Hi, just a quick note mainly for Samsong, even if he’s still giving me the silent treatment.
I’ve been in Nan since yesterday and... I love it! So thanks, Thierry. It’s exactly the kind of place I’d been dreaming of... Even if communication is a bit tough, it’s not impossible. They don’t even know the most basic English words! Everyone laughs and they’re the first to pull out their phones to... translate. They’re even quicker on the uptake than I am.
And then there’s the time I say Nan (pronounced "Nane"). They don’t understand me. After a while (sometimes a long one), they reply: "Ah, Nan?" (pronounced "Nane") 😵🤳😃
The town is exactly how you described it back in 2022.
Though I’m surprised to find so many trendy, slightly intellectual "Cafés." Apparently, coffee—excellent everywhere—is king in Nan. It feels like a university town. And it seems pretty lively at night! But for now, I’m going to bed early. I caught a nasty cold, which didn’t stop me from walking 12 km this morning. But I came back to my accommodation by 3 PM (gorgeous and luxurious with top-notch service for 800 baht—even a cute local welcome gift this morning, plus other unexpected touches like a bottle of honey and chrysanthemum flowers for tea. The lady must’ve guessed I was coming down with something yesterday). I thought about going out for dinner but didn’t have the energy. I think I’ve got at least 39°C fever...
Anyway, I’m sending you this message, Thierry, because you mentioned a daily bus to Chiang Rai, so I didn’t look into it. But now it’s a real problem—no buses to Chiang Rai, only taxis. At least 2,500 baht for the cheapest one! I’ll check the bus station directly tomorrow. Online, it’s all taxis, no buses.
I’d like to explore the countryside/mountains if I can find an affordable driver. Any ideas for destinations or itineraries?
Thanks.
Hi there, I’ll be spending a week in Ao Nang, including two days in Railay. I can’t find the exact info on where I can see bioluminescent plankton from the beach. I think it’s in Railay, but where exactly can you observe the phenomenon?
Nous partons (2 adultes et 1 enfant de 5 ans) au Laos en février prochain (2011). Nous souhaitons lors de notre passage à Champasak aller dans un village voir des éléphants.
Du coup plusieurs questions:
- Le guide que l'on m'a prêté indique 2 villages : Ban Khiet Ngon et Ban Papho. Quelqu'un a-t-il déjà visiter ces villages? Lequel conseillez-vous?
- Est-il possible de ffiredans la même journée le trajet Champasak - Village + Promenade elephant + trajet jusqu'à Pakse?
- Quel est le meilleur moyen pour effectuer les déplacements?
Hi there,
My partner and I are planning to travel during the last week of August and the first two weeks of September for a trip to Bali and Lombok. In terms of time allocation, do you think we should spend more time in Bali or Lombok?
I’ve already been to Bali back in 2012 and have great memories of it, but it seems like mass tourism has only increased since then… so we’d rather avoid the south of the island.
We’re pretty skeptical about visiting Ubud, but it still feels like a must-see, especially for my partner who’s never been. What do you think? Is there an alternative to Ubud where he could still catch at least one Balinese dance performance?
Hi there,
After arriving in Ho Chi Minh City at the beginning of March 26, where I think I’ll stay for maybe two days (or more?), we’d like to spend a few days in the Mekong Delta.
Is it better to stay in one place (Vinh Long, Cai Be, My Tho, An Binh, etc.) and take boat trips every day, or split our time between two or three spots, which means changing accommodation and moving our luggage around? Of course, agencies offer 3- or 5-day tours from Ho Chi Minh City, but are they really worth it, both financially and in terms of the visits themselves?
What’s your experience with this? How did you do it, and if you had to do it again? Any tips?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Dominique
Hello,
We’re heading to Thailand for 26 days (excluding flights) next July with our two teens (12 and 15 years old).
My husband and I have been there several times before they were born—so that’s 15 years ago—and I’m a bit worried about some of the changes that might have happened since, especially with the rise in tourism...
I’d also like to keep a pace that allows us to settle in a bit and enjoy local life beyond just the main sights. Plus, we’re pretty active.
For now, our plan looks like this:
Arrival in Bangkok, where we’re thinking of spending several days (minimum 4)
Chiang Mai for about a week
2 or 3 islands in the Gulf
Return to Bangkok for 2 days before departure.
