Feedback on a 3-week Thailand itinerary (page 1 of 2)

Hi everyone, Could you share your thoughts on my 3-week itinerary? We’re a small group (family + friends) of 12 people, planning to leave around January 21, 2027. Here’s my itinerary: 3 nights in Bangkok 4 nights in Chiang Mai 3 nights on Koh Samui 3 nights on Koh Phangan 4 nights in Krabi 4 nights in Phuket I’m also open to any great tips you might have... Thanks, everyone! Alain.

Hi there,

Downsides: - The northern part visit was way too short and limited, - The beach portion was way too long—two-thirds of the trip!!... - The whole route was on the tourist highway at the worst time of the year.

Upsides: /

Same as Songsam, adding that when travelers don’t specify their tastes and interests, it’s hard for us to guess them and, as a result, to give them personalized advice.

Still not convinced to revise this weak itinerary?

Isn’t the worst time of year from mid-December to mid-January?

Thanks for your reply! Here’s my new itinerary: Bangkok – 3 nights Kanchanaburi – 2 nights Chiang Mai – 4 nights Krabi – 4 nights Koh Phi Phi – 3 nights Koh Lanta – 3 nights Phuket – 3 nights

Thanks for your reply, but we’re traveling from January 19 to February 11 and we’ve tweaked our itinerary a bit. Bangkok – 3 nights Kanchanaburi – 2 nights Chiang Mai – 4 nights Krabi – 4 nights Koh Phi Phi – 3 nights Koh Lanta – 3 nights Phuket – 3 nights

Isn't the worst time of the year from mid-December to mid-January?

It’s a matter of perspective—I think the peak overcrowding on the tourist highway runs from early January to the end of February. Luckily, that month doesn’t have 31 days, otherwise it would’ve been even longer. Thanks, Grégoire (another numbered one...).

If I may suggest, 3 nights in southern Phi Phi isn’t worth it—just go for a day trip from Lanta. Do 5 nights in Krabi, 5 nights in Lanta, and skip Phuket. Add one or two nights in CM instead. Your friends will thank you. @micalement Gaston

Thanks for your reply—here’s my new itinerary.Bangkok: 3 nights Kanchanaburi: 2 nights Chiang Mai: 4 nights Krabi: 4 nights Koh Phi Phi: 3 nights Koh Lanta: 3 nights Phuket: 3 nights

Overall, it’s not much better, especially with Phuket and Koh Phi Phi being absolutely packed.

Are you including so much beach time strictly out of preference, or because you’re not sure what else to choose due to limited knowledge of what there is to see in the country beyond beaches, Bangkok, and Chiang Mai? Would you like help putting together a more balanced itinerary with less beach time?

Kanchanaburi deserves more than 2 nights.

Hi there, If you're into diving or snorkeling (or even if you're not) while in the beach areas, head to Koh Lipe. Even though it's pretty busy, it's a bit less crowded than most other islands due to the distance and the relatively tricky access. The upside? Crystal-clear waters—unlike Samui and Phangan—secluded little coves, and, most importantly, some stunning remaining underwater landscapes. (Healthy coral platforms are rare these days!) If you book excursions from your accommodation, you can visit Koh Rawi, Koh Adang, and plenty of surrounding islets, all great spots for diving or snorkeling!

From this touristy island, you can also go to Koh Muk, which sees very few visitors (except for day trips organized from Lanta). It’s a bit like what Koh Phi Phi used to be before the tourist invasion. Don’t miss the Emerald Cave—a beautiful underwater cave! Go in the morning by kayak and stay at Mookies Bungalows, just 200m back from the island’s most beautiful beach.

If you're looking for a much larger island (compared to its neighbors), check out Koh Tarutao—it’s like the Robinson Crusoe island. Hardly anyone goes there, yet the bungalows are comfortable and spacious. It’s super peaceful, but there’s no village on the island, just one restaurant with administrative hours since it’s run by the national park administration. Spend 2 days or more there if you don’t mind the solitude—there’s plenty to do!

Kayak trips to the Crocodile Cave, jungle hikes, bike rentals to visit the old prison, and jeep tours with the park rangers (the island’s only inhabitants) are all on the agenda.

It’s wild to think that on this forum, so many people ask for "off-the-beaten-path" recommendations, yet this island offers relative comfort, and the few spacious bungalows—nestled in a coconut grove teeming with monkeys and monitor lizards—are barely 20% occupied. It makes you wonder!

