floating market, a reconstructed 17th-century village with its crafts, sulfur hot spring baths, river rafting, the Death Railway bridge and train (River Kwai), stunning waterfalls and great hikes, 2-3 national parks with incredible views—karst peaks, bird migration centers, walking fish, temples in the mountains and inside a unique volcano, etc. All this because no time is wasted on transfers with a private vehicle and driver... and 2 days to finish in Bangkok to see the unique Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho, plus a little shopping before heading back.
The most important thing isn’t where you go, but what you do and see... that’s just my opinion.
Happy to help!
response from a resident for 15 years: from Bangkok, with a taxi or private van, you can explore the neighboring provinces where Thai culture has flourished. In a week, you’ll discover around fifteen amazing sites that 80% of tourists miss: Kanchanaburi, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi. A 7-800km loop in 7 days with unique visits: the railway market (the only one in the world), a real floating market, a reconstructed 17th-century village with its crafts, sulfur hot spring baths, river rafting, the Bridge on the River Kwai + Death Railway, stunning waterfalls and a great hike, 2-3 national parks with incredible views: karst peaks, bird migration center, walking fish, temples in the mountains and inside a unique volcano, etc... All this because no time is wasted on transfers with a private vehicle and driver...
(...)
At your service
Response from a traveler who’s been there 40 times for 1 to 4 months since 1986: I’ve personally never done it, but if you want to see even more, even faster, while wasting even less time and protecting yourself from Thais using public transport, there’s the option of renting a private helicopter with a pilot—count on $1,300 to $1,500 per hour. The return trips to the aircraft’s base are also charged.
amazing sites that 80% of tourists miss: Kanchanaburi (...) river rafting, Bridge on the River Kwai + Death Railway,
Uhhh... 90% of the countless organized tours from all over the world stop there to see all that.
That said, Muang Kan (as the locals call it), where I’ve been at least 60 times for personal reasons, is a highly recommendable city in itself and for its nearby surroundings—provided you stay 3-4 nights. Going further into the province (one night on a raft at Sai Yok Yai after a short walk there, a couple of nights in Thong Pha Phum, and a few more in the charming and pretty Sangkhlaburi, plus stops at intermediate sites) is also highly recommended.
Phetchaburi
The charming "Pet’buri" (especially if you stay in the lovely neighborhood just west of the river), where, unfortunately, too few travelers stop—wrongly so. Beautiful temples, a walk up the hill (watch out for the monkeys). A really nice stop for 2-3 nights, and it’s on the road and rail routes to the South, so beloved by beach lovers...
railway market (the only one in the world)
Yes, it’s definitely worth seeing (if you can handle the crowds in a relatively small space), but getting there by train makes the experience even more interesting.
Ha, the helicopter trick—I did that on this site years ago: nice one!
After that, February vacations are short, and our friend Thierry probably doesn’t have much more time available.
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
hi,
so happy to know the cost of helicopters in Thailand... but I doubt that’ll help our friend here.
On the other hand, since you mentioned Phetchaburi, add to the spots you listed the bamboo market in the mountains 30 km away, then Kaeng Krachan (the country’s second-largest reservoir) with its monkey island—another 30 km. No local transport options except a local taxi that’ll hit 1 or 2 spots... for the same day-rate as a taxi (or better, a private van) hired for a few days from Bangkok, which gives you access to all these sites in total comfort and the freedom to stop or detour anytime. Same goes for Kanchanaburi, the kingdom’s largest province, which, beyond the sites you mentioned, holds many other treasures like the 17th-century village, the sulfur hot springs at Hindad (so we change in the van ;)), the stunning Wat Ban Tham temple, and the extension toward Myanmar and Songkhla, with its submerged temples, diverse tribes, etc. You can’t do all that by bike, small tourist motorbike, songthaew, or local bus.
That’s why I’m suggesting this. I use it for my visitors... In one week, you see over 25 incredible sites of the REAL Thailand.
case closed
Yeah, that sounds like a really great trip! Doable by scooter, I assume?
"un voyage se passe de motifs. il ne tarde pas à prouver qu il se suffit à lui-meme. on croit qu on va faire un voyage , mais bientot c est le voyage qui vous fait, ou vous défait " NICOLAS BOUVIER
not everyone has a motorcycle license; and as I mentioned earlier, in the remote parts of these provinces, it’s not recommended: the distances, the intersections, and—just as you said—yes, signs are exclusively in Thai!
