Thailand +..

Come on people. Visiting drugged Tigers and riding Elephants is for cunts.

I'm hoping there's more to see than that

I stayed on Koh Kradan about 4 years ago. I'd gladly stay there for a month at the moment... whether you'd be happy doing that is another matter. There's not much to do other than snorkelling and eating as far as I recall, but the snorkelling was incredible. Useless for cycling though.

Great topic. I intend on going there in January. Probably January 2017 though, doh.

From friends' experience - don't carry valuables in suitcase when traveling by bus, as you will be robbed.

And a few Thai friends advised that I should go North for nature/history attractions and also visit neighboring countries (as suggested in this topic).

I've an idea of taking a flights to Singapore and Hong Kong for a couple of nights each (local flights are cheap), since I'd be in the region already. This would offset the lack of visit to the Thai islands, that don't interest me too much.

Avoided all of that and had an unbelievable time. It really is an incredible country without even trying very hard to avoid the tourist traps. Seriously, at times all you have to do is turn a corner and bam...you're off the beaten path.
Didn't even bother going south, which deserves time in itself. If I wanted to drink myself stupid, I've got a tesco down the road.
This might seem harsh, but I'm not even sure how people do the whole SE Asia region in a few months. There's just too much to explore in one country alone.
@cybernck I hung around mostly north. If you take a bike, you'll find roads that will look like they were ironed out by god out of the sides of mountains.

So not doing a cycling tour, unfortunately, but we're planning it this way (roughly).
First two nights in Bangkok to recover from jetlag a bit, then heading north via Ayutthaya (day) then night train to Chang Mai and spend a few days up there, then (90%) will be heading north east to Udon Thani (plane) and going south towards Bangkok visiting a few important temples on the way.
This should eat up roughly half of our vacation time (15 full days).
Then we'll fly to Trang and stay the rest of the time eating, drinking, snorkeling around the Trang Islands (Ko Sukon seems a pretty laid back one)
Then back to Bangkok a day before the flight back.

We'd love to fit in Koh Kood (Ko Kut) island in this, but it's a bit far off everything and it'll take us three days (travelling there and back included)

If you drive then hiring a car from Chiang Mai is a good option. Found driving there surprisingly pleasant - less dangerous than a lot of places in Europe and relatively cheap. Gives you a lot of freedom compared to backpacking + means you see a lot places you wouldn't be able to stop otherwise.
There's some great mountain biking near Chiang Mai if you get time. I've probably got details of hire company/guide we used somewhere.
Went to Ko Libong and Ko Kradan out of the Trang islands - both really nice.
I really want to go to Thailand again...

went there last month...

did:
3nights in BKK
3nights in Pagnam (full moon party)
3nights in Samui + snorkeling trip to Sam Sao (Natural Reserve)
3nights in Tao + trip to Nang Yuan
3nights in BKK

Bangkok is (imho) horrible.
Pagnam is not that great too, but there's some cool beaches if you look for it. crowded tho.
Samui was a nice surprise. very nice beaches, very nice night-life and all-around chill vibe.
Tao was freakin' paradise. best beaches, small enough and not as advanced as the others. also the cheapest meals/nights.

lessons learned:
buy ticket to BKK but buy the return from elsewhere.
one day/night in BKK is enough.
next time, book more than 20 days. it was the most frustrating part, not enough time to do all it was planned.
dont buy ferries/transfers/van tickets all together but rather pay-as-you-go. it will be cheaper and gives more freedom to change my mind.
forget about AC rooms or upscale accomodation... room just need a bed.

planning to go back next year in Sep/Oct again. this time, visit North (Chiang Mai and Pai) and Phuket side.

In Thailand right now. Agree as above that Bangkok is horrible and there's much more to see. I suggest Chiang Mai, touristic but not fake and as lots to offer in terms of people, things to see, clean beds, restaurants, bars etc.
I suppose Chiang Rai can only be more real.

Highly suggest a trip in Isaan too. Poorer but with plenty of Khmeir history and influences from Laos and Cambodia. Very interesting place.

Next will be the Trang Islands. Will report back

I'd avoid Samui and Phuket and go to Koh Lanta or less known islands. The best seems to be Koh Koot

Did any of you guys bother with malaria medication? NHS/my mates' guidance seems to be 'don't bother unless you're going near the borders' but I wouldn't mind getting out into the countryside a bit. Are tablets available there? I've left it a bit late now...

Unless you go camping in a forest for weeks, you don't need it.
NHS will give you some free shots which I recommend.

I think it is ok to go to the borders as long as you go in city / villages.

I don't see many mosquitos. Go a single bite and not even using DEET.
Do bring some 100% DEET just in case and, when near the borders, do try to avoid going out at dusk and cover up with the repellent.

its a civilized place, with pharmacies...
i didnt got any shots but did a check-up as soon as came back. literally, the day after.

Yep.

