You don't say how long you will be in Thailand for. I think this could alter any advice - less than 2 weeks and you'll need to hurry a bit if you want to go woofiing. 1 month, then more time to enjoy the travelling.

The easiest is to fly on a connecting ticket from France (just change planes at Bkk airport). This is also the most expensive.

Next easiest is to transfer to low cost airport (Don Muang) on airport bus and fly on an airline like AirAsia to Chiang Rai.

Both of these mean you see little of the country or people. I would ask why bother going to Thailand.

I would suggest going into Bangkok for a day or two. Then get a sleeper train to Chiang Mai. Maybe stay there a day or two, then take bus to Chiang Rai.

As said, plenty of accommodation in Chiang Rai. If in doubt, you can book something on sites like booking.com. also, make sure you are able to carry your luggage otherwise it will be taxis and tuk tuks for getting anywhere.

Enjoy.

Hello guys!!
I am planning to go to Angola in July from Canada, so I will be applying for the evisa soon. I was wondering about the requirements for the photos, how do you Change the sizes and turn them into greyscale and the correct format?? Thanks guys!

Use PhotoScape. It's free, easy and works on both Mac and Windows: http://www.photoscape.org/ps/main/index.php

(I have used this software for an application and it has worked).

No, I flew from Mandalay into Chiang Mai last night, spending the day here and heading to Chiang Rai and the border tomorrow. Will book a bus now.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1357420/new-nan-luang-prabang-bus-service-launched

Avg speed 37kph.

Last fall I inquired (phone call) at Air China and the price for a boxed bike was 125us$ one way from Montreal to Chiang Mai. I also could not find the info on their website. I finally rented a bike in Thailand - great fit and no handling trouble for same price as mine both way on the plane.

From Canada, since I my first flight was on Air Canada, the fee was 50cdn$ one way. Air China fare for “sporting item” is high compared to others.

I never go in winter time, too many people at that time, I was always go in low season (that is why I have the tarp, but I setup the tent in a covered area anyways, and usually stay dry through the wet season) otherwise just take a dorm for 120b. I go from 50b to 120b and back to 50b, and never take places over 200b, i would be interested in visiting deep south of Thailand if I can do a similar setup, although I have a feeling I can just cocuhsurf down there since they aren't used to a lot of visitors, I imagine it must be pretty authentic. A world of difference with couchsurfing in a place like Chiang Mai or Pai, for example.

If doing Angkor Wat then a small Thai town with temples isn't worth the trouble. Better off doing somewhere like Khao Sok np overnight trip to lake area or a multi day trek up north from Chiang Mai or Mae Hong Son.

Dasher, I look forward to getting to CM if there are are "not many cars" there (although I did say motor vehicles).

I realise they can't be stopped overnight, but this happens every year. Once the rains come it's forgotten. What is needed is a long term plan to reduce the motor vehicles, particularly the more polluting ones, in the city, particularly CM old town, which could become a sort of low pollution oasis. Some hope.

I realise that much of the pollution comes from burn and dust, etc. Nonetheless as someone who is currently cycling in the area, I can tell you how much worse it is as you approach a big town. I could see it getting thicker as I got nearer to Chiang Rai, I imagine CM will be worse.

In Phayo, which admittedly is much smaller and there are fewer vehicles, there is a big lake to act as the lungs and the air was noticeably better. I could even gaze on the new moon in the sky.

I think Koh Rok would be a great destination for Xmas. However, if you plan to be on Koh Rok for the holiday and Chiang Mai for New Years and want Mid-Range accommodation there, you should be booking now. You may already be too late for camping on Koh Rok. We were on Koh Lanta 2 years ago in late March and we were trying to get a few days at Koh Rok. The tents were fully booked for the entire 7 days we were on Lanta and we were checking 2 weeks before we got there. I can't imagine it any different in peak Xmas season. For transfer, I think you will have to get a ferry from Koh Yao Noi to Koh Lanta first and then a boat from there to Koh Rok.