Results for "Muang+Xay+|+8+>+189"

Bonjour à tous,

Nouveau menbre de ce forum depuis quelques jours, je me suis longuement arrêté sur le forum asie du S-E. J'ai déjà trouver moultes informations qui nous seront sans doute très utiles.

Après avoir rapidemment parcouru la thaïlande l'an dernier (Bangkok, Chang Mai et Ko Thao), nous repartons, ma chérie et moi même, pour un séjour bien plus long dans toute l'Asie du S-E. Au programme : Thaïlande (Nous n'avions pas pu tout faire, et nous avions adoré), Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam et Cambodge. En tout, nous comptons rester environ 3-4 mois dans cette région du Monde.

D'après l'ensemble de vos discussions, ces quelques pays valent vraiment le coup de s'y rendre qu'ils s'agissent des contacts avec la population ou des paysages.

Nous n'avons pas encore défini d'itinéraire précis. Je pense qu'on décidera pas mal de chose sur place au fil de la route et des rencontres (Nous pensons commencer par la Thaïlande que nous connaissons déjà un peu)....Néanmoins si certain d'entre vous ont des itinéraires à nous proposer à travers ces cinq pays nous sommes tout ouie (quelque soit le moyen de transport à utiliser) !! Nous sommes également à l'écoute des lieux qui vous ont marqué (j'ai déjà pu en noter quelqu'uns 😉)

Evidemment idem pour toutes les bonnes adresses (Hôtel, Gesthouse, restaurant ou bar) et/ou contacts sur place. Alors n'héstez pas à me répondre ici ou à m'envoyer un petit mail...........

Nous partons vers la fin février....

Merci d'avance à vous tous

P.S : Si vous avez rédigé des carnets de voyage, je suis tout enclin à les lire.....Merci de nous les signaler (A ce propos, bravo à Nancy pour son CdV sur le Myanmar)

@++ et bon voyage à tous ceux qui partent bientôt.

Qui a déja voyagé avec cette compagnie ? on dit qu'elle est super...

Je pars pour bali en mars j'ai un stop d'une journée à singapour au retour ?

Est ce facile d'aller faire le tour de la ville ? prix d'un taxi par ex. Merci

Bonjour à tous,

Voilà je pars 8 mois en Asie du Sud avec ma copine au programme: Thaillande 2 mois, Cambodge 1 mois, Vietnam: 1 mois, Laos: 2 semaines, Myanmar 1 mois, Malaisie 2 semaines, indonésie 2 mois.

Bref, je me prépare depuis un moment et aujourd'hui à ma gde stupeur ma copine qui est espagnole s'est fait vaccinée en Espagne n'a pas eu les même prescriptions de vaccins que moi.

Moi j'ai été vacciné pour: DTPolio, Epathite A & B, Fièvre tiphoide et j'ai refusé la rage qui me paraissait absurde

Elle a été vacinné pour la même chose que moi + encéphalite japonaise, GRIPPE, Méningites. Est-ce vraiment nécessaire de ce vacciné contre tous ça ??

Qu'en pensez vous ? Qu'elles ont été vos expérience en terme de vaccination pour ces pays ?

Merci

Charles

Et oui, encore un post sur ces pays...😛 Dîtes moi, Si c'etait vous, que vous y passiez sept semaines, vous feriez quoi? le tour dans quel sens? Filer sur Angkor (la grosse depense ne sera plus a faire en fin de voyage🤪), remonter au Laos et redescendre en Tailande?... Ou bien l'inverse: Monter a Chang Mai, passer au Laos, redescendre au Cambodge?...

Une fois au nord du Laos, c'est possible de se faire une "rapide escapade" a la bais d'Along, ou y'a pas moyen? (evidement, en budget routard).

Merci si vous repondez... sinon, merci d'avoir lu! 😉

bonjour je recherche des infos pour faire le trajet thailande pekin si possible a moindre cout🤪,

quelqu un a t il des idees ou qq un l a t il deja fais ????

merci de votre aide

Salut à tous !

