Pour finir je vois que tout le monde est inquiet pour la thailande et son devenir..
Tant mieux ca demontre que ce peuple nous touche droit au coeur sa culture sa tolerance en vers les etrangers ...(qui parfois me font honte) je ne cherche pas a sa oir si tel ou tel parti a raison mais une chose certaine mon epouse (thais) semble bien triste et ne souris pas comme avant ....les thais apprecient que nous inquietons pour eux car ils meritent largement notre attention en ces periodes de trouble
C'est une facon de leur rendre ce qu'il m'apporte au quotidien...
Ils sont attachants ....
J'ai dis, une des raisons, et c'est précisemment pourquoi le gouvernement a investi massivement ces dernières années.
Tout le monde sait que le berceau de l'intégrisme est la pauvreté, tout le monde ? peut être pas.
Sinon tu devrais te calmer et discuter plus sereinement, on est pas en train de jouer ta maison au poker 😏😏😏
je suis d'accord avec toi sur le principe, mais pour une justice équitable pour Thaksin, comment faire?
De plus, je ne sais pas si il a été jugé déjà, sinon, il a le droit à la présomption d'innocence de notre part.(même si je n'en pense pas moins...)
Tout le monde sait que le berceau de l'intégrisme est la pauvreté, tout le monde ? peut être pas.
Pas moi en tous cas, perso je sais qu'en ce moment il est quelque part au Pakistan !
Et je vous le dis sereinement, quoique ...
Le "grans Sud" était clairement plus "développé" et moins "pauvre" que le Nord-Est par exemple, avant l'insurrection s'entend ...
Depuis, même les camionneurs refusent d'y aller chercher les longans !
En fait la Thaïlande souffre d'un hiatus trop important entre la mégapole qu'est Bangkok et le reste du pays, l'écart est bien trop important entre les deux !
NB:Les "investissements", z'êtes sûr que ce ne sont pas les énormes "dépenses de sécurité" ?
Un avis de plus sur la situation ( sans aucune certitude !) :
les rouges sont issus des milieux pauvres, des campagnes et ont moins d'éducation politique.
thaksin les a trompés en leur donnant de l'argent
le gouvernement actuel aide et veut aider les plus pauvres mais souhaite que cela passe par le travail et non un endettement en leur prêtant des sommes qui ne pourront pas rembourser.
l'avis du roi est le même: se satisfaire de ce que l'on a, gagner de l'argent par son travail... ce qui n'empêche pas le roi d'avoir fait bcoup pour les populations pauvres.
Donc on ne peut pas dire que les rouges soient des "libéraux" (si l'on compare à l'europe) mais d'après moi ni les jaunes...
et je trouve que l'identification jaune= RICHES Thailandais est très fausse.
The Government’s policies have also not been beneficial to these Muslims. The southern provinces of Thailand where the Muslims are located are some of the country’s poorest and undeveloped provinces till date.
- --
The Interior Ministry had plans to disburse 9 million Baht to promote local industry and entrepreneurship in southern Thailand. The government had also plans to establish a new National Islamic University in Narathiwat province (FEER-12 August 2004).
Thaksin Shinawatra in an interview to TIME had mentioned that the government is pursuing a dual policy of “an iron fist and a velvet glove”. It has pledged nearly a billion dollars in development aid to the area and had also declared martial law and beefed up the troops there.
On est bien d'accord que ce n'est pas seulement le désengagement de l'Etat qui a provoqué les troubles du Grand Sud, je l'ai dis, c'est une des raisons.
D'ailleurs, c'est exactement pour ce genre de raison que le Nord et le Nord Est sont principalement maintenant majoritairement pro-Thaksin.
Il n'y a pas encore d'insurection populaire massif, de volonté de sécession ou de terrorisme dans ces régions on est bien d'accord, pour les 3 provinces limitrophes de la Malaisie, en plus du désengagement de l'Etat, il y a plusieurs autres facteurs qui rentrent en considération, l'ethnie est très différente, la langue, la religion, son histoire, comme tu l'a dis aussi, la contribution Thaï en Irak sous l'ère Thaksin, bref, bien d'autres sujets divisent le grand sud du reste du pays.
Certes, le berceau de l'intégrisme est la pauvreté...Mais je crains que si cette pauvreté est combattue, cela ne suffise pas à faire disparaître l'intégrisme...
Les dirigeants intégristes se recrutent dans les élites de leurs pays
la femme vue comme moindre que l'homme dans certaines lectures intégristes et qui permet à l'homme de justifier sa domination
la haine de l'étranger sous-entendu "Infidèle"...
