46-Day Itinerary in Thailand

I’m sorry if I surprise you

It takes a lot more than that to surprise me...

but after so many years, I know I’m a bit of a weirdo who doesn’t do things like everyone else. Especially as a traveler. It can throw some people off.

Well, now there are two of us—imagine, I’m probably the only Earthling (who doesn’t live in India) who’s been to Agra and *didn’t* visit the Taj Mahal.

Truth is, I’m just not interested in all the monuments the masses feel *compelled* to immortalize—just so they can say over the coffee machine, "I was there." And you’ve already seen every angle of them online and on social media, down to the tiniest detail, which kills all the magic of discovery.

Even what you’re about to see in Bangkok—I haven’t set foot there in 10 years.

I once decided to visit that island someone highly recommended in another thread, just because I was passing through for other reasons. Total letdown. And the thought of people spending hours in transit for *that* when, often just a few hundred meters from where they’re staying, there’s something surprising, unusual, or even unique… it leaves me baffled sometimes.

But hey, if it makes their day, more power to them.

Now I’ll just go at my own pace, following my tastes and whims

In my book, the best way to travel…

Partirdeloin

Indeed, I’m absolutely not interested in all the monuments that the masses feel compelled to immortalize just to say at the coffee machine, among other things, "I was there." And which you find, on the internet and other social networks, photographed from every possible angle, stripping away all the charm of discovery.

I find this statement quite pretentious. Are you so special that you place yourself outside of "the masses"? And are the members of this same "mass" just contemptible people gathered around the infamous coffee machine, sharing their contemptible visits? And since when do photos seen "from every angle" diminish the charm of a place? 🤪 It’s your choice to avoid the world’s beauties under such a strange pretext, but don’t look down on those who are different. Isn’t the main quality of a traveler tolerance and open-mindedness?

Hello,

Out of context, you can make words say whatever you want.

For my part, I was responding to someone who apologized for being "a bit of an oddball who doesn’t do things like everyone else."

After that, I’ll let you draw whatever conclusions help you sleep better...

Best regards,

Partirdeloin

So there we are, two of us—imagine, I’m probably the only Earthling (who doesn’t live in India) who’s been to Agra and *hasn’t* visited the Taj Mahal.

Truth is, I’m just not interested in all the monuments the masses feel they *have* to immortalize just to say at the coffee machine, "I was there." And you find photos of them online and on social media—every angle, every detail—so there’s no charm left in discovering them for yourself.

Even what you’re about to see in Bangkok—I’ve never set foot there in 10 years.

Now *that’s* something I can relate to! I’ve sometimes been disappointed by "mythical" places and found real joy off the beaten path. It reminds me of all those people swarming in front of the Mona Lisa, which leaves the amazing paintings next to it blissfully quiet to enjoy.

Mass tourism’s reheated dishes? Not my thing either. Sometimes you’ve seen so much in the teaser that you don’t even want to watch the movie anymore. Just saying, I totally get the opposite point of view—like how the Eiffel Tower affects me every time.

Even what you’re about to see in Bangkok—in 10 years, I’ve never set foot there.

One day, I wanted to visit the island everyone raved about in another thread because I was passing through for other reasons. It was a huge letdown, and thinking about people spending hours in transit for *that*—when often just a few hundred meters from where they’re staying, there’s something surprising, unusual, or even unique—sometimes leaves me baffled...

But hey, if it makes their day, more power to them...

Partirdeloin

This place is one of many mentioned on VF that makes me wonder why they’re such a big deal (like some hotels or guesthouses). Most of the time, it’s not a great tip. Ah, the "good taste" of the masses.

Alright, I’ll just bring my own tea. It’s not heavy. The essential thing is the kettle.

Hi there, I’m the same way, but with coffee—I need my coffee as soon as I open my eyes. Since a kettle is too bulky to carry, I use what’s called a *thermo-plunger* (immersion heater). I bought one in Bangkok for 200 baht ("electro thermal tube"), and I boil water in a metal cup. Be careful—the metal container gets burning hot, so don’t grab it with your bare hands. I’ve been doing this for years. *Note:* It still has a flat Thai plug. They do exist in France, but they’re bulkier and come with a 3-prong French plug. If you search "thermoplongeur" on Google, you’ll find options at Darty or Amazon. https://www.darty.com/nav/achat/petit_electromenager/petit_dejeuner-bouilloire_theiere/thermoplongeur/riviera_et_bar_tpl_350.html

When you get a chance, post your full itinerary in one go so we can start fresh with something clear.

