Plan A Trip Around Thailand

We know how daunting it can be to travel to countries where you may not speak the language, and we also know how far removed Asia can be from everything you know. That’s why we’ve made the perfect itinerary for you to help you plan a trip around Thailand.

Our suggested route… Bangkok > Chiang Mai > Pai.

Of late, Thailand has seen an influx of tourism that was more suited to the beaches of Majorca or Malia. The north of Thailand, however, still holds an allure and charm that hasn’t yet been discovered by the fluorescent vested vagabonds clutching sand buckets of cheap alcohol. It also offers you the perfect short trip for those on a time limit. Here is our essential guide to Thailand if you only have a few weeks, start off by flying into Bangkok.

Days 1-3 – Bangkok

Landing in any Asian city from the West for the first time will take even the most ardent of travellers a few days to adjust. But landing into the craziness of Bangkok is a different thing altogether; with its unceasing protests, which as a Westerner are more often than not nothing to be alarmed about despite what many scaremongering news broadcasts will say. Bangkok is a wonderful and lively metropolis; intimidating for some, enthralling for others. Whether navigating your way through the many, epic shopping centres built on the scale of giants, enjoying a bit of Pad Thai at one of the street food stalls or roaming in search of the many opulent temples, Bangkok delivers.

Although Koh San Road is notorious for being noisy, crowded and generally dubious, it is a must see and is where we would recommend you staying whilst in Bangkok. Known as the gateway to South East Asia it’s where many backpackers start their journey of what has become known as ‘The Banana Pancake Trail’. As for restaurant recommendations, check out this little gem for amazing vegetarian/ vegan dishes: https://www.ethosnet.biz/ (just off Koh San Road).

Day 4 – The Night train to Chiang Mai

The website https://www.seat61.com makes any other attempt at documenting and informing you about train travel through Thailand a fruitless endeavour. It offers extensive information on prices, popular routes and departure times. Having taken the train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, we can assure you that the second class sleepers with air conditioning are more than adequate; even to those who aren’t partial to roughing it. Besides, most of your time on this 12 hour train through Northern Thailand should be spent in the restaurant carriage which, after hours, doubles up as a bar serving vodka and pumping out archaic Pop tunes such as Los del Mar’s ‘Macarena’ – of course you still know the moves.

Day 5 – Arrival into Chiang Mai

You’ll arrive into Chiang Mai sleep deprived and achy. Head straight to Julie’s Guest House (https://www.julieguesthouse.com/) straight away. I recommend booking in here before as it’s very in demand. Not only is this a great hostel to hang out in, but an invaluable place to meet other travellers who are wanting to travel by bike to Pai.

Whilst in Chiang Mai, don’t rush. Good things come to those who wait and there are many things in Chiang Mai that will amaze you, such as:

Pun Pun

This gem is located within the grounds of the Wat Suan Dok Temple, walk past the temple and the Monks as they play an array of instruments and you will see it tucked away in a tiny corner of the grounds.

It took us and a few BBM buddies a couple of hours to navigate round the chaotic streets of Chiang Mai to find, but this place was WELL worth the trip. That first trip there, our tardiness meant they had stop serving food but we all ordered a Chai latte and it was the best any of us had ever had. Even a friend, who was generally against what he called “coffee / hot drinks bullshit”, conceded that it tasted like ecstasy. In a hung-over stupor, we went back alone to Pun Pun and finally tried out the food, a Red Thai Tofu Curry. Unlike many Thai restaurants where Thai curries consist of few ingredients, this had an abundance of ingredients and flavour. The restaurant seems to take on the tranquility of the neighbouring monastery.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple

This golden temple is situated on the hills that overlook Chiang Mai. After navigating the winding staircase of roads up to it (be careful here as the roads are really dangerous), you finally traverse a few flights of stairs to find yourself in a land of golden temples and Buddhist chanting. You can see why this is a sacred site to many of the Thai Population.

Day 7 – The Journey To Pai

You can hire a moped or motorcycle in Chiang Mai on pretty much every street that surrounds Julie’s Guest House. Do shop around, though, as some have helmets that wouldn’t be sufficient for a mountain bike. But trust us, you really don’t want to end up a vegetable, and as stated previously – THE ROADS ARE DANGEROUS.

After an hour or so of having to navigate busy main roads leading out of Chiang Mai, in a convoy of your chosen disciples, you’ll eventually see more green, before taking in some of the most beautiful views you’ll probably ever see.

We arrived into Pai by night, having suffered punctures, frantic searching for petrol and a few other mishaps, including losing half of the people we were traveling with. The four of us that remained together followed one another into the village. The ride had been fastidious but easily one of the most amazing trips we have ever taken.

The trip by bike takes a moderate proficiency on motorcycles as the winding roads through the northern highlands could spell trouble for some.

Alternatively there is a coach from Chiang Mai. We do recommend, however, that you brave it on the mopeds. The 3-4 hour coach journey is renowned for being a travel sickness nightmare as the winding roads aren’t built for coaches to be traveling at such speeds. And you’ll miss out on being able to stop and take in vistas like this:

Days 7-12 – Pai

This won’t be enough time here. No matter how long you stay in this sleepy little village in the northern mountains, you’ll leave not fully satisfied, having to pull yourself away. Walking down rivers towards waterfalls deep in the jungle, elephants on every other road, vistas such as Pai Canyon, amazing street food, Reggae festivals. The best thing to do here, however, is nothing. The Sunset Bar is a small Reggae bar ran by laid back Thai guys and you can sit next to a river with a beer, after first crossing it on a temperamental, bamboo bridge:

Pai Canyon is definitely a must see. Time it so that you see the sunset, take a few beers and enjoy sites like this:

Days 12-14 – Back to Bangkok before flying home.

Again on the road, the trip from Pai to Chiang Mai is more beautiful the second time round. As you have more of an idea of the route, you have more time to take in the scenery.

Once back in Chiang Mai, you can choose to fly to Bangkok or once again take the twelve hour train. One final day of ticking the things off the list that you didn’t do the first time round in Bangkok, like a drink at the infamous ‘Hangover’ Sky Bar, before heading home, for views over Bangkok, like this one:

Images and words by Michael Fenn