Looking for feedback and advice on a Thailand-Laos-Cambodia itinerary plan (page 1 of 4)

Hi everyone, I’m starting to plan my next trip to Southeast Asia this winter (2.5 months, leaving in early December), and here’s a rough outline of my route—I’d love to share it with you and hear your thoughts and tips.

- I’ll start in Bangkok and already have three spots I’ve marked: Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, and Uthai Thani (I haven’t been to any of these places yet). - Next, I’d like to cross the country from west to east to reach the Laos border. I’d love suggestions for any interesting stops along this route—I don’t know this part of Thailand at all... - Then I’ll head into Laos, probably at Savannakhet (you can usually get a visa at the border). - > I’m tempted to spend a week in Hoi An, Vietnam, since I loved that city and the area when I visited two years ago. No visa needed for Vietnam now, so it could be a nice little detour. On the map, it doesn’t look too far, but I know you’ve got to be careful with these things, and I’m not sure if it’s a good idea. Any opinions on this? - Back to Laos (maybe via Dakta), and I’ll head south along the Mekong, probably doing the Bolaven Plateau loop that I missed last time. Then Paksé, the 4,000 Islands... I’ve been before, but I’d happily go back. - Crossing into Cambodia, I’ll follow the Mekong down to Phnom Penh (I know this area and love how untouristy it is). From there, I’ll probably spend a few days in Kep (quieter than Kampot). Still undecided, though. - Then back to Thailand (BKK), likely by plane from Phnom Penh since the borders between the two countries are currently closed (plus, let’s be honest, Cambodian roads... ;-). We’ll see how things look when the time comes. - After that, I’d like to explore southern Thailand, taking it slow with short hops. I’ve got my eye on Khao Sok National Park, and I’ve heard good things about Krabi... Again, I don’t know this region well, so any info or tips would be great.

So, I think this should be doable in 2.5 months, especially since I prefer short hops of 300 km max to avoid getting too tired, and I like staying 2-3 days in each place to explore. Plus, I’ll take a week off to relax if I find a spot I love—maybe by the sea for some real downtime.

Thanks for your feedback and for sharing your favorite spots! Pascal

Hi there,

https://www.thailand-ticket.de/Bangkok-Hotel-Buchen/central-thailand-map.htm https://www.thailand-ticket.de/issan/issan-map.htm

This is the first time I’ve seen someone on a forum planning to visit Uthai Thani. Since I don’t know the city, I’d love a quick rundown of what you’ve found to see or do there—thanks!

Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, and Uthai Thani (...). - Then, I’d like to cross the country from west to east

I don’t think heading due east from Uthai Thani makes the most sense in terms of transport or interest before reaching Isan (the name for the northeast of the country). Since you’re planning to stop in Ayutthaya, it’d be better to do the trip in this order: Bangkok-Kanchanaburi-Uthai Thani-Ayutthaya-arrival in Isan.

arrive at the Laos border. I’d appreciate any stops that seem interesting along this route, since I don’t know this part of Thailand at all...

Following the logic of what I suggested above, starting from Ayutthaya by train, here are the towns/sites I know:

Stop in Pakchong to visit Khao Yai National Park with a wildlife guide—plan for at least 2 nights. This guesthouse is great for organizing forest treks (though you won’t be alone—it’s well-organized...) and the rooms are decent if you’re not looking for luxury: http://www.greenleaftour.com/rooms.html If you let them know your arrival time at the station, they’ll pick you up. Then take the train again to Khorat. For the Ayutthaya-Pakchong-Khorat train, the Express 71 is preferable.

Khorat: a big, ugly, congested, and polluted city... You’ll have to pass through, but just to catch a bus (1h15) to the more pleasant town below:

Phimai: a charming small town, great for 2-3 nights with a few accommodations and some of the region’s most interesting Khmer ruins right in the city center. You could get there the same day you leave Ayutthaya or Pakchong. However, it’ll be tricky to leave (few options) for your next destination without going back through Khorat (but it’s only a 1h15 bus ride), or ask the driver to drop you off at the Phimai/Route 2 junction and wait for another ride there.

Yasothon: an ugly town, a must-visit 4 days a year for its rocket festival (not during your trip), completely forgettable the rest of the year.

Roi Et: a peaceful and pleasant town with its artificial lake in the city center (a bit like the vibe in Phayao, up north), great for 2-3 nights. A few other things to see in the area.

That’s all for the places I know in this part of Isan.

You didn’t ask about Kanchanaburi and its province. I’ve been there at least fifty times, from 4 nights to 2 months, for all sorts of reasons—so if you need info, you know where to ask.

