Two weeks in Bangkok: your off-the-beaten-path suggestions

Hi, It’s getting a bit heated because of me, and I feel bad about it. I’m stuck in the middle like an idiot, to be honest. I told you yesterday—all three of you gave me great advice and helped me out, and I’m really grateful. One says to never take minivans and to stick to big buses, another recommends the train, and a third thinks minivans are the best option... I don’t know who to listen to anymore. I’ll just go my own way now—by train, bus, minivan, car, or on foot... For Joël, who hasn’t seen the final version yet, here’s the recap: - 1 week in Bangkok - 4 nights in Kanchanaburi - 3 nights in Ayutthaya - 2 weeks in the area of Chiang Mai - 4 nights in Lampang - 6 nights in Nan - 4 nights in Phrae - 4 last days in Bangkok And nothing’s set in stone!!! Thanks again

The minivan is the fastest and the most expensive option. It sometimes drives a bit too fast and dangerously. If you have large luggage, you’ll pay for an extra seat to store it. The bus is the most comfortable and quite affordable. You sit up high, there are bathroom breaks and a rest stop. VIP buses have toilets and reclining seats. The train is the cheapest and, depending on the route, particularly slow. It’s safer, though. Sometimes there are no windows at all, and the AC can be a bit chilly for overnight trips.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate our fellow members who voluntarily provide information when many others aren’t around. And they don’t just give brief, basic answers—far from it. Sure, feathers might ruffle now and then, but keep in mind that the same question can sometimes lead to different answers. Nobody’s perfect, after all.

That said, when discussions pile up and contradict each other, I’ve found myself even more confused after reading everything than before I started.

Jean-Marie, sometimes you have to read and re-read what’s been written to make a good summary. In the end, choose the option that best fits your tastes, needs, and budget. The decision is yours to make.

Your current route will let you see some beautiful countryside, lovely landscapes, and a few stunning temples. This itinerary is more balanced and original than many others we see here.

Before arriving in Lampang, Nan, or Phrae, ask your current hotel, as soon as you check in, to contact your next hotel and arrange a taxi, songthaew, or tuk-tuk driver for your upcoming visits. That could really help.

Hey there,

SRT (State Railways of Thailand) has stepped into the 21st century. Besides a pretty comprehensive website largely translated into English, they’ve developed mobile apps that let you buy tickets and check all the schedules you want—long-distance or commuter. There’s even a dedicated site for near real-time train positions, so you can track delays for any train in real time if needed.

I’ve got this kind of app in India, and I book all my train tickets that way. I even make reservations for friends or VF travelers who can’t book from France. And I often book for my Indian friends too!!! 😉 I was thinking, if only I could have something like this in Thailand...

You can easily leave your non-essential luggage at your Bangkok accommodation, (...) since you’ll be passing through Bangkok anyway for your bus to Chiang Mai, I’d recommend leaving the extra stuff in a locker at Mo Chit (3rd floor) before heading to Kanchanaburi and picking it up when you return from Ayutthaya. That’ll let you travel lighter on the Kanchanaburi-Ayutthaya leg.

This is a great tip—thank you so much! I’ll definitely put it into practice.

If I refer to our friend's choice for his accommodation (Sukhumvit), which I looked into.

I don’t remember at all—like, not at all—saying which area I booked my room in ;) except to Joël, in private

Let's pay tribute to our fellow members who volunteer to provide information services in the absence of many others for now. Let’s add that they don’t just give brief, basic answers—far from it. Sure, feathers might ruffle now and then, but it’s worth noting that the same question can sometimes lead to different answers. And nobody’s perfect.

Did I complain about anything to anyone?

However, when exchanges pile up and contradict each other, I’ve found myself even more confused after reading everything than before I started.

That’s exactly it.

Jean-Marie, sometimes you have to read and reread what’s written to make a good synthesis. In the end, choose the option that best fits your tastes, needs, and budget. It’s up to you to decide.

Isn’t that what I said and did?

Before arriving in Lampang, Nan, and Phrae, ask your previous hotel, as soon as you arrive, to contact the next one to arrange a taxi, songthaew, or tuk-tuk driver for your future visits. That could really help.

Sure, but I fully intended to do that myself—and not just for those three cities—without asking my previous hosts.

The more or less you specify this time makes all the difference, because Nonthaburi, where the expressway you mention passes, is a very close and densely populated suburb of Bangkok and subject to heavy traffic during rush hours. (...) The route info I gave is current, but I haven’t checked it personally.

The route info from the app that says Mo Chit is in the East? No, the expressway I mentioned doesn’t go through Nonthaburi—it’d be pointless to go that far up. Drop your apps and reply with your on-the-ground experience, please.

Best, 2-3