Hi All,

I have searching a lot of travel sites for the past few months to get some ideas from people about my trip. I am a 22 year old male from the US and will be heading to Thailand arriving at BKK on May 19th at 2230, rather late. I will be departing BKK June 16th, around the same time.

I was trying to get a little advice for my trip. I originally wanted to end my trip in the islands, to make it nice a relaxing, but I am worried about the weather at that time. Do you think this will be problematic? I keep hearing that it's a possibility. If this is the case, Here are the locations I will be visiting, and wanted to see how long you all thing I should stay in each location. I will be traveling by myself and this is my first trip, so and suggestions on places to stay (backpacker's budget) and how long in each area would be great!

I plan on spending the first few days in Bangkok, trying to acclimate myself to the new time. From there, fly to Phuket and get a ferry to Ko Phi Phi. From Ko Phi Phi I was thinking about going to Ko Lanta (have heard Relax Bay at Ko Lanta is a good place to stay). I'm trying to find some nice bungalows on the beach for cheap in Ko Phi Phi if anyone has suggestions. As for the islands, I am not looking to scuba, as it's a little out of my price range. I would love to do some snorkeling, visit with locals and relax on the beach. A hammock would be nice too! I like hiking, and siteseeing, as well as waterfalls and the like. After Ko Lanta, I will head back to Phuket, fly to BKK, then fly immediately to Chiang Mai. I would like to spend at least a week in Chiang Mai. I have a place to stay there already. I would like to see wildlife, hike through the jungle and anything else anyone has to recommend! From Chiang Mai, I was thinking of taking the slow boat to Luang Prabang in Laos, spend a few days there and then take the speedboat back to Chiang Mai. After this, I'm rather lost on what I should do next. This should hopefully leave me with a week to a week and a half after getting back from Laos. I was planning on flying from Chiang Mai back to BKK, but if it's better to take another route and see some sites in between Chiang Mai and Bangkok, I'm all ears.

Sorry for such a long email, but you all have to so helpful to everyone else on here. I appreciate any responses. I'm not looking to party much, but would love to meet new people. I'm an occasional beer drinker, so if there's a certain one recommended let me know! I'm going to travel, not to get drunk.

Looking forward to hearing replies from everyone! Thanks!

Best,
Matthew

whilst you are up in chaing mai territory also try chaing rai smaller but very nice - also you can fly direct from phuket to chaing mai air asia go to chaing rai and fly baqck to bkk from there

oops for me its singha beer or you may prefer chang

You are right that rain and rough seas may be a problem during May-June. Earlier in your timeframe would be better rather than later to visit that area.

Quite a few places on Koh Lanta close down at that time of the year and the ferries stop running. You can still get to Phi Phi and Krabi may be a better choice than Lanta for May-June.

You could fly BKK-Krabi, ferry to Phi Phi - ferry to Phuket and then fly direct to Chiang Mai. Chiang Rai is also worth the trip as it is just a further 2 hrs by bus.

Chiang Rai to Chiang Klong 2hrs by bus then cross the border into Laos. Instead of backtracking you could continue on to Vientiane and fly AirAsia down to KL for a few days. AirAsia flights are quite cheap and often sectors can be booked for just a few $$$s if booked well in advance.

Check out Bob and Janette's Travel Adventures blog as they just did a similar trip and it is well documented.

Thanks for the replies so far!

I think I have decided to stay in when I arive 19th of May and stay in Bangkok for a few days, then fly to Phuket , hit either western or eastern islands (which would be best at the end of May?) I will be in the islands for 5-7 days. I fly back from Phuket directly to Chiang Mai . I will spend one week in Chiang Mai (more or less), then go to Luang Prabang, and then to Chiang Rai for a few days. I will depart Chiang Rai on the 15th of June, flying out of Bangkok on the 16th of June.

Does this sound round about? Or am I messing things up. The reason I am doing it this way is money wise. For all of those flights, the total is 7,335 THB, which is within my budget. Let me know if this sounds reasonable!

Best,
Matthew

if you check out Thai airways - they normally have a discover Thailand ticket in sp offers - which allows to travel to any 3 cities in Thailand the cost is normally about $159us - so I guess that would be 5,550 approx - and you can chose to go in whatever direction you want

just checked they have the offer but its now $203 us so about 6480 thb

here = Offers : Discover Thailand Fares 2010

HI Phil,

Thanks for your response. I went to their website and for the three travel coupons, it's 209 USD, and then 69 USD for each additional ticket. Unfortunately, that comes about the same price, or rather a little more expensive after taxes. I appreciate you letting me know about it, so I could make sure that may or may not have been a better option for me. Debating on cutting out Luang Prabang and spending more time in Chiang Rai and get to Mae Hong Son. Any advice on that idea? I'd like to see Luang Prabang but I'm nervous the travel time will hurt me since I only have 28 days total to spend in Thailand, including travel. Let me know!

Best,
Matthew

never been to Luang Prabang but it seems to me you could use the thai airways $203 dollars ticket and fly 1 BKK - Phuket 2 Phuket to either chaing mai or chang rai 3 chaing mai or chaing rai to BKK for flight home which is only 3 flights - then to get to Luang Prabang or Chaing Mai / Rai use train or get a hire car and see some scenery as far as the 28 day thing is concerned I do not think you have overstretched as I have done Cahing Rai Chaing Mai Bangkok and Phuket in 16 days - so 28 adding Luang Prabang should be fine mate

i think the eastern islands (gulf of thailand) will have less rain than the western islands (andaman sea) so anywhere near phuket,phi phi,lanta is likely to be wetter,so maybe you could fly/bus to surathani instead and then ferry it to ko samui/phangan/tao or fly direct to ko samui?

or maybe even go to ko samet or ko chang? i think they will be drier than phuket,phi phi,lanta.

btw chang beer blows your head off! beware

enjoy

chohkdee

I have done Phuket quite a few times in may june also krabi PhiPhi and not had much rain at all - I suppose ya pays ya money and takes ya chance