I want to go north on my next trip to Thailand (July) for about 4 weeks.

Been reading abit about different places, but several places its noted that its not exactly english that are widespread if you go abit off the beat from tourist-areas.

Im travelling alone and i cant speak any thai (got Pimsleur on my iPod but doubt i can do anything in 4 weeks) - so now im wondering if its a stupid thing to do ? imagine abit lonely vacation if you cannot communicate with people around you

What are your experiences ? any advice maybe ? should i just stay around ChiangMai or something ?

i say go around

U always meet some one that can english

I been to places where almost no one speak english, but i had fun anyway

Its never been any problem, and if u dont like it, then u always can go back to chang mai or some other yourist place

How about start in ChiangMai, rent a motorbike and ride it toward a mountain, Lasse. Don't worry too much about language. You might be surprise how much they can understand you. Have fun and take lots of pictures and show us.

Okay then im reassured again, was just struck by abit of doubt suddenly.

Pandorea thats a good idea, then im able to drive back to safe-haven if its too difficult and will promise to take alot of pictures this time ! Nave suggested some nice hiking/camping-routes, that could be cool too to do.

When I was riding through Mae Hong Son last Christmas my gf couldn't understand many of the locals either because they are form hill tribes with their own languages.

Just do as Pandorea suggests. I really liked it up North. 8)

base in chiang mai. get a bike and ride around the city. there are plenty of places to day trip from there. get used to things. then get a gf and put her on the back and head up to doi mae salong and mae sai and dont look back. roads are really pretty good, signage is mediocre but everything works out in thailand. i have done this numerous times and never regretted one time. I wouldnt do it on anything less than 250 under any circumstances. Do some home work on the net and figure out who has the best bikes. david uncovitch has good equipment

What do you mean get a gf ?

sounds like an equipment for tourists.

Hmmm I miss riding in Chiangmai and people there are brilliant!

What can I say to you... GO FOR IT MAN!

No SweetieBabie

a gf is a free translator, who also performs night shifts

No Lasse, no problem at all, I know the area very well.

In every village is at least someone who can speak a little bit English,

and otherwise you explain in sign language, the people of the North are very friendly.

And July is surely the right season !

just don't get paranoid from everyone stareing at you

Sweetiebabie:

"What do you mean get a gf ?

sounds like an equipment for tourists."

actually that is pretty well said.

I bet you would look pretty good on the back of my bike, babie.

don't worry for northern people they are like thai people in another part of thailand even if they can't speak english so much like people in S and Bklk but they will great if u want to communication with them coz they will try to explian and many place for tourism ,not sure maybe u will fall in love Northern

have a nice trip jaoooo

Take someone with you... It can get awfully boring away from Bangkok.

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