Thailand rewards curiosity. From Ayutthaya’s royal legacy to Bangkok’s riverside palaces and Phuket’s old Sino‑Portuguese lanes, the country stitches together centuries of trade, Buddhism, and bold flavors. In ten days, you’ll taste wok-fired street food, glide through quiet canals, and swim over blue reefs where longtail boats bob like dragonflies.

Expect big contrasts: sunrise chants at Wat Pho and neon nights in Yaowarat; hush-quiet mangroves and the limestone towers of Phang Nga Bay; lazy afternoons beneath palms in Koh Samui. Thai cuisine is a constant—sweet, sour, salty, spicy—best found in humble shophouses and bustling markets. Dress modestly for temples (shoulders and knees covered) and bring cash for street stalls.

Practical notes: the Thai baht (THB) is widely used; ATMs are common. Dry season for the Andaman Sea (Phuket/Phi Phi) runs roughly Nov–Apr; Koh Samui’s best weather often skews Jan–Aug. Use Grab for rides, and stay hydrated in the heat. Check current visa rules; many nationalities receive a visa exemption on arrival for short stays as of early 2025.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a city of layers: royal glitz on Rattanakosin Island, monk-orange dawns along the Chao Phraya, and a culinary scene that flips between noodle carts and Michelin-star dining. The klongs (canals) of Thonburi hint at an older rhythm—wooden houses on stilts and gardens where fruit still hangs heavy.

Top sights orbit the river: the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, Wat Arun’s porcelain spires. Evenings belong to Chinatown’s Yaowarat, where peppery pepper pork noodles, oyster omelets, and mango sticky rice form a progressive feast.

• Where to stay: Browse stays on VRBO Bangkok or Hotels.com Bangkok. Specific picks: riverside icon Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (old-world service and jazz bar), design-forward sanctuary The Siam Hotel (Dusit district, private boat), resort feel in the city at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, and budget-friendly hubs Lub d Bangkok Siam or Lub d Bangkok Silom; heritage vibes at Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.
• Arrival flights: Search fares to BKK/DMK on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights). Airport Rail Link and Grab make transfers easy; allow ~45–60 minutes into town depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok + Riverside First Impressions

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Check in, refresh, and head riverside. Start at Wat Arun for golden-hour light on its porcelain mosaics; cross by ferry to Tha Tien.

Evening: Eat classic central Thai at Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien) or refined homestyle dishes at Baan on Wireless Road. For a view, try a drink at sky-high Mahanakhon SkyBar. Night owls: explore hidden cocktails at Teens of Thailand or Thai herb-forward mixes at Tep Bar in Chinatown.

Day 2: Royal Bangkok, Temples, and Night Tuk-Tuks

Morning: Dive into Bangkok’s icons with this guided experience: Bangkok Highlights: Grand Palace & Three Famous Temples. Dress modestly and bring water.

Afternoon: Lunch at Krua Apsorn (beloved by locals; try crab omelet) or Thipsamai for orange-hued pad thai cooked over charcoal. Coffee at Nana Coffee Roasters or Gallery Drip Coffee near the BACC. If you crave retail and AC, browse Siam Square’s indie Thai designers.

Evening: Hop aboard the award-winning Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour to sample street eats, see glittering temples crowd-free, and zip through traffic the classic way.

Day 3: Floating Markets, Train Market, and Khlong Life

Morning: Venture beyond the city on the Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour—watch umbrellas fold as the train glides through Maeklong, then boat among vendors at Damnoen Saduak.

Afternoon: See the city’s quieter side with a Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride through Thonburi’s klongs—stilt houses, canal shrines, and waving residents.

Evening: Feast in Yaowarat: peppery guay jub (rolled rice noodles) at Nai Ek, smoky stir-fries at T&K Seafood, and crisp golden doughnuts at Pa Tong Go Savoey. Cap with herbal cocktails and live khon music at Tep Bar.

Phuket

Phuket is more than beach clubs—its Old Town flaunts candy-colored Sino‑Portuguese shophouses, shrines wrapped in incense, and family-run restaurants serving coconut-rich southern curries. Along the coast, bays tilt from aquamarine to jade, and longtails hum toward karst-studded horizons.

Days here are for water and nature: island-hopping to Phi Phi, sea caves in Phang Nga Bay, and ethical encounters with rescued elephants. Nights can be mellow in Phuket Town or breezy in Bangtao and Kata.

• Getting there (Bangkok → Phuket): Morning flights take ~1h25; expect $35–$95 one-way. Search on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights). Transfer time to Phuket Town or west-coast beaches: ~45–70 minutes.
• Where to stay: Browse VRBO Phuket or Hotels.com Phuket. Standouts: cliff-perched Amanpuri, private-pool hideaway Trisara Phuket, family favorite Sunwing Kamala Beach, romantic The Shore at Katathani, and beachfront fun at Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket or JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa. Budget social vibes: Lub d Phuket Patong.

Day 4: Fly to Phuket + Old Town Flavors

Morning: Fly BKK → HKT. Grab a SIM, then taxi to Phuket Town.

Afternoon: Wander Thalang and Dibuk Roads—past pastel shophouses, Chinese clan shrines, and cool cafés like Campus Coffee Roaster. Try local snacks at Lock Tien food court (hokkien mee, satay).

