Thailand is a land of layered kingdoms and living traditions, where gilded stupas sit steps from sizzling woks and neon-lit riverfronts. From the old Siamese capital of Ayutthaya to the mountain mists of Chiang Mai and the karst-dotted Andaman Sea, this 10-day itinerary balances culture, cuisine, and coast.

Expect sensory fireworks: long-tail boats skimming Bangkok’s canals, monk chants echoing through Lanna teak temples, and sunrise over jade-green islands. Thai food is half the journey—khao soi in Chiang Mai, wok-fired pad thai in Bangkok, and grilled seafood by Phuket’s Old Town shophouses.

Practical notes: dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered), carry small cash for markets, and use metered taxis or Grab. November–April is best for islands; May–October brings tropical showers, but the cities thrive year-round. Book internal flights early during peak months.

Bangkok

Bangkok is Thailand’s throbbing heart—royal palaces, world-class street food, and a river that has ferried trade and faith for centuries. By day, admire Wat Phra Kaew’s emerald glow and Wat Arun’s porcelain spires; by night, dive into Chinatown’s woks, speakeasies, and late-night noodles.

Top bites range from Michelin-recognized street stands to heritage dining rooms. Don’t miss: Thipsamai (charcoal-fired pad thai), Jay Fai (fiery crab omelet mastery), Pe Aor (towering tom yum noodles), and Phed Mark (pad kra pao with a runny egg).

• Stay: Riverside classics and Old Town gems. Browse VRBO Bangkok or Hotels.com Bangkok. Specific picks: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (grand dame on the river), The Siam Hotel (design-forward serenity), Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (resort feel in the city), good-value hostels like Lub d Bangkok Siam and Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.
• Getting in: Search international and domestic flights via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. City transport is easy by BTS/MRT, river ferries, and metered taxis.

Day 1: Arrival, Riverside Stroll, and Night Tuk-Tuks

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in by the Chao Phraya River. For coffee, try Sarnies on Charoen Krung for strong flat whites and brisket sandwiches. Walk the Creative District’s street art alleys toward Wat Arun’s silhouette.

Evening: Join the award-winning Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour for a full-flavor orientation—hidden eats, glowing temples, and bustling markets with a local guide.

Late: Cap the night at Tep Bar in Chinatown (herbal Thai cocktails and live traditional music) or Tropic City (tropical classics; Asia’s 50 Best Bars list).

Day 2: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Canals, and Rooftops

Morning: Beat crowds at the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (modest attire required). Walk to Wat Pho to admire the Reclining Buddha and, if time allows, book a traditional Thai massage at the on-site school.

Afternoon: Lunch at Krua Apsorn (royal Thai recipes—crab curry, stir-fried lotus stems). Then glide through Thonburi’s khlongs on the Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride for an eye-opening look at stilt houses, spirit shrines, and quiet temples.

Evening: Dinner at Thipsamai (order the Superb Pad Thai cooked over charcoal). For city lights, head to Sky Bar at Lebua or the Mahanakhon SkyWalk, then a sweet finish with mango sticky rice at Kor Panit (since 1932).

Day 3: Day Trip to Ayutthaya + Chinatown Night

Take the expertly guided Small Group Tour to Ayutthaya Temples from Bangkok with Lunch to wander UNESCO-listed ruins—Wat Mahathat’s Buddha head in roots, Wat Chaiwatthanaram’s riverfront prangs, and royal monastic complexes. Lunch is included; expect classic central Thai dishes.

Evening (back in Bangkok): Try for a counter seat at Jay Fai (arrive early; fiery crab omelet is legendary). Stroll Yaowarat Road for dim sum and pandan waffles; pop into Teens of Thailand or Asia Today for adventurous gin cocktails infused with Thai botanicals.

Chiang Mai

Lanna heritage runs deep in Chiang Mai—forest monasteries, wooden houses, and a cuisine perfumed with herbs and northern spices. The Old City’s moat encloses centuries-old wats, while Nimmanhaemin pulses with third-wave coffee and creative kitchens.

Food highlights: khao soi (try Khao Soi Khun Yai or Khao Soi Mae Sai), sai ua herb sausage at Warorot Market, and roast chicken with tamarind dip at SP Chicken. Coffee culture is serious—Ristr8to’s award-winning latte art, Akha Ama’s social enterprise beans, and Graph’s minimalist pour-overs.

• Stay: Browse VRBO Chiang Mai or Hotels.com Chiang Mai. Specific picks: 137 Pillars House (colonial teak elegance), Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai (resort amenities), Green Tiger House (vegetarian-friendly), and Green Sleep Hostel (budget).
• Getting there from Bangkok (Day 4 morning): Fly 1h15–1h30 (from ~$35–$90). Search on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Scenic overnight trains (11–13 hours) can be checked via Trip.com Trains.

Day 4: Fly North, Old City Temples, and Jazz

Morning: Fly Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Taxi or Grab into town (~20–40 minutes). Check in and refresh with an iced latte at Akha Ama La Fattoria.

Afternoon: Explore the Old City: Wat Chedi Luang’s 14th‑century brick stupa and Wat Phra Singh’s Lai Kham chapel with golden murals. Lunch on khao soi at Khao Soi Khun Yai (rustic, beloved; closes mid-afternoon).

Evening: Dinner at Huen Phen (northern staples: nam prik noom, gaeng hung lay). Catch live music at North Gate Jazz Co‑Op—intimate, improvisational, and a Chiang Mai rite of passage.

