Thailand rewards curious travelers: layered history from Ayutthaya’s old Siam to today’s energetic cities, an unmatched street-food culture, and islands with warm seas in winter. December to March brings dry, sunny days across central and northern Thailand and the eastern Gulf, making this the sweet spot for sightseeing, hiking, beaches, and boating.

This 10-day plan focuses on three great bases: Bangkok for markets, temples, and food; Chiang Mai for mountains, waterfalls, and craft coffee; and Koh Chang for palm-fringed beaches and easy snorkeling, with fewer package crowds than the big-name resort hubs. It’s tuned to a modest budget without skimping on experiences.

Practical notes: Bring temple-appropriate clothing (shoulders/knees covered), carry some cash for markets, and use Grab for taxis. A local eSIM or airport SIM is cheap and useful. Winter seas are generally calm in the Gulf and the eastern seaboard; always check local conditions before boating or snorkeling.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a feast for the senses: gilded stupas, canal-side neighborhoods, and open-air kitchens sending wok-fire into the night. Old Town (Rattanakosin) holds the great temples, while Chinatown and the riverside brim with late-night eats—ideal for night photography and street-food safaris.

Food highlights include charcoal-fired pad thai at Thipsamai, peppery boat noodles along Victory Monument, and Chinatown’s sizzling seafood stalls. For coffee, try Wallflowers Café near Chinatown or Sarnies by the river; both are excellent photo stops.

• Where to stay (budget to splurge):
  • Budget hostels with social vibes: Lub d Bangkok Siam, Lub d Bangkok Silom, Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.
  • Mid-range riverside resort feel: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.
  • Iconic splurges (if you treat yourself for a night): Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, The Siam Hotel.
  • More options: Search Bangkok stays on Hotels.com or VRBO.
• Getting in and around: Find flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Use BTS/MRT and river ferries to dodge traffic; Grab for late nights.

Day 1: Arrive and Ease into Old Bangkok

Afternoon: Land in Bangkok and check in. Stretch your legs with a low-key riverside walk: cross to Wat Arun for golden-hour photos on the porcelain-clad prang, then ferry back for Wat Pho’s courtyards after the heat fades.

Evening: Chinatown (Yaowarat) food crawl: try Nai Mong Hoi Thod for crisp oyster omelet, Guay Jub Mr. Joe for peppery rolled rice-noodle soup, and mango sticky rice at Kor Panich. Nightcap at Tep Bar (Thai herb cocktails, live traditional music) or a chilled tea at Ba Hao Tian Mi. Budget dinner from $3–6 per dish.

Day 2: Markets, Canals, and Night Food by Tuk-Tuk

Morning: Join a classic half-day to the railway and floating markets—great for boating, photography, and people-watching.

Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour in Thailand

Afternoon: Back in town, wander the canals of Thonburi on a longtail for a look at stilt houses and hidden shrines. If you prefer a guided experience, consider:

Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

Evening: Feast and sightsee by tuk-tuk—temples lit at night, aromatic street-side grills, and a sweet-and-spicy tour led by locals.

Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour

Food and coffee today: Breakfast at On Lok Yun (old-school Thai toast and soft eggs). Lunch by the river at Krua Apsorn (crab curries, stir-fried flowers). Coffee at Sarnies or Wallflowers Café. Late snacks via the tuk-tuk tour.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai pairs Lanna-era temples with mountain air, artisan markets, and a serious coffee scene. The Old City is walkable, ringed by moat and brick gates, while Nimmanhaemin offers third-wave cafes and casual bars. It’s a gateway to Doi Inthanon National Park, waterfalls, and hill trails—prime for hiking and photography.

Food-wise, hunt for khao soi (curry-noodle soup), sai ua (spicy sausage), and northern herb dips (nam prik ong/num). Night markets serve smoky gai yang (grilled chicken) and the famous braised pork leg at Chang Phuak Gate.

