What are the best places to stay in Thailand for seniors traveling from Canada during the holiday season?

not sure how busy it is in Chiang Mai, but it seemed almost back to normal (pre-covid) the last 2 times I've gone downtown (old city) and it is the busy season here this time of year, so it might not hurt to start checking for a place to stay.

If you are travelling South to Hua Hin then also do try Koh Phangnan, Koh Samui, Krabi in order of choice.

i am Canadian too and now living in Thailand since little over 3 years. Last year I spent Christmas day in a place called Pai in Mae Hong Son Provice. If you make a trip to Chiang Mai then from the bus terminal Arcade 2 you can take a van to Pai or Mae Hong Son Mueng (this is the actual Mae Hong Son City. I was confused with the same name for the Province and the city so i only visited Pai. But i would recommend you visit Mae Hong Son City too. I was shocked that the prices were not hiked coz I met a travelling buddy who booked into the same place i was staying in on the day we arrived Dec 24 evening and he paid less for his room than what I paid by booking in advance online. It can be nippy early morning for the sunrise excursion and late evening for the sunset....two different points. Be careful at the sunset point it is very dangerous in some places. The night market at Pai was marvelous if you are adventurous to try the local cuisine. Prices are so cheap compared to Canada OMG. Returning to Chiang Mai you can visit Doi Tung Palace and Mae Fah Luang Garden. You will not regret your trip there. You can take a van or hire a private car. if you leave early it can be a day trip morning to evening and then back to your comfortable hotel at night. If you want to experience a train journey then I suggest taking a overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. You can book a cabin for a couple and it would cost you about 2500 Thai baht (about C$120) for both of you. The cabin sleeps 2. They provide sheets, blankets, pillow (all fresh and laundered). You could take a day train if you want to see more of the country enroute. You don't need a cabin for that and can just take a first class or second class AC chair. The weather can get pretty cool/cold when travelling to Northern Thailand during winter..... especially December. If you want to know anything more do let me know. you can message me separately if you so desire. All the best. for sheer experience you can even travel by train from Bangkok to Malaysia and even down to Singapore but I wouldn't advise it because it's too long a journey and you have to change trains too. Flights are far quicker and almost the same as the price of a train ticket.

For me Thailand, being a tropical country, it’s all about the beaches. In a word: Phuket. Beautiful beaches all around the island. And from there you can hit all the remote koh and see some of the most pristine beaches in the world.

Of course there’s all the cultural sites too. Ayutthaya is amazing. Built in 1305 it’s the original capital city of Thailand 🇹🇭

Enjoy 😉

10 days in Bangkok too long in my opinion, 5 days maximum, Chiang Mai for 5 days, Koh Chang for 5 days, Kanchanaburi for a few days, Hua Hin/Cha-am for 5 days, Phuket for 7 days and then you can decide where you would like to stay longer, don’t book somewhere for a month if you haven’t tried it out, you may not like it. , there is a lot to see out here, wish you luck and enjoy your holidays.

As an expat in Asia. If you have a month you could do so much. BKK - Phuket or Ko Lanta for a week - Chiang Mai for a week - either back to BKK or fit in another island - so many choices. All different. Depends what you are into. Amazing snorkelling, diving, walking, temples, elephants sanctuary, Thai cooking in Chiang Mai. Enjoy

Pai- will be dangerous as this will be the end of your trip - with right accommodation you won’t want to leave again.

It depends on what you are looking for. Chiang Mai doesn't have beaches, it's near mountains and it's cold during December and January (can be +10-15 morning and night, +25 afternoon. For me, also a Canadian, it's obv great, can't complain, lol. Hua Hin is also laid back and has beaches. Bangkok is loud, traffic, smelly, air is bad, temperature too hot, etc. For elderly, it's overwhelming. I'm also from Canada, 36, and I've been living in Thailand for 10 years. Bangkok will shock you, and not in a good way. I live there for a year, and I've lived in Chiang Mai for two. As for booking in advance, if you are looking for comfort and expensive hotel, yes, but if you don't mind guesthouse, etc, you don't need to. Thailand guesthouse and hotel selection are massive everywhere you mentioned above. And as for Kuala Lumpur, same as Bangkok, but a lot more tolerable. I had a lot of fun in Borneo.

Krabie 4 days enough

What are your interests and what type of activities do you like? Do you plan to rent a car or motorcycle?

Book now, with an online site which states free cancellation, until a few days before your stay. Sometimes, your credit is not even charged until a week or so before your stay. Make sure this is clearly stated. I find Agoda has the best rates in Thailand, and I never had a problem with canceling and refunds, when it was provided for.

Something I know Thai people like to go travel to the north of Thailand in December-January because they excited for winter. In my opinion go to the south first it’s better then after new year go to CM.

Don't overthink.

To many variables .

Consider booking a place for 7-10 days and then moving on.

AirBnb places will usually have a kitchen so you can make your own meals. Save money and have what you are accustomed to when you need a break from going out to eat.

Bangkok 10 Days to much. 3 or 4 Days ok. Thailand is big many to see and visit.

Highly recommend Hua Hin, some of the best beaches, restaurants and sites to see. We also have an exclusive condo for rent in a high class apartment block near cicada night market 👍

Hua Hin is nice for some days

I had difficulty finding a good month long Airbnb in Chiang Mai during December a few weeks ago. You're going in the peak of high season. If you haven't started booking things already you're likely to find high prices and few options.