We’re pretty set on Bangkok and Chiang Mai, but we’re unsure about which islands to visit—I’ve read such mixed things that I’m even wondering if we should consider the coast instead.
Organization-wise, I’d love any tips or feedback on whether we need to book in advance at this time of year, which transport options to prioritize (train, bus, or plane), and of course, any suggestions for stops or routes.
Thanks in advance to anyone kind enough to help us prepare for this amazing trip!
Hi everyone,
I’m afraid this is a pretty standard question, but one I haven’t really found an answer to! I’m looking for accommodation in Singapore for two nights in mid-March. I know "reasonable price" can mean anything and nothing —I realize staying here isn’t cheap. But if anyone has a good recommendation, I’d love to hear it!
I’ll be traveling mostly in backpacker mode, but I don’t want a youth hostel. That said, I’m fine with something a bit out of the way.
Thanks in advance! 🙂
Hi everyone,
I have a Visa card with international option.
How do I pay in Vietnam?
Hotels booked on Booking—do hotel owners charge a commission?
How do I withdraw money? ATM fees?
Where can I exchange euros at the lowest cost?
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Larri
Hi everyone! Here’s a rough draft of my itinerary: I’d like to rent a car in KL and return it in Penang.
Is there an overnight bus from Langkawi to the Perhentians?
Another option: skip one of the two islands to drive back down to KL and stop at Pulau Redang?
Day 1: Arrival at 10 AM, car rental for 7 days, Putrajaya, night in KL
Day 2: Batu Caves, Taman Negara, night in TN
Day 3: Taman Negara, night in TN
Day 4: Drive to Cameron Highlands, night in CH
Day 5: Cameron Highlands, Ipoh, night in Penang
Day 6: Penang, George Town
Day 7: Return rental car in Penang and flight to Langkawi. Night in Langkawi (4 nights)
Day 8: Langkawi
Day 9: Langkawi
Day 10: Langkawi
Day 11: Overnight bus? Langkawi to Perhentians (5 nights)
Day 12: Perhentians
Day 13: Perhentians
Day 14: Perhentians
Day 15: Perhentians -> KL (flight)
Day 17: KL
Day 18: KL
Day 19: Return flight at 1 PM
My partner and I are heading to Thailand for three weeks (exactly 21 days there) at the beginning of July for our first trip to Asia.
During this trip, we want to discover a new culture, beautiful landscapes, eat well, do some beach time (with snorkeling), all while trying to keep it authentic and close to nature.
After some research, I’ve come up with this itinerary—what do you think?
Arrival in Bangkok on Tuesday, July 7 in the morning = 2 days
Ayutthaya = 1 day
Travel to Chiang Mai = 1 day (flight)
Chiang Mai = 2 days
Trek = 2 days
Travel to Khao Sok = 1 day (flight to Surat Thani + bus)
Khao Sok = 3 days (4 nights total) = For this part of the trip, would you recommend staying in Khao Sok village and doing day trips, or planning an overnight stay on the lake?
Travel to Koh Phangan = 1 day (bus + ferry)
Koh Phangan = 4 days (we’re thinking of staying in the northeast part of the island)
Koh Tao = 2 days
Return to Bangkok = 1 day (taking a ferry to Chumphon then a flight)
Bangkok = 1 day
Hi there,
We’re heading to Cebu, Bohol, Negros, and Siquijor soon. Our guide is handling hotel and ferry reservations, and we’ll pay day by day. Is it easy to pay for accommodations by card, or is it better to have cash? Also, any idea about the cost of living? Is 1000 € per person for 3 weeks enough for accommodation, food, and ferries? That’s the estimate he gave us. Thanks in advance! 😊
Hi everyone,
We’re planning a trip to Malaysia from March 16 to 31, 2026, and we’d love to hear your advice and experiences.
There are three of us girls, and we’d like to visit a few islands, but we’re not sure which ones to choose yet. Could you recommend:
The most beautiful islands to visit at this time of year (is it the right season?)
How to get there easily
Mistakes to avoid and essential info
Must-do activities and sights
Useful things to bring back
The budget to plan for
How long to stay in Kuala Lumpur and the city’s must-sees
Any tips you have—whether you’ve traveled in March or another time—will be super helpful for planning our trip.
Thanks so much in advance! 🌴✈️
I’m looking for a beach spot within 3 hours max of Bangkok for the end of my trip (January). I know full well I won’t find that postcard-perfect vibe of the more remote islands! But I don’t have a choice.