Look up "Koh Tarutao marine park" online. Here’s an example: everything you need is there, including practical info. It’s not complicated at all! https://www.routard.com/fr/mag/reportage/a/thailande-ko-tarutao-l-ile-sauvage

Happy to share more details if you're interested

As mentioned earlier, it's peak season: cf all the tour operators! So hotels are almost full—especially the best ones and the cheapest... For a group of a dozen people: wow, that’s gonna be tough to find! Phi Phi: exactly—it reeks of diesel with 300 speedboats and 200 longtails at the port, the water’s even yellowish now... avoid it from now on! Phuket? Meh, why not Marbella instead? Actually, it all depends on what you want to do, but following each other around like that will mean a lot of waiting. And honestly, it’s not the *real* Thailand (sorry for being so direct... a long-time resident in the Land of Smiles). Don’t you have any local contacts? Good luck!

Hi everyone, thanks so much for your replies. Even if it might shock some people, yes, we’d like to do more beach time, swimming, snorkeling, boat trips, and some light hikes... I’m looking into cutting out the nights on Koh Phi Phi, just doing a day trip from Krabi, and maybe adding Khao Lak or somewhere else? Best,

Hi again, what do you think of this new itinerary idea...

20–23 January: Bangkok — 3 nights 23–25 January: Kanchanaburi — 2 nights 25–29 January: Chiang Mai — 4 nights 29 January–2 February: Krabi — 4 nights 2–5 February: Khao Sok — 3 nights 5–8 February: Koh Lanta — 3 nights 8–11 February: Phuket — 3 nights Thanks

Hi, How are you planning the trip from Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai? Direct bus? Daytime or overnight?

Hi there, we’re thinking of heading back down to Bangkok and taking either the overnight flight or train to Chiang Mai. Got a better plan?

The 3 options:

-Bus or minivan back to Bkk + crossing Bkk during rush hour + overnight train to C.Mai = 17-18 hours total travel time + exhaustion in the first part of the journey (before the train).

-Bus or minivan back to Bkk + crossing Bkk during rush hour + flight to Chiang Mai from Bangkok Don Muang Airport (DMK) = 7.5-8 hours total travel time + exhaustion in the first part of the journey (before the flight).

-Day or night (VIP) bus direct from Kanchanaburi to Chiang Mai = 11-12 hours travel time (it doesn’t go through Bkk) + patience if traveling during the day. In my opinion, this is the most reasonable solution. Departures in the morning and 1 to 3 in the evening. I’ve taken it several times and never booked more than an hour before departure directly at the bus station, but I wasn’t traveling with 12 people. Apparently, it’s bookable on the usual sites and pictured below in Kanchanaburi.

And I’ll say it again: 2 nights isn’t enough for Kanchanaburi. Add one more, which you could take from your stay in the hustle and bustle of Phuket.

Hi there,

You don’t have any local contacts?

? What for?

hi, just to echo the valid points you made about only having one Kanchanaburi-Chiang Mai connection; for both transport and hotels, they’re really going to struggle, rarely be together, and waste time on all those transfers. With a local contact, they get the best hotel prices (30-40% cheaper than Booking), hotels not listed on Booking that only Thais and regulars know about, and avoid scams. Finally, for a group of 10 or more, they have to register their itinerary with immigration. That’ll take them a lot of time at each city arrival (hotels only do it for individuals, not groups). I know it’s a hassle, but that’s how it’s been for a few years now. Have a good evening

Precisely because of the valid points you made about a single Kanchanaburi-Chiang Mai connection; for transportation and hotels, they’ll really struggle, rarely be together, and waste time on these transfers. With a local contact, they get the best hotel prices (30-40% cheaper than Booking), hotels not listed on Booking that only Thais and regulars know about, and avoid scams.

Just that alone!... Alarmist and misleading claims designed solely to freak them out so they ask you to put them in touch with a local intermediary or provider—so that, in the end, the latter pays you a commission. It’s a pretty common practice among some unscrupulous expats who hang out on certain forums. And obviously, for people like that, 12 people is a jackpot. You’re the one talking about scams? Find another way to make ends meet besides the forum.

Finally, for a group of 10+ people, you have to register your itinerary with immigration. That’ll take them a lot of time at each city arrival (hotels only do it for individuals, not groups).

As for that, I can’t confirm whether what you’re saying is true, but I have serious doubts—especially about the immigration registration in every city. I’ve never heard of it, and the only info I find online is that you can’t list more than 10 people on a TM.6 card. What sources do you have to back up your claims?