5 weeks in asia - itinerary
 

We're taking an extended honeymoon and as part of this we are flying into Bangkok on 9th October, and flying out of Singapore 5 weeks later. Do you think we need to visit the northern parts of Thailand as someone has mentioned this is similar to Sri Lanka (where we are going prior to Thailand). Can anyone recommend a vague itinerary to see the best parts of Thailand, moving down via Kuala Lumpar and ending up in Singapore?

The places to stop along the way south if you want to beach / island hop:

Bangkok - Hua Hin - Bang Saphan - Chumphon, from where you can boat to Koh tao, Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, back to mainland at Surat Thani OR fly from Samui to Phuket.
From Surat Thani you can road to Phuket or cut south to Krabi, Koh Lanta, down to Satun to boat to Langkawi and then boat/fly to Penang. from penang you can train down to KL and onwards to Singapore, you can also fly from Phuket to KL or from Langkawi or Penang to KL and/or Singapore.

You can also us the rail line south but that goes the eastern route from Surat Thani down thru Hat Yai to Butterworth ( Penang ).

It really depends on the sort of places you want to go.

Hi,

Well I have a problem with the blanket statement that N Thailand is just like Sri Lanka. Would like to know exactly where your informant travelled in each country and how they travelled.

And where do YOU plan to go in Sri Lanka? A beach resort? planning on any trips inland? planning on going off the beaten track or are we just talking comfortable like at home stuff?

As for your other question - well - I'd say (and this depends on the time of year - you will have to do your own research) - go to Khanchanaburi for a few days - then south by bus - there are some great small towns over on the east coast. or fly to Krabi. Thence by bus to aeglfleer - Hat Hai - and over the border to Thailand. Go to Penang, and take a train/bus connex to KL stopping perhaps in Taiping. Or go the other way and head over to the east coast to Khota Bharu and the Perhentians.

Melaka is an interesting place to visit too.

You need to get a map and a guide book so you know where places are. and then think about what you want to do because what I like may not be what you like.

Thanks to both of you, i'm not being lazy, I have ordered guide books, but i also wanted to have recommendations! The tips are a great place to start. Sorry about the blanket statement!! We're only in Sri Lanka for a week, but have a vague idea thanks to a friend who loves the place. Visiting Kegalle, Kandy, up to Polonnaurwa, maybe down to Nuwara Eliya if time.

What do you want to do? Visit beaches? Visit cultural and historic sites? Rafting, elephant treks, rock climbing? Do you love cities or do you want the countryside?

Do you want to fly between destinations, take the train or busses?

You need to give us much more info about what you are interested in before we can be helpful.

I also think the idea that Northern Thailand is like Sri Lanka is just nuts.

Sri Lanka and northern thailand are about as much the same as Texas and New York City. Whoever made that statement has either never been to either or truly didn't have a clue what they were seeing or experiencing.

As to an itinerary -- what are your interests? Why are you going to asia? What do you want to experience?

loubob---ignor fuzzylogic....australian, need i say more...

we will be glad to help you but we need some more info about your desires, likes and dislikes...

northern thailand is interesting...its worth a few days and seeing that you have 5 weeks it might be worthwhile....the area around chiang rai is pastoral in looks.. CM is a major city but worth a couple of days...

Hi Loubob - Just wanted to say that your Sri Lankan choices are just wonderful (I'm jealous). It's a great mix. A good way to see Polonnaruwa is to hire a bicycle as it is a large site. And are you going to take the train from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya? - that's if it still runs.

As for Thailand/Malaysia - as others have said, we do need to know more about your interests. And maybe how you like to travel.

Happy reading - when those guidebooks arrive!