Like in any country that developed its infrastructure long after ours, as soon as you leave the well-trodden paths, it quickly turns into an adventure.
Lots of roads are really narrow, and there are plenty of spots where it’s not safe to stop to take the photo you want.
On top of that, some sections have terrifying slopes. Hard to say if it’s 15%, 20%, or more since, in that region, they apparently only have signs showing 8% 🙂
It’s especially tight in Pai. The hotel we chose was only accessible via a rough path perched several meters above the rice fields. You could barely make a three-point turn, and there were few places where two cars could pass each other.
I don’t want to paint too grim a picture—after all, we managed to visit everything and made it back alive.
-Soppong/Pang Mapha (known by both names). An area for hiking (on your own or with a guided trek) and kayaking. There’s also a famous large cave nearby. Easy access to Soppong from Chiang Mai with Prempracha minivans: https://premprachatransports.com/?target=b0o5eHFKa3lVD1dpcUtFeQ== — they now have a monopoly on this route (the bus no longer runs). Cave Lodge (https://www.cavelodge.com/accommodation/index.html) is the most well-known accommodation in the area, with reasonably priced bungalows ranging from 300-800 baht depending on comfort, and they organize outdoor activities. The food is the usual bland guesthouse fare, so it’s better to eat at one of the 3-4 small eateries in the village, just 30 meters away—it’ll be half the price and tastier. To get there from the minivan drop-off in Soppong, take a motorbike taxi; all drivers know the place, which is 7-8 km away.
Other family-run guesthouses also offer accommodation and trekking, but they’re hard to find online. You’ll see ads near the minivan stop.
Mae Hong Son, the capital of the province with the same name. Ideal for trekking, white-water sports, and visiting nearby villages by songthaew (which you can rent for the day or take the infrequent regular ones). Plenty of accommodations and trekking agencies, with tourism but not too touristy. Getting there from Chiang Mai is similar to Soppong. Two comfortable night buses also connect Mae Hong Son and Bangkok, passing through Mae Sariang but not Chiang Mai.
Mae Salong: a long, narrow village with a large Chinese population (and for good reason—I’ll let you figure out why). Great for day hikes (or scooter trips if you can find one) to smaller surrounding villages. A few places to stay, including two right across from each other (and next to the songthaew stop):
-Shin Sane Guesthouse, which I’ve seen there for over 30 years. It’s been modernized and even moved slightly, but the (Chinese) staff remain efficient yet indifferent. Around 500-600 baht.
-Little Home Guesthouse, which I now prefer. Bungalows in a lush garden. Around 600-700 baht.
To get there from Chiang Rai, take a bus to Mae Sai or Chiang Saen, get off at Mae Chan, and then take one of the 4-5 daily songthaews to Mae Salong.
From Chiang Mai, you’ll first need to take a bus (4.5 hours) to Tha Thon (a highly recommended village, but it doesn’t fit your criteria), then one of the 3 daily songthaews to Mae Salong.
Chiang Rai. I assume you’ve already read a lot about this city and the sights around it. It’s more laid-back than Chiang Mai. The best area to stay is near Wat Jet Yot. Be careful—there are two bus terminals: Terminal 2, on the outskirts, where buses to other provinces depart, and Terminal 1 in the city center (a 10-minute walk from Wat Jet Yot), where buses to other destinations in the same province leave (and sometimes Greenbus buses to Chiang Mai).
Nan. The coolest (and my favorite) provincial capital in the north: compact, wide streets, bike lanes, bike rentals from the municipality (and from AirAsia at the airport), little car traffic, unique temples not to miss, minimal tourism (mostly Thai and only on weekends), plenty of accommodations starting at 600-700 baht (book ahead if it’s the weekend), and a stunning province to explore by car with a driver* (limited public transport north of Nan).
To get there: one daily a/c2 bus from Chiang Rai (5 hours), half a dozen a/c1 buses from Chiang Mai, many minivans from Phrae (some from Den Chai train station), and numerous a/c1, VIP buses, and low-cost flights from Bangkok. Other routes are available too.
*To find a driver, ask at the official T.A.T. office or the other one—they’re both on the same street as Wat Phumin.
