Side Trips

[Lucky]

Sure, I know it has been discussed before, but I would like to break up my Bangkok stay by taking a long weekend to see somewhere else. Convenience is a factor. Pattaya is one possibility, but I have been there so many times and find it tacky. What other possibilities exist? I have been to Chaing Mai and Phuket. Any ideas? Not sure that attractive guys will be a big attraction...

[fedssocr]

Maybe Ayutthaya? I think it's a pretty easy train ride from BKK.

Sukhothai is also nice but I think Bangkok Airways still has a monopoly on flights. 

Those are both historic places if you like old ruins. What sorts of things are you interested in doing? Hua Hin is a nice beach town not too far from Bangkok. Khao Yai is nice if you're looking for nature. 

[reader]

27 minutes ago, fedssocr said:

Hua Hin is a nice beach town not too far from Bangkok.

With some great waterfront hotels to choose from.

[Ruthrieston]

My favourite is Railay Beach, a promontory off Krabi, can only reach by longtail boat, no roads, no cars or motorbikes, plenty of resorts, restaurants and bars.

[Lucky]

15 hours ago, fedssocr said:

Maybe Ayutthaya? I think it's a pretty easy train ride from BKK.

Sukhothai is also nice but I think Bangkok Airways still has a monopoly on flights. 

Those are both historic places if you like old ruins. What sorts of things are you interested in doing? Hua Hin is a nice beach town not too far from Bangkok. Khao Yai is nice if you're looking for nature. 

Forgot to mention that I have been to Ayutthaya...as well as River Kwai. Hua Hin sounds promising...

[PeterRS]

27 minutes ago, Lucky said:

Forgot to mention that I have been to Ayutthaya...as well as River Kwai. Hua Hin sounds promising...

Sorry to add that I find Hua Hin incredibly boring!! I stayed for a week at the Hilton hotel which I really disliked - and I like most hotels I visit. Sadly the Hilton had been recommended by a good friend and I had prepaid for the week but I'll never return. Even the beach by the hotel is tiny! Is there anything really to see in Hua Hin apart from the railway station and the Centara Grand Hotel which used to be the old railway hotel?

When are you in Thailand? If in late December, Hua Hin can be quite chilly if the winter monsoon is blowing.

If you are here in early August, I would definitely get to Ubon Ratchathanee for the Candle Festival Parade on August 3. It's a stunning unique event with all the temples having artisans spend a month carving wax scenes on top of lorries and trucks. Unfortunately you have missed the amazing Dansai Ghost Festival which was in June this year. I had a fabulous time there a few years ago.

Sorry again I have little positive to add.

[thaiophilus]

Khao Yai is just right for a 2-night stay. You can get there from Bangkok in 2-4 hours by bus, minibus or train and the guest houses run a free transfer from the bus/train stations. Arrive mid-afternoon in time for the evening "jungle tour" on the day you arrive, then a full-day tour for the following day, stay overnight then return to Bkk. Or you can extend your stay with a night camping in the national park.

For a longer national park visit with more things to do, (maybe 4 nights) look at Khao Sok.  Fly or take the train to Surat Thani, Krabi or Phuket, then a minibus to Khao Sok. Rome2Rio.com will show the possible routes.

A mild warning - the minibus between Surat Thani and Khao Sok needs to be booked in advance. For the return journey, check that you have a ticket showing bus time and seat number. If all you have is a voucher for one unspecified journey, you need to exchange it and book a seat at the minibus office at the road junction just outside Khao Sok.

(I learned this the hard way ☹️ - having booked a Nok Air "fly'n'ride" package with flight and connecting minibus reservation on the outward journey I assumed I had a bus reservation for the return trip. Not so. They did all they could to get me on a different bus (good), but it didn't go to the airport (not so good). However, the driver kindly found me a mocy taxi for a white knuckle ride to the airport. If I'd missed the flight I'd have been stuck in Surat for a very long new-year weekend.)

 

[omega]

Following this for ideas.

I'm returning to BKK later this year having not been since before Covid. I've already spent so much time in BKK, so I'm looking to go elsewhere for a few days here and there.

[fedssocr]

I agree that 2 or 3 days is good for a Khao Yai break. I have the impression that it's a popular weekend trip for Bangkokians. I did it with a tour guide friend of mine who organized a private car and driver, etc. 

For 2 or 3 days I think Hua Hin is fine. But I can see where a week would get pretty boring unless you're there with some friends. I liked the night market which has many good food stalls and the one next door has lots of art and crafts for sale. I stayed at the D2 which was not ideal for visiting the beach. I think picking one of the places nearer the beach would be a better choice for sure. There are a few beach resorts that looked very cushy when we walked past on an evening beach stroll. I'd have to look at a map to remember names.

 

If you haven't been out to Isaan there are some pretty interesting places out in that direction. I'm always fascinated by old temples, etc so I like Phimai quite a bit as well as Phnom Rung. I did that part of the country as a little 3 day trip where we based on Khorat and did day trips out from there. Lots if big national parks in the north if you're interested in that. Or even Chiang Rai.

You might want to have a look at Paddy Doyle's YT channel for ideas of places to visit. He went to every province. https://www.youtube.com/@PaddyDoyle./playlists

[Lucky]

I loved the Millenium Hilton hotel on the Chao Praya river in Bangkok. Maybe a few nights there enjoying the river and its surroundings would be a good diversion. I could watch the boat traffic for hours.