Thanks Joël, I personally don’t think there’s any need to "start fresh" with anything, and for me, apart from the transport 😉, everything is clear. You’ve helped me out so much, especially with Bangkok and the Chiang Mai area, and I can’t thank you enough.

I’m probably the only Earthling (who doesn’t live in India) who’s been to Agra and didn’t visit the Taj Mahal.

Not quite the only one... I went there, but I hated the vibe, the place, and even... the monument, which looks like a giant cream puff to me and, in my eyes, doesn’t justify all the hype from the entire planet.

Indeed, I’m absolutely not interested in all the monuments that the masses feel compelled to immortalize just to say over the coffee machine, "I was there."

Me neither! (Sorry, Kate)

One day, I wanted to visit the island that was highly recommended in another thread because I was passing through for other reasons—it was a huge letdown. And thinking that people spend hours traveling for that, when often just a few hundred meters from where they live, there’s something surprising, unusual, or even unique... It sometimes leaves me skeptical...

The photos I’ve seen of it make me really want to go—they match the kind of tourist-free spots I love. But if, as Joël mentions later, every traveler rushes there, then that changes everything.

All good, I'll just bring my own tea. It's not heavy. The essential thing is the kettle.

Hello! I'm the same, but when it comes to coffee—I need my coffee as soon as I open my eyes. Since a kettle is too bulky to carry, I use what’s called a "thermo plunger" (immersion heater). I bought one in Bangkok for 200 baht ("electro thermal tube"), and I boil water in a metal cup. Be careful—the metal container gets burning hot, so don’t grab it with your bare hands. I’ve been doing this for years. Note: mine still has a flat Thai plug. They also exist in France, but they’re bulkier and have a 3-prong French plug. If you search "thermoplongeur" on Google, you’ll find options at Darty or Amazon. https://www.darty.com/nav/achat/petit_electromenager/petit_dejeuner-bouilloire_theiere/thermoplongeur/riviera_et_bar_tpl_350.html

Thanks so much! I’ve been thinking about this for my travels for a while, but I already lug around so many electrical and electronic gadgets that I haven’t done it yet. For this trip, I’ve made sure there’s a kettle in the room at all the accommodations I’ve booked.

What remains to be seen is the possibility of connections between my different stopover cities using public transport (...) - 1 week in Bangkok - 4 nights in Kanchanaburi - 3 nights in Ayutthaya - 2 weeks in the Chiang Mai area - 4 nights in Lampang - 6 nights in Nan - 4 nights in Phrae - Last 4 days in Bangkok

For the Bkk-Kan-Ayutthaya-Bkk-Chiang Mai part, you already have the explanations. For the Chiang Mai area, it's impossible to answer without more details about your visits, but you can always ask us from there once you know more about your plans for exploring the area.

-Chiang Mai-Lampang: trains or very frequent buses. Lampang-Nan: about half a dozen a/c buses per day. They come from Chiang Mai and also stop in Phrae*. Another a/c1 bus from the same company takes the Chiang Mai-Nan route via a different itinerary passing through Phayao. Nan-Phrae: numerous minivans and buses. Phrae-Bangkok: several a/c buses during the day and overnight. Another possible option: reach Den Chai station in 45 minutes by songthaew to catch a train, like the morning Express DRC or a night train. If taking a night train, the Rapid from Den Chai is the only one that starts there—it arrives in Bangkok at 4:30 AM (plus delays) and doesn’t have first-class sleeper berths. Apart from this one, the other trains come from Chiang Mai. In that case, I’d advise booking early (I trust you’ll do that...) because they’re also used by countless organized tours after their ultra-quick "visit" of the North.

Just in case: Chiang Rai-Nan: only one a/c2 bus per day, leaving around 9 AM for a 5.5-hour trip. For the second half of the journey, it follows the Lao border through some of the most beautiful mountain scenery I’ve seen in the country. Plan B: take one of the many buses or minivans to Phayao, where 2 buses per day (1 a/c1 and 1 ordinary) leave for Nan. Chiang Rai-Phrae: minivans or buses.

* Phrae: pronounced "prêê" with a rolled ‘r,’ or even "plêê."

The photos I’ve received make me really want to go and match the kind of tourist-free places I love. But if, as Joël says later, every traveler rushes there, then that changes things.

Don’t worry—it’s only crowded, mostly with Thai people, on weekends in the village. As soon as you leave it, you’ll be on your own. During the week, you’ll be alone everywhere.