Note: In Soppong, Mae Hong Son, Tha Thon, and Mae Salong (and elsewhere during treks in the north), nights in January and February can be chilly (25-30°C difference between day and night). Bring a sweater—it’ll also come in handy on air-conditioned night buses and trains.
Gradually heading north instead of taking the overnight train?
Sukhothai could be an option, but since you’ll have already seen the ruins at Ayutthaya and seem to want to stay in the north, I think you can skip it.
In the north, do you recommend Doi Inthanon, Huai Nam Dang, and Doi Chiang Dao parks? Which of these parks is the most beautiful and recommended in January?
I haven’t been to any of the three. Marien33 visited Doi Inthanon earlier this year and seemed disappointed—if they don’t reply here, check their current travel journal.
We’d love a trek, but I’m not sure where or how to organize it. What’s certain is we don’t want a group trek.
You say "a trek" in Switzerland?
The bolded part might be an issue unless you’ve got a well-stocked wallet. Typically, "group" treks have 4 to 5-6 participants plus guides. Either way, to avoid jungle walks falsely sold as "treks" just because the term is trendy, don’t pick one that’s shorter than 3 days/2 nights. For the same reason, avoid any treks that include car rides*, elephant riding, bamboo rafting, or similar gimmicks.
*However, it’s normal for the trip from a city to the actual trek starting point—and back at the end—to be by songthaew.
I just read Biboun51’s travel journal, and they didn’t seem to enjoy Pai or the area. But opinions vary...
I hate Pai for multiple reasons.
Jojoone1:
Having recently done the Mae Hong Son loop, I don’t think it’s one of Thailand’s absolute must-sees.
It might be worth it if you dedicate at least 10-12 days (without Pai).
Does anyone know the Mae Sariang area?
I know the town—I’ve stopped there four times, for one to three nights. I’ve also traveled Route 105 (and some of the villages along it) from Mae Sariang to Mae Sot, once in each direction.
Do you recommend an excursion from Bangkok to Songkram for the Talad Rom Hub rail market?
Samut Songkhram, more commonly called Maeklong. The market’s fun, but you won’t be the only tourist there 😎 🏴☠️... I did it by taking the train independently, which isn’t easy (two different local lines plus a short ferry crossing between them—it took me half a day just for the round trip, but I couldn’t imagine arriving at a rail market by road...).
Photos from the first train ride here: https://voyageforum.com/forum/loin-lotfai--lotfai-quotidien-d10777060/ I’ll post the second train ride and some market shots soon...
Do you recommend an excursion from Bangkok to (...) Amphawa for the floating market?
No.
It’s super touristy, and it hasn’t been a real market for a long time. Only opens on weekend afternoons. Book your accommodation (overpriced compared to elsewhere) at least two weeks in advance.
What I found way more interesting in Amphawa was the King Rama II Memorial Park... though almost no one goes there.
Hello, it’s a small town with guesthouses overlooking the river. From there, you can go to the Salawin River, which marks the border between Thailand and Myanmar. The small villages along the Salawin are pretty remote—there aren’t many tourists down there—and you can take boat tours on the river between the two countries. Total change of scenery guaranteed!..
The part in bold might be an issue unless you've got a well-padded wallet. Typically, group treks have 4 to 5-6 participants plus the guides. Anyway, to avoid the fake jungle walks sold as "treks" just because the term sounds more appealing, don't pick one that's shorter than 3 days/2 nights. For the same reason, avoid any treks that include car rides*, elephant riding, bamboo rafting, and other activities of that sort.
Hello, it’s a small town with guesthouses overlooking the river. From there, you can go to the Salawin River, which marks the border between Thailand and Myanmar. The small villages along the Salawin are pretty remote spots—there aren’t many tourists down there. You can also take boat tours on the river between the two countries; total change of scenery guaranteed!
Like in any country that developed its infrastructure long after ours, as soon as you leave the well-trodden paths, it quickly turns into an adventure.
I must admit we quite enjoy that kind of adventure. You just need a good 4x4, and the landscapes should be worth it.
My message is really late because it was glitching +++ and I couldn't send a reply to your thread
Yeah, it's been pretty buggy lately. I avoid clicking on the links sent by VF in emails. After that, I keep ending up on the same page. When I check my followed discussions directly on VF, there’s no problem.
