Do you actually get out and explore Thailand, or just the same general radius of where you live ?

Been here long enough to have seen my own province thoroughly, and I've started pushing further out.

Thailand rewards you for it if you can be bothered.

Two places I can actually vouch for in the Chiang Rai area that most foreigners skip entirely:

Phu Chi Fa — about 90km from Chiang Rai city, right on the Laos border at 1,628 metres. Free entry.

The sunrise draws crowds of Thais in winter (Nov–Feb) but midweek it's manageable.

The walk up from the car park takes about 20 minutes. You can literally step onto the Laos border marker at the top. Most foreigners have never heard of it.

Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fah Luang Garden — former residence of the Princess Mother, up in the mountains above Mae Sai. The gardens are genuinely impressive and well-maintained year-round. Entry is 90 baht. The drive up alone is worth it.

Neither of these is a secret exactly, but they're under visited by expats who tend to stick to the same towns.

So — where have you been in Thailand lately that's actually worth the petrol? Not asking for tourist brochure stuff. Real places, honest opinions. Map links welcome and of course any pics.

Thanks

Ive lived in Hat Yai. Chaiyaphum. Rayong. Pathum Thani. Bangkok and Phuket.

Rode bikes all over the country. Exploring many small towns along the way. Visited loads of islands.

Never been to Chiang mai though.

A 3 day ride from bkk to Phuket or Hat Yai is worth it. Stop along the way as much as possible. Nakhon si and southward is a great ride.

Chaiyaphum has some beautiful scenery and the countryside there is quite nice.

2 minutes ago, The Cobra said:

Do you actually get out and explore Thailand, or just the same general radius of where you live ?

Been here long enough to have seen my own province thoroughly, and I've started pushing further out.

Thailand rewards you for it if you can be bothered.

Two places I can actually vouch for in the Chiang Rai area that most foreigners skip entirely:

Phu Chi Fa — about 90km from Chiang Rai city, right on the Laos border at 1,628 metres. Free entry.

The sunrise draws crowds of Thais in winter (Nov–Feb) but midweek it's manageable.

The walk up from the car park takes about 20 minutes. You can literally step onto the Laos border marker at the top. Most foreigners have never heard of it.

Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fah Luang Garden — former residence of the Princess Mother, up in the mountains above Mae Sai. The gardens are genuinely impressive and well-maintained year-round. Entry is 90 baht. The drive up alone is worth it.

Neither of these is a secret exactly, but they're under visited by expats who tend to stick to the same towns.

So — where have you been in Thailand lately that's actually worth the petrol? Not asking for tourist brochure stuff. Real places, honest opinions. Map links welcome and of course any pics.

Thanks

I have been around Thailand 3 times on motorbike and by car, and still travelling frequently, but now more to already known places, and not really the same drive to spend weeks on motorbike or in the car. Im fine to stay a few days or a week one place now. And in future, especially after the upgrade we have done on the farm, solar and a Glass garden I can sit inside outside, more equipment to the gym, and we decided to stay here and live here, I will travel less to Norway, and I will travel less in Thailand. Normally we tood a holiday before or after or both when I went to Norway, and now more settled here at the farm.

One thing is, and a valid point, I feel we get less for the money now than before, and there is more people at the places we adored to stay, and the feeling is not the same anymore. So we are chasing a bit more quality than quantity

10 minutes ago, The Cobra said:

Do you actually get out and explore Thailand

After living here pushing 19 years - yep. Been there, done that. No in my mid-70s, I just hang out locally.

When I first got here, I hooked up with a girl who had family and friends scattered across the country, took a TEFL course in Phuket, and worked in various schools in Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya, etc. As such, I traveled a lot around the country. After a while I found that, except for the exotic tourist sites, Thailand is pretty much the same all over. 7/11's everywhere, soi dogs everywhere, mom 'n' pop shops everywhere, and so on.

After 20 years I still love the place. I just returned from a trip to California and couldn't get back here soon enough. Just no interest for further travel except to visit an elephant sanctuary.

21 minutes ago, The Cobra said:

Do you actually get out and explore Thailand, or just the same general radius of where you live ?

Some here spend so much time on asean now forum I reckon their exploring is confined within their 4 walls

I spend 1-4 hrs a day exploring on my scooter. Looking for Hot Springs and good swimming holes.

22 minutes ago, The Cobra said:

So — where have you been in Thailand lately that's actually worth the petrol? Not asking for tourist brochure stuff. Real places, honest opinions. Map links welcome and of course any pics. Thanks

Been over the whole country, a few times. A few of us get out quite a bit, some posting, suspect most don't. Of late, been posting here ...

https://aseannow.com/topic/1298442-leaving-the-bar-stool/page/7/

Waiting to go O&A again, just busy with a few things.

Missing a lot (Isan & East) as didn't use Google Maps till recently.

