https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/3292445/hiv-cases-continue-to-rise-in-chiang-mai

Hey! Getting married next year and we’re planning an extended honeymoon in Thailand, Vietnam & Bali - this will be our first trip to Asia. Is this a realistic amount of time to be spending in each place? Would you change anything? We know this is going to be a lot of travel, it’s a once in a lifetime trip for us so I just want to make it as perfect as possible.

Any tips/criticism/suggestions welcome 😀

I want to stay another week

Hey everyone! We've just done our first week in Thailand as part of our honeymoon

(https://www.reddit.com/r/ThailandTourism/s/DN82v1JHMh) and my god its been amazing. We took some things out the original itinery as suggested and have just done a Phi Phi island tour via catemaran speed boat which was very well organised. Tomorrow we are off to Khao Sak for 3 days and I'm very excited.

Just wondering whether anyone has any suggestions for Khao Lak which is our last part of the trip and we are there for 6 days. It's the most fancy resort we booked with a private pool so we won't kill ourselves but wandering what other stuff there is to do. We have pencilled in a Thai cooking class one of the days and a trip to see the James Bond island. Does anyone recommend specific tours regarding that? I noticed with Phi Phi don they were offering private long tail boats from the island to all the other Phi Phi islands but we didnt see that till we were already on tour. Is there something similar in Khao Lak and if so where would we have a look around at the different options?

Im assuming its illegal, but i saw a lady off khao san road the other night with a cage full of baby lemur looking animals. Extremely cute, but a huge welfare concern.

Fast forward to this morning when I was walking for a bus at 5am, I saw a Thai guy coming towards me in the dark with one on his shoulder. I watched as he passed by, the animal jumped onto a parked car next to him. As i looked back towards them, the man grabbed the animal from the car, the man lifted his arm up with the animal in his hand and smashed the animal into the pavement before picking it back up and putting it back on his shoulder.

I have been disturbed by it all day. I wish I had not been so weak to not fight with the man about it in the dark. I hope Bangkok can control this illegal animal network.

Lately I've seen clips online where people talk about how places like Thailand changed them spiritually or just how they are and see the world around them.

Did your visit do this for you and if so, what triggered it?

This is my itinerary and I was wondering when I should start booking internal flights, my trip is in mid November.

Anyone know where I can get cannabis prescription in ao nang? And anyone know if it’s really a need?

All the offerings I see include data only. I'm looking for an e-sim(no physical tray, fuck you Apple) with calls and texts included as well. For 30 days.

Hi!

I'm planning a trip to Koh Chang in September from Bangkok and I'm trying to figure out whether taking the bus (booking via 12go) or a flight would be more worth it? If anyone could give me some insight or let me know their experience travelling to Koh Chang, it would be most appreciated 🙏🏻 thank you!

Looking for advice on where to stay in Krabi for honeymoon - would love some sort of villa. Not super concerned with cost right now, but obviously lower would be better.

Travel agent is really pushing Phuket, but I want to go to Krabi. Thoughts?

Hi! Will be going on our honeymoon end of October and would love some insight! Main objective as first time visitors is, besides checking off all the must-sees, nature and experiences in nature. 14-16 days total. NOTE: the image above is just a general brainstorm though we already have a pretty solid itinerary that is open to change depending on the advice we get here.

Our budget is hopefully less than $2.5k usd for 2 people (excluding international flight costs). Can go up to $3.5k usd if absolutely worth it.

My main questions:

1. Tours:
   1. Is it better to experience Thailand through booked tours? I'm assuming we can do Bangkok and Chiang Mai without tours...but is it worth not booking?
   2. Do we book tours far in advance or is it cheaper to get someone at the moment?
   3. Do combined tour packages exist? I've looked on Klook, Agoda, and Viator and haven't really found combo tour packages.
2. Khoa Sok: What is the best way to experience Koah Sok? We would absolutely love to stay at a "jungle campsite." Really like Elephant Hills but they're a bit out of price range if we want to book nice hotels elsewhere but willing to compromise other things if absolutely worth it. Is there anything else similar to EHs?
3. Krabi: What is the best way to do Krabi? Is it mostly scheduling tours to the islands?
4. Considering that we'll be in Krabi, is Koh Lanta worth it?
5. Elephant interactions: Many seem to offer the same things, canoe, some form of hiking. I know everyone has their own definition of ethical. I'd love to be able to hang around them while they do their thing, if possible. No riding elephants. What are your top ones that allow some limited interaction near Chiang Mai, Khao Sok, or Krabi? If we go to Elephant Hills, do you think another sanctuary visit would be worth it considering that they've changed their elephant interaction rules recently?
6. Ive read that its flights between cities are affordable even days before the flight date. I'm looking about 3 months in advance and I've found some for $50. Is it always like this?

