I’ve been doing some research for upcoming trips and during the process I realized that itineraries are too cemented as a full plan. I still think that they are helpful resources for learning about places to go, but they do fall short in their flexibility so they should be used more as guidelines. I have decided to write a short ‘itinerary’ on one of my favourite place in the world that is not home, Thailand. I must warn you, I visited Thailand as a 3 year old and had a quick stopover after my trip to Cambodia, but I helped my mum plan a trip she is taking this year with her parents so my information is up to date.
Now this is not a firm plan that you can just slot into your trip, my goal is to give you building blocks to construct your perfect vacation. The details I have covered is for a trip that lasts 6-10 days and you can explore other areas around Thailand as well. Without further ado, let me begin.
Spend 3 days in Bangkok, 3-4 days in Krabi or Phuket and 2-3 days in Chiang Rai/Chaing Mai. Depending on what you hope to get out of the trip you can go from Bangkok to the islands or Chiang Mai/Chaing Rai. But if shopping is an important part of your holiday I recommend ending with Bangkok.
Bangkok –
In Bangkok I suggest 3 days for maximum sightseeing and shopping experiences. This can of course be stretched for more relaxed days or condensed per your preferences.
Sights to see –
1) The Grand Palace –
The Grand Palace is a brilliant complex in the heart of Bangkok where the Royal Family lived. It is a really popular tourist destination in Thailand for its Emerald Buddha and exquisite statues and buildings. Since it is a religious area there are quite strict rules on the clothing you can wear, NO SLEEVELESS! Not even a sleeveless thing with a shawl over the shoulders, you must have clothing that covers shoulders, or you will have to buy a t-shirt onsite. I have one in my wardrobe that my mom bought and passed on to me later to prove it.
2) Wat Pho –
Wat Pho, the home of the famous sleeping Buddha is a must do, the entire place is truly breathtaking, and the sheer scale of the statue is awe inspiring.
3) Wat Arun –
Wat Arun, is a colourful and elaborate temple on the western bank of the Chao Phraya was the original home of the Emerald Buddha. This temple can be approached via a short boat ride which will give you a little time to enjoy the river.
4) Damnoen Saduak Floating Market –
The Floating Market and the Railway Market nearby are fun places to visit, strongly recommend visiting early in the morning. Of course, the crowded canals make for a fun ride and the shops on the water generally sell nice goods. As the days goes on it can become a bit crowded and congested. I love the floating market because it was the first place I visited in Thailand and it is an experience you can learn more about by watching the video here…
5) Safari World – For Kids –
Thailand is an amazing place but for a little kid the shrines, places and such would be but not as interesting to them so an engaging trip to the Safari World with interesting animals will be sure to make their day. You can look at the dolphins and seals and watch the giraffes as they go about their day as well as watch some of the shows on display.
Shopping –
Thailand is a pretty popular shopping destination simply for its rich variety and attractive pricing, if you think you will be doing a lot of shopping you may want to move Bangkok to the end of your trip for ease of carrying. To shop you could go to –
1) MBK Mall –
MBK mall is an eight-storey mall with about 2000 shops in that area, the majority of them being clothes stores which are packed form wall to wall with absolute bargains. The food on the top floor is also amazing, refuelling you after the exploration of the huge mall.
2) Pratunam Night Market-
This night market is a market where you will find high-quality clothes and food at a good bargain. In South East Asian destinations night markets are common area to shop, eat and beat the heat.
Foods –
1) Mango Sticky Rice –
I’m not going to explain this one, look at the picture, order it and enjoy.
2) Thai Iced Coffee
I have inherited form my father a huge love of coffee and Thai iced Coffee is a really good introduction. Thai coffee mixes in things like corn and soy to take away the bitter flavours from coffee and give a more nuanced taste. Perfect for those who don’t like the bitter taste.
3) Pad Thai/ Green Curry –
Everyone has tried these staple dishes of Thailand but truly like almost all dishes nothing beats the real thing, most night markets offer some amazing green curry and you can find Pad Thai almost in every food stall. When I visited Thailand, we quite literally had pad Thai for lunch and Thai Green Curry for dinner every day.
Also make sure you enjoy a tuktuk ride in this city but make sure to bargain with the rider so that they do not overcharge you.
Krabi/Phuket –
Both are equally beautiful with their pros and cons. Phuket is an island, Krabi is a coastline town on the Andaman Sea. Some of the island-hopping rides offer similar sightseeing and water sports options. My family and I had opted for Krabi on our trip. Though my mother and grandparent will be visiting Phuket later this year
The Island-Hopping Tours will take you to various places as the islands in the area are all of various shapes with some interesting features. Some have Bamboo Groves; others have interesting animals inhabiting them, some are strangely shaped and some are surrounded by coral. Some of the islands you could be taken to on the tour (depending on tour you do) are Monkey Island, Bamboo Island, Viking Island (home of the Swiftlet Bird) and Phi Phi Island. Phi Phi island is part of almost every tour. Honestly, I highly recommend this experience and this is something you will have to plan for yourselves. There are a lot of local operators offering a variety of options, usually spanning a full day. Though make sure to ensure you have the correct choice for your interest and what you want to do.
Sights to See –
1) Railay Beach
Railay Beach is this amazing soft sand beach accessible only by boat due to high limestone cliffs cutting off mainland access and surrounded by limestone cliffs,
2) Phra Nang –
Phra Nang is a place to enjoy the white sand and shallow waters for swimming and relaxing the beach is quite long, meaning there’s plenty of space. But of course, the main attraction of the area is hidden cove you can splash through water to get through and it is a must do.
3) Phuket Market –
Phuket markets are a vibrant showcase of the island’s culture, offering a diverse array of local street food, fresh produce, and handcrafted souvenirs. These bustling markets are perfect for immersing yourself in the local atmosphere and while they may be incredibly busy it is very fun to explore.
Things to do –
1) Snorkelling –
Love snorkelling and it’s good here for the corals and clear emerald seas in the area.
2) Eating Crabs –
Poo cha consists of stuffed, deep-fried crabs combined with various other meats and spices. In this area it is best for the simple reason of freshness.
Chiang Mai / Chiang Rai
This part of the trip is based on my research and hopefully I will cover on a future trip. Chiang Mai has a buzzing nightlife and is the second largest city in Thailand or Chiang Rai which has more temples and is more scenic. Since they are 3.5 hrs apart, you can make a day trip from one to the other, or go to one via the other. Now I have not been in either of these places so I cannot give opinions on them.
Chiang Mai has some great mountains such as Doi Suthep, a shrine at 1073m in altitude and the Doi Inthanon National Park, which has some great hiking locations. The area has a lot of elephants and an elephant sanctuary which is a fun place to visit and slightly less curated than Safari World.
Chiang Rai, in northern Thailand, is a destination known for its stunning temples like the White Temple and the Blue Temple. The province boasts breathtaking natural landscapes, including the Golden Triangle and serene tea plantations. Visitors can immerse themselves in local culture through vibrant night markets and visits to traditional hill tribe villages.
Thank you so much for reading this and good luck on your trip. Again, do not take this as a set in stone plan use them as building blocks to plan your perfect trip.
