Traveling alone or in (tour) group?

Traveling alone (we mean, not in an organized tour) is the preferred way. However, conditions apply. You have to be in good health, reasonably fit, and need more time than when traveling in a tour group. It will allow you to see things you will not see when joining a tour, and you will interact more with local people.

Most tour groups will go to great lengths to avoid overexerting people and only go to places that are easily accessible. Traveling alone consumes more time, you have to continuously look for a place to spend the night, go to bus stations, make arrangements with taxis to visit the places etc.

Tour groups on the other hand, will often book hotels on the outskirts of town, so that even in the evening free hours, it is somewhat difficult to go and experience the local scene. Contacts will mainly be with hotel personnel. You will eat bland westernized Thai food, often of the 'buffet' variety.