For many, Thailand may refer to the cliché of endless white sand beaches with tropical blue and green sea, elephant rides in the jungle and Lady Boys in the famous tourist and debauched Phuket. Well, be reassured or not, it is all true!

During our journey to this fascinating country, we have experienced the North and the cultural side as well as the South and the country’s beaches. I must admit, even if white sand and multicoloured fishes are a daydream, I have preferred the North atmosphere, particularly in Chiang Mai.

Bangkok

For sure, you have to make your own experience in Bangkok, enjoying the busy Khaosan Road and its ‘buckets’ nights while hesitating over which massage to pick. To add a #tasty grain of salt, you should face a wild and cheap hostel in the very downtown core of the city. Temples, street food and tuk tuk will be on the agenda. We visited all the main temples of the city: Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun etc. before my first Asia foot massage on Khaosan Road. For a refreshing stop, do not forget the house of Jim Thompson, a typical Thai house built in the 1950s by this American expat who fell in love with the Thai culture.

House of Jim Thompson (7/10): 6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Rd, Bangkok – Around 150 baht

On the second day, we got lost in the huge Chatuchak market, buying local souvenirs and drinking many #mangojuices. The afternoon was the time to do a boat tour on the Chao Praya River to discover hidden gems such as local people lives above the water on stilts and even a kind of Komodo dragon….! (#scary)

Ayutthaya

Take the time to visit Ayutthaya by train. During our trip there, I felt overawed by a strange felling: a mix between respect towards those huge human religious constructions and nostalgia over the bright past of the former capital. The best way to visit is by far to ride bicycle which you will easily find at the train’s station exit. Follow the map and pedal through ruins, stop to take pictures of beautiful buddhas – in particular the famous one with his face encompassed in tree’s roots – and sip a refreshing young coconut. Finally, head back to Bangkok or any other city by train.

Tip: don’t fall into the trap of buying overpriced private tours! 

I’ve also heard that Kanchanaburi is a mandatory stop for admiring sumptuous waterfalls but unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to do it.

Then, the first playful transportation you cannot avoid is to jump in the overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. I was gladly surprised by this train where we had a good sleep and which was quite comfortable and clean! The whole journey from Bangkok to Chiang Mai is 12 to 15 hours, so it is a pleasant way to #travel without wasting your time.

Night train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (8/10) – around 800 baht per person – Hua Lamphong train station with 6 trains per day in average

Tip: book in advance and pick the tickets up when you get to Bangkok station with the booking number.

Chiang Mai

Lovely is the proper adjective for the calm city. With the Mae Ping river crossing it and its – again – many temples, Chiang Mai has the charm of these middle-sized towns. Go for a walk around and discover some temples (Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phan Tao etc.) Enjoy some good thai cuisine and one wonderful massage at least (see the address of a real hidden #GEM below). We didn’t do the local ‘attraction’ which consists in having a massage done by former female prisoners as it was quite pricey (Women’s Correctional Institution). I would recommend to go see a Muay Thai combat as well. We even had a discussion with a young monk near a temple which was very interesting and… he eventually asked us to be his friend on Facebook!

Massage (10/10): C&R, 45/8 Rachdamneon Rd, prasing, muang, Chiang Mai

My best memory remains the day spent with the #elephants. Our guide was awesome, super-nice and the elephants seemed to be very well treated (no ride on their sensible neck, only half a day at the center for tourists and the rest in the jungle). It was the first time I met real elephants and I must admit, it was quite impressive!! We fed them with bananas and bamboo, prepared special elephant drugs (rice and tamarin) and gave them (for this delicate operation, say ‘Bun’ and the elephant will open its mouth), prepared a natural scrubbing sponge and bath them. Loic event got on one with the owner permission for a quick ride. The afternoon was dedicated to rafting, a ride on typical bamboo rafts and a tour in the jungle to reach some hidden waterfalls and lastly enjoy a refreshing bath.

Elephant and rafting day (10/10): The Chiangmai T.U.M Travel – Elephant Trekking Care

Phuket and Koh Phi Phi

We really wanted to experience the cliché and go to Patong beach in Phuket. I’ve heard later that beautiful areas exist around but for us it was only vulgarity and hard/nasty party in the street. We directly flew from Chang Mai and arrived late in the night – without an hotel booked. The one we found was ok even if expensive. We strolled in the main street Soi Bangla, ate a Thai pancake and went back quite early as the atmosphere was not really our thing (be prepared to be called every meter by lady boys to go drink and dance with them).

We then took a boat to the famous Koh Phi Phi Island the next day and enjoy the 4 following days between #beaches, visit to the Monkey Island and other small ones, snorkelling, the beach from ‘The Beach’ movie (overcrowded of course), good restaurants and fire eater shows.

French restaurant for L.’ s birthday in Koh Phi Phi (7/10): Le Grand Bleu – Tip: try the ‘magret de canard a l’orange’ and ananas cocktails.

Koh Lanta

We then took a boat to Koh Lanta for 1 day. Even if the beach is beautiful, the place suits more to family time, as it is very calm. We only spent one day and one night there, even being overbooked in a better hotel with a nice swimming pool. Try a restaurant on the beach with grilled barracuda and release a lantern in the starred sky.

Krabi

Last place was Ao Nang in Krabi, that we reached by boat as well. Ao Nang beach was not my favourite so we ended up twice to Railay beach for baths, photo of monkeys and a kayak ride. Don’t try the food and wine restaurant which is really overpriced and not really good but rather go for an Indian one if you feel like it. Have a drink on a rooftop, treat yourself with an Häagen-Dazs ice cream and finish with a one-day tour among the limestone karst scenery, either to go check the renowned James Bond Island or just to enjoy a day on far and beautiful beaches.

Cheese and wine restaurant (4/10): Wine V Bar and Bistro, 244 Moo 2, Ao Nang.

Our last night in Bangkok before our trip back to HK. Known to appear in ‘Very Bad Trip 2’, the view is flabbergasting and prices are as high as the bar. Don’t wear casual clothes if you don’t want the access to be denied.

Sky Bar (6/10): 820 feet in the air – 42 Road, Bangrak, 1055 Silom Rd, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok

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I hope you enjoyed this long and detailed article on our Thai trip. Don’t hesitate to ask for more tips in the comments section  🙂