I go to Tailand often. I always fly one way from van. I always fly the cheapest flights. usually my layovers in Shanghai and sometimes Taipei. I never needed one. you get a 30 day visa on arrival. unless it has recently changed... my last time I was there was in march. if you still have any questions or doubts just call Thai consulate in van or go on their website to be certain. you can get a visa before you go for 3 months which I did before but you have to pay $. otherwise I have extended my visa in bkk and Chiangmai before. or also did a cheap flight to Ho chi Minh city for as cheap as $50 each way as I did before- check out another place for couple days and head back. I don't believe you can do border runs anymore but I may be wrong. not sure if you are allowed to fly one way but I have literally done it every single time. they don't care.. just don't overstay you visa. I did before! like 20 bucks a day or something.
cheers

I agree with the above

You may wish to consider Chi Phat where your daughter could experience life in a Cambodian village and get to know the locals

http://www.chi-phat.org/

Hi,

I'll be in Iran in September and hoping to do the same thing.

If you're interested in sharing costs please pm me.

thanks,

Phil (ireland)

following the mekong sounds lovely and romantic. reality is different.
taking the main highway is boring, flat, neverending scrub with only
occasional views of the river.

if your tires will permit, smaller - often unpaved or poorly maintained
alongside the river, or more inland routes will be much more scenic.
consider buses to skip empty time-consuming portions.

has been a few years since i've ridden those areas, lots of recent paving
has been completed. possibly even the route south of phin, i know the
northern bridge replacement was under construction.

If you want to add on Phi phi island you need to get a bus from Surat thani or Chumpon over to the west coast to Krabi or Phuket, and boat to Phi phi. You could then fly back to Bangkok from either Krabi or Phuket. Or do it in reverse and fly Chiang Mai to Krabi or Phuket, bus to Surat thani, Samui, Phangan, Tao, and train back to Bangkok from Chumpon.
It depends a bit when you are travelling as to which coast will have good weather.

Phi Phi is busy all year. Lanta is quiet. Ferries are rarely cancelled as they can cope with bigger waves far better than small boats. But no need to prebook. You might want to change your plans as you go based on likes and dislikes. Easy to book ferries from your hotel the day before.

I am curious as well on this topic as well. I am going this November with my family. Similar route.. hua hin to Krabi area... koh lanta.. phi phi islands.. I want to see Railey and Maya bay type rock structures but don't want massive crowds or parties of the tourist trap places.. I was hoping a boat going to one the places would at least let me see these places without being dumped at maya bay with thousands of other tourist. I am looking for beautiful beaches, beach front or close to beach. Some shopping and restaurant/bars.. Also curious about Phuket area.. Nai Harn, Phang Nga Bay.. Koh Yao Noi and Koh yao Yai. That's my places of interest but not sure the best routes and locations to see. Ko Tao/Koh Nang Yuan look pretty but I hear mixed reviews on the side of the gulf.. any advice is appreciated.