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.
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.
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
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!
During my trip to Thailand, I’ll be spending 2 nights at Tonsai Beach, near Ao Nang Beach, close to Krabi. Tonsai Beach is only accessible by boat, so I was wondering where I could safely leave my car at Ao Nang Beach for 48 hours?
Alternatively, at Ao Nam Mao Beach (on the other side), if there are shuttles to Tonsai Beach.
Hi, I’ve read that these two volcanoes are super popular and that there are *tons* of people for sunrise, especially in July. I’m looking for firsthand accounts from anyone who’s done it later, around 9–10 a.m.
Thanks for your help!
Laëtitia
I don’t know about you, but I’m a huge fan of markets. No matter where I go, in every country or city I visit, I won’t leave without having seen one. I’m mostly talking about food markets. I love the smells, the colors, and watching people from all walks of life stroll around. It’s like a mirror of a country’s culture, and I love soaking it all in.
Thai markets are particularly appealing to me. In my province, there are so many. Maybe more than elsewhere—I’m not sure—but every day, you can find a "Talat Nat." These are traveling markets that set up in specific places on specific days. They only stay open for a few hours. Some attract more shoppers than others because they have more stalls and a wider variety of products. Sometimes, they’re set up in pretty unusual spots: temples, roadside, even on train tracks...
On top of these, there are also markets in the city that stay open all day.
I’d love for you to share your photos of markets, local product stalls, and why not, let’s talk about gastronomy and cuisine too!
I’ll start with my favorite market—it’s 8 kilometers from my place and happens every Tuesday from 2 PM to 5 PM. I never miss a Tuesday unless there’s a downpour... 😉 It’s located in the countryside, in a village famous for its coffee (ThamSing), and inside the grounds of a slightly unusual temple. It’s easy to get to—over the past 10 years, the roads have been paved, which wasn’t the case before and made the trip a bit risky when it rained...
In the first two photos, you’ll see the temple courtyard on a normal day, without the market.
Hi,
We're heading out at the end of the year to join family in Cebu. We're planning to spend a week in the area but are struggling to choose between these 3 islands... Ideally, we'd like to have 2 bases to explore two of them. Have any of you visited all three, and which would you recommend? We're into snorkeling, beautiful excursions, and would also love to connect with locals. And ideally, do all that without too much logistical hassle 😅
Thanks for your experiences/tips!
Hi everyone.
I’m heading to Malaysia for five weeks over the holiday season.
I just found out that tourists can pay by QR code like locals (street food, small shops) to avoid using cash.
This works with apps like Wise or TNG eWallet.
Has anyone tried this system before?
Hi there,
We’re planning a backpacking trip to Northern Malaysia and northern Sumatra in February/March 2027. It’ll be our first time in these areas (we’re pretty familiar with the rest of Asia). Thanks in advance for your favorite spots and diving recommendations! It’s still very open-ended—we haven’t set anything in stone yet.
Thanks,
Hi,
On September 1st, we're heading to Kalimantan for six weeks, probably from Pontianak to the Derawan Islands.
I've scoured this site, which is usually my go-to 😉, and others like VoyageForum, but recent info is pretty scarce.
I'd love any tips on places you've visited—our itinerary is still a work in progress.
We're two couples traveling with backpacks, using buses, boats, guesthouses, and homestays.
Thanks in advance!
Hello fellow travelers, and thanks to everyone for keeping this blog alive!
It’s my turn to ask a question.
For our trip to Laos next year, I’m torn between using a local agency or organizing everything myself with the Lonely Planet guide and tips from VoyageForum.
If I plan it myself, will I still be able to find French-speaking guides on the spot or book excursions in advance?
Thanks for sharing your experiences, and if you have any recommendations for local agencies—just for excursions or even transportation—that’d be great!
Sylvie
Cinefil67
Hello,
I’m planning a trip to Vietnam with my partner, and we’re considering Ha Giang in October-November for 4 days on-site to do the loop by bus, since we’re not old enough to ride motorbikes.
I see there are sleeper buses—how does that work for sleeping at night, meals, etc.? And what are the rates per person for these 4 days and nights?
Then there’s Sapa—what’s the most practical way to travel between the two, or should we return to Hanoi?
I’d love recommendations for simple but decent hotels and any other tips you have.
Thanks so much! !
Hi,
Is it useful to rent a car from Puerto Princesa to get to El Nido? Are there any nice stops along the way?
I read that once you arrive in El Nido, most of the beaches and sights are accessed by boat, so I'm wondering if this rental is really worth it...
