46-Day Itinerary in Thailand (page 4 of 7)

Loei

Usually, people stop in Loei to visit the national parks around the city. Is that what you're planning to do there? If not, why?

Another thing: you seem to enjoy quiet spots, and you’ll have time, but I don’t see any short stays in some remote village in the middle of nowhere on your itinerary—places on isolated roads, small villages with nothing special to see, where life wakes up to the rhythm of the morning/evening market and the kids coming home from school. Places you visit just to "get a feel" for rural life, or maybe to watch life on the river if there is one... Two examples: Highway 105 between Mae Sot and Mae Sariang (mostly along the Moei River) and Highway 211 between Chiang Khan and Nong Khai (along the Mekong). I’ve traveled these "end-of-the-world" roads several times (they still have accommodations and some public transport). I’ve written about them in detail (practical info, trying to inspire, photos) but on another forum. If you’re interested (or anyone else), I can send you the links via PM* on request since I’m not sure if I’m allowed to post links to another forum here publicly.

* If I figure out how to send them.

2-3

And, even to have peace of mind—and body—without stress, I wonder if it wouldn’t be better to skip the stop in Phimai altogether, add an extra day in Loei, and head straight to Bangkok on the 4th to spend 24 hours there before my flight. I’m always really stressed the day before a departure. Afraid of missing the plane for one reason or another...

To avoid the risk of a last-minute delay due to traffic jams, I recommend booking your final night at The Cottage Suvarnabhumi Hotel. Sometimes you can get it for less than 20 €, occasionally with breakfast included.

They have a minivan shuttle that takes you to the airport in 5 minutes, the beds are comfortable, the Thai breakfast is delicious, and there’s even a nice little pool. Just across the alley, almost opposite, there’s a pleasant and decent little restaurant. If you exit the alley on the right and turn right onto the avenue, you’ll find a shopping center about 300 meters away, which often has a night market in the evening. Great tip.

Actually, it's great to browse through guides and ask for advice from lots of people on a travel forum. But everyone gives their own glowing description that makes you want to see everything... I feel like a kid in front of a pastry buffet. You want to try everything, even if it makes you sick afterward... Wouldn't it be better to enjoy 2 or 3 big slices of cake—and really savor and digest them?

It's up to you to make the decision, which will depend on whether you might come back one day to see the rest. Take a moment, look deep inside, and cut the Gordian knot ;)

... Route 211 between Chiang Khan and Nong Khai... I talked about it at length (practical info, trying to inspire, photos) but in another forum. If you're interested (you or anyone else), I can send you the links via PM* on request since I don’t know if I’m allowed to post links to another forum here publicly.

* if I figure out how to send them.

Hi there,

For Route 211, you might just attract the wrath of a "prominent" member who already lashed out on page 2 when I dared to suggest this route, which, according to their absolute truth, has absolutely no interest...

Otherwise, I thought I recognized the style of a certain T....g from the place you mentioned—was I right? That said, I left that forum a long time ago since it’s a den of all kinds of parasites 😕😛

As for PMs, you need to click on the username and in the dropdown menu choose "send a PM."

To check your PMs, go to the account tab, and in the dropdown menu choose "my PMs."

Best regards,

Partirdeloin

The great tip.

Hi there,

I’ll take advantage of it if I can, but I’ll admit that at nearly 20 € it stings a bit—though there *is* a pool!!! 😉

Bangkok is still a very well-connected city. Sure, you have to expect some hiccups like anywhere else, but you’ve got to keep things in perspective and not spiral into paranoia.

For one of my upcoming trips from Don Mueang, I chose to stay a 5-minute walk away, but I’ve got to be at the airport by 5 AM...

Best,

Partirdeloin

Hey, wanna teach me the Gordian knot? 😄😄😄😛

All good! I’m -> 😉

Partirdeloin

Grab your sword and I'll explain 😉

Usually, people go to Loei to visit the national parks around the city. Is that what you're planning to do? If not, what’s the reason?

Just because I’d read on travel blogs that it’s a region less frequented by tourists, with one of the most beautiful Thai craft centers... and that the area is really stunning.