Also be ready to bargain a lot and still feel like you've been cheated (you have been, no matter what)
In some places tuk-tuk are among the most expensive.
There are cheaper nicer neans of transport. For example the metered taxis in Bangkok can be cheaper but a bit hard to convince, at times, to actually drive you at your destination. The available for hire have a red sign on their windshield.

In Chiang Mai and other placed there are red trucks that curry (ops, carry) more passengers to their destinations. A bit slower, more real, very cheap. We used them a lot in Chiang Mai.

Hotels do call you a taxi but they are the most expensive. Just go out on the road, grab one and bargain or ask for a metered trip.

Food ia amazing everywhere. On the streets, restaurants etc. We are eating a lot in the markets stopping at those who seem genuine and honest.
Grilled meat on a skewer look tasty, but they have a totally different fragrance and texture than ours. Be warned.

Try everything that is cooked and you'll enjoy it a lot

As per water they also don't drink tap water as it is dangerous. They all use water from bottles or, for ice and cooking, pre-boiled water. So drink the same water they drink. No worries.

ATM and 7/11 and Boots are everywhere too.

In hotels always check for the toilet paper. They don't use it (they "shower" down there, but no idea on how they dry it up) so check it's there and there is enough.

Just finished my trip. Amazing country and generally very easy and safe for tourists.

Things I liked most:
Activities in general (rather than boozing) but especially a tour of rural sukhothai - the guide was amazing and it was great to chat directly about Thailand, the life of a rice farmer/whiskey distiller/furniture maker all day long. Scenery was great too.
Chiang mai - very touristy but much more comfortable than Bangkok
Overnight trains (they are slow and usually run late) but you basically have a bed (if you choose the lower bunk) and the views are great.

Stuff I was lukewarm about
Food. I expected this to be a major high point and it was generally good and cheap but I got food poisoning twice in the last week and it was only really amazing a few times. Admittedly my budget was low -£1-5 for a meal.
High season - if you can, avoid the Christmas/nye period. I never missed a bed but travelling between places by plane/train was often fully booked or unaffordable. Alternatively, book months in advance but then you will lose the spontanaiety
Islands (this was maybe season rather than anything). I got scammed a few times on taxis that didn't show up and accommodation. I went to over-developed places though (Samui and Phuket)

I'd definitely come back but I would do a few things differently and trust my instinct on food a bit more (would've avoided food poisoning this way)

DREDGE!

I'm off to Koh Samui in December for 15 nights.

Anyone got any tips for things we shouldn't miss? It'll be me and my wife (both women) and I'll probably hire a car for part of the trip at least (not interested in mopeds).

Cheers!

Just Koh Samui?

I particularly liked the north of Thailand, Chang Mai and such, and generally the north east is the least turisty area of Thailand.

I dream weekly of returning there, it's such an underrated area. Two wheel exploration heaven.

Whole golden triangle area is spellbinding

Have you ever been to Vietnam? sounds like you'd love it

I have, but many moons ago, younger and only seeking alcohol.

Now I know better and what I missed out on, I really want to do a random destination ride starting from Bangkok all the way north, through Laos, and then meander my way towards Hanoi and further south.

I think I messaged you once about riding advice there?

I don't recall that tbh, but can provide some advice if you want. There is also @Pawlus who is currently cycle touring in northern Vietnam who can tell you more.

I personally loved Cambodia and is a place where erratic riding is the most rewarding of the three (I haven't been to Laos or Myanmar, so I can't compare with those). Anyhow general consensus is that if you liked inland of Thailand then you'd love pretty much any of the other neighbouring countries.

That'll be our base but interested in nearby islands too!

DREDGE.

Any thoughts about thailand in late May? I think pretty wet, but are we talking 'exciting hour of downpour and thunder' or likelihood of consistent grey and wetness'? If the weather is not a massive buzzkill, any recommendations for particular islands/snorkelling spots/trekking/cultural experiences/must eat food greatly appreciated x

Not sure on weather as I went in Jan 2020

Chiang Mai was great for getting into the mountains on short day trips. There's a MTB place there run by an aussie guy and they also do rides with bikes provided and stuff. If anything it's worth visiting the cafe he has just to drink cold smoothies and watch some MTB racing on TV.

Be careful with elephant places. I found a good one where it seems like they are very well looked after. I've heard others are more dodgy. If I can remember the name of the place we went to I'll report back.

Koh Chang was the island I visited. Its a quieter option so avoids all the full moon party stuff. But still has amazing beaches (main one being white sands) and a nice night market for a little bit of street food.

Also went to Bangkok which is, well, a massive city. So it was nice, but coming from London, it wasn't as nice as the North or the southern islands. I could happily skip it next time.

Pad thai is an obvious suggestion but it's great almost everywhere you can get it and I ate tons of it. There were also dishes named something along the lines of drunken chicken or drunkard something, very spicy with what I think was fresh peppercorns. If you like spicy stuff you have a ton of options.
Oh and in the North they have a traditional spicy sausage (varies a little on region) that's worth a try

Bike rental cafe was called Trailhead

Edit: and street food, eat all of the street food. Little fried coconut egg things are tasty.