Originally Posted by isanity

1. Fly to Luang Pabang. It's too far from Hat Yai to waste your time going overland.

2. Luang Pabang has the best wats- nice old wooden ones, much better than the Thai ones. Wat Phu (other end of the country) is worth a look, but a hassle to get to and not as impressive as the Angkor temples.