Trip to Thailand and Laos (page 16 of 19)

Seriously, in France in 2026, you’d end up in court if you take a kid’s photo on the street, right?

No way—there’s no law against it. It’s publishing the photo without permission that *might* lead to legal trouble, but street photography rights (in France) balance with freedom of expression. It’s still a pretty gray area legally.

Anyway, that’s a whole other topic—it all comes down to common sense 😉

I went to Thailand almost 20 years ago—back then, it was touristy but still manageable, I think. It was my first time discovering Asia, and I have a memory of it that’s probably glorified by time.

I’m afraid that if I go back, I’ll be disappointed by how the country has changed. After all, it’s one of the top tourist destinations in the region...

I went there 16 years ago too. But what little I saw this time around made me want to go back and explore more, especially in the Isan region.

I just discovered this travel journal tonight, which I read straight through up to page 9. Had to stop at some point, though...

I’m not sure I’ll be heading back to Thailand next year between two trips to India. I’ve been thinking about Laos... For now, this journal—story and photos—makes me want to go see for myself...

I regret Nathalie’s accident, sympathize with her pain, and admire her courage, because even if she doesn’t want to dwell on it, you can tell it’s still there... (the pain) “On a scale of zero to ten, where do you place the cursor?” I know... This misadventure is unfortunate, but it makes this journal incredibly vivid. I love trips—and travel journals—where something happens, where emotions come through, leaving aside lifeless stories and photos. Even though I’m caught up in my Indian life, I need to find time to read the rest tomorrow...

Thanks Marien for your post. Nathalie’s accident is one of those unforeseeable things that happen during a trip, even when you’ve planned everything, mapped it all out. But it’s the kind of issue you could just as easily run into while walking around your own neighborhood. Of course, it takes on a whole different dimension when you don’t have your usual bearings, far from home, in a country considered "exotic." I’m thinking of Pagal, who’s "India-compatible," and the troubles he had with his son. Nathalie was well taken care of and well treated at that small clinic in Nong Khiaw, then at the private hospital in Paksé. We hear those anxiety-inducing comments from well-meaning friends all too often when we’re about to leave: "You’re going to India? You’re going to Laos? What if something happens to you?" And I think you know exactly what I’m talking about. 😉

Wait, in France in 2026, you’d get sued if you take a kid’s photo on the street, right?

Nah, no law against it.

Your comment reminded me of my trip to Beijing over 20 years ago. Our guide dropped us off in a public park for "a chance to connect with locals." Turns out, lots of kids were playing there, and the moms insisted we take photos of their (at the time, only) child—so proud of them! You can imagine how awkward that was…

I wonder if the reverse could’ve ever happened 😕

We hear all too often the anxiety-inducing remarks from well-meaning friends warning us just as we're about to leave: "You're going to India? You're going to Laos? What if something happens to you?"

And today: "But Nath didn't feel like going back to France"?

We hear all too often the anxiety-inducing remarks from well-meaning friends warning us just as we're about to leave: "You're going to India? You're going to Laos? What if something happens to you?"

We all have those kinds of "friends" around us. When it comes to flights, I have a friend who’s terrified of flying, and every time I tell her: "Dying in a plane? No problem, but please, on the way back—otherwise, it’s all wasted…" 🙂

Actually, there are tons of tourists, but they’re Indian. I don’t really see the difference

How can you spot an Indian tourist? They’re the only ones who take your picture!

For me, local tourists kind of blend into the scenery. In India or Indonesia, they don’t really bother me.

In more "natural" countries, way more!

I’d be surprised if Richard talked about flights or air travel in general! He hates being treated, and I quote: "like a crook." The questions, the searches, the paperwork, the fingerprints, the cameras... it drives him nuts!

I feel the same way—I can’t stand going through immigration and security anymore. Especially since I’m leaving for 6 months and I’m lugging way too much electronic gear, so security is a real nightmare. They make me empty all my bags. 4 or 5 trays every time. And even though I’m super careful, I often forget an item in one of the trays or it gets "set aside" for the benefit of one of the security goons. When I got back from Thailand this year, I realized when I arrived home in India that my iPad charger and headlamp were missing... Three or four years ago, I straight-up forgot my laptop in a tray or somewhere on a counter. Never found it! But what’s really unbearable is how they treat travelers! It’s just unacceptable.

Buddhists believe in the reincarnation of both body and spirit. How do they react to the death of their loved ones?