I've seen a lot of Thailand, love traveling around this place, and I find that it's really enjoyable when you're traveling with a Thai partner, as the Thais tend to be quite friendly and helpful with each other. So you essentially become an insider by default.

OK this is Thailand but when I was in PRChina late 1980's early 90's, I was with the Agricultural Ministry and we toured locations along the Yangtze River citrus belt.

I once sat on a flight next to a guy with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and he said they had never gotten anybody into those extremely rural locations.

I have stopped exploring and visiting regions because it has become an exercise in disappointment. Pollution abounds and hotels are mediocre and not maintained. Once wonderful places have been ruined because of poor planning and local greed. I have stayed at new builds that are literally run down 2-3 years later. I am however, spending more time rediscovering alternative destinations outside of Thailand.

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

I've seen a lot of Thailand, love traveling around this place, and I find that it's really enjoyable when you're traveling with a Thai partner, as the Thais tend to be quite friendly and helpful with each other. So you essentially become an insider by default.

I was waiting with my TGF at a shop for some motorbike work to get done. There was a woman sitting near us with a baby in a stroller. My girl walked up to the baby, picked her up, and started bouncing her in her arms. They were all complete strangers but it was perfectly acceptable. Try doing that in the states and expect a visit from the police within minutes (if you don't get shot first).

2 hours ago, Hummin said:

One thing is, and a valid point, I feel we get less for the money now than before, and there is more people at the places we adored to stay, and the feeling is not the same anymore.

I've had the same experience in Thailand. A place I really enjoyed a few years earlier is now lackluster. I think wealth is slowly being drained from everyone.

28 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I was waiting with my TGF at a shop for some motorbike work to get done. There was a woman sitting near us with a baby in a stroller. My girl walked up to the baby, picked her up, and started bouncing her in her arms. They were all complete strangers but it was perfectly acceptable. Try doing that in the states and expect a visit from the police within minutes (if you don't get shot first).

Not from the states, and I would had problems to, if total strangers did that to my toddlers, as they often do here in Thailand, especially in western countries. Here it is more of the norm, especially westerns and 50/50 is adored, but still

3 hours ago, The Cobra said:

Do you actually get out and explore Thailand, or just the same general radius of where you live ?

Been here long enough to have seen my own province thoroughly, and I've started pushing further out.

Thailand rewards you for it if you can be bothered.

Two places I can actually vouch for in the Chiang Rai area that most foreigners skip entirely:

Phu Chi Fa — about 90km from Chiang Rai city, right on the Laos border at 1,628 metres. Free entry.

The sunrise draws crowds of Thais in winter (Nov–Feb) but midweek it's manageable.

The walk up from the car park takes about 20 minutes. You can literally step onto the Laos border marker at the top. Most foreigners have never heard of it.

Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fah Luang Garden — former residence of the Princess Mother, up in the mountains above Mae Sai. The gardens are genuinely impressive and well-maintained year-round. Entry is 90 baht. The drive up alone is worth it.

Neither of these is a secret exactly, but they're under visited by expats who tend to stick to the same towns.

So — where have you been in Thailand lately that's actually worth the petrol? Not asking for tourist brochure stuff. Real places, honest opinions. Map links welcome and of course any pics.

Thanks

Reading the comments I will add my name to those who have taken time to visit the lesser known places. My Thai girlfriend usually decides where we go and it's always interesting. There may be a general perception that expats living here just sit and drink beer all day. Ok, maybe not. 555

1 hour ago, HappyExpat57 said:

I was waiting with my TGF at a shop for some motorbike work to get done. There was a woman sitting near us with a baby in a stroller. My girl walked up to the baby, picked her up, and started bouncing her in her arms. They were all complete strangers but it was perfectly acceptable. Try doing that in the states and expect a visit from the police within minutes (if you don't get shot first).

That is correct there is a sense of community here in Thailand that is totally non-existent in America. You really see that when traveling as fellow Thais are treated with a great deal of affection and respect. You get none of that in America, the average stranger there treats you with fear and disdain. But that is simply a reflection of a broken society, a fast declining nation and culture, and a broken people, whereas here in Thailand I consider the people to be relatively healthy and very positive.

4 hours ago, The Cobra said:

Do you actually get out and explore Thailand, or just the same general radius of where you live ?

Been here long enough to have seen my own province thoroughly, and I've started pushing further out.

Thailand rewards you for it if you can be bothered.

Two places I can actually vouch for in the Chiang Rai area that most foreigners skip entirely:

Phu Chi Fa — about 90km from Chiang Rai city, right on the Laos border at 1,628 metres. Free entry.

The sunrise draws crowds of Thais in winter (Nov–Feb) but midweek it's manageable.

The walk up from the car park takes about 20 minutes. You can literally step onto the Laos border marker at the top. Most foreigners have never heard of it.