In the south, aside from Hua Hin (which I hated), I only know cities that aren’t by the sea, so I won’t go into detail: Phetchaburi*, Trang, Phatthalung, and Nakhon Si Thammarat* * Worth staying 3 nights.

Phimai:



Yasothon when you’re there at the right time:



Phetchaburi:



Nakhon Si Thammarat:

In southern Thailand, I really liked Phattalung—a small town with neighborhoods built on stilts by Lake Thale Noi. Fishing activities and everywhere you look, locals weaving baskets while sitting in front of their doors. A sunrise boat trip to see the birds (gorgeous, but I didn’t have the right photo gear). It’s an international meet-up spot for bird lovers!

Since I’ve never posted photos on this site, I just extracted a few JPEGs from my catalog in the right format for VF... but it won’t accept them, with the message: Oops! An error occurred: You tried to upload an attached file, but this feature has been disabled. I’ve had this issue before. So many crashes with this new VF. It’s really discouraging.

Thanks Songsam for your reply—I’ll study it closely and note the destinations you mentioned.

About Uthai Thani, it was this article that made me want to check out "the little purple town": https://thailande-et-asie.com/visite-ville-uthai-thani

As for Kanchanaburi, it was this page (on the same site) and the photos of Wat Tham Suea temple that caught my eye. The place looks pretty magical with the rice field plain and the temples on the hill: https://thailande-et-asie.com/kanchanaburi-visite-au-wat-tham-suea-et-alentours

Okay for doing Bangkok-Kanchanaburi-Uthai Thani-Ayutthaya first, then heading toward Isan. I’d actually hesitated, and if it’s easier, I’ll follow your advice no problem. I’ll check out all the cities you mentioned in Isan—thanks a bunch!

For the south, I’d also passed through Hua Hin and didn’t like it either (a beach resort for the wealthy), but I might stay there one night as my first stop toward the south. I’ll look into the other cities you mentioned too.

Thanks for your reply—there’s already tons of useful info, and if you’ve got any tips for Kanchanaburi, I’m all ears! ;-)

PS: And thanks for the maps—they’re great for seeing the main routes and rail lines! !

Thanks Gaura, I’ll note down Phattalung and check it out (Songsam mentioned it too, so it can’t be bad!).

For the photos, are you definitely using the two buttons "1. Choose a photo" then "2. Upload the photo" under "Add a photo to the message"? Once that’s done, you can then choose to insert the photo into the text...

That’s what I did yesterday, and it worked without any issues. But hey, a bug is always possible...

I also recommend Prachuap Khiri Khan—beautiful beach, quiet town, prices and daily life typically Thai, and few foreign tourists. For photos... I’ve been on VF for 15 years, I know the site, but lately the crashes have been multiplying. I just tried again on the off chance... same message

Uthai Thani looks really interesting. To get there from Kanchanaburi without going back through Bangkok, I think I remember that the Kanchanaburi-Chiang Mai bus stops in Chainat, which is very close. Take the morning bus because the others will pass through in the middle of the night. I can confirm that Wat Tham Suea is nice to visit. However, to get there from Kanchanaburi, there’s no direct public transport for the whole journey—you’ll first need to take a bus or songthaew to Tha Muang, and from there, a motosai. Otherwise, consider renting a motorbike or car, or hiring a motosai (make sure to bargain!) directly in Kan. It’s a 2-3 hour trip including the visit.

If you have any tips for Kanchanaburi, I’d love to hear them! ;-)

For the town of Kanchanaburi and its immediate surroundings, plan for 4 nights; for the whole province, count about a week. For a bit of inspiration, you can read my reply from 01/09 at 6:23 PM here: https://voyageforum.com/forum/vos-recommandations-20-jours-en-thailande-d10779172-1/ For the rest, I’ll let you explore the town and province before answering any more specific questions you might have.

Here’s a link that might give you some extra ideas for Uthai Thani: https://voyageforum.com/forum/thailande-naturel-d9734063-6/

Just a heads-up—the buffalo market is only on Tuesdays.

As for the hotel I chose, it was the Uthaithani Resort.