If you’ve got any ideas... no high-rises, obviously not Pattaya, somewhere quiet, swimming possible, a hotel right on the beach (and not too dirty, the beach itself!)
I’ve looked at hotels around Ko Samet or, across from it, on the mainland. I spotted the Bann Pae Cabana. But nothing really exciting on either side.
New ideas welcome! 🙂
I really loved Thailand, but it was too touristy for my taste. So I'm hesitating about going back and wondering if Cambodia or Vietnam would be less crowded with tourists...
Une opération de sauvetage sauve deux autres éléphants en danger après avoir tenté de sauver un éléphanteau à Haew Narok
Six éléphants sauvages sont morts après être tombés dans la cascade Haew Narok dans le parc national de Khao Yai samedi matin.
Une équipe de surveillants du parc qui repoussaient des éléphants dans la forêt depuis la route 3077 à Prachin Buri a entendu de forts appels d'éléphants en provenance de Samor Poon creek, près de la cascade, vers 3 heures du matin samedi.
Vers 6 heures du matin, ils sont allés vérifier et ont trouvé un éléphanteau, âgé d'environ 3 ans, qui s'était noyé dans le premier étage de la cascade. Deux éléphants ont été repérés en train de l'aider. Ils avaient l'air épuisés.
Les fonctionnaires sont descendus dans la zone située sous la cascade et ont trouvé cinq autres éléphants noyés, a déclaré Khanchit Srinoppawan, chef du parc national.
La cascade a été fermée au public après l'incident.
M. Khanchit a déclaré que davantage de responsables du parc et de secouristes étaient déployés et que des cordes étaient utilisées pour aider les deux autres éléphants en difficulté à la cascade. Ils ont été sauvés à 14h30 samedi, a annoncé le groupe de protection de la nature Khao Yai Gaur sur sa page Facebook. (...)
Haew Narok est la plus grande et l'une des plus belles cascades du parc national de Khao Yai. Avant la construction de la route Prachin Buri-Khao Yai, les visiteurs devaient parcourir au moins six heures à pied pour atteindre le site.
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?
Our flights are booked, and we’ll arrive in Thailand at the beginning of January.
Originally, we were supposed to spend 14 days there. But after booking the flights and seeing the prices, we’ll now be there for 20 days instead.
Our initial plan was:
2 days in Bangkok
1 day in Ayutthaya
4 days in Chiang Mai
6 days around Krabi
So we have 7 more days to fill. What do you recommend?
An extra day in Bangkok?
Adding more days in the north? If so, where?
Exploring another region, like Kanchanaburi or Cheow Lan Lake?
Traveling north in stages instead of taking the overnight train?
A few extra details about us:
For us, vacation isn’t about relaxation—we love walking, exploring, and packed days don’t bother us. Hiking for hours and doing active things is what makes us happy. That said, we also enjoy visiting villages and towns if they’re worth the detour. In Thailand, we’d like to visit temples too. We’re early risers, so our days tend to be long. 🙂 In short, we like to keep things moving during our trips. 😉
Unfortunately, seeing terraced rice fields isn’t possible in January. I read there are rice fields around Sukhothai. Are they green in January?
In the north, do you recommend Doi Inthanon, Huai Nam Dang, or Doi Chiang Dao National Parks? Which one is the most beautiful and best for January?
We’re planning a trip to Thailand for January 2027 and I’ve got some questions about visiting Phang Nga Bay:*
-I’ve read on this forum that it’s better to leave from the town of Phang Nga rather than Phuket, which makes sense, but I can’t spot any piers on Google Earth. Could someone tell me where they are?
-Do hotels offer excursions that include transfers to the boat?
We’re heading to Vietnam in February as a family (2 adults and 2 kids) for 9 full days, and I was thinking of this itinerary:
Day 1: Hanoi
Day 2: Halong Bay (Lan Ha)
Day 3: Halong Bay (Lan Ha)
Day 4: Hue
Day 5: Danang
Day 6: Danang
Day 7: Hoi An
Day 8: Hoi An/My Son
Day 9: Hanoi
After reading almost all the discussions about Vietnam, I don’t see anything about transportation options for getting from Hue to Danang, then from Danang to Hoi An. Any ideas (train, bus)?
From the map, it looks like Danang is close to Hoi An—easily accessible by taxi, right?
