Hello.

My girlfriend and I are going on a 10-day trip to Thailand and need some advice from those who've been. Not sure if everyone has this problem but i've been researching this trip a ton and have a pretty good itinerary for Bangkok but am finding it hard to narrow down all the recommendations into 2 day itineraries for Chiang mai and Krabi.

Here's our full itinerary:
Bangkok (August 29 - Sep 1)
Chiang Mai (September 1 - Sep 3)
Krabi (Sep3 - 5)
Bangkok (Sep 5-7)

And here's what i'd love help with:

1. I'd love recommendations for things to do, tips on getting around (e.g. taxis vs. BTS in Bangkok to the best way/place to hire boats in Krabi.)
   • Best Bangkok street food areas, shopping and markets?
   • Would love tips for how to make the most of my 2 days in Krabi and Chiang Mai — recommendations for beaches/islands to check out in Krabi, the best elephant sanctuary and other things to do in Chiang Mai etc.
   • Should I book any experiences a few days in advance?
2. Also, if any of you couples reading this will be there at the same time, maybe we could explore a market together, rent a car for out of town sights, or get dinner together. Some obvious advantages, in addition to the wonderful company of course: it will allow us to try more stuff off a menu at a restaurant, get better group car rates etc.

Thanks in advance!
-Ron

Let me suggest that you consolidate your Bangkok time into one stay. And with just 10 days, consider cutting either Chiang Rai or Krabi. Your current plan means you will be wasting a lot of time with the logistics of getting from one place to another. Consider not just transit time but also, packing and unpacking, wait times at the airport or train station, etc.

Kathie is spot on. You only have two nights in each location which is just one full day of sightseeing, the rest will be taken up with travelling from a 2 b.

Also, August is just about the wettest month of the year in Thailand, esp. in Chiang Mai. I would drop CM and split your time between Bangkok and the beach. I think you will find the gulf coast drier in August than the Andaman, so you may like to consider a beach stay on - Koh Samui, Koh Phang Nan or Ko Tao which should see plenty of sunshine.

For sights to see in Bangkok see https://www.fodors.com/world/asia/th...s-to-do/sights

Thanks for the quick responses, Kathie, and crellston!

Wish I'd checked in here earlier, but it's unfortunately too late for me to cancel my domestic airfare + hotel bookings in Chiang Mai and Krabi. We'll have to make the most of the rain, especially in CM, but it looks like (fingers crossed) Krabi shouldn't see too much rain for those 2 days. Hopefully, it'll also help that I've been cognizant of the fact that i only have 1.5days at most in each place and I haven't packed in too many things to do. It might not be the most relaxed pace and we might be waking up early on some days in CM and Krabi to make the most of our days, but we're both pretty flexible and chill when it comes to that. We'll get to relax for the last 2 days in Bangkok. Fingers crossed that it all works out.

Cheers!

You are welcome rtd2. Sounds like a decent plan for CM. You could easily spend a whole day just wandering the old city and it’s wats. The Sunday walking street is manic but fun. One of my favourite restaurants in CM is also one of its oldest - Aroon Rai, well worth a visit for good northern Thai cuisine.

On one of your days in Bangkok, a great way to pack a lot into a single day is to head to Saphin Taksin on the BTS and walk down to the pier and use the public boats to visit the sights along the river. Wat Arun, The Grand Palace, Wat Po (the massage school there is a great place to get an authentic Thai massage). From there you could head into Chinatown for incredible Thai food, a wander around the massive flower market and, of course Wat Traimit and it’s 5 Ton gold Buddha!

It is probably too short notice for most to arrange a meet up but you never know! We have had some great meet ups with fellow Fodor’s members over the years.

Have a great trip.