Places to in Thailand to visit other than Bangkok & Pattaya

[penco]

Going to Thailand in January. Been a couple of times before including just recently in August. Only ever been to Bangkok and Pattaya as I have a UK buddy who has a house in Pattaya. This time he won't be there and I'll have my Thai GF with me. I don't know Thailand at all well and I'm looking for recommendations/ideas of other places to go. Bangkok I wasn't so fussed with as it's all stressy and crowded and not my thing, though I will have to spend some time there anyway. Pattaya doesn't appeal as it's too centred around the activities of Walking Street and I've been twice before.

I don't know the south of Thailand at all e.g. Krabi, James Bond island, Phuket etc. I'm looking for somewhere not too hectic, nice standard of accommodation and some picturesque views. I'm not into roughing it. Noisy bars and nightlife don't appeal.

Mind you having said that I'll probably be going up to Mukdahan to meet the GF's family. Any tips/recommendations of visiting there? Hire a car and drive up or bus and local transport when I get there? Fancied the idea of going across the friendship bridge to Laos, mostly just so I can say I've been there.

Anyhoo ideas/tips gratefully received.

[Mooner]

Chang mai, Pai, Kanchanaburi.

[RKASA]

All sorts of stuff North of Chang Mai - pretty nice too. You can day trip out of the city or find places outside it. It will get cool at night. You can rent a van with driver for days at a time and unlike most public transport drivers they are pretty good about safe and sane driving. I last made a loop up that way some years ago, it was worth it. You can schedule the night stops at many different peaceful resort places. You will get views for sure.

"Noisy bars and nightlife don't appeal." ditto

[phuketrichard]

Mae Hong Son is much nicer than Pai unless u like backpackers

Chiang Rai

Kanchanaburi/3 pagoda pass

If u cross the bridge at Mukdahan u will see a dead town, save ur $$

There some nice Khmer style temples around Surin an the elephant camp

Edited October 19, 2014 by phuketrichard

[craigt3365]

Mukdahan is a fairly long trip via public transport. Even via a private taxi. My friend who lives near there flies into the airport across the border. He said fares are quite cheap. Also, from there, it's not too hard to head over to Vietnam. Hue and Hoi An are very nice.

I know there's lots of bad press about Phuket, but it has a lot of variety of beaches. From crazy to quiet. Or, try Khao Lak just north. And you can easily visit Khao Sok national park. Great to spend a night on the floating hotels there. One of the top experiences for me in Thailand.

[umbanda]

Cheack a nice room in its special rate on lampangriverlodge resort, rent a car or van with driver and you will be in Lampang, the center of North Thailand, A couple hours from Chiang Mai, Chiang Dao, Phrae, Nan, Phayao, Chiang Rai, Chiang Kon and Mae Sai (borders with laos and Burma).

Cold mornings and nights, and not rain, with not tourist inflated prices. Better than that?... Ubud Hills and Sanur Beach in Bali.

[WhizBang]

Have you asked your Thai GF for suggestions. She probably knows some nice places.

Also, check out Koh Lanta south of Phuket. Very nice and very quiet.

[Jip99]

Have you asked your Thai GF for suggestions. She probably knows some nice places.

Also, check out Koh Lanta south of Phuket. Very nice and very quiet.

This is sound advice if you have an open mind and worked for me a few years ago. I just said "Take me to the places that you would like to show me".

Be prepared for an "Up to you" answer as many Thais will be concerned about making a decision that you don't like.

It is, of course, totally personal choice and dependent on your tastes, time available and budget.

I would include the following on a list of places to be considered:-

Chiang Mai

Chiang Rai

Pai

Loei

Kanchanaburi

Hua Hin

Khao Yai

Beaches are matter of taste - I detest Phuket but many like Patong beach. I would prefer Krabi and Samui.

[craigt3365]

Phuket has many beaches. I avoid Patong but have enjoyed the ones north of there. A few are very quiet and lovely.

[ldnguy]

Also try visiting Isaan. Not touristy at all and there are quite a few things to see. You might need a car though.

[Fallangpakwan]

I've lived and worked in Thailand since 1981 and still are finding nice/different places; try Nan and north of there,Golden Triangle, Namnao in Petchabun province; you really need a car and just go.

[Strangebrew]

Off hand I would ask your Thai girlfriend. But might be a bit nervous cause never know who you might run in to.

[rumbo1]

If you want to go over the friendship bridge into Laos you can get the overnight sleeper train into Nong khai for about 750 baht second class aircon and it's only about a 15 minute walk from the train station to the bridge. Also worth a visit while you are in Nong khai is the sculpture park ( sala ka kaew ) , I think that's how it's spelt !

Remember if you go over the bridge it will cost you 1500 baht for Laos visa or 35 u.s dollars ( cheaper to pay in u.s dollars ) and you will need a passport photograph. Your current Thai visa will finish when you exit Thailand , so be careful of your visa situation .

[GoNavy]

I went to Chang Mai and took day trips to visit the 'Karen Tribe' village. Those are the people where the women wear rings around their neck. There is a deep cave to visit that has a Buddhist temple inside, Orchid garden, the house of Rama V's consort is on the university grounds, a couple of interesting Buddhist temples within the outskirts of Chang Mai.