On fera disparaître le terreau, mais pas les prétextes pour dominer l'Autre et s'affirmer soi comme Meilleur.
Certes, le berceau de l'intégrisme est la pauvreté...
Ben non, une fois de plus ...
Il y a 30 ans, il n'y avait pas "d'intégristes" dans le grand sud, on ne voyait jamais de femme portant le hijab, il était quasiment impossible de faire la différence de religion sur l'aspect extérieur des gens !
Depuis, et comme le reste de la Thaïlande, le niveau de vie a beaucoup augmenté et ... on voit nettement les différences de religions !
L'intégrisme en lui-même est d'importation, comme les "costumes" qui ne sont plus toujours le sarong (y compris pour les hommes) ...
Je ne serais pas loin de penser qu'au contraire, l'intégrisme apparemment va de pair avec la hausse du niveau de vie, un peu comme une réaction à cette hausse !
NB:Le pays le plus riche du Moyen-Orient, l'Arabie Saoudite, pratique depuis "longtemps" une variante ultra-intégriste de l'islam -le wahabisme.
En fait moi ce que je ne comprends pas c'est pourquoi j'entends dire partout (forum, media, ..) que les jaunes ce sont les élites, les plus éduqués, etc
A ce qu'il me semble le gouvernement actuel veut aider les populations pauvres également...et sûrement d'une façon plus saine qu'avec Thaksin...
"Jaunes=élites"
C'est ce qu'on applle "le spin" en politique ...
On lance une idée "façon pub" et on la répète et fait répéter jusqu'à ce que "çà rentre" !
En Thaïlande, si quelqu'un s'est plus occupé des "pauvres" et de leur développement, c'est le Roi ...
Thaksin, lui, est le représentant de l'élite "super-riche" des grands businessmen internationaux pour qui les pays ne correspondent pas à grand'chose, une sorte de "jet-set" !
La démarche de Thaksin était d'acquérir une popularité suffisante (et le nombre de députés) pour être en mesure d'instaurer un régime de parti unique, voire même une république.
Les modifications de Constitution par voie parlementaire demandent toujours des "majorités qualifiées" ...
Riches/pauvres :
La tendance, dans une structure "coupée en deux" (Bangkok/Province), c'est de toujours accentuer le développement de la capitale en laissant derrière les provinces.
D'où un énorme déplacement des populations qui viennent de toutes part pour travailler à Bangkok ... ce qui renforce à nouveau le côté mégapole.
Si vous êtes en province, faites l'expérience et demandez où sera réparé l'appareil en panne (TV, vidéo etc ...) de grande marque ! (même à HatYai tout est envoyé à Bangkok).
Perso, ce que moi j'ai vu à la TV, c'est une descente de "nervis de province" venus tout casser à Bangkok ...
c'est ce que je développe dans mon post...certes, le berceau de l'intégrisme est la pauvreté... Pourqoi dis -tu "une fois de plus non?", ... ou alors tu n'as pas lu la suite?
d'une manière générale tout autour du monde...pauvreté de niveau de vie, de connaissance aussi, mais il n'empêche que ces masses sont bel et bien manipulées par des " leaders" pas du tout pauvres et très bien éduqués, parfois même dans les universités " occidentales". Ce que tu dis toi-même dans ton post.
D'un autre côté, ces masses ne sont pas innocentes, et trouvent bien leur compte dans un sytème de valeurs qui asservit la femme et désigne des ennemis facilement identifiables...
tu as certainement raison, je pense que l'occidentalisation et le niveau de vie de ce sociétés leur fait peut être perdre leurs repères...Tous ces hommes déboussolés, ...Il faut bien qu'ils " reprennent la main..."
Cala dit en AFghanistan par exemple, il existe un réel problème de pauvreté ( ce n'est pas le seul) qui fait se tourer vers les intégristes et favorise la culture du pavot. Par exemple.
Pour ce qui concerne l' Arabie saoudite, c'est le coeur de la doctrine d' Al Qaida: terre sacrée, dehors les infidèles!
La vérité est qu'on trouvera des motifs de développer la haine, de régner sur un peuple par la force, la contrainte ou l'endoctrinement...Le pouvoir corrompt même la religion!
Je ne serais pas loin de penser qu'au contraire, l'intégrisme apparemment va de pair avec la hausse du niveau de vie, un peu comme une réaction à cette hausse !
