HELP PLEASE

Hi guys

I need some help with my itenary basically. I will be in Thailand for one month from Sept 25th to Oct 25th. I then thought i may fly to Cambodia and then Loas and then Vietnam and back into Thailand for a month by air.

I dont know if this is an ideal itenary or if anyone would suggesy any other way forward. Is it easy to travel by train from Thailand to Cambodia and into Loas from there.

Please help

Thanks

Joel

Hi Joel

Good Evening

I would suggest the following itinery:

Bangkok - Chiang Mai - Laos - Cambodia - Vietnam - Bangkok - The beaches of the South

It's a logical route easily manageable & by flying back to Bangkok from the furthest point(Vietnam) you get another 30day visa exemption!. It also gives you a very good taste of the differing aspects of Thailand ie. beaches, tropical islands, jungle, mountains,culture & history.

By doing it this way you will also get an interesting different series of methods of transportation bus, train,plane.

I have attached a useful link to help you travel from bangkok to Chiang Mai:-snip-

I am also happy to help you fill out the details for the Thailand sections.

Kind Regards

Kevin

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Hi Kevin

Thanks for your prompt response.

How does this sound.

Bangkok - Pattaya - Ko Samui, and islands etc such as Phuket - There for one month and travel back up to BK to go to Cambodia.

What is the cheapest way for me to get to Cambodia from BK, and how can i get visas?

Then i am volunteering in Cambodia for a week or so before going to Loas. How can i get a visa for Loas, i heard its not easy. Then from Loas i go into Vietnam and head down south to Ho chi minh where I will fly back Into Thailand for christmas and new year. Then i plan to go up North to see Chiang mai and explore those regions.

How does that sound?

Joel,
I vote yes! to Pattaya only if you like to drink, chase women and party most nights. Pattaya is like Las Vegas, a 24hr party town. It does have a decent beach if you daytrip Koh Larn. I have a blog entry on doing just that. I think your itinerary is OK. I would either fly or overnight bus down to Krabi. I think the Krabi area has the best beach options in Thailand. Many islands to choose from close by, Railay Beach and Phra Nang as well. I would hit Phi Phi on your way to Phuket. Then bus/minivan over to Surat Thani, boat to Samui. Fly back to BKK from Samui or overnight train/bus from Surat back to BKK.

Getting to Siem Reap from Bangkok is either expensive (fly) or a long day overland. Here is a good resource for all things Cambodian. You can buy your Cam. visa on arrival, $20 at the airport, a bit more at Poipet. The Imm guys like to overcharge when they can. My link goes over this.
You could fly Air Asia into Phnom Penh, then boat or bus up to SR. As the Thais like to say, "up to You".

Laos also has visa on arrival at most entry points. Not from Cambodia overland however.

You need to obtain your VN visa while in Laos. You cannot cross into VN w/o a visa in hand. When you are in Vientiane, go over to the VN Embassy and buy your VN visa. Or let one of the GHs or travel shops do it for you.

Good luck with your planning.

[ Edit: Edited on 06-Jul-2009, at 11:38 by vegasmike6 ]

Hi Joel

I completely agree with VegasMike about Pattaya, there are many nicer places in Thailand. But, there are some very nice islands in that area, Koh Chang, Koh Samet, Koh Kood - might be worth taking a week to explore. I would then suggest taking the high speed ferry down from Chumphon - Koh Tao - Koh Samui, I lived on Koh Samui for nearly a year, and got bored because of the amount of foreigners there, but its got beautiful beaches, and the islands of the Angthong National Park are fantastic!!.

Phuket - Krabi - Koh Lanta - Phang Nga Bay - Phi Phi Islands - Similan Islands - all accessible from Phuket, again the same as Koh Samui I found Phuket just to crowded with foreigners around Patong, I stayed up in the north of Phuket, fab beaches much more Thai.

The Andaman Sea locations are without doubt far more stunning & beautiful than the Gulf of Thailand islands & beaches, but whichever you choose you will have a great time!!.

When you are ready to start planning the Bangkok - Chiang Mai section, catch up with me again to help you with that.

Kind Regards

Kevin

Thanks for all your help guys, can you advise me of something else.

I am staying in Thailand for one month before heading to Cambodia. I have heard that when entering Thailand i need to prove that i will be leaving the country after 30 days. I have need book a train ticket or a plane ticket if this is the case.

Any advice.

Also I have heard that Loas is difficult to get into at borders with Cambodia. Any advice on this too.

Thanks

Hi Joel

According to the Thai Immigration rules your initial comment is correct, "legally" you should be in possession of an onward ticket. In reality this NEVER happens, it's just there if they want to exercise it!.

The very latest Visa information is on the following link: http://www.visit-chiang-mai-online.com/thai-visa.html, but honestly you have nothing to worry about, I have entered & exited Thailand on over 30 occasions, and i have NEVER been questioned.

Kind Regards

Kevin