Welcome to Thailand, the Land of Smiles—home to gilded temples, jungle-cloaked mountains, and a coastline laced with coral-rich bays. Once known as Siam and never colonized, Thailand absorbed global influences yet kept its distinct identity: Theravada Buddhist traditions, the wai bow, and regional cuisines that vary from coconut-rich southern curries to turmeric-laced northern khao soi.

Over 31 days, you’ll savor Bangkok’s royal palaces and night markets, wander Chiang Mai’s Lanna-era lanes and misty national parks, then unwind on Phuket’s beaches while day-tripping to the Phi Phi archipelago and Phang Nga Bay. Expect world-class street food, friendly encounters, and an easy rhythm of travel anchored by great value and warm hospitality.

Practical notes: Dress modestly at temples (shoulders/knees covered); carry cash for markets though cards are widely accepted; rideshare apps like Grab are convenient; and seasons matter—cool/dry (Nov–Feb), hot (Mar–May), monsoon varies by coast. Many nationalities receive 30–60 days visa-free/visa-on-arrival; always confirm current rules.

Getting in and around Thailand: Fly into Bangkok and book domestic hops with Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights). For sleeper trains within Thailand (e.g., Bangkok–Chiang Mai), use Trip.com (trains).

Bangkok

Bangkok is kinetic and layered: royal Bangkok along the Chao Phraya, street food alleys in Chinatown, cutting-edge malls and rooftop bars, plus serene canals where life hums on wooden stilts. It’s a feast for the senses and the gateway to Thailand’s history and cuisine.

Where to stay (Bangkok)

• Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok — A legendary riverside grande dame; ideal for spa days and afternoon tea before your Chao Phraya evenings.
• The Siam Hotel — Art Deco-inspired private urban resort on the river; superb for travelers seeking sanctuary within the city.
• Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort — Resort vibe with boat shuttle to the BTS; great pools and family-friendly facilities.
• Lub d Bangkok Siam — Budget-friendly next to BTS National Stadium; walk to Jim Thompson House and MBK.
• Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel — Characterful stay near the Old City; good base for temple days.
• Lub d Bangkok Silom — Social vibe in Silom’s dining/market district.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Bangkok or VRBO: Bangkok.

Days 1–4: Royal Bangkok, the River, and Old Town

• Start with the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), then Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha; cross the river to Wat Arun for orange-tinted sunset photos. Early starts beat heat and crowds.
• Glide Bangkok’s waterways on a longtail boat—Thonburi’s khlongs reveal stilt homes, orchid-draped shrines, and a slower city rhythm.
  Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

  

• Food stops: Breakfast at On Lok Yun (1930s coffeehouse; Thai-style toast and soft-boiled eggs). Lunch at Krua Apsorn (royal Thai recipes; try crab omelet and green curry). Dinner riverside at Supanniga Eating Room by Tha Tien (Isan/Thai dishes with river views). Nightcap at Sky Bar at Lebua for skyline drama.
• Consider a curated day: hotel pickup, key temples, markets, and expert commentary in one go.
  Private Tour: Best of Bangkok in A Day

  

Days 5–7: Chinatown, Night Eats, and Modern Bangkok

• Chinatown (Yaowarat) is Bangkok’s culinary playground: line up at Nai Ek Roll Noodles (peppery pork soup), sample mango sticky rice, and—if you can snag a reservation—watch the wok fire at Jay Fai.
• Mall culture with flair: ICONSIAM’s indoor floating market vibe; Siam Center/Paragon for design and food courts; Jim Thompson House for silk history and teak architecture.
• Evening tuk-tuk tour hits temples after dark and legendary snacks without the guesswork.
  Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour

  

• Coffee and cocktails: Gallery Drip Coffee (roasting finesse) or Kaizen Coffee; later hit Tep Bar (herbal ya dong), Teens of Thailand (gin-forward), or Tropic City (tropical classics).

Days 8–10: Markets, River Cruise, and Ayutthaya

• Day trip to Ayutthaya, the 14th–18th century capital of Siam—towering prangs, head-in-Bodhi-tree at Wat Mahathat, and riverside ruins that glow at golden hour.
  Small Group Tour to Ayutthaya Temples from Bangkok with Lunch

  

• Ride the suburban rails to the Maeklong Railway Market and float through Damnoen Saduak’s canal maze—touristy yet unforgettable when the train inches through the stalls.
  Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour in Thailand

  

• Wrap Bangkok with a glittering river dinner cruise—temples lit like lanterns, the city sliding by.
  The Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise

  

• Food picks: Thipsamai (charcoal-fired pad thai), Pe Aor (Tom Yum “volcano” noodles), Jeh O Chula (midnight mama noodles), and Baan Somtum (Isan salads). If it’s a weekend, save hours for Chatuchak Market.

Travel to Chiang Mai (Morning of Day 11): Fly Bangkok (BKK/DMK) to Chiang Mai (CNX) in ~1h15m, ~$30–$80 one-way—check fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights). Alternatively, take the overnight sleeper train (11–13h, ~$20–$45) via Trip.com (trains).

Chiang Mai

Northern Thailand’s cultural capital blends saffron-robed monks, mountain air, and a vibrant café scene. Within the square moat of the Old City, Lanna-era temples rise from leafy lanes; in the hills, waterfalls and Hmong villages dot the slopes.