[omega]

Hua Hin has some really nice hotels, especially the ones along the beach. If you're looking to just relax, its great. A lot quieter than Pattaya or BKK.

[thaiophilus]

4 hours ago, Lucky said:

I loved the Millenium Hilton hotel on the Chao Praya river in Bangkok. Maybe a few nights there enjoying the river and its surroundings would be a good diversion. I could watch the boat traffic for hours.

Or you could head downstream for the port and have a couple of nights in the Bangkok Treehouse in Bang Krachao (which is not in Bangkok but the next province along). Very laid back.

[Daddy415]

Samui is amazing and a quick flight from BKK. See my post about my fun there.

[ChristianPFC]

On 7/25/2023 at 4:47 PM, PeterRS said:

If you are here in early August, I would definitely get to Ubon Ratchathanee for the Candle Festival Parade on August 3. It's a stunning unique event with all the temples having artisans spend a month carving wax scenes on top of lorries and trucks. Unfortunately you have missed the amazing Dansai Ghost Festival which was in June this year. I had a fabulous time there a few years ago.

But keep in mind that for such popular festivals (elephant festival in Surin and monkey feeding in Lopburi and christmas stars in Nakhon Sawan as well) hotels can be booked out.

[Londoner]

Some good ideas here. However, you've not been to Pattaya recently if you find it "tacky". Try staying in one of the North Pattaya hotels: Dusit is the the traditional choice but there are some brand new, very contemporary ones  available. Go to the top of Terminus 21, the newest mall, and look out. You won't see anything "tacky" but a replica of Singapore or Shanghai. Some of us may miss "tacky" Pattaya, though its remnants are still there in South Pattaya, itself under redevelopment near Pattaya Tai. 

Daddy415 is right about Koh Samui but I wasn't impressed by Charweng a few months ago, nor its beach. Try Lamai. Krabi's island beaches are immeasurably superior.

Number one for me remains- as I've often said- Chiang Rai. The best night market I've seen in Thailand and wonderful touring.... the Lanna temple in Chang Saen close to the Golden Triangle and, best of all, the Chinese village at Mae Salong....if you can cope with the drive up the mountain roads. If, like me you are attracted to border towns, try Mai Sai. Fascinating.

[TMax]

Depends just how far you would like to go, Khao Kho can be a nice area to relax for a few days, being up in the mountains it does get a bit cold so it may pay to take warm clothes or someone to cuddle up to. Nature wise there is some incredible views from up there as well as other things to see. 

[omega]

7 hours ago, Londoner said:

Some good ideas here. However, you've not been to Pattaya recently if you find it "tacky". Try staying in one of the North Pattaya hotels: Dusit is the the traditional choice but there are some brand new, very contemporary ones  available. Go to the top of Terminus 21, the newest mall, and look out. You won't see anything "tacky" but a replica of Singapore or Shanghai. Some of us may miss "tacky" Pattaya, though its remnants are still there in South Pattaya, itself under redevelopment near Pattaya Tai. 

Daddy415 is right about Koh Samui but I wasn't impressed by Charweng a few months ago, nor its beach. Try Lamai. Krabi's island beaches are immeasurably superior.

Number one for me remains- as I've often said- Chiang Rai. The best night market I've seen in Thailand and wonderful touring.... the Lanna temple in Chang Saen close to the Golden Triangle and, best of all, the Chinese village at Mae Salong....if you can cope with the drive up the mountain roads. If, like me you are attracted to border towns, try Mai Sai. Fascinating.

Might I ask, what attracts you to border towns? To my mind they seem like they would be dull affairs, but I would be very happy to have my opinion improved.

[thaiophilus]

9 hours ago, Londoner said:

Number one for me remains- as I've often said- Chiang Rai. The best night market I've seen in Thailand and wonderful touring.... the Lanna temple in Chang Saen close to the Golden Triangle and, best of all, the Chinese village at Mae Salong....if you can cope with the drive up the mountain roads. If, like me you are attracted to border towns, try Mai Sai. Fascinating.

If any of these Lanna destinations appeals, you mght want to look at the Mae Hong Son loop. Lots of picturesque mountain scenery and intersting small towns/villages.

[ChristianPFC]

Would need a lot more input from OP. Are you interested in beaches, mountains, museums, temples? Traveling by public transport, walking, rented motorbike or car?

[forrestreid]

If you want a quick getaway from Bangkok but think Pattaya to tacky for you, Ko Samet might be an option.

It is a tiny beach island, on the eastern seaboard, up to 3-4 hours ride from Bangkok.

There is no gay nightlife from what I am aware, but if, as you say, guys are not the huge attraction, it might suit you well.

[Londoner]

18 hours ago, omega said:

Might I ask, what attracts you to border towns? To my mind they seem like they would be dull affairs, but I would be very happy to have my opinion improved.

I like the sense of movement, of people travelling  for wildly-different reasons and sometimes  even for a slight edginess.....there are police road blocks not far away.  The political repression in Burma makes it even more interesting. And I mean "interesting", not pleasant.

I suppose this may reflect  childhood experiences when my parents used to take on me on railway journeys through Europe and the changes I witnessed as we passed from one country to another fascinated me, even as a youngster.