Out of context, you can make words say whatever you want. For my part, I was responding to someone who apologized for being "a weird guy who doesn’t do things like everyone else." After that, I’ll let you make all the wild interpretations that help you sleep better...

Without going too far, you who don’t consider yourselves lacking in intelligence—something quite common among those who share their favorite spots here—would you agree that your response is not only shallow but also dishonest? No need to wish me a good night, I’ve got my herbal tea.

At least he was inspired enough not to restart the machine? 😉

Let’s give him credit—on this thread, he did his part to inform future travelers.

To me, PDL’s and Kate’s opinions are two sides of the same reality, and some of my visits would make me lean toward one or the other at different times. A discussion that would’ve fit perfectly in the Travelers’ Reflections section.

Some of my visits made me lean sometimes toward one opinion, sometimes toward the other.

Nothing really original, Jojo :/

Bangkok Art Biennale 2024 January – 25 February 2025. 11 sites, 76 artists, 240 artworks at Bangkok. International art festival on the theme "Feeding Gaia," the biennale showcases over 200 exceptional contemporary artworks by 76 leading artists from 39 countries, displayed across 11 iconic venues in Bangkok.

Flora Festival 2024 in Chiang Mai January to February 2025, from 08:00 to 18:00. Royal Park Rajapruek, Chiang Mai.

Bangkok Art Biennale 2024

You mean 2025, I assume, given the dates mentioned below.

January – 25 February 2025. 11 sites, 76 artists, 240 artworks at Bangkok. An international art festival on the theme “Nourishing Gaia,” the biennale features over 200 exceptional contemporary artworks by 76 leading artists from 39 countries, displayed across 11 iconic venues in Bangkok.

That’s awesome info! Thanks so much, Joël!

Flora Festival 2024 in Chiang Mai January to February 2025, from 08:00 to 18:00. Royal Park Rajapruek, Chiang Mai.

And this is another fabulous announcement! Thanks! It’s weird I haven’t seen it anywhere, even though I’ve been researching online for ages.

Hi Joël, I’m not replying to a specific message of yours here, but rather to a question you’ve asked me before on the public forum, as well as personally via email or WhatsApp. Specifically, whether I’d write a travel journal after my trip to Thailand. I’m sorry I haven’t answered yet. The truth is, I honestly don’t know—I haven’t even left yet. I can’t say no in advance without knowing how I’ll feel about it when I get back. But I can’t say yes either, pretty much for the same reason. You seem worried that I won’t share my trip... But one thing’s for sure: if I have things to share, I’ll do it with pleasure. That said, it’ll most likely be a personal account of my joys and sorrows, my excitement and disappointments, my emotions, and my discoveries—not a list of hotel or restaurant addresses. I’m not going to step in where others do it better than me. What I’ve loved in your travel journals is when you talk about your experiences—like the emotion you felt when you saw your wife collapsed on the steps, bleeding, the camera flying, the critter that really messed up your calf, the hospital visit, your encounters (like that amazing Thai woman who set up an incredible itinerary with a driver and everything), or what you ate in restaurants rather than just listing prices. I laughed so much reading about your restaurant stories. I was chuckling to myself: *What foodies, you two...* In short, what I love reading in a travel journal is real, lived, personal stories—not just numbers and addresses. There are guides and dedicated forum threads for that. See you soon...

Hi everyone, I really liked Bangkok despite everything I’d read here and elsewhere, and despite what I’d been told about it. I didn’t regret sticking to my original plan to stay there for two weeks. Except for the fiasco of the so-called Chinese New Year dragon dance!!! I’ll expand on this if I write a travel journal... But... The complete opposite for Chiang Mai... I’ve been here for two days, and if Booking.com hadn’t already charged my card for my 20-night stay, I’d be thinking of leaving as soon as possible. It’s "Tourist City." Where are the Thais? Apart from the shopkeepers, guides, drivers, and others who live off tourism? All you see everywhere, everywhere, everywhere are tourists... You have to go out at 6:30 or 7 AM if you want to take photos and you’re not the type to just take selfies in front of a temple, statue, or landscape... I’m wondering where I can go to see the real life of Chiang Mai... The temples I’ve seen so far are stunning, but I don’t want to risk overdosing on them, same with the markets. Whether they’re day or night markets, it’s always the same... I saved money during my stay in Bangkok, so I think I have enough baht to rent a vehicle and take day trips (or even 2-day trips with one night elsewhere) in the surrounding area (within a 50 to 70 km radius) to places without (too many) tourists... I’m open to any suggestions... Thanks