46-Day Itinerary in Thailand (page 6 of 7)

Good evening, I had written a long message, but it just crashed and everything disappeared again. I won’t start over. I’ll just ask a quick question to sum it up. Is two weeks in Nan and its surroundings too much, or is there plenty to explore and see interesting things? Or should I keep Phrae and Loei in my plans? Or the route you mentioned, Thierry? Thanks

Two weeks in Nan might feel a bit long if you’re only using it as a base. In that case, one week would be enough—for example, 4 days in town + 3 day trips with a driver. With two weeks, you could add something like Thung Chang* and explore the area on foot. In the province, Doi Phu Kha National Park, which I don’t know personally, is apparently worth seeing.

*Accessible from Nan by minivan, a few resorts nearby for accommodation, but nothing in town if the Siam Garden Bungalow hasn’t reopened.

Keeping Phrae and Loei is an option, but if I understand correctly, Loei would be your only detour into Isan for roughly 3-4 days? I don’t think such a short trip is worth the detour.

Doing route 211 in one week (if I understood you right) is possible, but it’ll only be interesting if you plan small stops along the way—though it seems you’re not too keen on that... You won’t be able to connect Nan and route 211 (to Chiang Khan or Pak Chom) by public transport in one day. You’ll need an overnight stop somewhere (Phitsanulok or Loei) due to timing and connections. That leaves you with 5 nights to stop in at least 2 villages, plus one last night on a bus or train to Bangkok.

If you're independent with a car or scooter, it makes sense to stay 4 to 5 days in Nan—any longer isn’t really worth it. Otherwise, you’ll be relying on taxis all the time, or even bikes (though you’ll miss a lot).

Personally, I’d spend more time in Chiang Rai province—a mix of the city itself and chilling in Chiang Khong. There’s way more to see than in Nan

If you're independent with a car or scooter, it makes sense to stay 4 to 5 days in Nan—any longer isn’t really worth it. Otherwise, you’ll be relying on taxis all the time, or even biking (though you’ll miss a lot).

Personally, I’d spend more time in Chiang Rai Province—a mix of the city itself and chilling in Chiang Khong. There’s way more to see than in Nan.

Thanks so much for your input! The issue with this kind of question is that you get *everything and its opposite* in response. It’s really hard to decide when the answers aren’t detailed or well-explained.

But because everyone has different tastes and expectations. Plus, the same person might see things differently depending on whether they have ten days or two months of vacation. The most remarkable thing is how some people have this fascinating ability to give completely wrong advice—something you only really understand once you're there.

2 weeks in Nan might feel a bit long if you’re only using it as a base. In that case, one week would be enough—for example, 4 days in town + 3 day trips with a driver.

Keeping Phrae and Loei is fine, but if I understand correctly, Loei would be your only stop in Isan for roughly 3-4 days? I don’t think such a detour is worth it for such a short time.

New update—just finalized this! Latest version, and I *really* hope this is the last one.

Feb 17–22: NAN (5 days/6 nights) Feb 23–26: PHRAE (3 days/4 nights) Feb 27–Mar 2: LAMPANG (3 days/4 nights) Mar 3–4: PHIMAI (1 day/2 nights) Mar 5: Phimai → Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok) Mar 6: DEPARTURE

Alternative option: I skip Phimai and redistribute those two nights by adding one night each to Phrae and Lampang. So:

Feb 17–22: NAN (5 days/6 nights) Feb 23–27: PHRAE (4 days/5 nights) Feb 28–Mar 4: LAMPANG (4 days/5 nights) Mar 5: Lampang → Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok) Mar 6: DEPARTURE

Final solution: The first option but skipping Phimai and heading to Bangkok on Mar 3 to spend the last two days chilling (shopping?) in Bangkok to avoid departure stress.

But here you’ve only listed a 3-week itinerary...?

It’s all over the place Phrae, Lampang, Phimai

Ideally, if you’re going for 46 days, I’d leave a big part to improvisation—because you’ll sometimes feel disappointed, or on the contrary, want to stay longer.

At least he’s not grilling us on the classic BKK - Lopburi - Sukhothai - Chiang Mai - Golden Triangle route 😉

But you only listed a 3-week itinerary here...?

Yeah, so? The rest is already sorted—I just needed the end of the trip.

Two weeks in Nan might feel a bit long if you're only using it as a base. In that case, one week would be enough—for example, 4 days in town + 3 day trips with a driver.

Keeping Phrae and Loei is fine, but if I understand correctly, Loei would be your only detour into Isan for roughly 3-4 days? I don’t think such a short trip is worth the detour.

New update—just finalized! Here’s the latest version, and I hope it’s the last one.

Feb 17–22: NAN (5 days/6 nights) Feb 23–26: PHRAE (3 days/4 nights) Feb 27–Mar 2: LAMPANG (3 days/4 nights) Mar 3–4: PHIMAI (1 day/2 nights) Mar 5: Phimai → Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok) Mar 6: DEPARTURE

Another option: I skip Phimai and add those two nights to Phrae and Lampang instead. That’d look like:

Feb 17–22: NAN (5 days/6 nights) Feb 23–27: PHRAE (4 days/5 nights) Feb 28–Mar 4: LAMPANG (4 days/5 nights) Mar 5: Lampang → Bangkok (overnight in Bangkok) Mar 6: DEPARTURE

Final solution: Stick with the first option but skip Phimai and head straight to Bangkok on Mar 3. I’d spend the last two days chilling (shopping?) in Bangkok to avoid departure stress.