Thanks for your help
We’re 49 years old, love beautiful landscapes, meeting locals, discovering local food and traditions, and we avoid overly touristy places.
We enjoy hiking, cycling, running, and diving.
This is our first time in Thailand (my husband knows Bangkok).
We arrive on Friday, November 13th in Bangkok (city visit) and return on Friday, November 27th.
We’re considering heading south (possibly toward Krabi) from the 14th to the 18th to enjoy the beautiful beaches, go diving, and see Khao Sok...
Then back to Bangkok and on to Kanchanaburi to see the Sai Yok Noi waterfalls, followed by a bike visit to Ayutthaya.
From there, we’d take an overnight train to the north: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and the Lantern Festival from November 21st to 25th.
On the 26th, we’d take a flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (city visit), and on the 27th, we have our flight back to France.
Does this itinerary seem too packed?
Should we remove some things to avoid feeling rushed and fully enjoy the trip?
Do you recommend anything other than Krabi?
Hello.
We’re joining our daughter in Ho Chi Minh City for Christmas—she’s studying there. There’ll be five of us adults, and we couldn’t choose our travel dates, so some flights are fixed. I’ve sketched out the following route, but I’m not sure if it all makes sense. This is our fourth trip to Asia (Thailand twice, Lombok, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore). We often travel on a budget, love authentic spots, and enjoy meeting locals (we’ve done volunteer work and homestays).
18/12: Two of us arrive in HCMC
20/12: Head to Hanoi, where the boys land
20/12 to 23 or 24: Hanoi and day trips around—still deciding
23 or 24 to 26: Phu Quoc, so we can head south and spend Christmas by the beach (one son is crazy about the sea and fishing)
27 to 30: Mekong Delta, stopping in Ha Tien, Chau Doc, and another spot to get back to Ho Chi Minh City
1/1: Return flight to France.
What do you think of this plan—is it doable or totally unrealistic? Any recommendations for a one- or two-day trip from Hanoi (Phu Long, Mai Chau), or is it better to stick around the city?
Thanks in advance for your insights.
I’m planning a 28-day trip to the Philippines starting in the second half of April, and I’m skipping all the super touristy spots.
I’ve got some ideas, but they’re still a bit vague and scattered, and I’d love your help and tips to finalize my itinerary.
For this trip, I’m mostly looking for architecture, ancestral homes, cultural discoveries, local crafts, exceptional natural sites, and islands with beautiful, less crowded beaches—especially avoiding international tourists.
So here are my ideas, and I’d really appreciate your advice:
1- Surigao del Sur, if security allows: the Enchanted River in Hinatuan and Tinuy-an Falls in Bislig City.
2- Iloilo City, Bacolod, Silay
3- The Heritage Town of Taal
4- Banaue and Batad
5- Romblon Island (Bonbon Beach and the marble workshops in Romblon town)
6- Bolinao Falls and Hundred Islands in Pangasinan
7- Baguio, Vigan, Laoag, and Pagudpud (Saud Beach and/or Blue Lagoon)
8- Guimaras Island, Samal Island, and Dinagat Island
I know logistically it’s impossible to cover all the spots I’ve listed in 28 days, which is why I’m counting on your advice to drop a few destinations that might not be worth the detour and highlight the must-sees.
Thanks in advance
Hi,
We're planning to visit this region as a couple for a few days during our trip to Vietnam.
What should we do with 3 to 4 days there, and how can we get around to the different spots?
Should we return to Sapa every day or stay in different places each night?
Any tips on accommodations, dining, and must-see sites?
Also, advice on traveling from Hanoi to Sapa.
Thanks so much for helping us prepare for this autumn 2027 trip!
Hi there,
We're planning a little trip along the west side, visiting KL, Malacca, then heading up to Penang and ending with a few days at the beach.
The most common option would be to finish the stay in Langkawi. My question: are there other spots with beautiful beaches on this coast where we could spend 4 to 5 days?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
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’d like to know if it’s possible (and reasonable) to travel directly between Battambang and Kampot?
From what I’ve gathered, all the buses between these two destinations go back through Phnom Penh, which means we’d have to spend an extra night there in the middle of our trip. That’s not ideal for us.
Hello, South Sulawesi loop: Makassar-Ramang Ramang-Rantepao-Sengkang-Lake Tempe-Bira. Which direction should I take for this loop, starting and ending in Makassar?
Public transport preferred, and about 3 weeks in total.
Any nice homestays? And tips for solo travel?