• Where to stay: Budget and calm: Green Sleep Hostel, Green Tiger House. Mid/high: Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai, 137 Pillars House. More choices on Hotels.com or VRBO.
• Getting there: Morning flight from Bangkok (~1h15, ~$25–60) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Budget alternative: overnight train (~11–13h; ~$20–40 sleeper) via Trip.com Trains.

Day 3: Travel to Chiang Mai, Old City Temples, Night Market Nibbles

Morning: Fly Bangkok to Chiang Mai (or arrive by overnight train). Drop bags and rent a bicycle or stroll the Old City: Wat Chedi Luang’s towering ruin and Wat Phra Singh’s classic Lanna lines are perfect for daytime photography.

Afternoon: Coffee hop—Ristr8to Lab for award-winning latte art, then Graph Café for minimal interiors and slow bar. Snack on sai ua and sticky rice at Ton Payom Market.

Evening: Chang Phuak Gate Night Market: try the Cowboy Hat Lady’s braised pork leg over rice, grilled chicken at SP Chicken, and khao soi at Khao Soi Khun Yai (if open earlier). Casual drinks at Beer Republic or craft cocktails at THIC Roof Bar.

Day 4: Doi Inthanon—Waterfalls, Pagodas, and “Roof of Thailand”

Full-day mountain escape with misty forests, waterfalls, and sweeping views; great for hikers and photographers.

Doi Inthanon Waterfall and Royal Project Chiang Mai

Tip: Bring a light jacket—temperatures are cooler at elevation. Evening back in town: dinner at Huen Muan Jai (northern set with herbs and dips) or Tong Tem Toh in Nimman.

Day 5: Ethical Elephants, Waterfalls, and Bamboo Rafting

Another full-day adventure that keeps it ethical—no riding, plenty of time learning, feeding, and observing, plus water fun and a scenic cascade.

Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary, Bamboo Rafting and Waterfall Tour

Evening: Nimmanhaemin for casual bites—khao soi at Khao Soi Mae Sai, grilled mushrooms and pork skewers at street stands, then a slow sip at Akha Ama Coffee (night branch) or a mango shake near Maya Mall.

Koh Chang (Trat Province)

Koh Chang, Thailand’s “Elephant Island,” is mountainous and jungly with crescents of sand and laid-back beach villages—an excellent winter-sun base that’s quieter than major resort islands. You’ll find affordable bungalows, waterfall hikes, and easy boat trips to tiny neighbors like Koh Wai, Koh Rang, and Koh Mak.

Head to Klong Prao and Kai Bae for mellow beaches and local eateries; White Sand Beach is livelier. For snorkeling, the Koh Rang Marine Park serves clear water, healthy reefs, and calm anchorages—ideal for beginner-friendly days afloat.

• Where to stay: Use Hotels.com (Koh Chang) or VRBO to find beach bungalows and simple resorts near Klong Prao or Kai Bae that fit a budget.
• Getting there: From Chiang Mai, fly to Bangkok (~1h15; $25–60) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com, then bus/minivan from Bangkok Ekkamai to Laem Ngop pier (~5–6h, ~$12–16) and a 30–45 min ferry (~$3). Optional: Bangkok Airways flight to Trat (~1h; usually $90–140) then a short minivan + ferry.

Day 6: Travel to Koh Chang, Sunset Swim, Seafood Welcome

Morning: Fly Chiang Mai to Bangkok. Connect to a bus/minivan toward Laem Ngop pier; ferry to Koh Chang. Total travel ~7–8 hours by land + ferry (or ~3–4 hours if flying to Trat).

Afternoon: Check into Klong Prao or Kai Bae. Beach time and a coconut in hand. Photography: silhouettes of longtail boats and palms at golden hour.

Evening: Dinner at Nong Bua Seafood (whole grilled fish with lime and garlic, blue crab curry), or Kati Culinary for homestyle Thai curries. Night stroll along the sand; grab roti with banana for dessert.