On aimerait beaucoup se rendre au Cambodge l'année prochaine (tous vos témoignages nous ont vraiment donné envie d'y aller !). Comme ce sera la 1ère fois (et ne disposant que de +/- 15 jours), on irait à Siem Reap, Phom Phen et la plage (Sihanoukville, c'st un bon choix ?).

Alors, voilà, avez-vous des endroits sympas à nous recommander où nous pourrions loger dans ces 3 endroits (prix moyens) ainsi que quelques bons tuyaux ? Que visiter, où aller, guide(s), moyens de transport (nous arriverons de Bangkok).

D'avance, merci pour toutes vos infos.

A +, Sabaïdee.

Bonjour à tous

Nous partons fin octobre avec ma femme et ma fille de 4 ans pour la Thailande. Nous arrivons à Bangkok vers 13h00 et voudrions repartir en train couchette pour chiang maï .....le jour même vers 18h00 ! qu'elles sont nos chances de réussite? Le nord de la thailande n'est-il pas trop pluvieux en novembre? Dans le cas ou nous devrions séjourner une nuit ou deux à BKK, quelqu'un connaît-il un hotel/guesthouse un peu à l'abri de l'agitation de kao san road ou on pourrait se poser en famille et aclimater la petite. J'ai entendu parler de "resorts" avec petits pavillons dans la verdure autour de BKK et de Chiang mai quelqu'un as-t-il des infos ?

Nous partirions ensuite faire un tour vers luang prabang au Laos (avion chiang mai/Luang prabang). Doit-on prendre le visa dans une agence à Chiang maï oubien à la frontière (on a pas encore le billet).

J'ai passé quelques temps à Ko chang en 2002 sur kae bae beach, les "locaux" nous dsiait "Ko change !" Les bungalows ont-ils envahi l'île ? (ça construisait déja sévère à ce moment).

Merci d'avance

Mieux vaut passer 4 jours à Luang Prabang et 1 jour à Vang Vieng

ou

3 jours à Luang Prabang et 2 jours à Vang Vieng ?

je suis actuellement au laos, avec un visa d un mois. j ai aucune envie de partir, et je reterais bien plus longtemps, mais mon visa se termine bientot.

on me propose des prolongations de visa pour 3 dollar par jour, 2.5 en negotiant bien, ou alors de passer une frontiere. mais je crois qu il n y a que la frontiere thaie qui est ouverte et ils ne proposent que des visa de 15 jours, ou alors il faut retourner a bangkok, et attendre 3 jours pour un autre visa..

jai entendu parler d un ministere qui faisait des prolongations de visa un peu au black, sous couvert de visa de travail, mais jen sais pas plus. Est ce que qq connait ce plan, ou un autre? je veux pas partir!!!

hello ma femme et moi envisageons de partir en thailande mais nous sommes a la recherche d'une île deserte avec petit hotel confortable mais sans + avez vous des tuyaux pleaseeeeee merci d'avance!

Bonjour,

Je pars en Juillet en Thaïlande, et vais passer une semaine du 7 au 14 sur l'ile de Kho Phi Phi pour faire de la plongée.

Quels conseils ? Merci.

Bonjour,

je viens de m'inscrire sur le forum, et je recherche des infos sur la Thaïlande, j'y serais durant 35 jours répartis entre juillet à mi-août et je cherche un itinéraire, pour infos, j'ai déjà réserver sur place un hôtel à Koh Samui pour la fin du voyage afin de revenir bronzé à mort. Pour le reste pour faire finalement comme tout le monde je souhaite aller à Bangkok, Chiang mai et rai et aller à Kuala Lumpur. Donc si quelqu'un à des idées j'suis preneur, une autre question y a t'il des bons plans là-bas pour ramener de l'électronique ?

Y a t'il encore des pb dans le Sud ?

Toujours des arnaques à la CB lors des treks ?