What’s left to figure out is how to get between these stops using public transport: Chiang Mai → Nan Nan → Phrae Phrae → Lampang Lampang → Phimai *or* Lampang → Bangkok

get some help from an AI app

I get that the best ones are paid, but hey, it’s not a massive yearly expense

... The problem with this kind of request is that you get absolutely everything and its opposite in response.

Hi there,

That’s exactly why I kinda gave up on "the case"—too much info kills the info, to the point where some posts get completely lost in the overload.

You’d decided to take your time, just like you said you liked to do, and now here you are chasing after it again.

But if you’re still able to sleep, that’s great.

You’re looking for perfection you’ll never find, at least I think so, but if you find happiness with it, then enjoy!!!

Best,

Partirdeloin

The most remarkable thing is how some people have a fascinating ability to give completely wrong advice, which you only realize once you're there.

Hi,

And you're still being kind—some don’t hesitate to shoot down others' ideas just because they don’t like them, or even claim them as their own if they weren’t the "first to mention it"...

Best regards,

Partirdeloin

Get help from an AI app

I get that the best ones are paid, but hey, it’s not a huge yearly cost

😏 😏 😏

New, it just came out! Latest version and I’d really like this to be the last one.

Feb 17–22 NAN (5 days/6 nights) Feb 23–26 PHRAE (3 days/4 nights) Feb 27–Mar 2 LAMPANG (3 days/4 nights) Mar 3–4 PHIMAI (1 day/2 nights) Mar 5 Phimai → Bangkok Overnight in Bangkok Mar 6 DEPART

-In my previous reply, I didn’t think it was wise to detour to Isan just for 3–4 nights. Yet today you’ve included Phimai, which is even farther than Loei (coming from the north), and for even less time... I think you’d be better off saving Isan for your next trip (or the third or fourth...) to spend a more serious amount of time there—like 3–4–5 weeks. -The northern part will force you to backtrack. To minimize that, it’d be better to do it in the order Lampang-Nan-Phrae.

Another option: I skip Phimai and add the two nights by extending Phrae and Lampang by one night each. So:

Feb 17–22 NAN (5 days/6 nights) Feb 23–27 PHRAE (4 days/5 nights) Feb 28–Mar 4 LAMPANG (4 days/5 nights) Mar 5 Lampang → Bangkok Overnight in Bangkok Mar 6 DEPART

So yes, skip Phimai. But 5 nights in Phrae and 5 in Lampang? Ouch!... Here’s what I’d do: Nan stays as is. Phimai: scrapped! Lampang and Phrae get 3 nights each. Chiang Mai: 10 nights (which is already a lot—2.5 times longer than what most travelers do) instead of 15. With the nice little stash of 9 nights now (but temporarily!) unassigned, I’d spend 5–4 in Chiang Rai* and 4–5 in Mae Salong**. (Suggestion inspired by your initial post:

Chiang Mai → Chiang Rai CHIANG RAI (7 days/8 nights): Fang – Tha Ton – Chiang Saen – Doi Tung – Chiang Khong – Doi Ang Khang PHU chi Fah, etc..

) * Chiang Rai: The most interesting spots are outside the city—the White Temple, the Blue Temple, and farther out, the Doi Tung Royal Villa and Garden (plan to rent a car for half a day), Chiang Saen, the vibe at the Mae Sai border crossing...

**Mae Salong (accessible by bus + songthaew; I can explain how if needed): A little off-the-beaten-path town and a great base for day or half-day hikes to nearby ethnic villages.

What’s left to check is the feasibility of public transport between my different stopovers: Chiang Mai → Nan Nan → Phrae Phrae → Lampang Lampang → Phimai or Lampang → Bangkok

I’ll get back to you on that in a bit...

A huge thank you to everyone who gave me concrete answers. You’ve helped me way more than you might think in building my own travel plan. Now I know where I’m going. When I first asked my questions, I had no idea at all. I’m sorry if I surprise you, but after so many years, I know I’m a bit of an oddball who doesn’t do things like everyone else. Especially as a traveler. That might throw some people off.

I want to sincerely thank you again. You’ve shed light for me when I was in total darkness. Now I’ll move forward at my own pace, following my tastes and desires, and if needed, I’ll make changes along the way. I might cut something here to add something there. I’ll shorten or extend certain stops if I feel it’s the right thing to do.

I’ll reply to each of you individually tomorrow. THANKS! !

Hello,

And you're still being kind—some don’t even hesitate to torpedo others’ ideas if they don’t like them, or even claim them as their own if they weren’t the "first to mention it"...

Best regards,

Partirdeloin

You little rascal! 😉

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

You little rascal!! 😉

Darn!!! You noticed... I was using all my ingenuity to make sure it didn’t show... I’m disappointed, really disappointed... 😎😛