Also, after reading lots of comments and websites, I’ve noticed that Danang, aside from being a big developing city, seems to be more about hotels for relaxing on the beach—very laid-back, isn’t it? Not really a place to visit like Hanoi or Hoi An.
Generally speaking, if you have any recommendations for the itinerary or tips, I’d love to hear them.
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?
We have the opportunity to get away for a little two-week trip at the very beginning of January, just the two of us, without our kids. Because of the kids, we haven’t traveled much in Asia, so we’d love to take advantage of their absence to explore Thailand. Even though I’m used to planning our trips, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed this time.
We’d like to visit Bangkok and head south by renting a car (we have an international driver’s license, and my husband has driven on the left before). I’ve managed to sketch out a rough itinerary that might work for us, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.
To set the scene: we haven’t booked anything yet, we don’t like spending hours on the beach (though a little time at the end of the day is fine), we love walking and sightseeing, and what we enjoy most is being independent (so if we can avoid group tours, that’s ideal).
After that intro, here’s the rough outline of our itinerary:
Day 0: Paris-Bangkok flight
Days 1, 2, and 3: Bangkok (Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Arun, markets, boat ride through the khlongs, Jim Thompson House)
Day 4: Ayutthaya
Day 5: Pick up a rental car and head to Sam Roi Yot
Day 6: Sam Roi Yot and Prachuap Khiri Khan
Day 7: Drive south – overnight near Surat Thani
Day 8: Uthayan Tham Khao Na Nai, then drive to Ao Nang (staying near Tubkaek)
Days 9 and 10: Boat trips (Railay, Ko Hong, etc.)
Day 11: Drive to Phang Nga with a few stops along the way
Day 12: Boat tour (mangroves and Ko Tapu)
Day 13: Drive to Phuket Airport and return flight
A few questions and doubts:
- I’d considered Cheow Lan Lake but read some not-so-great reviews (crowds, just 3 viewpoints, and the rest was meh). What do you think?
- Can we start from Ao Thalane Pier for trips to Ko Hong and Ko Tapu?
- I’m not thrilled about driving through Bangkok, but I’m not sure where to rent a car west of the city (since we won’t return it to the same place, I assume it’s best to target rental companies at airports).
Thanks in advance for any tips or feedback you can share to help me (or not 😛) refine this plan before I start booking!
Hi,
I’m planning a week-long trip with my husband to Flores Island in September 2026. Does anyone have a contact for hiring a private driver for about 5 days between Maumère and Labuan Bajo?
Thanks in advance
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
j'essaie de consulter le site de Ocean Jet pour trouver les horaires et tarifs de cette compagnie, et pas moyen d'avoir des horaires.
Pas simple de savoir s'il faut réserver ou prendre ses tickets en dernière minute...
Ni même s'ils font la liaison Dumaguete-Tagbilaran.... ça a l'air d'être indiqué, mais il n'y a pas trop d'infos....
Quelqu'un est-il au courant ?
Hi everyone,
I’d like to check the schedules for Ocean Jet ferry tickets between Siquijor and Tagbilaran (Panglao) on February 23, 2026, but no times are showing up. I’m connecting to a flight afterward, so I’d really like to plan ahead.
Is it possible there’s no route (even for several days around that date), or is it just too early for the schedules to be posted?
Thanks so much!
While our next trip is still just an idea, I wanted to check out what accommodations are available in the Philippines. I’m a bit put off by what I found—I think it’s really expensive and it’s not exactly dreamy! We’re not into staying in dorms with shared bathrooms anymore, but in Asia and South America, we’ve always found charming little places for around 30 € a night. Is that impossible in the Philippines? Are there other sites besides Booking to look at? Thanks for your tips!
Hi there,
we’re planning to spend a month in Lombok in July 2026 and would love to hear your thoughts on Gili Gede.
We really enjoy snorkeling, preferably from the beach (so we don’t have to rely on renting a boat).
On the side, we also love short hikes of a few hours—like to waterfalls or through rice fields (max 5–6 hours round trip).
We’d like to stay in small family-run hotels away from the crowds (but with a pool, since our kids love spending their evenings there).
Do you think Gili Gede checks at least 2 of these 3 boxes (snorkeling + small family-run hotels away from the crowds)?
Would you recommend a better spot in Lombok that ticks all 3 boxes?