Voilà merci pour vos réponses

Bonjour,

1°- La question a sans doute déjà été posée : quelqu’un pourrait-il me conseiller un hôtel ou une ghest house sympa (pas trop crade ni trop bruyant !) sur Bangkok. Je pensais au quartier de Kao San, notamment pour des questions de commodité. Pensez-vous qu’il soit nécessaire de réserver avant ? Nous arrivons à Bangkok en fin de soirée et je flippe déjà d'avance.

2°- Connaissez-vous le discovery Airpass de Bangkok Airways ? Faut-il l'acheter dans une agence de voyages sur place ou à Paris même ?

Merci à tous de vos réponses !!!

Allo à tous,

Ma copine te moi partons en Thaïlande le 5 février prochain pour 2 mois. Semblerait-il que cette période de l'année, en Thaïlande, est la période "fraiche" 😎 et que les moustiques sont moins en abondance.

Ma copine et moi comptions s'acheter des filets pour pour recouvrir les lits, est-ce vraiment nécessaire ou sinon y a-t-il d'autres moyens efficaces pour contrer ces malheureux moustiques.

Également, nous atterissons à Bangkok vers 23h45, on s'attend un peu à se faire... pour le transport de taxi vers le centre-ville vu l'heure tardive et l'absence de transport en commun à ces heures. Pour combien de Baths estimez-vous raisonnable un transport en taxi de l'aéroport au centre-ville?

Et aussi, vers quels rues ou quel endroit sécuritaire devrait-on aller pour la première nuit à Bangkok à cette heure de la nuit?

Et on se demandais aussi si des vêtements longs seraient nécessaire à cette période de l'année, puisque nous voulons aller dans le Nord de la Thailande, le Laos et le Vietnam?

Merci à vous tous et bonne journée

Jeff

🙂Bonjour à toutes,

Je pars au Laos du 20 juillet au 15 août 03 et je serai ravie d'avoir des conseils de routarde solitaires et également de se retrouver sur place pour celles qui projetent de partir là-bas.

Merci beaucoup pour vos réponses.

A bientôt

Ciao

Gaëlle

Hi everyone,

We’re planning our second trip to Thailand (2 weeks on-site, late April/early May) as a family with our 5- and 7-year-olds.

On our first trip, we visited Bangkok, Ayutthaya, the River Kwai, Koh Lipe, Koh Phi Phi, and Khao Lak. We especially loved Koh Phi Phi for its limestone cliffs and lush vegetation, as well as Koh Lipe for its crystal-clear waters and snorkeling.

This time, I’m thinking of spending 7 days on the islands. I was considering Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. We’d like some scenery, snorkeling right from the beach, and a bit of atmosphere—but not too much (just enough to grab dinner in the evening).

For the other part of the trip, we’re torn between Chiang Mai and Khao Sok. One or the other… or both? We don’t want to rush, but we’re really nature-focused, so we won’t be hitting too many temples…

Thanks in advance for your tips and experiences!

Hi everyone. I’m planning my trip, and based on all the posts I’ve read, this country is amazing. Of course, I’ve got a ton of questions for you. Here’s a possible itinerary: Vientiane - Vang Vieng - Phonsavan - Sam Neua - Nong Khiaw + villages - Phongsali - Luang Namtha and the area - Udomxai - Huay Xai - Luang Prabang and back to Vientiane. What do you think? We’re planning to prioritize local transport—is it possible to do this loop? We’d also love to go kayaking, but I’m not sure if the season’s right or where the best spot is.

For trekking—I read that Phongsali is the most authentic spot to visit villages and see wildlife. Do you know of a reliable agency and a guesthouse with reasonable prices? Is it worth taking a slow boat for a stretch on the Mekong, and if so, which route?

For accommodations, is it better to book through Booking.com and Agoda or look when we arrive?

Are mosquitoes bad in Laos, and should we take malaria prophylaxis? What’s the average daily budget (accommodation, food, visits)?

Is renting scooters a good option for exploring towns, and if so, which ones?

