Hello. I\'m planning on travelling to Thailand in July/August 2010 for around a month but as a first time traveller don\'t really know which is the best route to travel.
I\'m flying to Bangkok and would love to see Chiang Mai, around Bangkok and the islands, especially the Fullmoon Party. I\'ve been told 4 weeks is not long enough to see all of Thailand but I\'d like to fit a lot in this time (without rushing). Do you think it would be possible to properly explore Thailand and maybe fit in a bit of Laos/Vietnam or too much? Also any place you think is essential?
I\'d really appreciate any suggestions to help plan.
Thanks!
Fiona
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Thailand is a big place, but you can see parts of it easily in 4 weeks. I would suggest you start in Bangkok and then get an overnight train/bus up to Chiang Mai for a few days. You can explore the city and do one of the 3 day hill tribe treks with elephant riding and bamboo rafting. Every guesthouse and travel agent is selling them up there.
If you want to go into Laos, you can go from Chiang Kong to Luang Prabang down the Mekong river. From LP you can go through Vang Vieng and then to Vientiane, from where you can cross over the friendship bridge over to Thailand again. Travel South overnight back to Bangkok.
Consider visiting Ayutthaya (old capital, lots of cool temples) and Kanchanaburi (jungles, waterfalls, bridge on the river kwai) from Bangkok.
Then go South to some islands. Again by overnight train/bus. Decide on what islands you want to visit depending on where the monsoons are at that time. I'm not sure off the top of my head. You can probably spend abit of time on two islands.
Vietnam is a massive country and you don't really have long enough to include it on your trip. I would suggest saving it for another time.
I would suggest that if you haven't already, you spend some time browsing the Thailand blogs on here. The route you are talking about is very popular and there are hundreds of blogs by people who have or are doing it.
Hope this helps.
Kate
Reply to this Hello Fiona 😊
What I suggest is that you pick and choose what you want to see in Thailand, and also pick and choose some spots in Laos and Vietnam. A person could spend years in a country, and still have things left to see. Spend at least 3 nights in everyplace you stop, to prevent rushing.
Mel
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