I am back and it was great!
As soon as I arrived in Bangkok, I got a train to Ayutthaya, which was a really nice intro to Thailand. Green, ruined temples. Rented bikes and went on a sunset longtail boat cruise around the ruins. Then went to Chiang Mai (via a very slow train), which I wasn't overwhelmed about. I was expecting more. Weather was boiling for the first few days and then tropical rainstorms for three
Accidentally went on a 15 mile jungle trek, was horrendous as we thought we were just going for a little walk, were drenched in sweat and felt very very unfit. All due to a lack of communication and not wanting to ride elephants. Then we left the city and stayed at a lodge in the countryside, which was amazing. Even though it poured tropical rain relentlessly, we sat in front of a roaring open fire, drinking and reading and occasionally venturing out into the countryside.
At that point my friend and I parted ways as she was off to Cambodia. I went to Koh Phangan on my own. Wow, loved it! It poured with rain for the first day but picked up after that. I got a scooter and explored the whole island, visited lots of amazing beaches, waterfalls, had an encounter with monkeys, went to the night market, ate fabulous food, went up to a sunset point, swam in the sea at dusk, and fell asleep every night to the sound of the waves (my bungalow was right on the beach). Oh, and went to the English pub once - wow, it was just like a country pub back home!
I'll definitely go back. The only thing was I didn't have a conversation with anyone for a whole week! I'd prefer to go with a partner next time. There seemed to be lots of couples there and not many people alone, although I wasn't really bothered. Read lots, was riding the motorbike smiling to myself.
Then back to Bangkok where I met two friends, explored a bit, went to the cinema (we had to stand up for the anthem in respect to the King before the film!), um...ate, shopped and did a cooking course.
Thailand was so easy to travel in. I think living in Turkey has made me hard as I was on guard, waiting for someone to rip me off, but it just didn't happen. Had good experiences with taxis, tuk tuks, everywhere.
Thanks for all the recommendations here! Next time I think I'd go straight to the islands and spend more time there, I felt like the time in the North was a bit of a waste of my precious holiday time.
What did you get up to? I think I was near the Sanctuary at one point, is it on the East of the island?
Yep I ended up there a bit, too. A pint of bitter! On tap! Even if it's only John Fucking Smiths! 
