On this trip I visited Thailand twice: First a month in Thailand's north on my way from Myanmar to Laos and later another month in the South coming from Malaysia.
Thailand is a world-famous travel destination and that status is well deserved! But that heavy mass tourism is coming with downsides as well. Hotspots such as Phuket, Koh Phangan and some parts of Bangkok and Chiang Mai are among the worst places I have seen on my trip. But good news: In Thailand it's quite easy to leave those tourist epicenters and go on an adventure that reveals the real face of Thailand.
There are so many amazing reasons to visit Thailand: Crystal blue waters, thick green jungles, one of the world´s best cuisines, super friendly people and an amazing culture. I met quite a lot of foreigners who never left Thailand again.
After crossing the land border from Myanmar I based myself in Chiang Mai and then started a 7-day motorbike trip through Mae Hong Son Province, one of the remotest provinces in Thailand. I was stunned by pristine forests, amazing wildlife, spectacular mountain views and a great driving experience. I got 2 flat tires during that trip, one of them in the middle of a forest. Luckily a friendly local appeared after 4 hours and took me and my bike on his pickup truck.
The South of Thailand is all about the beautiful beaches, islands and lush forests. Niklas, a friend of mine from my hometown in Germany visited me there and we traveled the itinerary from Phuket to Bangkok together. We explored the National Park of Khao Sok, had superb parties in Phuket, Ko Tao & Bangkok, spent some days on beautiful Koh Yao Noi, had a multiday scooter trip through random villages with activities like crab fishing, having the time of our lives in trains with locals or fainting on toilets and spent some great days in Bangkok at the end.
Places like Ko Tao or Chiang Mai can be great, but please do yourself a favor and explore Thailand's not-so-known provinces. That's where you will surely have the best and most memorable time!
5 Highlights:
- exploring Mae Hong Son Province by motorbike
- Chiang Rai and its beautiful temples
- Khao Sok National Park
- Koh Yao Noi
- Parties in Phuket and Bangkok
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| Visited places in Thailand |
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| Night market, Chiang Mai |
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| Start of motorbike trip, Mae Hong Son Province |
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| Flat tire in the middle of nowhere |
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| Beautiful Mae Hong Son Province |
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| Small villages on the main road |
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| One of hundreds of sharp curves |
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| Next flat tire in a village |
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| Wat Rong Suea Ten, Chiang Rai |
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| Stunning Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai |
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| Old Town of Phuket at night |
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| Party with Arm and his sister in "The Library", Phuket |
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| Dam in Khao Sok National Park |
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| On a boat trip, Khao Sok NP |
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| Typical food stop on a highway |
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| Taking a boat to Koh Yao Noi |
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| Koh Yao Noi Beaches |
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| Spent a night with Niklas and Haky sleeping at this jetty after getting sent away by locals because of King Cobras on the beach |
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| Boat to Krabi |
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| Big Ferry from Surat Thani |
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| Viewpoint, Ko Tao |
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| After a long sweaty hike |
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| Ko Tao |
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| Nightly scooter ride with 3 |
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| Beach Parties on Ko Tao |
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| Ferry to Chumphon |
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| Claudio and Michael, our scooters for the next trip |
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| Crab Fishing in a village, Chumphon Province |
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| Amazing view, Prachuap Khiri Khan |
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| Typical temple dogs |
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| Night stop in a road house |
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| Night Club in Chumphon |
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| Yes Thailand also has some not so good food, train station in Chumphon |
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| Comfortable Night Train to Bangkok |
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| A Thai proudly presenting his self made cigarettes |
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| On a market in Bangkok |
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| Thai Hot Pot in Bangkok |
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| Night Market from top, Bangkok |
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| Bangkok at night |
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| Even Bangkok sleeps sometimes |
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| How a photo in tourist spots look like.. |
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| .. and the terrible reality behind Instagram spots in places like Ko Tao |
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| Touring Thailand's countryside |
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| Goodbye Thailand, it was an honor |
