Could be difficult weather wise this time of year. But Pang Mapha area (4 hours by bus )west of Chiang Mai is worth visiting, Stay Tham Lod village 9 kms from Soppong ( renamed Pang Mapha these days). Interesting area of forest , caves and rivers.
Hi Globality!
I know a place can fish with the fisherman that is Cham island in Hoi An. You should consider your schedule, from HCM or Ha Noi to Da Nang - Hoi An by Airline. After that, you take a speed boat to Bai Lang, Cham island ( by seat in coast tour about 35$ per person include lunch with seafood, sightseeing ticket). Then, you book a room at a homestay on Bai Lang, Cham island (about 20$-35$ / per room). Next, you contact with a fisherman for a night on the wooden boat with beer and fresh fish take from the sea. (About 50$-80$ per night, does not include beer, and you can come back homestay anytime you want)

One of the ladies who run the Rattana guest house (Luang Prabang) is herself a doctor.I'm sure she would be able to help you.
email tisouk@yahoo.com
Hi!
I am leaving this week to Thailand - and I am not finding recent information on transport between some places I wanted to see... here is the itinerary, and where I am uncertain, points 4 to 7)
1. Landing in Bangkok, 2 nights
2. Overnight train to Chiang Mai, 2 nights
3. Bus to Chiang Rai, 1 night
4. I want to get to Muang Sing - how? Can I go directly from Chiang Rai? The 3 places I really want to see in Laos are: Luang Prabang, Muang Sing, and Muang Ngoi - but I am uncertain of transportation between them I have 10-12 days for these destination if necessary.
5. Then I need to get to Trat (Koh Chang) - from Laos I would fly - or is there an interesting route I can take through Cambodia? I have about 5-6 days for the route (could be bus + flight...)
6. I will be spending 5 days in Koh Chang, I have a wedding there - is Ko Kut a must? Or any beach on Cambodia side?
7. I am not planning to go south of Thailand - is that a mistake? I am a fan of beautiful beaches, fishermen villages, but not of touristy places - any places that is a must and I should take a detour there? How is it around Trang?
Thank you in advance for your help !
Elisabeth

My husband and I are visiting our adult son in Chiang Mai in mid January. We will spend a few days there and then the 3 of want to spend time around Bangkok and southern Thailand. We have about 2 weeks after we leave Chiang Mai. If we plan to spend 4-5 days in Bangkok and then some time in Krabi, what else do we have time for that’s worthwhile? We like snorkeling and we are also considering Penang. We don’t have much idea about transportation, except that we’d like to minimize time in airports and buses.

I agree with above. I wasn't asked for onward ticket and never have been at a land border into Thailand. If you are a one off entry tourist it is very unlikely you will have any problems.
One thing to remember (that I regularly forget) is that you need to write the name of your accommodation on the entry form. I didn't have anywhere booked, and so I just stuck down the name of a hotel I remembered from looking at places to stay on the google map. It was in Mae Sot and the Immigration Officer asked if I was spending all my time there. I said just a couple of nights before heading off to Chiang Mai albeit fairly slowly as I was on a bike.

Hello you all,
13th of November, my friend and I will go on a 4 week backpacking trip to Laos. For now I’ve planned the trip scedule below, on which I would love to get your advice. We LOVE to stray from the beaten touristic path and meet with the behind-the-scenes world of Laos, something we would love to get help with in advance.
Beside that we still doubt whether to stay at one of the Thai Islands during the last few days of our trip or on Don Det.
My previous trip-scedule:
- Amsterdam → Chiang Mai
- Chang Mai aarival at night
- Chang Mai
- Express bus to Luang Namtha
- From Luang Namtha to Muang Sing (early morning)
- Muang Sing
- Muang Sing
- Muang Sing to Muang Khua (early morning)
- Muang Khua
- By boat Muang Khua to Muang Ngoi Neua (early morning)
- Muang Ngoi Neua
- Muang Ngoi to Nong Khiaw (early morning)
- Nong Khiaw
- Nong Khiaw to Luang Prabang
- Luang Ptabang
- Luang Prabang
- Luang Prabang
- Luang Prabang to Vientiane
- Vientiane
2 Vientane to Bolaven - Bolaven
- Bolaven
- Bolavent o Champasak
- Champasak
- Pakse – Ubon Ratchathani-Bangkok-Island
- Island (Thai Island or Don Det)
- Island (or Don Det)
10.Island (or Don Det)
11.Island to Bangkok (early morning) - Bangkok
- Bangkok-Amsterdam
Hope any one can give us advice. Thank you in advance.
Sylvia