From what I’ve read, it’s best to carry cash—euros or dollars? Is it risky to walk around with that much cash?

I’ve still got tons of questions. Thanks to anyone who can help, and I’m open to all tips, info, etc. Thanks again

Come along, I'm taking you to this country where it's so nice to wander and slow down...

This trip was in 2023, but when I wanted to write my travel journal, VF was still closed to contributions... So, now that I've just finished my Japan travel journal here, I figured it was high time to honor this destination we came back from so enchanted. Disclaimer 1: This is a written travel journal. There’ll be text! Too much, for some! Disclaimer 2: This is an illustrated travel journal. There’ll be photos! Too many, for some!

I have to say, every time I try to discipline myself, to keep it shorter, to include fewer photos... I end up adding more. It feels like my dear Aunt Nicole, who exhausted us with her slide-show evenings in the 70s/80s, decided to take her revenge. The upside for you, readers, is that you can slip away anytime without offending Aunt Nicole. I won’t even notice!

Anyway, since I love maps, here’s one to give you an idea of where I’m taking you. As you can see, we only saw a tiny part of Laos (the areas circled in red); we only had 3 weeks for ourselves (my husband’s newly retired, I still work), and we prefer taking our time over rushing around like crazy.



In broad strokes, it was very classic:

First, we “settled in” at Luang Prabang (8 days), because we wanted and needed to. From there, we took three days to venture a little further north—not far in kilometers, but as we know, distances aren’t just about km! Then we flew south to Paksé, letting ourselves drift down to the 4,000 Islands while stopping by the pre-Angkorian archaeological sites. We wrapped up with the Bolaven Plateau.

A few practical notes: We arrived via Bangkok, then took a Bangkok-Luang Prabang flight, having picked up our luggage in Bangkok to check it in for Luang Prabang. No issues—the Bangkok airport, which many of you know, is very well organized. We got our visas on arrival in Luang Prabang. Quick, but to be fair, we were on a “small” plane, and the big flights had arrived earlier, so we weren’t too crowded in line! At the end of our trip, we didn’t fly out of Paksé but from the nearby airport in Thailand, Ubon Ratchathani (a 2.5-hour drive from Paksé), then Bangkok and Paris. You’ll notice we skipped Vientiane to stay longer in Luang Prabang. That said, there’s now a high-speed train between Vientiane and Luang Prabang—good to know—and soon the (Chinese) train will go all the way to Bangkok and even Kuala Lumpur!

With that intro out of the way, let’s dive into the heart of the matter. To be continued: Slowing down the pace... in Luang Prabang

Hello! 🙂

January 2026 Here we go again for new adventures and the pleasure of sharing them with you here! First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who helped me with the preparations, even with some last-minute improvisations just days before departure. Thanks to Montagnard74, Jojoone1, Songsam, Attila, Dennis2, NadegerFERM, and the authors whose travel journals about Laos inspired me (Montagnard74, Muriel18, Mavietongs...).

In this story, written by Richard and illustrated by me, we’ll tell you about the journey of four friends: Catherine, Richard, Nathalie, and Bruno. A reinvented but overall successful trip, filled with discoveries and surprises, the scents of spices and frangipani flowers, (too) spicy food, sunsets, and... one big mess.

Hello!

After a long travel hiatus, we’re (finally) back on the road for some getaways! Now with two kids in tow, we’re heading to Thailand for two weeks next February (a destination that’s stood us up twice before but seems perfect for our first big family trip).

We’d have loved to stay longer, but two weeks is already a great start and will be plenty enjoyable.

Key points: - Experience Thailand, not just live our usual routine in Thailand - Avoid crowds as much as possible, even though February will be busy - Not big city fans, so Bangkok (BKK) will be kept to a minimum - Focus on nature, the sea, forests, waterfalls, hiking, kayaking...