Where to stay (Chiang Mai)

• 137 Pillars House — Teakwood suites and heritage glamour in a quiet quarter by the Ping River.
• Shangri-La Hotel, Chiang Mai — Big pool, resort-style amenities, and easy access to the Night Bazaar.
• Green Tiger House — Eco-minded stay inside the Old City; excellent vegetarian breakfasts.
• Green Sleep Hostel — Budget-friendly with clean dorms near temples and cafés.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Chiang Mai or VRBO: Chiang Mai.

Days 11–13: Old City Temples, Khao Soi, and Doi Suthep

• Stroll Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang in the cool morning; join a casual “monk chat” to learn about Buddhist life. In late afternoon, ride up to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep—climb the naga staircase to golden spires and sunset views over Chiang Mai.
• Eats and coffee: Try Khao Soi Khun Yai (brothy curry noodles) or Khao Soi Mae Sai; Huen Phen for Lanna dishes (hang lay curry). Sip at Ristr8to (world latte art champs), Akha Ama (direct-from-farm beans), and GRAPH Café (minimalist and meticulous).
• At night, browse the Sunday Walking Street Market (if timing fits) or the Night Bazaar for handicrafts and live music.

Days 14–17: Mountains, Waterfalls, and Ethical Wildlife

• Head to Thailand’s “Roof” in Doi Inthanon National Park: cloud forests, the King & Queen twin pagodas, hill tribe markets, and tiered waterfalls like Wachirathan.
  Bestseller! Doi Inthanon, Waterfall & Royal Project : Chiang Mai

  

• Spend a day combining a waterfall with an ethical elephant experience and bamboo rafting—no riding, plenty of gentle, up-close time.
  Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary, Bamboo Rafting and Waterfall Tour

  

• Nimmanhaemin afternoon: boutique browsing and café-hopping; dinner at Tong Tem Toh (northern share plates) and music at North Gate Jazz Co-Op.

Travel to Phuket (Morning of Day 18): Fly Chiang Mai (CNX) to Phuket (HKT) in ~2h (often nonstop), ~$50–$120 via Kiwi.com or Trip.com (flights). Morning departures maximize beach time.

Phuket

Phuket is more than beaches: there’s a UNESCO-recognized gastronomic scene, Sino-Portuguese mansions in Old Town, and access to island-hopping legends—Phi Phi and Phang Nga. Choose your coastline: Kata/Nai Harn for a calmer vibe, Kamala for families, Patong for nightlife, or Mai Khao for space and quiet.

Where to stay (Phuket)

• Amanpuri — Iconic hideaway on a private headland; discreet service and serene Andaman views.
• Trisara Phuket — Pool villas and a stellar Sunday brunch; honeymoon favorite.
• JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa — Beachfront in Mai Khao with excellent kids’ club.
• The Shore at Katathani — Adults-only pool villas above Kata Noi.
• Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket — Direct beach access at Karon; waterslides for families.
• Lub d Phuket Patong — Budget-friendly with a social pool scene steps from nightlife.
• Sunwing Kamala Beach — Family suites right on Kamala Beach.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Phuket or VRBO: Phuket.

Days 18–22: Phuket Old Town, Beaches, and Big Buddha

• Phuket Old Town wander: pastel shophouses on Thalang and Soi Romanee, Peranakan museums, and the Sunday Walking Street Market (Lard Yai) for snacks and crafts. Coffee at Campus Coffee Roasters; lunch at One Chun (southern Thai classics) or Tu Kab Khao (crab curry and gaeng som).
• Beach days: Kata for surfing lessons, Nai Harn for clear water, and Promthep Cape for sunset. Visit Wat Chalong then ride up to the Big Buddha for breezy panoramas.
• Meet gentle giants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary—observe and learn in a forested refuge (no riding).
  A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

  

• Dinners to remember: Raya Restaurant (blue crab curry), Go Benz (peppery pork and rice), and Kan Eang@Pier (grilled seafood with sea breeze). For dessert, try roti pancakes at a night stall.

Days 23–26: Islands of Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay

• Speedboat to the Phi Phi Islands for turquoise coves and snorkel reefs—aim for early departures to beat crowds; lunch with sea views seals the day.
  Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine

  

• Sail the limestone towers of Phang Nga Bay—kayak sea caves, swim off the boat, and watch sunset paint the karsts on a stylish cruise with dinner.
  Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner

  

• Prefer a bigger escort boat with more time paddling through hidden lagoons? This classic trip focuses on sea cave canoeing and “James Bond” viewpoints.
  Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island by Big Boat

  

• Fuel up with breakfast at The Feelsion Café (retro sweets and strong coffee) and cap island days with seafood at Mor Mu Dong (rustic over-water salas, smoky southern flavors).

Days 27–31: Free Days, Markets, and Spa Time

• Leave buffer days for weather-dependent boat trips, a Thai boxing (Muay Thai) class, cooking class, or extra beach time. Shop for batik, tin jewelry, and local snacks at Chillva Market.
• Sunrise walk, resort spa afternoon, and a final dinner at Tu Kab Khao or One Chun. If flying home via Bangkok, plan a morning flight Phuket–Bangkok (~1h20–1h30, ~$25–$70 on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com).

Food-forward add-ons in Bangkok before departure (optional): For one last splurge, book a Michelin-guided tuk-tuk graze through old-town favorites.
Bangkok Michelin Food by Tuk Tuk - Hotel-pickup Lunch or Dinner

With a month, you’ll unspool Thailand at the right tempo: grand temples and canal life in Bangkok, mountain air and market nights in Chiang Mai, and island horizons from Phuket. Expect to leave with favorite street stalls memorized, a new love for longtail boats, and plans to return for the wet markets you didn’t yet taste.