Evening: Dinner at One Chun (southern Thai classics) or Raya (crab curry over kanom jeen). For a nightcap, Torry’s Ice Cream (Peranakan flavors) or speakeasy-style cocktails at Dibuk House.

Day 5: Phi Phi Sunrise and Coral Lagoons

Morning: Beat the crowds with Luxury Small Group Phi Phi Sunrise from Phuket—early departure, soft light at Maya Bay (photo stops per park rules), and snorkel time in clear water.

Afternoon: Return for a simple lunch—roast duck rice or khao man gai near your hotel—then nap or a swim.

Evening: Sunset on Kata Beach; casual dinner with ocean breezes at Ska Bar (toes-in-sand) or seafood at Kan Eang@Pier (chili-lime dressings that sing).

Day 6: Ethical Elephants + Beach Time

Morning: Meet rescued gentle giants on A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary—observe, feed, and walk alongside, no riding.

Afternoon: Beach-hop: Nai Harn’s arc of sand or quieter Kamala. Spa time if you like—herbal compresses and coconut oil massages are the move.

Evening: Drive to Promthep Cape for fiery skies. Dinner at Mor Mu Dong (rustic waterside huts; turmeric-laced fish) or Blue Elephant Phuket (royal Thai tasting menus).

Day 7: Sea Caves and James Bond Island at Sunset

Morning: Slow start with coffee and pastries at The Feelsion Café.

Afternoon: Board a stylish cruiser for Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner. Kayak sea caves, swim off sandbars, and photograph needle-like Khao Phing Kan.

Evening: Dine on board as the bay turns rose-gold and a DJ spins mellow tracks. After docking, a quiet drink near your hotel.

Optional extra for divers or adventurous swimmers (alternate to Day 7): One Day Scuba Diving Experience at Ko Racha—known for clear water and easy reef drifts.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui slows the tempo. Palm-fringed beaches, coconut groves, and breezy cafés give the island a holiday hush, while Fisherman’s Village and Chaweng bring night markets, crafts, and beach bars after dark.

Temples like Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) and Wat Plai Laem shimmer over the water; offshore, coral gardens and islets beckon for half-day snorkels. Expect easy-going days: hammocks, fresh coconuts, and seafood grilled over charcoal.

• Getting there (Phuket → Koh Samui): Fastest is a direct flight (~55 minutes, typically $90–$170 one-way) on regional carriers—search on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights). Budget option: bus/minivan + ferry via Surat Thani (~6–8 hours).
• Where to stay: See VRBO Koh Samui or Hotels.com Koh Samui. Favorites: luxe hillside villas at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, colonial-style beachfront Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, fun social base Lub d Koh Samui Chaweng Beach, and value near the airport at Samui Mermaid Resort.

Day 8: Fly to Samui + Fisherman’s Village

Morning: Fly HKT → USM; taxis are fixed-rate and quick. Check in and drop bags.

Afternoon: Beach time at Choeng Mon or Bophut. Coffee at The Yellow Beans or coconuts and salads at Vikasa Life Café if you’re exploring the ring road.

Evening: Stroll Fisherman’s Village. Dinner at Krua Bophut (classic Thai with sea breeze) or Cabana-style bites on the sand at Coco Tam’s (order the grilled seafood and a coconut mojito). If it’s Friday, the walking street market adds music and crafts.

Day 9: Pig Island + Snorkeling

Morning: Join the playful Pig Island Tour by Speedboat with Snorkeling—meet the famous beach-loving pigs on Koh Madsum and snorkel nearby reefs.

Afternoon: Return for a lazy lunch—green curry with roti or a papaya salad. Nap, then kayak or paddleboard if the sea is calm.

Evening: Book Supattra Thai Dining (intimate, produce-driven southern Thai) or head to Sabienglae Lamai for spicy seafood with waves as your soundtrack.

Day 10: Temple Mornings + Departure

Morning: Visit Big Buddha (Wat Phra Yai) and the serene lakeside statues at Wat Plai Laem. Grab breakfast at a French bakery in Bophut or farm-to-table plates at Sweet Sisters Café in the south.

Afternoon: Last swim, pack up, and transfer to the airport. Search onward flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re looping back through Bangkok, allow 2.5–3 hours between connections.

Evening: In transit.

Local eats and sips quick list:

• Bangkok breakfast: On Lok Yun (old-school eggs and toast), Roast Coffee at The Commons.
• Bangkok lunch: Prachak (roast duck), Bo.Lan’s alumni-led bistros for heritage flavors, Thipsamai for charcoal pad thai.
• Phuket must-tries: mee hokkien noodles, moo hong (braised pork), and Phuket-style dim sum mornings.
• Samui beach bites: grilled prawns, massaman curry, fresh young coconuts; sunset cocktails at Tembo Beach Club or Coco Tam’s.

Getting around: In Bangkok, use BTS/MRT and river ferries to dodge traffic; Grab for door-to-door rides. In Phuket and Samui, pre-book taxis or use hotel shuttles; careful with motorbikes if you’re inexperienced. Always carry a light scarf for temples and chilly AC.

This 10-day Thailand itinerary threads royal Bangkok, emerald Andaman bays, and Samui’s serene shores into one satisfying arc. You’ll leave with curry-stained memories, camera rolls full of limestone pinnacles, and a soft spot for longtail boat engines at dawn.