Kanchanaburi has the Death Railway and you can ride the train, on the outskirts of the city there is a fine Buddhist temple on a high mt plateau that gives you a feeling of being in a small plane seeing the countryside. There are the cemeteries of those who died to build the death railway plus a museum by that cemetery. Also there is a fine movie set to visit within an hour out of the city of Kanchanaburi that was used to film the movie depicting the revolt from Burma and the beginning of Thai control. Also the Tiger Temple is there where this monk saved wild tigers and you can go and see them and have photos taken with them along with a zoo they developed. The King's palace grounds called Bang Pin I think is between there and Bangkok. Nice day visit.....or half day anyway. Ayrujthia is along the way.

To the south is Hua Hin that is becoming touristy, but small. The summer palace of Rama V! is there which is along the beach and more of a series of large wooden structures connected by covered ramps. Grounds are pleasant and much history. Between Hua Hin and Bangkok........more north of Hua Hin is another small town that has Rama IV or III's palacer that is high on a table mountain. You take a tram to get up to it.

Just a few of my ideas.

[spidermike007]

Got to Prachuap Khiri Khan. The provincial capital is laid back, clean, has nice beaches, and people are warm, friendly and helpful. Get a room on the water, and you can walk the boardwalk, eat at restaurants across the street with sea views, visit the local temples, enjoy one of the best fresh food markets in Central Thailand, and have a great time. It is an undiscovered secret of a place. Amazing coastline. Great beaches south of town, in Ban Krut and Ban Saphan. Great climate. Super clean air. Gorgeous mountain areas nearby. Wonderful seafood. Very reasonable. Not too much not to like. Only 4 hours or so south of Bangkok, right off the main north south Highway.

Hua Hin is nice if you like a larger city. PKK is great if you like quiet, peaceful, and laid back. Also the beaches are far nicer. The beaches in Hua Hin are pretty dreadful. Once you get about 50 km south of HH the beaches start to get much nicer, and that is the case all the way down to Chumporn. PKK is about 90 km. south of Hua Hin, and about 190Km north of Chumporn. About 280 KM. from BKK.

Edited October 20, 2014 by spidermike007

[Just1Voice]

I'm in total agreement with those who say "Go North young man!" Before my stroke, and having to sell my beloved CBR 250, my greatest joy was my monthly bike trip to SOMEWHERE, ANYWHERE in the North & Northeast. Usually lasting 3-4 days, but sometimes a week or more if I felt like it. I love the mountains, the beautiful scenery, and love the north and north east Thai people.

As for mode of transportation, naturally I prefer a bike, but that's not for everyone, so I'd suggest interviewing a few drivers and hire a car. Find a driver who has some skills at English. That's a must.

Other than that, have fun and good luck.

[Star Dust]

..or remote?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phu_Phra_Bat_Historical_Park

[Greg Nixon]

Ideas for Mukdahan ; Phu pa Theoep National park. Hike to the cave on the upper trail. See the interesting rock formations. Imagine the ancient river of Mekong up this high. There are some very interesting petroglyphs at a national park if you drive from down south. It is a few hours south of Mukdahan. It is the park that is on the Mekong River and the furthest point east in Thailand. In Mukdahan city do not miss the restaurant with rustic charm on the Mekong River. All the society of Mukdahan goes there from time to time. You can watch the fisherman on the Mekong as the sun sets . You can see laos and the friendship bridge from that vantage point. You drive east on the south side of the International Hospital at the south end of Mukdahan city . The friendship bridge - the large dragon statue below the bridge in Thailand.

A trip to the Church of the Seven Martyrs north of Mukdahan city is worthwhile if only to view the old style Thai construction of a typical house in the 1920's or 1930's. Drive north on the River road from the friendship bridge. There is a new zoo with many tigers and crocodiles and wild boars. other animals are also present. i do not know if it is officially opened yet but we were able to visit at no cost during construction. Bring a whip and chair. HaHA.

The real charm of Mukdahan is slowly discovering the culture here. Ke mah fire treatment of impact injuries, a genuine ghost dance performed in a small village ( not the tourist variety), a house warming by the local shaman - sword hung in the house and money on the bed. Cutting rice or helping to harvest rice. Seeing a farm up close. Getting to know families. Offering rice to the monks in the morning. Attending the buddhist temple ceremonies. A funeral in Thailand. A wedding in Thailand. Visiting friends or family at the hospital. Eating Thai style at the home of family and friends - no table. A grill at the centre of the feast - everyone cooking some of their own selected food and sharing with everyone. Visiting an elementary school and a High School. Watching the motorbikes heading to work at 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM - bring your camera. Investigating the wide variety of foods at several different produce markets. You are fortunate to have a Thai girlfriend who can slowly reveal all these activities to you but if you are just passing through it is unlikely you will be able to enjoy the charm of the Issan people.

[Greg Nixon]

A quiet beach east of Rayong Novotel hotel comes to mind with a few pools and a hot tub. Area not yet fully discovered and some pleasant walks on the beach are possible.