30 Days in Thailand: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket & Koh Samui Itinerary

A month-long Thailand itinerary blending glittering temples, street-food safaris, mountain culture, and island-hopping in the Andaman and Gulf of Thailand.
A beautiful aerial view of a tropical beach with boats and lush greenery, ideal for vacation.
Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom on Pexels

Thailand rewards slow travel. From the royal splendor of Bangkok to Lanna-era temples in Chiang Mai, and from Phuket’s Sino‑Portuguese streets to reef-fringed islands, a month here lets you savor both headline sights and neighborhood secrets. The country’s history spans Ayutthayan kings, merchant seafarers, and highland kingdoms—stories still told in its markets, wats, and festivals.

Expect heat, hospitality, and a culinary education: boat noodles by canals, turmeric-rich southern curries, and northern khao soi. Respect dress codes at temples (covered shoulders/knees), check current weather (monsoon patterns vary by coast), and carry small bills for markets. Street food is generally safe at busy stalls; follow the crowds.

Practicalities: ATMs are common; Grab is handy in cities; trains and low-cost flights connect regions. For March–October, the Gulf (Koh Samui) usually has calmer seas; November–April is prime for the Andaman (Phuket, Phi Phi). Book key sites and domestic flights in advance during holidays and weekends.

Bangkok

Days 1–7: Temples, canals, and legendary street food

Welcome to Krung Thep—the “City of Angels,” whose full ceremonial name is the world’s longest. Bangkok is a mosaic of old canals, royal precincts, and modern creative neighborhoods stitched together by BTS/MRT lines and river ferries.

Arrive by air into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK). For long-haul and regional flights, compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Airport Rail Link + BTS whisks you downtown fast; taxis are plentiful and metered.

Highlights & suggested flow

  • Old City & Royal Bangkok (1–2 days): Tour the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (home of the Emerald Buddha), then Wat Pho for the reclining Buddha and traditional massage, crossing by ferry to riverside Wat Arun. Dress modestly; go early to beat heat and crowds.
  • Canals & local life: Drift through the khlongs of Thonburi to see stilt houses, orchid pots, and neighborhood shrines—the city’s quiet, watery soul.
  • Chinatown (Yaowarat) night eats: Slurp peppery guay jub, try charcoal-grilled seafood, and chase it with pandan desserts under neon signs dating to the 1920s.
  • Markets & modern Bangkok: Chatuchak Weekend Market for 8,000 stalls; artful cafés around Ari; galleries and cocktail bars in Chinatown and Charoen Krung.

Activities to book (top picks):

Where to stay

Where to eat & drink

  • Breakfast/coffee: On Lok Yun (old‑school Thai‑Chinese toast and coffee since 1933); Gallery Drip Coffee (Thai single‑origin pour‑overs); NANA Coffee Roasters Ari (creative espresso flights).
  • Lunch: Thipsamai (charcoal‑fried pad thai with shrimp roe); Krua Apsorn (royal‑style crab omelet and green curry); Phed Mark (spicy krapao from mild to “Bangkok blaze”).
  • Dinner: Jay Fai (fiery wok skills and crab omelet; queue early); Pe Aor (tom yum goong with giant river prawns); Err Urban Rustic Thai (snacks, fermented sausages, Thai drinks).
  • Drinks: Tropic City (award‑winning tropical cocktails); Teens of Thailand (gin‑led speakeasy); Tep Bar (traditional ya dong infusions and live music).

Optional day trips: Ayutthaya’s temple ruins by train/boat; Talat Noi murals and machine‑parts lanes; Or Tor Kor Market for fruit tastings.

Travel Day (Morning of Day 8): Bangkok to Chiang Mai

  • Fly: 1h15–1h25, ~$30–$90 one‑way. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
  • Night train (alt): 11–13 hrs in a 2nd‑class sleeper, ~$25–$45; book via Trip.com trains (fun, social, and scenic if you have time).

Chiang Mai

Days 8–14: Lanna temples, cool cafés, and mountain day trips

Chiang Mai marries ancient moats and teak temples with a thriving café scene and night markets. It’s your base for hill views, craft villages, and flavorful northern cuisine.

Start in the Old City: gilded Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang at golden hour, then tuk‑tuk to Wat Umong’s forested tunnels. Cap a day with a sunset at Doi Suthep overlooking the valley lights.

Activities to book (adventure day):

Local gems & day trips

  • Elephant care (ethical): Book an accredited, no‑riding sanctuary where feeding and observation replace tricks—learn about rescue and conservation.
  • Craft & coffee loop: San Kamphaeng for silk/ceramics; Nimman for cafés and galleries; Bua Thong “Sticky Waterfall” for a fun, grippy climb.
  • Markets: Saturday Night Market (Wualai Road) and Sunday Walking Street—artisan goods, khao soi, and live music.

Where to stay

Where to eat & drink

  • Breakfast/coffee: Ristr8to (World Latte Art champ roaster), Akha Ama (community-driven beans), Graph Café (design-forward microbrews).
  • Lunch: Khao Soi Khun Yai (brothy, crispy‑topped noodles); SP Chicken (rotisserie chicken with jaew dip); Huen Phen (Lanna classics like nam prik ong).
  • Dinner: Tong Tem Toh (northern grill and herb salads); Dash! Teak House (lantern‑lit garden); Goodsouls Kitchen (veg/vegan comfort dishes).
  • Drinks: North Gate Jazz Co‑Op (live nightly jam), My Beer Friend Taproom (Thai craft beer), Rise Rooftop at Akyra (old-city views).