Day 7: Waterfall Hike and Lazy-Beach Afternoon

Morning: Hike to Khlong Plu Waterfall (easy-to-moderate trail; bring swimwear for the pool). Alternative: Than Mayom Waterfall for a quieter scene and boulder-top photography.

Afternoon: Station yourself on Klong Prao Beach—gentle slope, swimmable water, and long sandbars at low tide. Rent a kayak to paddle the lagoon behind the beach (great for bird photos).

Evening: Street-food dinner at Kai Bae Walking Street: krapao over rice, som tam, and grilled squid. Ice cream at Gelato Italy near Kai Bae. Budget: $2–6 per dish.

Day 8: Snorkeling Day—Koh Rang Marine Park

Head out on a budget-friendly boat to Koh Rang for clear water and colorful reefs—perfect for boating, snorkeling, and wide-angle underwater shots. Typical tours include mask, fins, lunch, and 3–4 snorkel stops; expect ~$22–35.

Evening: Sunset at Kai Bae Viewpoint (islet-studded panorama), then dinner at Saffron on the Sea (cozy seaside tables; try massaman curry and fried soft-shell crab). Quiet beach bars for a nightcap.

Day 9: Quiet-Island Hop to Koh Mak (or Koh Wai)

Morning: Speedboat to Koh Mak (about 30–50 minutes). Rent a bicycle and loop palm-lined roads; stop at Ao Suan Yai for glassy shallows and palm reflections for photos.

Afternoon: Simple lunch on the sand—grilled prawns, papaya salad, and fresh coconut. Optional: short boat over to Koh Wai for postcard-perfect, no-roads tranquility.

Evening: Return to Koh Chang. Casual dinner at roadside stalls—pad kra pao moo grob and tom yum goong—then early night.

Day 10: Ferry Back and Depart

Morning: Early beach walk, last swim, and coffee. Ferry to the mainland, minivan/bus to Bangkok (~6–7 hours + ferry). If flying from Trat, aim for a late-morning flight.

Afternoon: Depart Thailand. If you have time near Bangkok’s center, squeeze in one last bowl of boat noodles or Thai iced tea before the airport transfer.

Optional Add-Ons if You Have an Extra Day in Bangkok

If you return to Bangkok the night before departure, add an evening food crawl or a relaxed dinner cruise on the river for skyline photos:

The Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise

Budget Tips Aligned to Your 28/100 Spend

• Use Bangkok and Chiang Mai street-food stalls for most meals ($2–6 a dish). Markets double as experiences and dining.
• Pick airport buses/rail over taxis when practical; combine metro + ferries in Bangkok.
• Consider the overnight train Bangkok–Chiang Mai to save a hotel night and enjoy a classic journey: book via Trip.com Trains.
• On Koh Chang, shared boat trips to Koh Rang are great value; split private longtail hires with fellow travelers.

Why these places in winter? Bangkok and Chiang Mai are dry and lively from December–March, and Koh Chang’s seas are typically calm with blue skies—ideal for hiking, beaches, snorkeling, boating, and photography. This route also avoids the heaviest package-tour zones, keeping things more relaxed.

Getting between cities (quick glance):

• Bangkok → Chiang Mai: Flight ~1h15 ($25–60) via Trip.com / Kiwi.com, or overnight train ~11–13h via Trip.com Trains.
• Chiang Mai → Koh Chang (via Bangkok): Flight to Bangkok ~1h15; bus/minivan 5–6h + 30–45 min ferry; or fly Bangkok → Trat ~1h and minivan + ferry.
• Koh Chang → Bangkok: 30–45 min ferry + 5–6h bus/minivan; or Trat → Bangkok flight.

Summary: In ten days you’ll taste Bangkok’s night markets, hike Chiang Mai’s misty highlands, and laze on Koh Chang’s quiet beaches with snorkel days to reefy islets. It’s winter sun done right—photogenic, affordable, and blissfully relaxed between city buzz and island calm.