Your recommendations for 20 days in Thailand (page 1 of 3)

Hello,

Our flights are booked, and we’ll arrive in Thailand at the beginning of January.

Originally, we were supposed to spend 14 days there. But after booking the flights and seeing the prices, we’ll now be there for 20 days instead.

Our initial plan was: 2 days in Bangkok 1 day in Ayutthaya 4 days in Chiang Mai 6 days around Krabi

So we have 7 more days to fill. What do you recommend?

An extra day in Bangkok? Adding more days in the north? If so, where? Exploring another region, like Kanchanaburi or Cheow Lan Lake? Traveling north in stages instead of taking the overnight train?

A few extra details about us: For us, vacation isn’t about relaxation—we love walking, exploring, and packed days don’t bother us. Hiking for hours and doing active things is what makes us happy. That said, we also enjoy visiting villages and towns if they’re worth the detour. In Thailand, we’d like to visit temples too. We’re early risers, so our days tend to be long. 🙂 In short, we like to keep things moving during our trips. 😉

Unfortunately, seeing terraced rice fields isn’t possible in January. I read there are rice fields around Sukhothai. Are they green in January?

In the north, do you recommend Doi Inthanon, Huai Nam Dang, or Doi Chiang Dao National Parks? Which one is the most beautiful and best for January?

Just one more little detail—we’ll be arriving in Bangkok but leaving from Phuket.

Hello,

Wow, there are so many possible answers... Two more clarifications, please:

Finally, 20 days there.

Initially, we had planned: 2 days in Bangkok 1 day in Ayutthaya 4 days in Chiang Mai 6 days around Krabi

That’s 21 nights on site, and when you mention the duration of a stop, it’s in full days, so for example, here Bangkok would be 3 nights or Chiang Mai 5 nights—is that correct?

We also want to visit temples.

You’re talking about temples that are still active, in good condition, and well-decorated like the one in the photo below, not ruin sites like Ayutthaya (some first-time travelers in the country tend to mix the two up during their planning)?

We’re spending a full 20 days there, but only two nights in Bangkok since we’ll arrive at 5:55 AM. So the first day won’t be too packed because of travel fatigue.

For the rest, we’ll have full days. That means 4 days in Chiang Mai, though we’ll have one night on the train arriving early in the morning. Then we’ll stay 4 days and 4 nights—unless someone advises us to stay longer! 🙂

As for temples, both options sound interesting. We’d like to see the ancient temples in Ayutthaya, a few temples in the Chiang Mai square, Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, and Wat Phra Lat. In Bangkok, we’re planning to visit the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Phra Kaew, and Wat Pho.

We’re open to anything! 🙂

Regarding temples, I think we’ve planned quite a few, and we don’t want to visit temples every day.

We really love nature, and a trek would be great, but I’m not sure where or how to organize it. What’s certain is we don’t want a group trek.

Lake Cheow Lan looks amazing for the landscapes, but it seems super touristy.

Visiting a lake covered in water lilies would be lovely too, but I’m not sure if it’s possible in January.

Anyway, I’ll keep reading blogs, travel journals, and other sites.

Hi Carmen,

Renting a car or using public transport?

Hi Carmen,

Car rental or public transport?

Hi Agnès, 🙂

We won’t be renting a car. I would’ve done it if we were only going to the south and not staying on the islands. Renting a car when you don’t use it half the time isn’t very cost-effective. Though, I haven’t really done the math for Thailand. But I think it requires even more planning.

We’ll be using private drivers and some public transport. We did the same in Peru this year, and it worked perfectly for us.

An extra day in Bangkok?

You could add one, even 2-3 if you wanted, since there’s plenty to see. But not doing it to free up more time for the rest isn’t a bad call (the kind of answer that actually helps you move forward...😕). Either way, don’t forget that Bkk is an exhausting city to get around, no matter how you travel—including on foot.

Adding days in the north? If so, where? Adding another region, like Kanchanaburi?

Adding days in the North, yes. Adding Kanchanaburi province, also yes—but not both.

