Thailand for Dummies...

Am arriving in Bangkok, August 5th and will be there until about the 15th, when we head to Indo. The various guidebooks have sample itineraries and the like but i'd much prefer the advice of those people who have been there and done that and can make my experience a unique one, while still making sure i do all the "must do" stuff. RE: accomodations, sites and cities to travel to, please post your suggestions for this wandering rastafarian...

With only ten days only spend a day or two in Bangkok. Then you would have to make a choice, spend most of your time in the North or South. Since you're going to Indonesia you'll see many beautiful beaches (maybe). Anyways I'd say go see Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai and maybe another town in the North (Pai, Mai Hong Son). Are you flying from Bangkok to Indonesia? If you are then you could definately stay on Ko Chang for a few days too, it's only a few hours from Bangkok and looks very beautiful.

Ko Chang or Koh Samui? I am flying Bangkok to Bali so i'd like to believe i will see at least one or two good beaches in the month that I am in South East Asia. Outside of the ones EVERYONE knows about, any beaches you'd particularly recommend? I dont necessarily want a leonardo di caprio experience but there's something for taking the road less traveled by, so anyone reading this please share your experiences with me and recommend all of the crazy, funky stuff you've done and loved...

(p.s. anyone out there ever drink snake blood? am i missing out on something here or will i live if i go back and tell my friends i didnt do it?)