Doi Tung Royal Villa and Mae Fah Luang Garden — former residence of the Princess Mother, up in the mountains above Mae Sai. The gardens are genuinely impressive and well-maintained year-round. Entry is 90 baht. The drive up alone is worth it.

Neither of these is a secret exactly, but they're under visited by expats who tend to stick to the same towns.

So — where have you been in Thailand lately that's actually worth the petrol? Not asking for tourist brochure stuff. Real places, honest opinions. Map links welcome and of course any pics.

Thanks

When I get around to it, then I will visit Chiang Rai, for sure.

The only question is transportation, to and fro.

I would like to hang out in some obscure mountain retreat drinking iced Chinese tea,

Watching the girls picking tea leaves off their bushes.

Chiang Rai is the first place I will visit, if I ever get out of here, for more than a week, total.

The parks in Bangkok can be a nice way to spend a few hours.

Solo travels on the motorbike, road trips in the car with the Missus, plus work travel to farming regions in Central and North East .... very few places in Thailand I've not visited.

Favourites include Chiang Khan, Loei, Chanthaburi.

11 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

When I get around to it, then I will visit Chiang Rai, for sure.

The only question is transportation, to and fro.

I would like to hang out in some obscure mountain retreat drinking iced Chinese tea,

Watching the girls picking tea leaves off their bushes.

Chiang Rai is the first place I will visit, if I ever get out of here, for more than a week, total.

Watching the girls picking tea leaves off their bushes. Huh? Is that a new sport? Where can we see that? I think people would line up to view something like that.

16 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

That is correct there is a sense of community here in Thailand that is totally non-existent in America. You really see that when traveling as fellow Thais are treated with a great deal of affection and respect. You get none of that in America, the average stranger there treats you with fear and disdain. But that is simply a reflection of a broken society, a fast declining nation and culture, and a broken people, whereas here in Thailand I consider the people to be relatively healthy and very positive.

Honestly, I thought covid would bring us together. Instead, a divided nation dug in and threw rocks at each other over masks and vaccinations. The human species needs a reboot.

The OP was not written by a human. It is 100% AI slop.

5 hours ago, The Cobra said:

Do you actually get out and explore Thailand

Yes I do, 10's of thousands of kilometers on motorbike.

7 hours ago, connda said:

After living here pushing 19 years - yep. Been there, done that. No in my mid-70s, I just hang out locally.

Went shopping in Lamphun and saw all of the gas lines. Traveling if now off the table. Topped of the car at the last gas station I past which had no lines at all.
We're done. We'll just watch as Trump burns the world down from the comfort of home.

6 minutes ago, connda said:

We're done. We'll just watch as Trump burns the world down from the comfort of home.

It would be good for mental health to travel more and take a break from the daily news.

I'm preaching to myself here too.

The world will not burn.

Elon Musk is promising that we will become an intergalactic species soon.

And you will be able to book a trip to Saturn at a very reasonable cost.

See the ring up close.

31 minutes ago, connda said:

Went shopping in Lamphun and saw all of the gas lines. Traveling if now off the table. Topped of the car at the last gas station I past which had no lines at all.
We're done. We'll just watch as Trump burns the world down from the comfort of home.

I just top off my tank on the way to golf at 7 am, 200 baht's worth. The early bird gets the worm, not many cars around. On the way back, they are stacked up like sardines at the stations still open.

If I drive at 60 km/hr instead of 90 km/hr. my fuel consumption is 4.5 litres/100 km instead of 6 litres/100 km. Apparently 60 is the sweet spot for small 4 cylinder engines.

IMO we will see a TACO, can't predict when.

3 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

IMO we will see a TACO, can't predict when.

GF lives in Nonthaburi, so I have ventured off of Suk Road more. Even to the so-called wrong side of the river.

We just got back from Chiang Dao. Nan and Ubon are planned. We are not beach lovers.

Agreed, a Thai partner makes it a lot better to travel around.

Unless it has a beach with beautiful water and cold beer I don't really care anymore. After you've been in Isaan, seen the temples. All the greenery pretty much looks the same.

10 hours ago, HappyExpat57 said:

When I first got here, I hooked up with a girl who had family and friends scattered across the country, took a TEFL course in Phuket, and worked in various schools in Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Pattaya, etc. As such, I traveled a lot around the country. After a while I found that, except for the exotic tourist sites, Thailand is pretty much the same all over. 7/11's everywhere, soi dogs everywhere, mom 'n' pop shops everywhere, and so on.

After 20 years I still love the place. I just returned from a trip to California and couldn't get back here soon enough. Just no interest for further travel except to visit an elephant sanctuary.

So, you checked out soi dogs, 7 Eleven´s and Mom & Pop shops? I guess you missed the scenery, nature, beaches, meeting genuine Thai people and so on for ever...... Sounds like awesome travelling. 😂