We’re back after spending three weeks in Thailand. Thanks to all of you for your many tips. We discovered beautiful things, saw stunning landscapes, and really appreciated the kindness of the Thai people.
To our great delight, we were also able to observe animals in their natural habitat. Lots of birds—the Thale Noi Lake is especially a paradise for birdwatchers—water buffaloes, swimming monkeys, langur monkeys and gibbons, countless bats, lizards, monitor lizards (including a very large and beautiful one in Lamru National Park), thousands of colorful fish, and even a small shark!
We mainly got around using private taxi drivers, private boats, tuk-tuks in the city, a domestic flight, and the overnight train between Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai. No regrets there—everything went smoothly, the drivers were always on time, and incredibly kind. The overnight train was a great experience.
Our highlights:
Koh Ngai Island
the Thale Noi Lake in the Phattalung region, especially the early morning boat ride
the Chiang Mai area, where we took several small excursions, including two days in the mountains in a non-touristy spot with a Karen guide
the boat trip to see the swimming monkeys between Bang Tabun and Bang Chakreng
the Khmer temples in Ayutthaya
the day on Cheow Lan Lake
the day around Laem Sack with dinner on a *krachang* in Phang Nga Bay
our snorkeling spots, the feeling of being in a giant aquarium
We also enjoyed:
our two nights in Tup Keak, which is definitely the best option for the beach and sightseeing in this very touristy region
the little detour to Khao Nai Luana Dharma Park
Bangkok for two days was also interesting
What we liked less or not at all:
disrespectful tourists in some places, but this is a general issue, not just in Thailand
the railway market in Samut Songkhram—too touristy, but we knew that going in
Khao San Road in Bangkok isn’t really our thing
our last night in Khao Lak—practical before an international flight from Phuket, but this kind of beach resort really isn’t for us. Luckily, we found less touristy things to do, like Lamru National Park with its monitor lizards and beautiful little beach.
It was a varied trip and perfect in terms of pace for us. The fact that we’re early risers is a definite advantage. Very few people at the Grand Palace in Bangkok, and also very few at Wat Phra Doi Suthep, Cheow Lan Lake—our boat was one of the first to leave, we were alone in front of the famous three rocks, and as a result, we were ahead of the other boats all day.
I’m not sure if I’ll have the energy to put together a more detailed travel journal—the fact that the forum isn’t very active is a real deterrent for finding the motivation.
Thanks Carmen (what a pretty name!) for this feedback.
I don’t know if I’d have the courage to write a more detailed travel journal—the fact that the forum isn’t very active is a real motivation killer.
That’s also why I won’t be writing a new journal. And yet, I already have so much to share from this second trip, which was already so different from the last one...! But I have a problem with silent crowds... And I don’t like soliloquizing. I already talk to myself enough in my daily life...
As far back as the ancient origins of forums go, they’ve always been a place for exchanges and sharing ideas—not a place where a crowd listens to one person talking without ever responding. That’s got another Latin name, too...
That’s also why I won’t be making another travel journal.
I don’t like soliloquizing.
As far back as the ancient origins of a forum go, it’s always been a place for exchanging and sharing ideas
Hi there,
I think a lot of people will stop keeping travel journals on this forum for the reasons you mentioned, but at the same time, if we remove travel journals, we’re removing a (very) big part of the forum’s activity....
I hope you were at least there at a time when a train passed. And by the way, did you go by train or by road?
Yes, we were there when the train passed and luckily had a great spot to see it go by. We went by road because the main goal was to see the swimming monkeys. We loved the boat ride to see them—no tourists, just us and the old fisherman. 🙂
To make the day even better, we visited two floating markets. One was way too touristy, but our driver thought it would be better. Well, no—we preferred the one that was less touristy.
Hi there, 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…
Hello everyone! :) Our next trip to Thailand is coming up, and we just can't wait! We talk, eat, drink, and dream Thailand Our itinerary is mostly set, and we…
hi everyone, here s the thing I just made a hotel reservation on Agoda through Kayak I found an interesting hotel in Krabi booking directly through Agoda was…
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...
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.
