artyguy

Will be flying from Myranmar in Novmeber. Will fly to Bangkok and then trying to decide whether to fly to Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai?

I thought I'd fly to Chiang Rai and then head to Chiang Mai and then fly to Bangkok. From there fly to the south to spend time on a sleepy island. All in 14 days.

I have 14 days in Thailand. Would like to explore the north, spend a few days in Bangkok and chill on a island in the south. With this in mind, am I spreading myself thin by going to Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai and Bangkok and a sleepy island then back to Bangkok and home? If anyone can advise a sensible itinerary please help me on this.

Or if I had to chose between Chiang Rai or Chiang Mai I'd appreciate that. I hope to do a two day trek at either of those cities, explore the history, authentic culture of Thailand. Maybe go to a elephant sanctuary also?

Thanks!

MmePerdu

Chiang Mai is a city, though nowhere near as dense and intense as BKK, more suburban feeling with a small city core. Chiang Rai is smaller and while I haven't spent time there, I have passed through. It depends entirely on what you want, a city with associated variety and resources (also lots of tourists) or whether you want to sample a smaller place.

I generally spend weeks in Chiang Mai, as opposed to days in BKK, when I visit Thailand and next time I plan to see if Chiang Rai might suit me better these days. You might consider going to one of the 2, and if it doesn't suit you, just move on to the other to see, advance reservation I've found to be unnecessary. Short trips like yours I consider reconnaissance for longer stays another time and you won't know which you'll like better by asking strangers. You have to try them on yourself. Unless you know yourself and your travel tastes enough to know you'd like the smaller or the larger place.

Kathie

Chiang Mai is a big city, Chiang Rai a much smaller town. Both serve as good jumping off points to visit the countryside. If you want to do a trek, arrange it with a reputable agency so you can actually get off the tourist track. Sgt. Kai comes well recommended by many.

We are all different in what we like. "weeks in Chiang Mai" sounds just ghastly to me, as I am bored after two days there, whereas I can (a and have over the years) spent weeks in Bangkok. It all depends on your interests.

If you do want to interact with elephants, please choose a place that treats elephants well. The Thai Elephant Conservation Center or the Elephant Nature Park are well-recommended. There are lots of tourist-oriented elephant camps that do not treat the elephants well.

The "authentic culture of Thailand"is everywhere in Thailand. Bangkok is authentic as Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai. The only places with less exposure to Thai culture are the beach resorts entirely oriented to foreigners.

MmePerdu

"It all depends on your interests."

And travel style. I like to hang out in smaller places and find Bangkok chaotic and too urban for me. Not bad, just not right. For me. Chiang Mai, especially inside the moat and in outlying parts, across the river for instance, is low-rise and pretty. Yet I know many here on the forums adore spending time in Bangkok, including Kathie. And why you'll get completely honest recommendations that tell you opposite things are best. And why you just need to find out for yourself.

artyguy

thanks for your suggestions. I actually tend to like contrast. Big Urban Cities, and small intimate villages. Originally from New York City which I love, but equally love visiting small countryside towns.

artyguy

Which is also I may add, why going to a quite island where I can chill but also experience a small authentic non touristy village equally appeals to me. So also looking for suggestions for a island where I can chill just before leaving Asia for my home in the USA.

MmePerdu

An island not in Thailand? In proximity to where? There are LOTS of islands in that part of the world, among my favorites Bali, Penang, Borneo, Java. But it depends on what you want from your island and where you need it to be. In other words, we need a bit more to go on.

sartoric

You have time to see both. Fly into CR, bus to CM then perhaps a direct flight to the south for an Island, then spend your time in Bangkok at the end. Can't help with the Island.

We recently visited both CR and CM and enjoyed our time in each.

Prachuap

Dont really like either. Best thing to do is fly north then hire a car. Most attractions are outside town.

Chiang Dao cave
Lot Cave
Hotsprings
Waterfalls

Prachuap

Re island I like Ko Chang. 60 to 70% of tourists are Thai. Big laidback vibe with good food.

Kathie

Some people like Ko Chang. Do check weather for the month you are going, as it is different from the other beach areas in Thailand. Also, be aware that it is the only Thai beach area that has had problems with malaria.

Prachuap

No malaria for many years now.

Prachuap

Dengue Fever is a bigger problem in Thailand now. Was an outbreak in Mae Hong Son not long ago. Malaria is very rare nowadays in Thailand and Dengue has no treatment unlike Malaria.

crellston

i like Chiang Mai and have stayed there on several occasions, sometimes for a few days sometimes for longer periods. it is nowhere near as busy as Bangkok but a lot busier than Chiang Rai

If trekking is high on your list of things to do you won't find "a small authentic non touristy village" anywhere near Chiang Mai. The trekking closer to Chiang Rai would be a little better but your best bet would be to rent a car and head off to Mai Hong Sorn or Soppong. Chiang Dao is closer to Chiang Mai and also has some reasonable trekking options.

As for islands, this link may help you to narrow down the myriad choices

http://www.travelfish.org/islands.php

Prachuap

If you want real authentic culture best avoid the touristy places. CM is mega touristy and CR is a small version of it.

Phayao, Lampang, Phrae and Nan will show you authentic culture.

Nok Air flies to Phrae and Nan. Nan has trekking.

A lot of tourists say they want authentic culture then spend all their time in mega tourist zones.

MmePerdu

I don't want authentic or megatouristy, I want both and enough resources so I'll be comfortable for several weeks. Comfortable includes a good choice of accommodation, bookstores, conversation in my own language from time to time and so on. Chiang Mai is big enough that one can find a bit of everything with neighborhoods to suit any taste without having to be in the thick of the tourists enclaves. By my definition, big enough and small enough, lots to discover and walkable to anywhere. Call it whatever you like and turn your nose up if you must, but I'm quite comfortable in CM and the rest is semantics.

Prachuap

Its what the OP wants or claims to want.

Kathie

I'm sorry that the "sensible advice" got lost in all this, artyguy. Obviously people have different opinions about places. But if you want to see rural northern Thailand, both CM and CR make good jumping off points.

As I remember, you are planning on trekking in Myanmar. The trekking there will be much better than any trekking in Thailand in terms of being able to get off the tourist track. Especially since you plan to trek out of KengTung.

Prachuap

Nan trekking is off the tourist radar. Umphang is another area.

Easy to avoid the beaten path if u want.

MmePerdu

"...the "sensible advice" got lost in all this, artyguy."

It did? I think artyguy is bright enough to know that the most valuable information comes to light when there's disagreement, everything on the table. Isn't that what a forum is for?