Another topic: you seem to enjoy quiet spots, you’ll have time, but nowhere in your itinerary do I see little stays in some remote village in the middle of nowhere, on isolated roads, small villages where there’s nothing special to see, that wake up to the rhythm of the morning/evening market and the kids coming home from school—places you visit just to "get a feel for" rural life, or even observe life on the river when there is one...

That’s exactly what I’m looking for, kind of like what I experience here in India. But since I’ve never set foot in Thailand, I obviously don’t know about those kinds of places... And they’re not mentioned in guidebooks... I should explain: I *have* to leave India every 90 days, even if just for 24 hours. Usually, I’d spend a few days in Nepal or Sri Lanka. Last year, I went to Bali. This year, I decided to go to Thailand. But since I’m going, I might as well stay a month or more to explore the country. Because with everything happening in India right now—at least on a personal level—I’m looking for another planet. A country that will welcome me for six to eight months a year without all sorts of administrative hassles, but not year-round. I don’t want to expatriate. Thailand seems to fit exactly what I’m looking for. And I planned to use this trip to discover the country.

2 examples: Route 105 between Mae Sot and Mae Sariang (mostly along the Moei River) and Route 211 between Chiang Khan and Nong Khai (along the Mekong). I’ve traveled these "end-of-the-world" roads several times (but they do offer accommodations and some public transport). I’ve written about them in detail (practical info, trying to inspire, photos) but on another forum. If you’re interested (you or anyone else), I can send you the links via PM* on request since I’m not sure if I’m allowed to post links to another forum here publicly.

Yes, I’d love it if you sent me the links... Thanks a lot!

And, even to have a peaceful mind—and body—and avoid stress, I’m wondering if it might be better to skip the stop in Phimai altogether, add an extra day in Loei, and head straight to Bangkok on the 4th to spend 24 hours there before my flight. I always get really stressed the day before a departure—afraid of missing the plane for one reason or another...

To avoid the risk of a last-minute delay due to traffic jams, I’d recommend booking your last night at: The Cottage Suvarnabhumi Hotel. Sometimes you can get it for under 20 €, occasionally with breakfast included.

They have a minivan shuttle that takes you to the airport in 5 minutes, the beds are comfy, the Thai breakfast is delicious, and there’s even a nice little pool. Just across the alley, almost opposite, there’s a cozy and decent little restaurant. If you exit the alley on the right and turn right onto the avenue, you’ll find a shopping mall about 300 meters away, which often has a night market in the evening. Great tip.

Oh! Thanks again, Joel—huge thanks for this *extremely* important tip for someone like me who’s always terrified of missing a flight. It almost happened to me several times during my many trips to India, and it’s just too stressful. By the way, what’s a Thai breakfast like—anything different from the usual?

It’s the same as what you’d find for lunch. A whole assortment of hot dishes. I remember some delicious-crunchy veggies with an amazing little sauce. Bottom line, you won’t leave hungry!

It's the same as what you find for lunch. A whole assortment of hot dishes. I remember some delicious-crunchy veggies with an excellent little sauce. In short, you don't leave hungry!

I suspected as much, it's like in India. But I wanted confirmation. I love this kind of breakfast. Though in my family, it took them years to understand that grilled dried sardines in sauce at 8 AM was just a no-go for me... Nowadays, my sweet/savory breakfast has turned into a brunch around 11 AM. Just one meal a day. A snack around 4/5 PM and no dinner. I hope I can keep up with my eating habits. And lots and lots of tea (over a liter) between 5 AM and 11 AM. But when I'm not at home or with family, it's not easy to stick to this routine...

Side question since we're on the topic... If I leave my room around 6 AM, is that a problem? I love wandering the streets at sunrise... But I *need* tea, tea, tea... Can you find any at that early hour?

I can confirm it’s absolutely massive first thing in the morning...

A little memory from my first Thai wedding (as a guest), which started at the crack of dawn.

My friend had booked me a room in the hotel that also served as the venue for the ceremony and reception, with an all-you-can-eat buffet starting at breakfast.

My taste buds still remember it... 😉

Partirdeloin

Hope this never happens to us—I can’t stand small talk and social gatherings.

If I leave my room around 6 AM, is that a problem?