Thanks Songsam,

Thanks to your info, I’ve started planning the Kanchanaburi leg. Here’s what I’m thinking, with a few questions about what you mentioned:

- Arriving in Kanchanaburi, and I’ll stay for 3 nights to explore the town and surroundings, probably renting a scooter—it’s more flexible that way. Specifically, the Bridge on the River Kwai (a must-see, but apparently quick to visit), Wat Tham Suea, Wat Tham Khao Pun, maybe the "giant tree," and surely other spots. If you’ve got any recommendations, I’m all ears. For Erawan Park and/or Sai Yok Park, though, I’m not sure how to handle it... should I choose between the two? They seem touristy but also really beautiful. I’m thinking of going by bus unless I take an organized "tour." What do you think? - Then I’d like to follow your suggestion: take the train, get off at Tham Krasae, join the road, then waterfall, Hellfire Pass... all the way to Thong Pha Phum. That should make for a great day! But I don’t see myself doing all that while carrying my backpack (I’m not as young as I used to be)... Do you know if it’s possible to have my backpack transported to Thong Pha Phum by van/minibus (hotel to hotel)? I imagine it can be arranged? - One night in Thong Pha Phum, then heading to SangkhlaBuri: you mentioned 3 nights—do you confirm? The place seems worth staying to soak in the atmosphere and vibe! - Then back to Kanchanaburi for one night and leaving the next day via Uthai Thani, taking the bus to Chiang Mai and getting off at Chainat.

Here’s my first draft—8 days spent in Kanchanaburi. Thanks for any comments and suggestions! ;-)

Good evening Pled,

http://patricklepetit.jalbum.net/KANCHANABURI/MAPROOM/map-of-kanchanaburi.jpg

by renting a scooter, you’re more free that way.

Yes, with a motorcycle license plus the international one.

If you recommend any, I’m interested.

In town, there’s this little temple near the river located here 14° 1'37.32"N 99°31'26.46"E that’s nice (and quiet since few travelers know it exists). I’ll post a photo of it below.

For Erawan Park and/or Sai Yok Park, though, I’m not sure how to go about it... do I have to choose between these two parks? They seem touristy but also very beautiful... I imagine going by bus

For Erawan, located on route 3199, there are buses. For Sai Yok Noi and the short turnoff to Sai Yok Yai N.P., both located on route 323, any bus or minivan heading to Thong Pha Phum or Sangkhlaburi can drop you off there. Route 3457 connects 3199 and 323, but no public transport runs on it, which means to go from Erawan to Sai Yok Noi or Yai, you either need your own wheels or have to go back through Kanchanaburi... but if you have your own wheels, you can’t take the train to Tham Krasae or Namtok 😕 So I’d recommend going to Erawan round-trip from Kanchanaburi.

unless I take an organized "tour"...

A tour for Erawan and Sai Yok Noi (probably including Phrasat Muang Sing*), that should be available. But for Erawan and Sai Yok Yai, probably not, since it’s too far to do both in one day. After three visits to Sai Yok Yai N.P., I don’t remember seeing any tour buses—it’s a pretty quiet spot, and people go there with friends, family, or as a couple to spend a night on a raft, in a floating hotel, or in a bungalow. Accommodations for a solo traveler can get quite expensive. You can also just stop by Sai Yok Yai to see the nice scenery, but even for an hour, you’ll have to pay the park entrance fee (200 or 400 baht, I don’t remember which). Same at Erawan, by the way.

* The westernmost ruins of the Khmer Empire. Accessible by train from Takilen station + motorbike taxi or scooter since it’s not too far from Kan, or through an agency. However, it’s impossible to do as a train stop between Kan and Tham Krasae or Namtok due to the schedules.

- Then I’d like to follow your suggestion of taking the train, getting off at Tham Krasae, joining the road, then waterfall, Hellfire Pass... all the way to Thong Pha Phum. That should make for a great day!

Yes, roughly leaving at 5 AM and arriving in the late afternoon makes for a great day... Personally, between Tham Krasae and route 323, I ended up hitchhiking for the 3-4 km uphill.

But I don’t see myself doing all that while carrying my backpack (I’m not that young anymore)... Do you know if it’s possible to have my backpack transported to Thong Pha Phum by van/minibus (hotel to hotel)? I imagine it can be done?

What Thais commonly do anywhere is go to the bus station and have a package checked in to be put on a bus to the chosen destination, where someone is waiting to receive it. But in your case, from hotel to hotel... In Thailand, you can often solve a problem just by talking about it around you, especially at your accommodation’s reception, so don’t hesitate to ask them the day before or earlier—they might have a solution for you (I’d bet 51% they do).

Sangkhlaburi: you mention 3 nights, do you confirm?

Yes. Or more. It’s a relaxing town in a pretty setting. In that area, 15° 8'41.69"N 98°27'7.35"E, you have access points leading down to the floating houses, some of which are nice little restaurants.