NB:Le pays le plus riche du Moyen-Orient, l'Arabie Saoudite, pratique depuis "longtemps" une variante ultra-intégriste de l'islam -le wahabisme.--
A mon avis, en évoquant l'Arabie Saoudite, on confonds intégrisme et radicalisme religieux, le mot intégrisme ici repris dans ce débat est à mon avis celui qui est dans le sens terrorisme, barbarie au nom de....
Avec l'actualité, le mot intégrisme est devenu une forme de fanatisme religieux, pas de rigueur intransigeante de la religion.
Conc. l'importation de ce dit intégrisme dans la région sud, là c'est clair.
Et c'est dans ces propagandes de ces "importateurs" que l'on retrouve les notions comme la pauvreté, la mis à l'écart du pouvoir central bouddhiste de Bkk, ce qui devient des justifications de la violence en touchant par ces discours intégristes certaines couches de la société, en général les plus défavorisés.
On rajoute à cette propagande un peu de yaba et c'est là que l'on trouve ces jeunes qui prennent le maquis bien entourés par des têtes pensantes islamistes.
Bof...A vrai dire je ne sais pas trop ce que c'est que le développement...C'est clair que pour le travail tout l'Esan va sur BKK..de là à dire que l' ESan est sous-développé... MAis pauvreté ne rime pas avec misère...Quand on voit les bidonvilles de BKK...D'autre part, c'est clair qu'entre la ville et la campagne, il y a des différences ...d'autant plus que l'agriculture se mécanise ( enfin?...)
Et bien saches que tu ne seras pas tout seul;après de nonbreuses discussions, nous avons décidé de partir aussi.On sera donc dans l'avion vendredi soir....
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
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 everyone,
I’ll be in western Malaysia for 20 days in January and February.
I’m coming from southern Thailand to Ipoh for the Thaipusam festivities.
Then it’s off to Pangkor Island.
I’ll finish up in Malacca for the Chinese New Year celebrations before heading to Singapore.
I’ve got a 6-day gap.
I was thinking of going to K.Lipis for the jungle train and heading to Dabong, but the caves might not be open.
Any suggestions around K.L.?
Day treks?
A stopover between K.L. and Malacca?
Thanks
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’m heading to Cambodia at the end of December 2026 – January 2027 for 3-4 weeks. Since I’ve already visited Cambodia twice, my itinerary is a bit different this time—I’d love to explore Botum Sakor Park, Chi Pat, the Tatai region, and the Cardamom Mountains. I’m traveling solo. If you have any tips on transportation, excursions, treks, sights, or accommodations in the area, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks for your feedback!
Has anyone traveled with the Laos travel agency ADV ?
I’m planning a trip to Laos and have received several quotes. Among them, this agency’s seem very reasonable, and so far, the interactions have been positive.
I’ve found a few positive reviews online, but I’d love to hear from travelers who’ve actually booked with them: how’s the organization, guide quality, accommodations, on-the-ground responsiveness, etc.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
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,
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!
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.
Hi! I’d like to split my trip into two parts: 15 days in Phuket and 15 days in Krabi. Do you know if I can rent a car and drop it off in Krabi when I fly back to France?
Thanks for your feedback!
Have a great Sunday!
Martine
Hello,
After 1 night in Khao Sok, I’d like to find a 2 Days 1 Night package on the lake.
After reading a lot, I decided to "break the bank" and treat ourselves to a private tour—mainly to avoid the crowds.
But after contacting several operators, they offer "private tours" that are very expensive (around 700 €), yet in the details, the boats can only leave from the pier at 10 AM like everyone else. (I was hoping to leave much earlier.) The morning program is the same for everyone too (private or not). They drop us off at noon at our floating hotel (I’d chosen Phupha Waree). Free afternoon (swimming or kayaking in front of the hotel). We head back by boat for a 1-hour sunset ride. And the next morning, we leave the hotel at 8 AM to be at the pier by 9:30 AM at the latest—end of the trip.
So basically, we’re paying a lot for a private tour just to do the same thing as everyone else at the same time.
Or maybe I just had bad luck in my search.
I contacted Panida Ladi, who’s very popular on forums. We’d agreed on a private tour that matched my request (departure from the pier at 8 AM, very personalized itinerary). We settled on the itinerary and price, she asked for a Wise transfer for a 30% deposit, confirmed receipt of the deposit. Then 30 minutes later, she messaged me to say she was canceling everything because it was impossible to do the requested tour—and promised a quick refund of my deposit.