No, as long as it’s not dark AND you’re not in an isolated area (city or countryside). You’ll get to see monks lining up one by one to collect alms (it probably has another name...). It’s also usually when the morning markets start (5–6 AM) and they last until 8–9 AM. Sometimes you’ll see small groups doing Tai Chi—feel free to join them (FYI, "chi" means inhale and "ou" exhale; it’s Chinese, not Thai).

But I need tea, tea, tea... Can I find some this early in the morning?

No, Thais aren’t big on "hot tea." Occasionally, you’ll find street vendors selling coffee/tea/"Ovaltine" (milk chocolate diluted with water) and made-to-order toast, but it’s rare. On the other hand, iced tea is no problem—you’ll find it almost everywhere (street food stalls, food centers, malls...). It’s pretty sweet, made from strong pre-brewed tea, and they add a lot of crushed ice and milk when you order. In that case, it’s called "cha yen" (cold tea). Without milk, it’s "cha dam yen" (black iced tea). Prices range from 12 to 25 baht for a large glass. Ironically, the pricier ones are often the worst.

But I really need tea, tea, tea... Can you find any at this early hour?

No, Thais aren't "hot tea" people. Sometimes in the morning you'll find street vendors selling coffee/tea/"Ovaltine" (milk chocolate diluted with water) and made-to-order toast, but it's rare. On the other hand, iced tea is no problem—you can find it almost everywhere (street food stalls, food centers, malls...). It's pretty sweet, made from strong pre-brewed tea, and they add a lot of crushed ice and milk when you order. In that case, it's called "cha yen" (cold tea). Without milk, it's "cha dam yen" (cold black tea). Depending on the place, it costs between 12 to 25 baht for a large glass. Paradoxically, the pricier ones are often the worst.

Oh no, that’s not gonna work for me at all! I’m not about to pack tea in my luggage! And I’d still need a kettle in the room... As a backup, is black coffee (no sugar) an option?

Loei

Usually, people stop in Loei to visit the national parks around the city. Is that what you're planning to do there? If not, why?

Another thing: you seem to like quiet spots, you'll have time, but nowhere in your itinerary do I see short stays in some remote village in the middle of nowhere, on isolated roads, little villages where there's nothing special to see, that wake up to the rhythm of the morning/evening market and the kids coming home from school, where you just go to "get a feel" for rural life, or even observe life on the river when there is one... Two examples: route 105 between Mae Sot and Mae Sariang (mostly along the Moei River) and route 211 between Chiang Khan and Nong Khai (along the Mekong). I've traveled these "ends of the earth" routes several times (but they do offer accommodations and some public transport). I've written about them at length (practical info, trying to inspire, photos) but on another forum. If you're interested (you or anyone else), I can send you the links via PM* on request since I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post links to another forum here publicly.

* if I figure out how to send them.

2-3

Hi Thierry, Okay, I've looked into all that. I had trouble locating these villages and roads because I don't have any maps here in India, and the maps in my guidebooks don’t mention them. And for good reason—they don’t talk about them. I read your descriptions, though. These are exactly the kinds of places I like and would want to visit. But I shouldn’t be reckless and venture there on my FIRST trip to Thailand, not speaking a word of Thai, and especially since I’m no longer 20, 40, or even 50. I’ve always been adventurous in my travels and in life, and I still am, forgetting that sometimes my body can’t keep up with my still-sharp mind. I’m a total newbie in Thailand. So I’ll stick to what I said earlier: three two-week stages. And I’ll improvise on the spot to explore the surrounding areas. I like to wander, dawdle, take photos, watch people, etc... For example, when people say it takes an hour or two to visit a temple, palace, or fortress, or a spot in nature, I spend 4 hours there—sometimes even a whole day... The key is finding a car and driver at a rate that works for me. Otherwise, buses and songthaews... And nothing’s set in stone—it’ll depend on the circumstances... The complete opposite of how I used to travel... We’ll see on a second trip, when I’m less clueless... Thanks again to everyone who’s helped me, and I might not be done asking questions.

You were given a great tip, and you're right not to use it now—good call saving it for your next trip.

You were given a great tip, and you're right not to take it—and you're right to set it aside for your next trip.

You crack me up. You please everyone. A great tip, but... You're right not to take it... You’d make a good politician, you 😉

No no, this time you can really take my message at face value! 😇 🙂