Easy does it in Thailand, January 12 – February 27, 2026

Summary

I spent three months in Thailand and Laos, primarily relaxing and getting dental work in Bangkok. I visited Ko Samet, Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Luang Prabang, enjoying beaches, markets, temples, and local cuisine.

I left Seattle on January 12, 2026, for a three-month trip throughout Thailand and Laos to escape the cold gray winter of Seattle.

Asiana Air on board exercises

Instead of my usual Thailand trip, I mostly relaxed and had dental work in Bangkok.

Dr. Pacharee recommended a crown instead of repairing my 20-year-old veneer. It involved several appointments for measurements, installation, and adjustments. 

Twenty years ago, dental costs were much lower. A veneer tooth costs $250, and a crown costs $1,000. She was displeased that I used superglue to reattach the veneer before my appointment.

On February 17th, I returned to Bangkok for the Lunar New Year celebration, the year of the Fire Horse.

Unlike previous years, the celebration was different. There was no street fair or lion dragons.

I spent a month on the beaches of Ko Samet and Pattaya while getting adjustments on my upper front crown.

On my way to Ko Samet Island, I visited Da, who had opened a massage shop in Ban Phe, the ferry pier to Ko Samet. She had been my massage therapist for the past four years. Ko Samet and I discussed her plans to open her own shop, which she finally did. Her friend, Lilly, gave me rides to and from the ferry pier.

Da’s brother, Wut, owns the fruit smoothie store on Ko Samet where I get my daily smoothie fix.

Shortly after my arrival, I learned that her mother was hospitalized and died after a short stay. Her mother’s passing saddened me.

While in Pattaya, I visited the largest 7-Eleven store in Thailand, if not the world. These stores vary in size, and on Ko Samet, they’re conveniently located next to each other.

Here’s a small 7-Eleven store

Competing 7-Eleven stores on Ko Samet

After relaxing on the two beaches in Thailand, I took a night train to Chiang Mai.

I explored markets, parks, and temples.

I enjoyed meals at a Canadian-owned restaurant that rescued a 16-year-old dog from a wet market. They sell various animals for food, including dogs like Foxy, named for his appearance. Maybe they should’ve named him Lucky.

I took a new, comfortable bus for two hours to Chiang Rai.

I visited two spectacular temples: the white temple and the blue temple. 

In Thailand, I took an old bus to Chiang Kong and transferred to a Sangthaew to the Thai-Laos Friendship Bridge. I went through Thai immigration.

After taking a shuttle bus across the bridge, I quickly went through the Laos immigration for my E visa.

I stayed overnight in Huay Xai, Laos, before taking a two-day boat ride down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang on February 28th.

I returned to Thailand on March 11 via the high-speed Laos-China sleeper train from Vientiane to Bangkok. I’ll enjoy the beaches of Ko Samet and Pattaya before returning home on April 9th.

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel

I have recently uploaded all of my travel videos to YouTube now that they allow longer uploads.  I have also added other shorter travel videos.

  

That link is https://www.youtube.com/c/huntforgold  

If you do go there, please subscribe to my video channel.