So here’s my question: Who’s done a *real* private tour on this lake? Who can recommend a reliable agency? Is it even really possible to do a private tour here?
I’m searching for a real gem for my 3rd stay in Koh Lanta: a lovely, high-quality hotel right by an easily accessible beach in a lively spot.
If you know of anything that fits what I’m looking for and want to share, don’t hesitate!
Hi, is anyone there in Flores right now? According to some websites, everything is closed and the situation is tough. But our guide says it's fine. Who should we believe? We're supposed to leave on September 2nd. Thanks to anyone in Flores at the moment!
Hi dear community,
I'm planning to visit Cambodia this winter, right after Christmas, for my first solo trip and my first trip to Asia. For two weeks (yes, I know it's short, but I really can't do more...). I have two main desires: Siem Reap and the countryside, the villages, the Mekong...
What do you think of this itinerary? Arrival in Siem Reap, departure from Phnom Penh.
SR: 5 days (1 day for arrival, 3 for the temples, 1 for the lake and its villages)
Kratie (stop on the way to Mondolkiri): 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days there)
Mondolkiri/Sen Monorom: 4 days (1 day of travel, 1 day there, 2 days of treks)
PP: 3 days (1 day of travel, 2 days of sightseeing)
I think I need to cut one day somewhere if I travel from Saturday to Saturday or Sunday to Sunday. In Kratie, maybe? Or in PP? And I'll miss the boat trip that everyone recommends (SR-Battambang), but I don't see where to fit it in. Unless I do a PP-PP loop starting in the east, skip Kratie or just stay one night, then SR, then PP.
In my timing, Mondolkiri seems closer than Ratanakiri, which also tempted me a lot! Will it be too complicated alone? I'm thinking of using local guides or a small local agency for a nature and village getaway.
I've read that Siem Reap is very crowded between Christmas and New Year's. I could also do the circuit in the opposite direction. But I thought it would be easier to get familiar with the country by arriving in a touristy area—I might be wrong...
Thanks for your advice and opinions!
Hi everyone.
I’m planning my trip, and based on all the posts I’ve read, this country is amazing.
Of course, I’ve got a ton of questions for you.
Here’s a possible itinerary: Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luang Namtha and the area - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane.
What do you think?
We’re planning to prioritize local transport—is it possible to do this loop?
We’d also love to go kayaking, but I’m not sure if the season’s right or where the best spot is.
For trekking—I read that Phongsali is the most authentic spot to visit villages and see wildlife. Do you know of a reliable agency and a guesthouse with reasonable prices?
Is it worth taking a slow boat for a stretch on the Mekong, and if so, which route?
For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking.com and Agoda or look when we arrive?
Are mosquitoes bad in Laos, and should we take malaria prophylaxis?
What’s the average daily budget (accommodation, food, visits)?
Is renting scooters a good option for exploring towns, and if so, which ones?
From what I’ve read, it’s best to carry cash—euros or dollars? Is it risky to walk around with that much cash?
I’ve still got tons of questions. Thanks to anyone who can help, and I’m open to all tips, info, etc.
Thanks again
Hi there,
I’m planning a family trip (my wife and I, both 47, and our two sons, aged 5 and 12) to Malaysia for the last week of June and the first two weeks of July 2027.
We used to love road trips as a couple, then as a trio, but since our second child arrived, we’ve taken a break with "camping village" style trips.
Now feels like the right time to get back to our old habits, while adjusting the pace for the kids.
We’re craving Asia. We’ve been lucky enough to visit Thailand, Indonesia (Bali and Lombok), and Sri Lanka before.
Friends have raved about Malaysia, so we’re definitely tempted.
For those who know and love Malaysia, what would be a good itinerary starting from Kuala Lumpur, with a maximum of 3-4 stops? We’d like a mix of culture, nature, and relaxation (just to clarify, we’re not big beach fans). All of this without rushing, of course.
Hello,
We’re a family of four with two teens aged 16 and 18. We’re heading to Thailand this summer. We’ll arrive in Bangkok and plan to take a flight to Luang Prabang.
I’ve seen there are some great visits and excursions to do (temples, markets, waterfalls) and maybe even venture a bit north to places like Nong Khiaw, Muang Xay, Muang Ngoy, or Oudom Xay.
But I’ve also heard about the Bokeo region with the Gibbon Experience.
Since we won’t be able to do everything, I’d love to hear about your experiences, impressions, and advice on the two options I’m considering, especially since we’ll be meeting family in Chiang Mai, Thailand, afterward.
