Starting in Thailand but where to go from there?

aghastlrbaboon

Going to thailand for 5 weeks with some mates but have heard some good things about cambodia laos and vietnam.
We're planning on spending 2-3 weeks island hopping (hopefully including 2 full moon parties ) a few days in bangkok & another few days up north doing trekking/rafting/elephant-back riding
Anyway Im always of the opinion that more is more especially if it takes 15 hours to fly to a place. Is there any other things people would reccomend as must-sees either in thailand or in any of the other surrounding countries we could squeeze into this itinerary.
PS we're all 21 - something to keep in my when suggesting things to do

Neamhshuntasach

Go down the Mekong Delta in Laos. You get in a rubber tube and can buy drink along the way. They just pull you in. You can also buy whatever you're into smoking and mushroom shakes.

Chiang Mai is the gateway to the north. From there you can do all that elephant trekking, rafting, jungles treks, etc. Regarding the elephants look for a reputable one. Some of them treat the elephants like shíte. You can do some shooting in Cambodia. Anything from pistols to RPG's. You could even blow up a cow with a few grenades if you wanted to as long as you were willing to pay.

In Vietnam you can do the vietcong tours but they are pretty deep in the jungle and malaria is rampant.

Since you're into going to some full moon parties on Koh phanga you should schedule around that. Perhaps kick off your trip with one and then try make it back for another if possible at the end of the trip. During the summer the dates are June 7th, July 9th and August 6th. There are also half moon parties a week before and after the full moon party. Jun, 15th, 29th, Jul, 15th, 28th and Aug, 13rd, 27th. Ko phi phi is a cool chill out island. You can do scuba diving there but i think it is cheaper on Koh tao.

RATM

I wouldn't miss Angkor Wat in Cambodia, probably the highlight of all of S.E.Asia. Chepa flights can be had from AirAsia.com and a whole load of others if you don't fancy going there by road or riverboat.

aghastlrbaboon

Cheers for the advice Neamhshuntasach and RATM

I was just pouring over some maps of the region looking at where the islands are in relation to Phuket and each other and half disinterestedly continued down south.

Was wondering has anyone visited Kuala Lumpur or as far south as Singapore

crisco10

Neamhshuntasach wrote: »

Go down the Mekong Delta in Laos. You get in a rubber tube and can buy drink along the way. They just pull you in. You can also buy whatever you're into smoking and mushroom shakes.

Is that Vang Vieng your talking about? The Mekong Delta in Vietnam no?

RATM

aghastlrbaboon wrote: »

PS we're all 21 - something to keep in my when suggesting things to do

Im guessing you like pints and going out then ? I'd give Malaysia a miss so- its a Muslim country and although alcohol is available there there is no amazing party scene, at least nothing as near as wild as Thailand. Cambodia and/or Laos would be better options if you want to leave Thailand. KL is an ok city but in a way it lacks soul, Singapore is just an excuse to go shopping, nothing much there IMHO apart from gigantic skyscrapers and shopping centers. Have a blast in Bangkok, hit the islands, go treking up north and then consider heading elsewhere. You don't have to make your mind up just yet- when you get there you'll see loads of travel agents selling tours to anywhere in the region- Tibet to China and the Philipinnes to Indonesia. Play it by ear and wing it when you are there is my advice.