They do like we do—they cry and feel deep sorrow. But in secret. You’re not supposed to show your feelings. Same goes for Hindus. I remember a young man who cried and fainted while lighting his father’s funeral pyre... The family saw it as very inappropriate.

Hello,

Thanks for sharing this—it was a real pleasure to read—and of course, kudos to @Kate for the beautiful photos.

I’d like to build on what I’ve been reading about overtourism in Thailand: In 2025, France welcomed 102 million visitors, while Thailand had 33 million, despite being nearly the same size—so practically three times fewer. While I think it’s still easy to find quiet spots in France during peak tourist season, just imagine what it’s like in Thailand. Tourist "hotspots" in Thailand are clustered in just five or six regions—the ones everyone talks about and where 90% of tourists inevitably flock. I’d say 80% of the country sees few, if any, tourists. And don’t tell me it’s because those places lack interest... You might not find the same amenities, comfort, or transportation options that many travelers look for, and that’s certainly what deters a lot of visitors. Good news for the curious, though—and I know there are still plenty of us out there...

Philippe

Well, I just finished reading everything first thing this morning because I’m not sure I’ll have time later. Thanks for this travel journal and the photos of those sites—they’ve really convinced me to head to that region of Laos you visited. Especially the 4,000 Islands. But I’m not as young as I used to be for an itinerary/circuit like 2 days here, 3 days there, trains, buses, and definitely not planes. Like Marie-Jo, I need to stay in the same area for 3 weeks or a month.

I don’t think I’ll go back to Thailand, mainly because of the agricultural burning, which I’ve suffered the consequences of for too long. And the photos are disastrous! Yet it’s that mountainous region I loved so much!

I’ll explain more in my travel journal when I find the courage—and especially the time—to start it. I’m hesitant to begin because once I do, I’ll have to keep going and... finish... And I also feel guilty for not having the time to read other travelers’ journals...

I went with the Sony RX100 VI because I couldn’t handle the weight of my Sony Alpha77 and all the different lenses anymore. Ultra-small, ultra-light, ultra-powerful, but way too many features on such a tiny device, and especially ultra-expensive.

Hi Philippe,

Thanks for stopping by! Your site passion-thailande.com/ is really interesting. It can help a lot of people ;)

Hi Marien

I went for the Sony RX100 VI because I couldn’t handle the weight of my Sony Alpha77 and all the different lenses anymore. Ultra small, ultra light, ultra powerful, but way too many features on such a tiny device—and super expensive.

I hesitated between this model and my Canon EOS R50. In the end, I chose the Canon because a lot of users found the Sony too complicated to use. That said, price-wise, they’re pretty much in the same range...

I just read this travel journal written by 4-6 people. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

Thanks Carmen for following along. And your message comes at a good time, since in our discussions with Kate about the next trip, I haven’t given up on the idea of discovering Peru. So I’ll go check out your travel journal. 😉

Thanks Carmen for following along. And your message comes at the perfect time, since in our discussions with Kate about the next trip, I haven’t given up on the idea of discovering Peru. I’ll go check out your travel journal. 😉

That’s a great idea, planning a “next trip” 😉 Be sure to take a look at mine (https://voyageforum.com/v.f?post=7776366;#7776366), even if it’s starting to get a bit old... Yeah, I know, I’m plugging it again—so what! 😄

Yeah, I know, I’m spamming, so what!

Well, no, you’re right. I’m going too. But after starting to read Carmen’s travel journal, I’m starting to worry. Her "road trip" sounds pretty intense—you know Kate...

Yeah, I know, I'm being a pain, so what!

Well, no, you're right. I'm going too. But after starting to read Carmen's travel journal, I'm starting to worry. Her "road trip" seems pretty intense—you know Kate...

Okay, I don’t *personally* know Kate, but I do know she’d rather hide behind her new camera than hike the trails of Nong Khiaw. Don’t worry, you can totally explore this part of Peru without her pilgrim’s staff, whether it’s St. James’ or St. Francis’ 😉. Carmen has a mountaineer’s soul—she loves trekking! And it’s not me who’d talk her out of it…

Your message comes at a good time, because in our discussions with Kate about the next trip, I haven't given up on the idea of discovering Peru. I'll go check out your travel journal. 😉

Peru is gorgeous, but I think I read that Kate isn’t really into elevation changes. And outside the coast, the country is far from flat, which could make some legs of the trip a bit challenging.