At this stage, here’s the rough itinerary I’m considering: - Arrival at 7 AM + a day in BKK

- DEPART for SURAT THANI (BUS) - Transfer + Khao Sok (overnight on the lake / in the trees)

- RETURN to Ko Samui - Transfer to Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Tao (snorkeling)

- RETURN to Khao Lak. While there: * Visit Ao Phang Nga Park by kayak * Excursion to caves / Ko Khao Phing Kan (the "007 beach" lol) * ALTERNATIVE = SIMILAN ISLANDS

- RETURN to KRABI or Koh Phi Phi * Visit Koh Hong or Koh Yao Yai

* Flight from SURAT THANI to BKK - If time left in BKK: - Explore BKK: Wat Pho / floating market / Maeklong Railway Market / Chinatown... - Or a day trip to Ayutthaya - Or a day at Erawan Waterfall (Haew Suwat) - Day +1 = Return to France

Questions I’m pondering: - Is this too ambitious? I think it might be... but since we’d rather see as much as possible than just lounge on a beach... - How to get around on this route? Bus or rental vehicle (which I’d prefer to avoid) - Are there any inconsistencies in the plan I’ve outlined? - Should I adjust any connections or prioritize differently? - Krabi vs. Koh Phi Phi? - Koh Hong vs. Koh Yao Yai?

We’ve booked the first night (using some leftover backpacking perks), but nothing else—so open to all ideas!

If you know a local agency that can offer advice (for a fee), that could work too, since the options feel endless...

Thanks so much for reading this far, and even more if you’ve got tips or suggestions to share!! Best wishes ;)

Hi everyone,

We’re heading to Thailand with our four kids (ages 18, 17, 12, and 10) from August 3rd to 15th, 2026. I’ve been there twice before, but that was over 20 years ago, so I’m completely out of the loop !

We arrive in Bangkok on the morning of the 3rd and leave on the evening of the 15th.

Here’s our rough itinerary—I’d love your thoughts: 1 night in Bangkok on the 3rd (with a little sightseeing during the day), then the Grand Palace, reclining Buddha, and a floating market on the 4th. On the evening of the 4th, we take an overnight train to Chiang Mai. We’ll stay in Chiang Mai from the 5th to the 8th. On the evening of the 8th, we take an overnight train back to Bangkok. On the morning of the 9th, we head to Koh Samui. We’ll stay there from the 9th to the 12th, then return to Bangkok on the 13th. We’ll spend the afternoon of the 13th, the 14th, and the 15th in Bangkok before flying back to France 🙁.

So here are my questions: - Do you think this "itinerary is doable"? - Do you think it’s necessary to travel first class, or is second class with Air Co sufficient for the Bangkok to Chiang Mai trip? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Chiang Mai? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Bangkok? - Any recommendations for a great hotel with a pool, super central, so we can do most things on foot and visit the night market in Koh Samui?

For hotels, we’d like to spend a maximum of 200 € per night for the six of us.

Thanks in advance for your help! Mathilde

Hi there,

We have the opportunity to get away for a little two-week trip at the very beginning of January, just the two of us, without our kids. Because of the kids, we haven’t traveled much in Asia, so we’d love to take advantage of their absence to explore Thailand. Even though I’m used to planning our trips, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed this time.

We’d like to visit Bangkok and head south by renting a car (we have an international driver’s license, and my husband has driven on the left before). I’ve managed to sketch out a rough itinerary that might work for us, and I’d love to hear your thoughts.

To set the scene: we haven’t booked anything yet, we don’t like spending hours on the beach (though a little time at the end of the day is fine), we love walking and sightseeing, and what we enjoy most is being independent (so if we can avoid group tours, that’s ideal).