Thanks, Françoise
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,
After a stay in Hua Hin and before another in Chiang Mai, I’d like to break up the trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai into several stops. I’ve found bus and train routes on Maps, but I’m stuck on the connection between Ban Rai / Uthai Thani and then Nakhon Sawan (bus for the latter).
Does anyone have any idea where I could find info, maybe via Route 333?
I know my question isn’t super general or exciting, but if you can help, thanks!
I’d like to do a kind of personal retreat this winter and I’m looking for a destination near the sea (preferably an island) that’s quiet. Is that possible in Thailand, or should I consider another destination?
Thanks for your thoughts.
Dayi
This September, my partner and I are heading to North Sulawesi for 3 weeks. Our international flight is with Malaysia Airlines, departing from Paris. We have a layover in KL, then fly to Denpasar, followed by a domestic flight from Denpasar to Manado. We land in Bali Denpasar on 05/09 around 12:00 PM, and our flight to Manado is on 07/09 at 1:30 AM. The plan was to have at least one night (from the 5th to the 6th of September) between our international flight and our flight to Manado, just to recharge a bit since we're not 20 anymore 😛. My question is, given the very short stop in Bali (a day and a half), is it better to stay in Denpasar rather than go to Ubud for the night? I’ve been to Bali before, and from what I remember, even though the distances are short, transfers take a long time because of the extremely heavy traffic—but I was there in July, not September. I’m not sure if that makes a big difference?
If the answer is "it’s better to stay in Denpasar," are there any nice places to visit? There’s very little feedback about the city since tourists usually don’t stick around.
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Hello everyone! I’m heading off solo in February and wanted to share my rough itinerary with you. Does this sound doable?
PS: I’m not really into beaches.
D1 Departure on February 17, 2027
D2 Arrival in Kuala Lumpur – stroll through Chinatown and visit the Petronas Towers
D3: Kuala Lumpur – Chow Kit Market, Batu Caves, Little India, Bukit Bintang downtown area
D4: Early morning bus to Malacca. Explore Malacca in the afternoon and evening
D5: Another 2–3 hours in Malacca in the morning, then bus back to Kuala Lumpur. Merdeka Square area. Stay in Chinatown
D6: Bus trip to Kuala Tahan. Night tour
D7: Morning – canopy walk and Bukit Terisek hike. Afternoon – off to Lata Berkoh
D8 & D9: 2-day jungle trek in Taman Negara National Park
D10: Head to Cameron Highlands
D11: Morning hike through the plantations. Afternoon still to be decided
D12: Morning – excursion to Mossy Forest and Sungei Plantation. Afternoon bus to Ipoh
D13: Morning – Mirror Lake / Sam Poh Temple area. Afternoon – explore downtown Ipoh
D14: Morning train to Penang. Afternoon – wander around Georgetown
D15: Morning – Penang Hill and Keh Loh Temple. Afternoon – Georgetown
D16: Bus to Butterfly Garden and Spice Garden. Late afternoon – Burmese and Thai temples
D17: Morning flight to Singapore. Afternoon – Chinatown and Marina Bay tour
D18: Morning – Gardens by the Bay area. Afternoon – Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Kampong Glam
D19: Morning – The Ridges area and Botanical Garden. Afternoon – Little India, then back to Chinatown before 11:15 PM return flight
D20: Morning arrival
First stop on our discovery of the peninsula: Amphawa. It’s our first night in Thailand (we arrived at Suvarnabhumi at 8:50 AM).
Our initial plan was to explore the area before heading further south. The Mae Klong Railway Market is tempting... but what else is there to do????
We’ll be there on a Wednesday, and from what I’ve read on the forum, some say there’s absolutely nothing to do during the week—no floating market, barely any shops open, no restaurants, etc.
Others, though, say the place is actually more charming without the weekend crowds.
Could you share your thoughts? Missing the floating market is one thing, but if it’s really a ghost town on Wednesdays, I might just drop our bags somewhere else.
Amphawa seemed like a good first stop, just 1.5 hours from the airport, but I’d still like to settle somewhere a bit lively for our first evening.
We’ll be there at the end of October.
Thanks!
Hi,
I wanted to visit the plantations in the morning with GetYourGuide or by just showing up.
How much time should I really plan for?
I’d like to catch either the 3 PM or 5 PM bus back to KL.
Thanks
Hi,
I wanted to get some info about the cable car and the bridge—I see lots of different options...
How much time should we allow for these two activities? If we arrive around 4 PM, will we have enough time to visit without rushing?
Thanks
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...