Option 1: A loop from Luang Prabang heading slightly north, then a flight from Luang Prabang to Chiang Mai.
Option 2: A few days in Luang Prabang, exploring within a few dozen kilometers around, then heading to Bokeo province for the 2-day/1-night Gibbon Experience. For this option, I saw on Rome2Rio that it’s possible to book a ferry trip on the Mekong from Luang Prabang to Huay Xay—they mention about 8 hours. But is that realistic? What type of boat is it?
Then, to get to Chiang Mai, there aren’t many options—bus or minivan—but how does crossing the border work?
Finally, for those of you who’ve been to Laos in August, what was the weather like?
We’ve already visited Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia during the same period over the past four years and weren’t really bothered by bad weather.
I’m starting a discussion about guides in the Mekong Delta because we’ve just finished our trip in this region and had a hard time finding a French-speaking guide. We had Thanh—she speaks French really well and travels all over the delta region, including Ho Chi Minh City. She’s super friendly and flexible. I recommend her wholeheartedly. If it can help someone...
Feel free to contact us for her number.
Hi everyone,
I couldn’t find any recent info on Kuching.
Can anyone recommend a hotel or guesthouse for under 100 RM that’s nice and affordable? No dorms, please.
Also, does it rain a lot in November, and is it still worth visiting Semenggoh or Bako?
We’ll be arriving in Phnom Penh this coming January and we’re thinking of starting our trip with a stop in Kampong Cham, then Kratie.
After Kratie, we’re considering heading toward Siem Reap with a stop in Kampong Thom.
That said, I’m not really sure how long the Kratie–Kampong Thom journey might take or how complicated it is.
Does this stop on the way to Siem Reap seem like a good idea to you?
If we don’t visit the Sambor Prei Kuk site, are there still any walks or sights worth checking out in Kampong Thom?
Silly question—backpack or hard-shell suitcase for the Sepilok, Kinabatangan, Tioman, KL trip?
I’m struggling to fit all my son’s and my stuff into the 70L backpack... and I’m thinking a suitcase would be easier, but I’m not sure if it’ll work for getting around.
After a stay on Koh Phayam this coming November, I’d like to spend 2 or 3 days on Koh Phra Thong before heading further south.
Do you think it’s doable to leave Koh Phayam early enough to catch the 10 AM boat from Khura Buri to Koh Phra Thong? The next one isn’t until 4 PM, which would cost me a whole day.
I’m planning a trip to Indonesia, specifically Sulawesi and Java, in September for 10 days.
I don’t know this part of the world at all—any advice is welcome!
I’ll be traveling solo and would also love tips on meeting other travelers or locals.
Hello everyone,
Not long ago, I used to travel as a couple, but my husband has since passed away, and I’ve decided to set off again. The trip I took to Cambodia in January 2025 did me a world of good.
I’m now considering Thailand, a destination we never included in our plans because even 15 years ago, people said it was too touristy. Still, I’m thinking about the itinerary below, but I don’t feel up to arranging buses, trains, or guides on my own while I’m there. I’m looking for one or more drivers and have been in touch with an agency, but their offers are just copy-paste group tours that I don’t want.
So, if you have any contacts, experiences, or advice, I’d be so grateful if you’d share them with me. Here’s my rough plan:
Arrival in Bangkok
Ayutthaya (2 nights)
Kanchanaburi (2 or 3 nights)
Sangkhlaburi/Sai Yok (3 nights)
Sukhothai (2 nights)
Lampang (I’ve planned 3 nights, but that might be a bit much—it depends on what time I arrive in the city)
Chiang Mai
Chiang Dao
Pai
Chiang Rai
I was thinking about the Mae Hong Son loop—thoughts?
What do you think about staying overnight at the Golden Triangle?
When I look online, of course, I can find agencies that organize tours to national parks, etc.
I’m retired but in great physical shape. I’d rather go hiking than sit in hot springs with crowds of tourists who’ve all arranged meet-ups. I don’t want to spend a day at an elephant camp, and I don’t want to visit Karen villages.
I’d love to hear your advice.
Thank you all,
Hi everyone,
Could you share your thoughts on my 3-week itinerary?
We’re a small group (family + friends) of 12 people, planning to leave around January 21, 2027.
Here’s my itinerary:
3 nights in Bangkok
4 nights in Chiang Mai
3 nights on Koh Samui
3 nights on Koh Phangan
4 nights in Krabi
4 nights in Phuket
I’m also open to any great tips you might have...
Thanks, everyone! Alain.