It’s not really my thing, but when I don’t have time to drive my visitors to these gorgeous spots far from the tourist highways, this is the solution: a driver, a set itinerary, and comfort to see some lesser-known sites. I don’t want to risk having them ride motorbikes without a license.
Does it seem a bit obsessive to you all, no? 😉
Let’s just say that at my age, after so many years living here, yeah, I do push for a bit of comfort (Thai buses, those dangerous vans—no thanks!).
Is my vocabulary off? It says exactly what I mean... and that’s how we expats talk here. Have a good evening
We got back from Bangkok on January 11th. In the end, we didn’t leave the city, promising ourselves we’d return to Thailand another time since we loved getting around Bangkok so much.
We spent 9 wonderful days there and left feeling like we’d only seen half of it. We’ll definitely be going back!
This time, for various reasons, we could only get away for 10 days, but our next trip will be longer and will end with a few days in Bangkok.
I wanted to share my thoughts after this trip and can only recommend focusing on just one destination for a short stay. That way, you can really soak it in and not feel like you’re constantly rushing against the clock.
It's really great to hear about your experience. I think you've picked up some great tips, and I'm happy to think you're already looking forward to your next trip to this beautiful country.
« Tout le monde s'interroge sur comment laisser une meilleure planète à nos enfants, mais on devrait plutôt penser à laisser de meilleurs enfants pour notre planète. » Clint Eastwood
Je vais avoir pas mal de temps pour monter de Bangkok vers Chiang Mai, j'aimerais savoir s'il y a des choses à voir entre les deux (près des gares)? Mon…
Je serai en Thailande en aout. Je souhaiterais assister à un match de Boxe thai. Quelqu'un a-t-il une adresse à Bangkok ou a Chiang mai? a quel prix, est-il…
J’ai établi une liste de centres d’intérêts que je compte visiter lors de mon passage à Bangkok je vais y passer un peu moins de 3 jours ... j’ai indiqué entre…
j envois ce post car je suis un inconditionnel de foot et notamment de la chmpion s league. en gros j aimerai savoir ou jpeux voir ce soir le match barcelone…
Je pars 3 semaines en mars 05. Je souhaiterai connaitre le nbre de jours à prévoir sur BKK. Je pensais y rester 3 ou 4 jours. Qu'en pensez vous? De plus,…
Je prépare un circuit au Cambodge et j'étais décidée à visiter la région du Ratanakiri qui semblait correspondre en terme de paysages à ce que nous aimons le plus : la forêt, la jungle, la verdure...
Toutefois en commençant à étudier la région, j'ai lu que la déforestation y était massive et les infos sur ce sujet datent parfois de plusieurs années et la situation n'a malheureusement pas dû s'arranger depuis.
Ma question est donc de savoir si le Ratanakiri est encore intéressant à visiter et justifie encore l'éloignement et les temps de trajet pour y accéder?
J'ai vu que des treks étaient possibles dans la jungle mais, d'expérience, je sais que les guides rechignent parfois à s'enfoncer dans la forêt et se limitent à des marches assez courtes en bordure des parcs.
Hello, it’s been a while since I last asked for your help on this forum—I’ve really missed it! I hope you’re all doing well, whether you're new or returning members.
I’m planning a trip from February 6 to 18, 2027, with my sister (we’re 47 and 50—time flies!). I’ve got my eye on a flight from Paris that lands in Bangkok on February 7 at 3 PM, with a return flight from Bangkok on February 18 at noon.
My sister has never been to this destination, and it’ll be her first time in Asia. Her priorities: beaches, sunshine, and cocktails by the shore. For me, I love that too, but I also enjoy exploring, nature, forests, and a bit of comfort (mixing guesthouses and higher-end hotels with pools). A little evening entertainment would be great, but not too much—good cocktails in a nice atmosphere rather than a rave party ;-). And I can’t help but dream of taking her on a little trek through a tropical forest (guaranteed memories and laughs, though she might curse me at the time) and showing her some karst landscapes.
I’ve been to Thailand before, but it was 15 years ago...