For Kanchanaburi province, plan at least 7 nights: 3 in Kanchanaburi town, 3 in Sangkhlaburi, and one in between at Sai Yok Yai or Thong Pha Phum. For transport and visits, here’s how it could work, in order: - In Kan, take the 6 AM train to Namtok and get off just after it crosses the Wangpo viaduct/Death Railway Bridge, at Tham Krasae halt. Walk along the viaduct for the view, then head to Route 323 on foot (6 km, mostly uphill—take the road following the tracks to the first level crossing, cross it, and keep straight). On Route 323, wait for a bus or minivan going left, then optionally stop at Sai Yok Noi waterfall (skip if you want), re-bus/minivan, optional stop at the Hellfire Pass Museum* and the original cutting, re-bus/minivan, then overnight at Sai Yok Yai National Park (or Thong Pha Phum). "We’re early risers, so our days are often long.🙂 In short, when we travel, we like to keep things moving.😉" Well, you’d get your fill here! 😉 And the next day? Yep, another bus/minivan to Sangkhlaburi. If the above sounds overwhelming 😎, minivans also do the direct Kanchanaburi–Sangkhlaburi route. The only public transport to the Wangpo viaduct is the train. In Sangkhlaburi, P. Guesthouse offers activities you might enjoy—check their website.

After Sangkhlaburi, return to Kanchanaburi during the day, then: - Either take a comfortable overnight bus to Chiang Mai (there’s also a daytime one), about 12 hours, - Or take the 55-minute air-conditioned Bus 81 (every 20 mins until ~7 PM) to Ban Pong, then a 10–15 minute walk to the train station, where night trains head to all southern rail destinations.

* Drivers won’t know it by this name but by this one: ช่องเขา ขาด Pronounced "chông kăo kàat" Also check this out: https://voyageforum.com/forum/hebergement-riviere-kwai-d10776215/

We’d love to visit a lake covered in water lilies, but I’m not sure if it’s possible in January.

I’m not sure about water lilies, but lotuses are in bloom at Talay Bua Daeng in January–February. The downside? It’s at the other end of the country, near Udon Thani—a city that’s not exactly a highlight. Direct buses run between Udon Thani and Chiang Mai.

I’ll come back later with suggestions for additions in the North.

Around Krabi, I can see the appeal (unless you're staying on the farthest beach).

For the north, much less so.

It was to explore that region that I got my international driver’s permit.

The route started in Chiang Mai, then headed toward Mae Hong Son. After that, I went to Chiang Rai to loop back to Chiang Mai.

Something like this, but with the Chiang Rai leg added.

Thanks Thierry for this very detailed reply.

In any case, don’t forget that Bangkok is an exhausting city to get around, no matter the mode of transport, including on foot.

If we add more time in Bangkok, it’ll be a maximum of one day. Apart from a few exceptions, we quickly get overwhelmed in big cities.

Adding things in the North, yes; adding Kanchanaburi province, yes too—but not both.

That’s for sure—it’ll be one or the other. Given that we’ve planned to go to Chiang Mai, it might be wiser to stay in that region.

I just read Biboun51’s travel journal, and they didn’t seem to enjoy Pai and its surroundings. Though, that’s debatable…

I’ll keep reading.

Something like that with the Chiang Rai part added.

Thanks, I’ll read this blog tonight.

Something like that with the part to Chiang Rai added.

Thanks, I’ll read this blog tonight.

Not really great, this blog. I’ve seen more comprehensive ones.

Having recently done the Mae Hong Son loop, I don’t think it’s one of the absolute must-sees in Thailand. That said, it’s hard to compare regions in a country that’s beautiful pretty much everywhere.

Not really great, this blog. I’ve seen more comprehensive ones.

After recently doing the Mae Hong Son loop, I don’t think it’s one of the absolute must-sees in Thailand.

What spots do *you* consider absolute must-sees? I’m aware that some of them might be tough to fit into a three-week trip covering both the north and the south.

Does anyone know the Mae Sariang area?

Another question.

Do you recommend a day trip from Bangkok to Songkran, the Talad Rom Hub train market, Klong Kone to see the swimming monkeys, and Amphawa for the floating market?

The train market seems super touristy. Is it the same for Klong Kone and Amphawa?

Have a great day! 🙂

Note that Amphawa is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Note: Amphawa is only open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Thanks for the info! :)

This blog was just an example. I kinda picked the first one I found.

Back when I was researching, the photos I saw really made me want to go. Plus, there were tons of little roads to explore everywhere!

Why didn’t you connect more with this region?

Few viewpoints along the routes between stops, not many interesting waterfalls compared to other regions, Pai hardly suits those over 25, and overall, the area is poorly suited for cars. True, it’s better to do this by scooter or motorbike, IMHO. The temples aren’t great (Burmese style and a pretty poor region). But after 10 visits, I might just be jaded... Just to be clear, I’m not saying you should avoid it either!

Why isn't it suitable for cars?

Are these 4x4 tracks?