How to tune Southeast Asia for low season

How to tune Southeast Asia for low season


I am trying to avoid high tourist season in the following countries: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar


I am arriving to the region (haven't picked an entry point yet) in mid-June (the coincide with start of the wet season).


I know summer holidays means tourists, so I would appreciate your help to ORDER these specific countries in the most logical way to avoid the peak period in each country. I don't mind the rain, it is the tourists, I wish to avoid (and the higher prices associated with them). I have lots of time, for example 1 month in each country.


I am only going to specific pockets in each country.


And I am flying everywhere, not a fan of overland trips.


So fly in, spend 1 month in a loop, then fly out.


Here is a mock order, I would like to re-arrange it.


* THAILAND (Chiang Mai and Pai) mid June-mid July


* LAOS (Luang Prabang and North) mid July-mid Aug


* VIETNAM (Hanoi and North) mid Aug-mid Sept


* CAMBODIA (Siem Reap and Battambang) mid Sep-mid Oct


* MYANMAR (Mandalay and North) mid Oct-mid Nov


* I may skip Myanmar and/or Cambodia and spend the last couple months in either South/Central Vietnam, Southern Laos or Deep South Thailand. Again, dependant on flight connections, and low season crowds.


So again, I am ok to go in wet season, and the whole point is to avoid peak tourist season, that is why I ended the trip in mid November, as the dry, peak season starts around that time in mainland Southeast Asia. Thanks!

So not going to Sri Lanka then?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sakoo

* I may skip Myanmar and/or Cambodia and spend the last couple months in either South/Central Vietnam, Southern Laos or Deep South Thailand.

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You will avoid mobs of tourists in the three southern Thai provinces of Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala.

I am going to Sri Lanka as well, I am in the planning stage for a 2 year trip I am embarking in this winter.

I will go to Deep South Thailand as well. Isn't Songkla province also included in the Deep South?

And what are a few differences between the 3 regions: Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala.

Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala are considered the "Restive South". It's not the most stable of destinations with the occasional bombing or cop assassination.

Hat Yai is the major hub in the south and has heaps of Malaysian tourists. Songkhla, 30km north of Hat Yai, has heaps of good beachside restaurants and a few good pubs on Si Suda Rd and for a bit of naughtiness on Sadao Rd. If sex tourism interests you about an hour south of Hat Yai is the border town of Dannok.

On the west side of the peninsula is the province of Satun. This backwater is chill as. It's possible to get a longtail boat from there to Kuala Perlis in Malaysia. It's a bit dodgy and dangerous, but you'll not have any other tourists on board.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by happynz

Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala are considered the "Restive South". It's not the most stable of destinations with the occasional bombing or cop assassination.

Hat Yai is the major hub in the south and has heaps of Malaysian tourists. Songkhla, 30km north of Hat Yai, has heaps of good beachside restaurants and a few good pubs on Si Suda Rd and for a bit of naughtiness on Sadao Rd. If sex tourism interests you about an hour south of Hat Yai is the border town of Dannok.

On the west side of the peninsula is the province of Satun. This backwater is chill as. It's possible to get a longtail boat from there to Kuala Perlis in Malaysia. It's a bit dodgy and dangerous, but you'll not have any other tourists on board.

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Can also take a short ferry from Satun to Langkawi and then on to Penang (20 minute flight or 2/3 hour boat from Langkawi). Easy to cross into Malaysia from the south and plenty to see and do on those two islands.

I'm not interested in sex tourism, but Islamic hospitality is interesting for me. Also Satun (but not for the trip to Malaysia). What about the islands off Satun that are Thai (and cheap)? Hat Yai and Songkla don't seem to have what I'm looking for. How are the beaches in the restive south? How much trash is on them? And how many of them are deserted?

This plonker turns up every now and then with vague travel plans that never eventuate asking all sorts of inane questions. He does seem to study the map diligently though.

It's called travel planning, mate.

Sure.
I'm willing to bet you've never left the country before.

Then that would be a bet you lose, junior.

So tell us about your other adventures, because the questions you ask aren't those of a traveler, 'junior'.