Kanchanaburi, the little-known temple:



Sangkhlaburi, Wat Wang Wiwekaram temple in the village on the other side of the wooden bridge:

A bit of adventure off the beaten path and a way to avoid crowds of tourists: visit the Huay Mae Khamin waterfalls!

How do you get there?

Thanks, it sounds great, but how do you actually get there? Because I see it's 110 km from Kanchanaburi and 43 km past the Erawan intersection.

Doing a round trip by scooter from Kanchanaburi in one day seems like a lot... Unless you hire a taxi for the day? That explains why there aren’t many people there...

Especially the Bridge on the River Kwai, of course (a must-see but it seems to be quick to visit)

To get good lighting (for photos), see a train passing, and avoid crowds, the only decent time to go is at 7 AM for the Namtok-Thonburi train. Be patient, though—trains are rarely on time. At any other time, it’ll either be too dark, too bright, or packed with people. You can walk on the bridge, even when a train is passing (they go very slowly and signal well in advance), because there are visible niches—check the two photos below. Nearby: T-shirt vendors, other souvenirs, an exhibit of old rusty railway vehicles used during construction, and riverside cafés/restaurants. Not far away on Maenam Kwae Road, there’s a museum about the bridge, but it’s not great. You’re better off visiting the JEATH Museum and the one on the street to the right of the Allied War Cemetery (third photo). Plan for about an hour at the bridge.

Hi Pled,

maybe by Dakta

I don’t know the name—Google and Google Earth don’t either... Where is it?

Hi Songsam,

This is about the Nam Giang (VTN) / Dakta Ok (LAO) border crossing:

But anyway, I’ve kinda given up on the idea of making a detour through Vietnam and Hoi An. Even though it looks doable on the map—about 500 km from the TH-LA border at Savannakhet to Hoi An—it’s actually a lot of travel time, and I remember how rough the roads in Laos are (my back still hasn’t forgotten!). So even though the idea was nice, I think I’ll skip it, especially since the rest of the trip will probably fill up my two and a half months just fine. (Plus, I’d rather take my time than try to hit too many places.)

I’ve been busy this week, but I’m still planning my trip. I’ve almost finalized Uthai Thani, where I’ll stay for 3 nights (2 full days there), and I’ll start looking into Ayutthaya, where I’ve never been.

After that, I really like your suggestions for Isan. They follow a central route, leading to the border at Mukdahan/Savannakhet, which works well for me. I’ve seen there are lots of other places to see in Isan, especially along the borders, but on the Cambodian side, it’s not the best time to hang around there, and on the Laotian side, going too far north—like around Udon Thani—would make the route too long, I think.

arriving at the border in Mukhadan/Savannakhet,

Is entering Laos via Savannakhet still essential for you now that you’re no longer planning that detour to Hoi An?

Well, no, so far I haven’t looked into anything very serious for my Laos route... I just have the idea of heading south roughly along the Mekong. I’ve already been to Laos once, and I skipped the center (overnight bus from Pakse to Vientiane). So the plan is to explore the central part of the country.

The Mukdahan/Savannakhet border is just a rough estimate of where I’ll be after Roi Et (following the spots you recommended)... I even saw that a bit further north, there’s Thakhek with quite a few things to see or do around there: https://www.novo-monde.com/boucle-thakhek-konglor-cave-laos/

So that’s where I’m at: exploring the center of the country a bit, then heading down to Pakse and the 4,000 Islands before crossing into Cambodia.

I was ready to suggest a detailed route for you that goes through Prasat Phanom Rung and Khong Chiam before entering Laos via Pakse, but your new idea of entering through Tha Khek to visit the area is a good one. Nakhon Phanom is a pretty pleasant town.

Alright, the Thailand part is starting to take shape. Following your advice, it’d look something like this:

Bangkok (1 night) Kanchanaburi (3 nights) Thong Pha Phum (1 night) Sangkhlaburi (4 nights) -> I really like this place Kanchanaburi (1 night) Uthai Thani (3 nights) Ayutthaya (3 nights) Pakchong (2 nights) Phimai (3 nights) Roi Et (3 nights) Udon Thani (3 nights) Nakhon Phanom (3 nights)

There you go—all places I’ve never been to, and that already fills up a month without even realizing it! I’ll have to scale back my plans because traveling along the Mekong (Laos + Cambodia) is going to take some time. What’ll be left for southern Thailand?? Gotta make some tough choices... 😐 (another reason to forget Vietnam!).

On the other hand, I’m having trouble checking available transport. I usually use 12Go.asia, but it’s not giving me anything useful (except flights and private taxis). For example, from Roi Et... Do you know of a better site for this?