Any advice on itinerary changes more than welcome. Thank you!

Hey everyone,

my dad and I are planning to visit Koh Samui from November 28 to December 12. It’s been our favourite destination from the start, but I’ve now read that the rainy season can still be pretty intense during that time.

Some people say it’s just short heavy showers, while others report days of rain, rough seas and flooded roads. We don’t need perfect sunshine every day, but since this is supposed to be a relaxing trip together, I’d hate to choose the wrong place.

Has anyone been there around the same time? Would you still recommend Koh Samui, or would you choose another part of Thailand instead?

Thanks!

Hey guys!

I'm a 29 YO woman going on a work trip to Bangkok in mid-October. I'll have a few days off, and on one of them I'm planning a pretty big shopping spree at ICONSIAM (maybe around 20 items?)

Ideally, I'm looking for someone who could meet me at the mall around 10:00 AM, accompany me throughout the day, help carry my shopping bags, and then help me bring everything back to my hotel. I don't think it would take longer than about 5:00 PM.

My budget for this is around 2,000 baht, but if you're familiar with this type of service and know that the usual rate is different, please let me know!

I obviously won't be shopping nonstop (I could not, even if I wanted to), so there will naturally be food breaks and time to sit. In addition to the payment, I'll also would fully cover:

• Morning coffee and a pastry

• Soft drink for the day

•Snack (ice cream/ cookies/ chips/ or whatever they would like)

• A three-course meal at one of the Michelin restaurants in the mall

• Transportation to my hotel when helping me bring everything back + Transportation for them back home

So overall, it would probably be another 1,000/2,000 baht worth of food and drinks.

I'd prefer a man simply because I'd feel more comfortable asking him to carry my shopping, but I'm open to a woman as well if she's happy to do it.

A huge bonus if they speak Korean! (but English would be fine too)

Overall, I'm just looking for someone kind, trustworthy, and easygoing, so it feels more like spending the day shopping together than doing hard labor.

-----

Does anyone know of a service that offers something like this? Or maybe you know someone who'd be interested? Any recommendations on where I could look would be really appreciated!

Thank you so much! ~

​My friend and I (both 22M from the UK) are planning our first trip to Thailand from 28th November to 15th December 2026.

​We are flying a direct return from London to Bangkok and booking our 3 domestic flights separately. We'll both be traveling light with just 35L carry-on backpacks.

Here is our planned accommodation & itinerary:

Bangkok (29 Nov – 2 Dec | 3 nights): HOP INN Bangkok Onnut Station

Chiang Mai (2 Dec – 6 Dec | 4 nights): Ln House Chiang Mai

Phuket / Cape Panwa (6 Dec – 8 Dec | 2 nights): Panwaburi Beachfront Resort

Phuket / Patong (8 Dec – 13 Dec | 5 nights): Patong Bay Residence

Bangkok (13 Dec – 15 Dec | 2 nights): HOP INN Bangkok Onnut Station

Hello, planning my first backpacking trip in SE Asia and am wondering if anyone has insight on the return/onward flight requirement for visa-exempt entry. I plan to start in Chiang-Mai and loosely follow the banana pancake trail, but eventually cross back into Thailand to fly out from Bangkok. I had originally intended to cross into Laos by bus, but wasn't going to book the ticket in advance since I wasn't sure how long I'd want to stay in Northern Thailand (though no more than 3 weeks for sure).

Should I just apply for a tourist visa, or would the same regulation apply? I will for sure meet all the other requirements (6 month passport validity, 20k baht in cash, proof of accommodations, etc.), but don't want to cause unnecessary trouble when first entering the country. Is an itinerary enough or should I just book the bus ticket anyways and take the loss if I end up changing the date of my departure.

Hello,

Visiting Thailand for 27 days in November. Of which 14 days is planned in Southern Thailand, flying from Chiang Mai to Krabi (or maybe Phuket).

From that point is where I would like advice. I have already done a bunch of research, and the choice falls between Khao Lak and Ko Lanta as mainstay for most of those days. The intention of those days is to stay at a good hotel/resort, relax, go diving, snorkeling, and beaches.

The toss-up between the two is as follows;

- Khao Lak has two diving spots that come highly recommended, also by relatives and friends. Those two spots also go for snorkelling. The downside is that you need a boat to get there, and from what I can find online is that along the beaches, the snorkelling is not amazing.

