Use the websites of the Thai and Cambodian tourist boards to research and plan your trip. Tourism Cambodia details the different regions of the country, lists major resorts and attractions and provides maps of major cities and temples. You can also read up on Cambodian culture and plan your trip to take in events such as the Royal Ploughing Ceremony or the Water and Moon Festival. The Thai tourist website offers touring ideas including itineraries for backpackers or vacations centered around cycling, kayaking and diving.Research the type of vacation you want to take and the type of activities you want to do.
Check independent sites such as Tripadvisor for reviews written by people that have travelled to the region. Hotel evaluations and tips on the best attractions provided by recent visitors are often the best source of information about a vacation destination.
Book your trip. You can do this through companies that specialize in the region such as Travel Indochina or book your own flights and accommodations. Take a look at the 16-day Thailand and Cambodia Revealed tour offered by Travel Indochina. If you travel independently, you may save money by flying to an alternative Asian destination like Malaysia and then using budget airlines such as Air Asia to fly onto Thailand or Cambodia.
Check the weather for the time of year you want to travel. In Thailand and Cambodia the rainy season runs from June till October. In the dry season, November to February is generally cool with temperatures rising to 29-38.C from March to May. Remember to pack some long-sleeved clothing to protect against mosquitoes.
Sort out administrative tasks such as buying currency and travel insurance, obtaining the appropriate vaccinations and checking visa requirements. Currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht while in Cambodia, the currency is the Riel although US dollars and Thai Baht are commonly used. You will be advised to have a yellow fever vaccination. Visa requirements can be found on tourist board websites.
