Hello friends! My husband and I are planning a trip to Thailand in March to celebrate his retirement and our 40th wedding anniversary. We are planning for approximately 3 weeks. If anyone has thoughts about must see places or if you've been and can give us info on your experience please let me know. I was thinking of a tour but my husband thinks we should do it on our own. What do you think?

I think thailand is very easy to do on your own! you'll probably end up spending quite a bit more with a tour. if you fly into bangkok, you could spend a week and head up north to see chiang mai and pai, then down south for the islands and beaches for two weeks. buses and flights are cheap to get around the country!

the chiang mai weekend night market is a must see

Whatever you do please don't support it participate in elephant riding or posing with tigers or other animals. It's inhumane and needs to stop

Agreed. I spent the day at an amazing elephant conservation park - it was honestly one of the best experiences I had in Thailand. You should visit! https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/
ELEPHANTNATUREPARK.ORG
Welcome to Elephant Nature Park - Elephant Nature Park

We spent two days and a night there. Magical!

Thailand's easy to do on your own or make arrangements locally when you're there. Definitely spend a few days in Bangkok. A local excursion to Kanchanabura is worthwhile but spend overnight or 2 so it isn't just a long rushed day (Bridge on the River Kwai). For a relaxed pace try Chiang Mai which has many lodging options, is easy to walk or bike around and offers cooler weather. Beaches south are great if you're a beach person - we found it mostly geared for young adults or luxury resorts. Expect lots of smog in the Adaman Sea area.

PS - Used Air Asia to get around - cheap and reliable but watch which airport you're booking

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Chiangmai is amazing best part of our month trip

If you do ChangMai, the overnight train from Bangkok is super fun!!! I did it 15 years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. Then a flight down to Koh Samui to finish off by relaxing on the beach. Great trip it will be!!!

Travelzoo asia pacific (make sure it is the asia pacific site) often has some amazing deals for luxury thailand hotels at a fraction of the price. I wouldn't have been able to afford the hotels I stayed at in Thailand otherwise.
You can always find cheap spots in Thailand, but if looking for something a little bit more luxe, check out travelzoo

You can do it on your own! Phuket is wonderful. Spend time in Bangkok for sure. We stayed at the Holiday Inn. It was reasonable and lovely. We have many pictures we can share with you. We took Anne and Brad with us…she could tell you all about it too!

Thanks everyone! We appreciate all your feedback! Waiting on this new chapter and the first of hopefully many more trips around the world!

Yes definitely check Travelzoo. We stayed at some beautiful places with great rates from Travelzoo. Koh Tao was my favourite island but they are all lovely. I'd only spend 2 or 3 days in Bangkok. Traffic is a nightmare. We didn't get a chance to see Chaing Mai - I regret that as everyone I know that has been loved it.

I just got back on Wednesday from 3.5 weeks in Thailand...it's super easy to do it on your own....if you have any questions feel free to message me. We went to...
Chiang Mai - spent 6 nights, there's a lot of culture here! Did a full cooking class and a full day at the elephant santuary.
Pai - amazing, relaxing little town...beautiful countryside in the middle of the mountains. Only spent 2 nights here but could have spent more.
Ao Nang/Krabi - spent 2 nights here...could have skipped it...it was our least favourite. Although climbing up to the tiger cave temple was incredible if you are able
Koh lanta - 5 nights...a nice, quiet, less touristy island. Did a day trip snorkelling to Koh Rok...which was so beautiful!
Bangkok - 5 nights...but would only suggest a few days....there's a few must see palaces as well as the chatuchak weekend market. You can also do a day trip to Ayuttaya, the ruins of thailand old capital city...very cool! I acquired pollution related asthma while in bangkok...never had asthma problems before....the air quality there is terrible, just fyi
still recommend a couple days there though.

Where did you take your cooking class? Were you happy with it? Any recommendations of where to stay in Chaing Mai and Pai?

The company we went with was Mama Noi's School of Cookery. It was suggested by our hostel and it was wonderful! They have a full day and a half day class...I'd suggest the full day.
As far as accommodations, it depends what you're looking for? We stayed in hostels the entire trip. In Chiang Mai we stayed at the Absolute House...it was incredible...would definitely suggest it.
In Pai we stayed at the Huan Saran Guesthouse. It was good, clean, nice location..the rooms opened to an outside courtyard.

Thanks!

Marla I'm not too sure if anyone else mentioned this, but if you fly into Bangkok I recommend hiring a private car to pick you up to take you to your hotel. I found this really helped elevate any stress.You can book a car ahead of time. Agoda great for looking up hotels. Hope this helps