Day 5: Doi Inthanon Peaks, Elephant Sanctuary, and Forest Trail

Spend a full day on the highly rated 3-in-1: Doi Inthanon Tour, Elephant Sanctuary, and Trekking Trail. Visit Thailand’s highest point, see the royal pagodas and cloud forests, meet elephants at an ethical sanctuary (no riding; feeding and observing), and walk a panoramic trail. It’s a full, rewarding day with transport and lunch included.

Day 6: Slow Chiang Mai – Doi Suthep, Nimman Cafés, Night Market

Morning: Ride up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep; climb the naga staircase for views over the city. Coffee crawl in Nimmanhaemin: Ristr8to (signature mochas) and Graph One Nimman (sleek, experimental drinks).

Afternoon: Thai massage at Fah Lanna Spa (book ahead). Lunch at SP Chicken (charcoal rotisserie with tamarind dip) or Ginger Farm Kitchen (farm-to-table Lanna dishes).

Evening: If it’s Sunday, browse the Walking Street market for handmade textiles and snacks; otherwise visit the Night Bazaar. Dinner at Tong Tem Toh (grilled pork jowl, spicy larb kua) and a craft beer at My Beer Friend Taproom.

Phuket

Phuket is your gateway to the Andaman: pastel Sino-Portuguese streets, coconut-fringed beaches, and limestone towers rising from teal water. Between day trips to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay, linger in Old Town’s cafés and cookshops.

Eat like a local at One Chun (family recipes with a Phuket twist), Raya (crab curry with fermented rice noodles), and Tu Kab Khao (southern heat and heritage). Street classics include Go Benz (braised pork rice) and night-market skewers.

• Stay: Browse VRBO Phuket or Hotels.com Phuket. Specific picks: JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (family-friendly up north), The Shore at Katathani (romantic pool villas), Trisara Phuket (private-villa seclusion), Lub d Phuket Patong (budget social hub), and Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket (on-the-sand fun). For iconic splurge: Amanpuri.
• Getting there from Chiang Mai (Day 7 morning): Direct flights (seasonal) or via Bangkok, ~2–3.5 hours total, from ~$50–$140. Search on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 7: Fly South, Old Town Stroll, and Southern Thai Dinner

Morning: Fly Chiang Mai to Phuket. Transfer to your hotel (45–75 minutes depending on beach).

Afternoon: Explore Phuket Old Town’s Thalang and Dibuk Roads—Sino-Portuguese shophouses, shrines, and murals. Coffee at The Feelsion Café (vintage decor, Thai desserts) or Campus Coffee Roaster (house-roasted beans).

Evening: Dinner at One Chun (signature moo hong braised pork, spicy nam prik). Cocktails at Dibuk House (speakeasy vibe, local botanicals) or a sunset drink at a west coast beach bar.

Day 8: Phi Phi Islands at Sunrise

Beat the crowds on the acclaimed Luxury Small Group Phi Phi Sunrise from Phuket. Expect early pickup, Maya Bay viewing (subject to conservation rules), snorkeling in crystalline lagoons, and a seaview breakfast or lunch. Small groups mean more time in the water and quieter bays.

Evening: Recover with a casual seafood feast at Mor Mu Dong (rustic riverside huts; smoky grilled fish) or tuck into Raya’s crab curry. Sweet treat: O‑Aew shaved ice—Phuket’s cooling local dessert.

Day 9: Phang Nga Bay Sea Caves and James Bond Island

Drift through mangrove-cloaked karsts and hidden lagoons on Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island by Big Boat. Guides paddle you into “hongs” (collapsed cave rooms), with time to photograph Khao Phing Kan’s famous spire. Lunch aboard; bring reef-safe sunscreen.

Evening: Wander Sunday Lard Yai Market if timing fits (Old Town street food and crafts). Otherwise, try Go Benz for peppery pork with rice and a late-night bowl of soup noodles.

Day 10: Ethical Elephants and Departure

Morning: Spend an unforgettable morning at A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, Phuket’s first ethical sanctuary. Observe rescued elephants roaming and bathing across 30 acres—no riding, just respectful encounters.

Afternoon: Depart for the airport. If time allows, grab brunch at Tu Kab Khao (southern curries) or a last beach stroll.

Intercity Travel Summary and Booking Tips

• International arrival to Bangkok: compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Bangkok → Chiang Mai (Day 4 morning): flight ~1h20; from ~$35–$90. Trains 11–13h; check Trip.com Trains.
• Chiang Mai → Phuket (Day 7 morning): direct or via Bangkok, ~2–3.5h; from ~$50–$140. Search on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Extra Eating and Coffee Shortlist

• Bangkok Coffee/Breakfast: Factory Coffee (award-winning signatures), Gallery Drip Coffee (filter brews), Sarnies (hearty brunch).
• Bangkok Lunch/Dinner: Pe Aor Tom Yum Kung, Krua Apsorn, Thipsamai, Soei (fiery Thai with a chef’s touch).
• Chiang Mai Cafés: Ristr8to, Akha Ama, Graph. Meals: Khao Soi Khun Yai, Huen Phen, SP Chicken, Tong Tem Toh.
• Phuket Cafés: The Feelsion Café, Campus Coffee Roaster. Meals: One Chun, Raya, Tu Kab Khao, Mor Mu Dong, Go Benz.

Ten days in Thailand gives you the country’s essential trilogy: Bangkok’s regal history and street food, Chiang Mai’s mountain spirit and markets, and Phuket’s aquamarine playground of islands and sea caves. With smart transfers and curated tours, you’ll savor more moments—and more meals—where it matters.