The idea is to give her a taste of Bangkok for 1 or 2 nights, a few days on an island (but which one...?), a tropical forest excursion with 1 or 2 nights on-site (Khao Sok?), and then back to Bangkok.
For the "main" island, even after reading the *Guide du Routard*, I’m still undecided. It’s hard to find a place that ticks all the boxes without feeling as crowded as the French Riviera in August: Koh Lanta? Khao Lak (though it’s not an island)? Koh Tao (I could maybe get my PADI certification, but I’m afraid she’d get bored, and it might be better to save that for a solo trip)? Koh Yao Yai (I worry we’d be bored in the evenings)? What a dilemma!
Thank you if you’ve read this far! Feel free to share any advice—it’ll all be warmly welcomed.
Here’s a rough outline of the itinerary (I’d rather skip a night in Bangkok if needed):
· Saturday, February 6, 2027: departure (overnight flight)
· Sunday, February 7, 2027: arrival at 3 PM, probably at the hotel by 6 PM, evening in Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Monday, February 8, 2027: day in Bangkok (Wat Pho and a floating market?) (overnight in Bangkok)
· Tuesday, February 9, 2027: travel to Koh Lanta or another island (flight to Phuket or Krabi?) (overnight on island "x")
· Wednesday, February 10, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Thursday, February 11, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Friday, February 12, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Saturday, February 13, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Sunday, February 14, 2027: beach and walks (overnight on island "x")
· Monday, February 15, 2027: travel to Khao Sok—nighttime excursion to Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Tuesday, February 16, 2027: exploration and hike in Khao Sok (overnight in Khao Sok)
· Wednesday, February 17, 2027: return trip to Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok)
· Thursday, February 18, 2027: return flight to Paris at noon
Hi there,
I’ve found so many tips and reviews on this forum, so it’s my turn to contribute a little.
We spent just over two weeks with our family, with the following itinerary:
- Hanoi: 5 days
- Halong Bay: 3 days and 2 nights
- Tam Coc: 3 days
- Mai Chau: 2 days
- Sapa: 3 days
We got around by bike, scooter, Grab, and bus.
Our main accommodations were homestays and hotels in Hanoi.
We visited lots of museums, temples, and neighborhoods in Hanoi.
We did a 2-day, 1-night trek in Sapa with May, a Hmong local, without going through an agency.
A few small regrets: the weather was overcast, and we couldn’t make it to Fansipan, but nothing major 😅. We also couldn’t find transport to get from Sapa to Mu Cang Chai.
Other than that, this trip will stay in our memories for the kindness of the Vietnamese people, the connections we made, the food (street food, homestays...), the coffee 😋, the landscapes, and how easy it was to get around...
Our goal was to take our time and focus only on a small part of northern Vietnam.
If you need any tips or recommendations, don’t hesitate to ask.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Cédric.
Hi there, we’re landing at Hanoi Airport and would like to head straight to Cao Bang without going into Hanoi. Does anyone know if there are buses that go directly from the airport to Cao Bang (especially in the early afternoon)? Thanks in advance!
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!
hi everyone,
I want to travel in the north for 3 weeks in September-October 2026 to meet ethnic minorities, photograph mountain rice terraces and their harvest, and revisit Halong Bay—but maybe Lan Ha Bay instead. Can you recommend one or more local agencies?
Thanks, and happy holidays!
I need some expert advice on these two destinations for a 15-day trip. We land in KL and plan to stay for 2 days before heading to Borneo and finishing with an island for snorkeling.
For those who’ve been, what are your must-sees?
We were thinking of spending the last 3 days on the Perhentian Islands, unless you’ve got another island to recommend near Borneo.
Thanks for your tips and help!
Hi everyone,
Could you share your thoughts on my 3-week itinerary?
We’re a small group (family + friends) of 12 people, planning to leave around January 21, 2027.
Here’s my itinerary:
3 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
3 nights on Koh Samui
3 nights on Koh Phangan
4 nights in Krabi
4 nights in Phuket
I’m also open to any great tips you might have...
Thanks, everyone! Alain.
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! I’m planning a 15-day trip to Malaysia. The idea is to visit KL for 2 or 3 days, then Borneo, and I’m wondering what to do with the rest of the time. I’d like to finish with the Perhentian Islands... What do you think? Any tips or advice would be great—I’d really appreciate it!
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
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?????