After that intro, here’s the rough outline of our itinerary: Day 0: Paris-Bangkok flight Days 1, 2, and 3: Bangkok (Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Wat Arun, markets, boat ride through the khlongs, Jim Thompson House) Day 4: Ayutthaya Day 5: Pick up a rental car and head to Sam Roi Yot Day 6: Sam Roi Yot and Prachuap Khiri Khan Day 7: Drive south – overnight near Surat Thani Day 8: Uthayan Tham Khao Na Nai, then drive to Ao Nang (staying near Tubkaek) Days 9 and 10: Boat trips (Railay, Ko Hong, etc.) Day 11: Drive to Phang Nga with a few stops along the way Day 12: Boat tour (mangroves and Ko Tapu) Day 13: Drive to Phuket Airport and return flight

A few questions and doubts: - I’d considered Cheow Lan Lake but read some not-so-great reviews (crowds, just 3 viewpoints, and the rest was meh). What do you think? - Can we start from Ao Thalane Pier for trips to Ko Hong and Ko Tapu? - I’m not thrilled about driving through Bangkok, but I’m not sure where to rent a car west of the city (since we won’t return it to the same place, I assume it’s best to target rental companies at airports).

Thanks in advance for any tips or feedback you can share to help me (or not 😛) refine this plan before I start booking!

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

February 9th is a pivotal day during my trip to Thailand. Up until this date, my focus had been on cities, temples, and other urban landmarks. Starting February 10th, I’ll finally leave the city behind for the outskirts—one town, one life, farther from tourism, more real, more authentic... Then comes the bucolic surroundings of Chiang Mai, nature, the countryside, the mountains.

This morning, I head to visit the ethnographic museum. I’d been told about another one, but it’s permanently closed. I wonder if it’s the same one that might have changed its name and location.

I thoroughly enjoy visiting this museum. At first, I’m a bit annoyed because the place is packed with noisy school groups blocking the display cases without even showing the slightest interest. But soon, their chaperones manage to lead them into another room, giving me some peace. They maintain this distance throughout the tour, allowing me to explore the museum in complete tranquility. I really appreciate their tact.

I’m amazed by the absolutely stunning fabric displays and the countless everyday objects, especially the very old pottery. There’s so much beautiful basketry and intricately carved wood. The statues are also incredible... After seeing all of them, I no longer feel like buying any from the shops.

On my way back, not far from my hotel, I discover a rather unique place that only serves one drink, which they’ve made their specialty: egg coffee! A pretty surprising novelty. I have to try it.



At the bottom of the cup, they pour a layer of milk, topped with a layer of liquid coffee, followed by a layer of egg yolk, and finally a top layer that turns out to be a mix of coffee and cocoa powder. It’s a cold drink that, in the end, doesn’t have much flavor, and the price is pretty steep for such a small cup. You’re paying for the exclusivity!

Later in the day, I venture once again into small alleys, something I love doing when exploring a new city—no specific goal, just wandering east of the city, outside the walls.



I encounter very few tourists there and discover unsuspected little shops overflowing with lovely items, much cheaper than what you find in the heart of the tourist district. Then I wander through the floors of Warorot Market. I discover another kind of temple there: the temple of good deals. I love finding clothes that are really original for locals, not the flood of shirts and pants that tourists love but no Thai would ever buy, which invade the shops in the "Historic Square." I stop in my tracks in front of a stall with beautiful shirts featuring stunning geometric patterns in elegant color combinations and very short sleeves. Hmm, these would be perfect for showing off my biceps, one of which is adorned with the magnificent Ganesh tattoo I got last year in Bali. "When you’ve got nice things, you’ve got to show them off!" he said. 😜🙏💪 I pick out two for 380 baht and negotiate them down to 300. But the seller won’t go any lower. I understand I’ve reached the limit of her commercial possibilities. Just as I’m leaving the shop, happy with my purchase, my ever-helpful inner voice, Petite Voix, suggests: - You didn’t try them on because you were too lazy to take off the one you’re wearing and also because of the sweat, but you could just put one on over the one you’re wearing. It’s light enough that it won’t bother you.

I go back to the two sellers, who burst out laughing when I ask to try them on. - Oh no, it’s way too small for you! It’s a women’s shirt! - But they don’t look particularly feminine in style! And I chose XXL... I put the shirt on, and of course, it won’t close. Then I notice the buttons are on the wrong side. That’s why the sleeves seemed so short!!! They put the shirts back on the rack and refund me without any fuss, commenting amid total hilarity: - Well, thank goodness you tried it on just as you were leaving the shop!

