Bangkok–
You’ve got it all, from old world to new. Bangkok presents a nice balace. You can enjoy great food, historical temples, giant Buddhas, floating markets. You can relax as you take a river boat rides on the Chao Phraya River. How to get around? No need to worry about options… take an AC ride on the Skytrain or Metro, maybe hire a motorcycle driver to skirt you around the city or hail a taxi. Everything is conveniently at your fingertips! Bangkok is also a cheap city which will help you stretch your dime. Great budget accomodations can certainly be found for under $15/night here.
Things to do in Bangkok:
* Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Tour (Bangkok) 1/2 day tour, 500B 
— includes: Elephant Camp &Snake Show & light snack. Booked thru Urban Age Hostel (see accomodations below)
* Ayutthaya Historical Sites -Day Tour
Directions: Take van buses located at Victory Mounument/Bangkok to Ayutthaya for 60B (around a 2-3 hr drive) Once at Ayutthaya hire a driver & negotiate sightseeing route… around 100B/day per car. Wat admissions vary. Best if you travel with a group.
• Visit temples, the Golden Palace and eat street food
• Visit the night market and the Sunday market
• Use the river boats on the Chao Phraya River to commute to your sightseeing destinations
• Eat a bug or two (the thai have a wide selection of bug snacks)
• Get a real Thai massage for cheap!
• Visit other towns along the klong area.
Chiang Mai
Mellow Yellow is the song which comes to mind when thinking of this peaceful little city surrounded by jungle. Rent a bike for the day or a scooter or just stroll through the streets and Sunday walking streets. Take a trip to Doi Suthep Temple, visit an elephant camp or go trekking in the mountains. Chiang Mai makes a great home base for 1-2 day trips (to smaller villages like Pai) and trekking or safari tours and you might find you just don’t want to leave! Budget accomodations are even cheaper than Bangkok and if you search enough, you’ll find some great gems!
Things to do in Chiang Mai:
• Doi Suthep Temple or do a temple stay there
• Travel Hub: Chiang Rai & the Golden Triangle (1 day tour- $27)
Golden Triangle, Boat down the Mekong River to Laos, White Palace, Village Tribes (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai & Golden Triangle)
• Travel Hub: 3 Day Trekking of Samueng (3 day/2 night- $45)
• Rent a motorbike (100B/day), a bicycle (60B/day) and explore the city.
• Take a 2+ day trip to explore outer towns like Pai (3 hrs from Chiang Mai)
• Visit a temple and chat with the monks (they are eager to practice English)
• Visit the Sunday Walking Street
• Night markets
Sukhothai (map)
Old Sukhothai is the amusement park grounds for historical temple and Buddhist ruins. You’ll love the timeless vibe of this place and maybe you’ll get to see a Thai movie being filmed at the main wat, Wat Mahathat. Best of all, you won’t need to hire a driver in order to sight see this place (unlike Ayutthaya). Rent a bike from the nearby bike rental places and hit the park peddling. There is an admission fee for entrance to the park but it will hardly place a dent in your Thai wallet.
Things to do:
Sukhothai Historical Park
• Rent a bike to sight see the park for 60B/day, or take the tram tour. Wat admissions vary.
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ACCOMODATIONS:
BANGKOK - Under $15
The Urban Age Hostel $6 (Dorm/Hostel style * location in Silom, Pros: clean, free foot locker & bed linens, very helpful staff, available day tours, conveniently located near Skytrain & BTS, GREAT location; Cons: basic hostel & shared showers are dungeon-like)
Suk 11 $13 (Boutique hotel- single room. Pros: wonderful & free continental breakfast, clean, like staying at an artsy hotel, located near Nana stop on skytrain, 20s-30s crowd, great location. Con: internet is pay-per-minute *have many 10B coins on hand) Read my review blog.
CHIANG MAI - Under $10
Gongkaew Guesthome $6 (Dorm/Options: Resort-like Pros: like staying at a resort or B&B, convenient location, clean, free internet- 4 terminals, helpful owners, cheap bike rental @50/60B *5-10min walking distance from Sunday walking streets) Read my review blog.
PAI - Under $20
Beung Pai Fish Farm (bungalow *catch-n-release fishing resort) Pros: clean, nicely designed, nice new furniture, free fishing without cruelty, your own private bungalow w/ outside hammock, resort style with open air bungalows for relaxation, friendly young owners, Vegetarian options & homemade yogurt granola. Cons: located a little outside of Pai (get there by scooter or taxi)
SUKHOTHAI - $10
No. 4 Guesthouse (bungalow * Lonely Planet recommended) Pros: your own private bungalow at a cheap price, 5 min walking distance from bus station & located across the field next to bus station* (do not listen to touts at the bus station- leave station and look for the guesthouse sign), mosquito net, located close to bus stop. Cons: no internet, surrounding water is marshy & looks dirty, clean but doesn’t look it.
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Other excursions to try:
Medical Tourism (Bangkok, Chiang Mai)
• make an appointment with a doctor or dentist & get some great work done at 1/3 the cost of the U.S.
Wat Doi Suthep Meditation Retreat- Fee: Donation
• Retreats are 3+ days and follow a strict Buddhist/Wat lifestyles • Accomodations & Food provide • Reservations in advance (limited openings)
• Approx. 100B to get there from Central Chiang Mai (take the red truck/songteuw to Wat Doi Suthep)
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COMMUNICATIONS:
1-2-3 Go SIM (SIM card for GSM phones can be bought at the airport and 7-11 stores)
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FAVE WEBSITES:
Travelfish.org (travelers forum)
visit-chiang-mai-online.com
Bangkok Sawadee.com
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MAPS
General Maps of Thailand
BTS- Skytrain Map (Bangkok) > more info
MRT- Subway Map (Bangkok) > more info
Chao Phraya Express Boat Routes
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OTHER INFORMATION LINKS:
11.2009- Packing Tips for Thailand (THAILAND*)
9.2009- Bangkok-hotels-link.com (Website with info about Thailand)
TRANSPORTATION:
Modes: Airplane, Train, Elephant Ride, River rafting, Riverboat cruise, Longtail boat
Public System: Bus/Van, Tuk-tuk, Songtaew, Motorcycle taxi, bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, BTS Skytrain, Metro/Subway, Rivertaxi
Trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and timetables * about the train experience.
Thai Railways website * accurate time schedule.
Timetables, Bus, Trains, Flights *cannot prove the accuracy
Getting to Ayutthaya via the public van/bus (from Victory Monument stop in Bangkok)
Taking an overnight train to Chiang Mai
Renting a bicycle or scooter to (sightsee Chiang Mai, Pai, Sukhothai Historical Site)
Taking a bus/van to Pai via
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MY THAILAND BLOGS:
The Good, the Bad & the Inevitable of a Beginner Solo Traveler
MORE COMING SOON…
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MY THAILAND VIDEOS:
Short Clips:
Thai Movie filming in Sukhothai’s Wat Mahathat
• Man operated Ferris Wheel at Suntichon Village (the Chinese Village), Pai
• Karen Hill Tribe Children singing at night