Travel Day (Morning of Day 15): Chiang Mai to Phuket

  • Fly: Direct 2 hrs, ~$40–$120. Search Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Land by late morning; check in and hit Phuket Old Town for lunch.

Phuket (with Phi Phi & Andaman coast)

Days 15–23: Old Town culture, beaches, and island-hopping

Phuket is more than beaches. In Old Town, pastel Sino‑Portuguese shophouses, Peranakan desserts, and shrines hint at centuries of tin trade and migration. Along the west coast, bays curve from party‑lit Patong to serene Kata Noi and Nai Harn.

Mix culture with sea days: Big Buddha and Wat Chalong, a heritage food crawl, and boat trips to karst islands and coral gardens. Aim for early beach starts and golden-hour town strolls.

Island & city experiences to book:

Optional overnight:

  • Maya Bay Sleepaboard
    Maya Bay Sleepaboard Spend the night on our purpose built boat in Maya Bay on Viator

    Arrive after day crowds leave, stargaze from deck, and enjoy dawn light over the cliffs—truly special.

Where to stay

Where to eat & drink

  • Breakfast/coffee: The Feelsion Café (retro‑industrial sweets), Campus Coffee Roaster (Old Town roastery), Bookhemian (arts café).
  • Lunch: Go Benz (signature pork broth rice noodles); Raya Restaurant (heritage Phuket dishes like crab curry with rice vermicelli); Mee Ton Poe (Hokkien noodles).
  • Dinner: One Chun Café & Restaurant (southern Thai feast); Mor Mu Dong (thatched huts over mangroves—grilled fish, turmeric soups); Tu Kab Khao (classic recipes in a stately house).
  • Drinks: Dibuk House (speakeasy, local botanicals); Timber Hut (live bands); Chalong Bay Rum Distillery (tours and cocktails).

Side‑trip stays (if you overnight on islands): Phi Phi options—eco‑chic Zeavola Resort, beachfront Holiday Inn Resort Phi Phi Island, or value Phi Phi Cozy Seafront. Railay/Krabi gems—Rayavadee Resort or Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi (budget: Pak‑Up Hostel).

Evening spectacle (family‑friendly): Carnival Magic Phuket Admission & Sightseeing Pass

Carnival Magic Phuket Admission & Sightseeing Pass on Viator
Color‑drenched parade, Thai festival themes, and glittering light installations.

Travel Day (Morning of Day 24): Phuket to Koh Samui

  • Fly: Direct Phuket–Samui 55–60 mins on Bangkok Airways, typically ~$110–$190. Check Trip.com / Kiwi.com.
  • Budget alt: Bus + ferry combo via Surat Thani 6–8 hrs, ~$25–$40 (early departure recommended).

Koh Samui

Days 24–29: Gulf‑side beaches, waterfalls, and island nights

Koh Samui balances palm‑swept coves, coconut groves, and buzzy beach towns. Spend lazy days at Chaweng or Lamai, snorkel around Coral Cove, then wander Fisherman’s Village (Bophut) for a sunset market dinner.

Hike to Na Muang waterfalls, kayak from Choeng Mon, and time your visit for the renowned Full Moon Party on neighboring Koh Phangan if you want a big night out.

Activities to book (if your dates line up):

Where to stay

Where to eat & drink

  • Breakfast/coffee: Fisherman’s House Café (beans roasted on Samui), Sweet Sisters Café (whole‑food brunch in the south), About Café (Lamai, vintage décor).
  • Lunch: Khaw Glong Thai (bold curries near Chaweng), The Hut Café (Bophut, homestyle seafood), Baobab (Lamai, French‑Thai beach spot).
  • Dinner: Krua Bophut (shoreline Thai feast), Supattra Thai Dining (refined seafood, reservations advised), Coco Tams (beanbags on sand, fire shows).
  • Drinks: Bar Baguette (sunset Aperol in Fisherman’s Village), Wicked Paradise (DJ nights), Samui Rum Distillery tastings.

Day 30: Samui to Bangkok and fly out

  • Fly Samui–Bangkok: ~1h10; frequent daily departures. Connect to your international flight—compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Suggested 30‑Day Block Plan (at a glance)

  • Days 1–7: Bangkok—royal temples, canal tour, Chinatown eats, markets, Muay Thai night.
  • Day 8: Morning travel to Chiang Mai.
  • Days 8–14: Chiang Mai—Old City, Doi Suthep, markets, ATV/rafting day, coffee crawl, ethical elephant visit.
  • Day 15: Morning travel to Phuket.
  • Days 15–23: Phuket—Old Town food, beaches, Big Buddha, Phi Phi snorkeling, optional Maya Bay sleepaboard or spa day.
  • Day 24: Morning travel to Koh Samui.
  • Days 24–29: Koh Samui—beach time, waterfalls, Fisherman’s Village, optional Full Moon Party transfer.
  • Day 30: Fly back to Bangkok and depart.

Insider tips: Carry a lightweight scarf for temple visits; pack reef‑safe sunscreen for marine parks; download an offline map. For island tours, mornings usually mean calmer seas; for city temples, aim for opening hours to enjoy cooler air and soft light.

In a month, you’ll trace Thailand’s story from royal Bangkok to Lanna Chiang Mai, then trade city bustle for limestone cliffs and coconut coasts. Expect to come home with spicy recipes, sandy sandals, and a long list of reasons to return.

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