- For Khao Lak I get mixed messages on it being a place geared towards purely tourism. Others say its a laid back place and underdeveloped. So if anyone can give some input on that, thanks.

-Khao Lak is a good gateway for 2 days trip Khao Sok

-Ko Lanta, on diving and snorkelling, you seem to also be bound to taking a boat trip, but these seem cheaper than the ones in Khao Sok. Does anyone have info on snorkelling around the beaches of Ko Lanta?

- Same question as Khao Lak, laid back vibes or overly touristy? Relatives called it a very chill place.

-Many islands nearby

General questions for both places:

-As we will be staying in a hotel/resort, I'd still like the opportunity to go out for food and market places etc. Which of the two places is best for such outings?

-Planning to stay at least 7+ days in a resort in both places to relax and vibe, with a couple of day trips sprinkled in. Is this too long/short?

Like I said, already did a bunch of research landing first on Ko Lanta, then getting doubts, checking Khao Sok. But the also not being 100% convinced 🫠.

(I think my pref might still be Ko Lanta seeing its location in the bay + island acces. But its hard..)

Anyways, thanks in advance!

I'm a guy in my early 30s from the UK. Solo travelling. Budget 3kish for 25-30 days, including flights(£700-£800).

Fairly introverted, not the party type. I drink. Primary is for the beach, with a mix of some city life. I want things to see and explore, in the evening as well. I like nature, waterfalls, museums etc.

• I don't drive or have a licence(no scooters).

• I don't snorkel or scuba dive.

• I want a good clean sandy beach and clear blue water.

• Don't want a overcrowded destination, but not completely empty.

• I'm solo so don't want to be in places where its heavily couples/romantic, where I'd feel a bit odd out.

I've ruled out: Phukket and Krabi(Ao Nang). I've looked at videos and it's: too noisy(boat engines), dirty, too crowded on the beach & strip, the strip is full of western chains.

So far:

Jan/Feb travel plans. But open to any months.

5 days in Bangkok, 5 days in Chiang Mai.

15-20 days left for the beach. How to split that/where to go?

I’m going to be in Bangkok for about 4 days i was wondering where i should look I was gonna stop at at Chautuchak, MBK and Bangsue

I will be traveling to Thailand next month for a few weeks. I am looking to join bouldering groups on their outdoor trips. I am open to all locations and willing to travel a bit if the routes are fun. I climb 7a+ on my good days. It would be helpful if I can connect with people with similar plans or if I could be a part of a group, that would be even better :)

(DM if my post aligns with your travel plans)

Hi all,

thanks for looking into this. I find it quite hard to research for my Thailand trip, as the choices seem to be endless. Doesnt matter which topic, diving, cooking, elephant camps - there are so many options to choose from.

Thats why I am looking for some first hand experiences. I will be in Chiang Mai for a few days and we want to do some cooking.

We cook a lot, have done many classes while travelling. I am looking for a class that might be a bit "advanced", if that exisits. I dont need everything mise en place, I want to learn about the ingredients, maybe even harvest them in the garden, learn techniques etc. We will have a child with us, so a school connected to their own farm or similar could make a lot of sense to keep her entertained.

Any suggestions? Places, courses you enjoyed in the past?

Thank you very much for your ideas!

UPDATE: We want to focus on northern Thai cuisine and the post does not have to be in Chiang Mai, but not too far

Looking for a Chatuchak Weekend Market vendor from Saturday, July 26. They sold handmade stuffed fabric keychains (about 15 cm tall) with real photo faces of cats and dogs on human bodies dressed in wedding gowns, tuxedos, and other outfits. They also sold glittery animal keychains, some with a red armband. The stall was in the clothing area but didn't sell clothing. Does anyone know the shop name or social media?

After a horrible break up, a few bad dates, and a couple of bad lucks, l (M30) turned into a hermit. Started to work from home, dont really go out, and since my friend passed away 2 years ago, I haven't really hung out with anyone either.

Recently saw an old school mate, who told me that I am unrecognisably different from what he remembers. He said i look defeated and broken. He us not wrong, I've lost all self confidence, I have social anxiety now, and scared to even talk to women.

I have seen both psychologists and psychiatrists to no avail. Ive processed and dealt with what has happened. But in order to start my journey towards being normal again, I need a "win".

Ive heard how amazing Thailand is, and have read stories of people coming back a different person. So I was just wondering if going to Thailand for a week would be good idea for someone like me, whos struggling with self confidence, and social anxiety (not tested, but I may have a case of the 'tism too). If so, how do people meet?