Since I don’t want to walk too much before tomorrow’s first Big Outing with the driver, I end my stroll with a visit to two very pretty temples recommended by Joël.



I’d rather not post more temple photos. But these ones smell like village and countryside...







I’ve never seen anything like Wat Ket Karam, so extravagant...





And I end my day with two other lesser-known temples: Wat Noung Kham, simple and finally free of gold and glitter,



and Wat Dap Phai, where an intimate ceremony is taking place at the end of the day.

Hi there,

I’m planning my first trip to Asia next summer with my partner and our daughter, who’ll be 3 and a half at the time, for 4 weeks (maybe 5).

I’ve heard that the timing is better for visiting Indonesia, but I’m hesitant because Thailand seems more accessible, and I’m worried that traveling to Indonesia during high season might be less enjoyable and a lot more expensive due to the number of tourists. We love cultural sites as much as natural ones, and we’re big foodies. We’re not necessarily looking for luxury and tend to take our time, travel by public transport, and look for accommodations with a good value for money—though we do occasionally splurge on a high-end restaurant.

I’m also wondering when and where to buy flight tickets and how comfortable the journey will be (especially for our daughter) if we fly with Thai Airways or Garuda.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and tips!

Damien

This first trip of 2025 will have the taste of Asia.

More precisely, Thailand!

It’s not my first time—I’ve often traveled across Southeast Asia between 2000 and 2015. (This travel journal, for example...)

But it’ll be my partner’s first steps in this part of the world.

The itinerary we’ve chosen will alternate between familiar sights for me and new discoveries for both of us.

I’ll get to see how the country has changed in 20 years—and what’s stayed the same!

We were torn between the north and the south of the kingdom. Fears of smoke from slash-and-burn farming and a desire to relax on the sand tipped the scales toward the south...

What if we rented a car?

I think driving in sprawling Bangkok would be a bit ambitious, so we’ll only book our vehicle from Hua Hin to return it in Surat Thani.

Other transportation will range from tuk-tuks to overnight trains and ride-hailing services.

And of course, the plane!

I’d love to travel from Auvergne to Bangkok by road, but 15 days wouldn’t be enough...

Plus, the current geopolitical situation isn’t exactly favorable...

So, once again, we’ll be stuck for hours in the less-than-comfortable economy class of Qatar Airways.

The arrival time was on schedule, entry formalities were quick, and all our luggage made it.

We left Lyon in wind and cold—now we’re breathing in the warm, humid air of กรุงเทพมหานคร.

To reach our hotel, we first took the metro, which dropped us off in the city center in about 30 minutes for the incredible price of 1.18 €.

A few taps on the GRAB app, and we booked a ride-hailing service for the last few kilometers.

We waited a while for our driver due to insane traffic in the area, but once in the 4x4, we were at our lodging in no time.

We chose this small hotel for its riverside location, tranquility, and price.

It’ll do the job perfectly—the only downside is the weak breakfast.

The room is inviting, and we collapse onto the bed for a well-deserved short nap.

Wake-up call in an hour for our first visits!

See you soon...

Hi there, Big travel year in Asia for me. I’m heading to Southeast Asia for a month in mid-July. The dates aren’t flexible since I’m going primarily for a wedding (Laos). So, I’ll start my trip in Laos for 4 days, then head off... where?

I’ve already done a trip exclusively in Laos a few years ago. I also visited Vietnam for the second time last year, so I’d love to explore something new. I was thinking of Cambodia (but only for Angkor) and northern Thailand, which I haven’t seen yet (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Mae Hong Son, Nan, Phrae, Phayao, Pa Hin Ngam National Park), and wrapping up with a few nights in Koh Samui. My question is about the weather. From what I’ve seen, Koh Samui seems to be spared during this period. But for Angkor and northern Thailand, I’m not so sure—it feels like a gamble. And I’m really not in the mood for rainy vacations, since I already get enough gray skies where I live 😅.

