Melissa and I started our post-college SEA summer adventure in Thailand. This trip was a little hard to plan because there are so many different routes you can take throughout the region. And while blogs and travel books will cover each destination in depth, the path you take between each of them will differ greatly depending on your budget, preferred mode of transportation, and of course, how much time you have. We settled on starting and ending in Bangkok and did a clockwise loop through Northern Thailand (after a brief stop at the Full Moon Party, Lao, and Cambodia. 

I think the best thing about traveling in SEA is that people are so warm and welcoming towards tourists, your money goes a long way so you can "splurge" on food and lodging but also don't need to, and it's really easy to meet other travelers given how popular of a destination it is for gap years, post-college crises, and honeymooners alike. 

We didn't necessarily keep to a shoestring budget (you can literally spend a couple dollars a day if you want), but we weren't living large either. So, I'll keep my recommendations brief and just touch on a few highlights per city. There's definitely a lot more to explore and I'd love to go back as a "real"-er adult. Lots of folks were toting Lonely Planet guide books. They pump out new versions constantly, and it's not a bad idea to pick one up. Melissa had one which was helpful given that we didn't travel with any cell service (who were we...!!). 

Full Moon Party (Koh Samui / Koh Phangan)

• We were determined to go to the Full Moon Party which meant that Melissa booked it from her college graduation on the East Coast so we could travel for ~36 hours in order to get to Koh Phangan by the day of the party. Turns out, there is are quarter and half moon parties...so I think you could probably go whenever...but I feel like this is a case in which you just have to go big and brace for impact. 
• We stayed at a very budget hut in Koh Phangan. We lasted one day. I forgot how many tropical critters there are - so having real walls and doors to keep them out is definitely preferable. I'd recommend just staying over in Koh Samui, which is a more popular tourist destination and has lots of resorts. You can then take a boat over to the party - there are plenty. If you're worried about getting there / back in one piece, just remember you have bigger things to worry about at the party itself. 
• Given our day-plus of travel, Melissa and I probably only stayed until 2/3am or so and that's definitely when things were starting to pick up. Caffeinate accordingly!
• This is a great excuse to wear neon.
  
• Stay safe! Avoid fire (plzzzzzzz), watch your drinks (some people put plastic bags over their buckets so no one can drop things in), and sober up if possible before getting back in the boat to go home. A friend also recommended closed-toed shoes even though you're on the beach, just to avoid glass and getting stomped on. I think that was a good move. 

Bangkok

• I won't write about the Grand Palace or all the other main to-see spots...but go to them! They're awesome. Just be ready for the busloads of tourists everywhere, and stay hydrated! Also, Bangkok is home to a really impressive high-end food scene (like Gaggan) and vertigo-inducing rooftop bars. 
• Chef Leez's cooking class - doing a cooking class is really popular. A friend recommended Chef Leez's class and we loved it because she's high-energy and funny, you get to go with her to the market, and you each have your own station to cook at. I told myself I would start making pad thai when I got home but...it's been 5 years and I've never made it once. That's more a reflection of my and my laziness than anything else. 
• Muay Thai - this is fun in the same way going to see Lucha Libre is in Mexico City. Don't get suckered into the "VIP Package." Just get tickets when you get there. The arena isn't that big and it's more fun if you're farther away because you'll be in a rowdier crowd and also have a better view than being on the floor-level.
• Siam Paragon food court - you must go eat here. It seems weird to go to a fancy mall to get food, but, like in Malaysia, food courts actually have good, authentic food. It also makes it easy to try a BUNCH of dishes because you're not confined to one restaurant's menu. To pay, you load up a card with credit, and then use that to pay at each vendor. 
• We didn't have time for the floating markets, but that would have been next on our list for things to do!
• We stayed with my uncle while in Bangkok, but if you want to be at the heart of the backpacker scene / nightlife, Khao San Road is where it's at. Otherwise, stay on/near some of the lower-numbered sois (small-streets) off Sukhumvit Road. There are nicer restaurants and bars around here. It's a popular area for expats to hang out and live. 
• Getting around - You can take motorcycle taxis from designated spots around town. They wear bright-colored vests and will give you a helmet. We did this once to avoid traffic one evening...and once was enough. Otherwise, the Skytrain is amazing and way faster than taxis in most cases. It's also a bit hard to communicate the taxi drivers because most don't speak English, and they'll want to see the name of where you're going in Thai characters. Also, there are times when going by water is faster. Don't fall for the long-tailed boats, they're tourist traps. Take the official ferries (it's like a form of public transportation) - read here for the differences between the flag colors on each ferry so you know which one you want to take before you go!