although not so off-the-beaten-track now, one of my favorite nearby side-trips is to Luang Prabang in Laos (a UNESCO World Heritage City)... a wonderful place
a very short plane trip from Bangkok..... it has a great historical feeling, and always gives me the impression of
what Thailand must have been like decades ago....the Songkran water festival is so quaint (not like the unpleasant water cannon fights in Bangkok).....the small boutique hotels like Villa Santi are very relaxing....the river just lazes along by the city....the pace of life is such a nice break from frantic Bangkok, the temples and museums are great....the little Thai/Laos and French restaurants and bakeries are intimate....
also the line of monks at dawn collecting alms is a wonderful sight for me
so peaceful and spiritual...
the natural surroundings, fresh air and historical sights are well worth the side trip ^