So, I had another idea: after Laos, I could head to Bali (or another Indonesian island) where it’s supposedly the right season. The flight ticket price is exactly the same, including a one-way to Bali and the return from Bali (with a layover in Bangkok). For those who’ve traveled in July, what do you think? Is there a big risk in trying northern Thailand and Angkor?

Thanks in advance!

Hi there,

Lately, when I check Skyscanner (sorted by price low to high 😛), I don’t see Gulf airlines at the top of the list anymore. Instead, Air India dominates (I flew with them a few years ago, and my experience was pretty mixed). After that, there’s Royal Jordanian… and the first Gulf Air, Etihad, and others only show up at 7XX € or more (with endless layovers). What’s going on with these airlines? Did they change their target market? I really like these routes for Southeast Asia trips because they give you a perfect midway break.

Hi everyone, I’ve spent two solid months reading the Lonely Planet and pretty much every post about Thailand here, plus French and English blogs. Now I’d love to get your expert opinions on our itinerary. We’re heading off in August 2025 with our 7-year-old daughter. We only have a maximum of three weeks off, and I’m keeping an eye on flight prices before booking (1400 € per person really stings 😕). So here’s what I’ve planned—let me know if you spot any major issues or if I’ve been way too "optimistic."

D1 - Arrival in Bangkok / rest, quick visit, overnight stay D2 - More temple visits, etc. D3 - Morning flight to Chiang Mai D4 - More Chiang Mai sightseeing D5 - Day trip to Chiang Rai (guided tour to book: blue and white temple), return to Chiang Mai late in the evening D6 - More Chiang Mai visits / Elephant Nature Park in the afternoon D7 - Morning flight to Koh Samui, sightseeing D8 to D10 - More Koh Samui visits D11 to D13 - Ferry to Koh Phangan D14 to D15 - Ferry to Koh Tao D16 - Return to Koh Samui, then flight to Bangkok D17 - Day trip to Ayutthaya, return to Bangkok in the evening D18 - Flight back to France :(

I know a lot of you recommend heading straight to Chiang Mai to recover from the international flight, but my partner and I NEVER sleep on planes (personally, I’ve been flying to Taiwan since I was little and have never slept more than an hour on a 14-hour flight...), so it’s essential for us to rest upon arrival . That’s also why I opted for domestic flights instead of the sleeper train—I know we’d lose over 10 hours and wouldn’t be able to rest properly in those conditions. And I’m sure you’ll also say BKK > North > South is too much for three weeks, but I really want to see as much as possible. Given how much the flights will cost, I’m not sure when we’ll be able to come back 🏴‍☠️.

So, questions: 1. Since we’ll only be in Bangkok for a maximum of two nights and need to easily reach the airport with luggage (and a child), which neighborhood should we prioritize? We’d love to experience the evening vibe of Asian night markets, ideally within walking distance of the hotel or just a few metro stops away. I’ve looked at Chinatown, but the BTS seems far... Should we go for somewhere near BTS Saphan Taksin or BTS Krungthonburi? But is the area lively in the evening with food courts, etc.? We’d also like to treat ourselves to a hotel with a pool.

2. Have we planned too many days in the south? Should I skip Koh Tao and just do Koh Samui + Koh Phangan? My partner and daughter aren’t strong swimmers, so we’re looking for beautiful beaches without too much current. Crowded beaches don’t bother us—we just want stunning turquoise waters without killer waves . Going all the way to Koh Tao and then back to Koh Samui to catch the flight to Bangkok seems too stressful. Is it still possible these days (I haven’t seen any recent posts on this) to head to Koh Samui in August and decide on the spot how many nights to spend in Koh Phangan or Koh Tao based on how we feel, booking hotels as we go? Or is that too risky?

If you have any better suggestions for fitting all this in while reducing internal flights, I’m all ears for your great tips