Thailand rewards the curious. In Bangkok, centuries-old temples share alleyways with sizzling wok stalls, gold-leaf Buddhas glow near riverside warehouses, and night markets hum like orchestras. Down south in Phuket’s Ban Chalong, longtail boats lance into Andaman waters while monks chant at sunrise beneath the island’s towering Big Buddha.

This 5-day itinerary stitches together Bangkok’s history-rich heart and Phuket’s coastal playground. You’ll walk the “royal road” of palaces and wats, cruise hidden canals, graze through Michelin-rated street food, and then swap the city’s neon for limestone karsts, white-sand coves, and a sea-breeze dinner.

Expect warm hospitality, bold flavors, and a few practical notes: dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered), carry cash for markets, and hydrate—it’s tropical. Street food is safe when you choose busy vendors cooking to order. For flights within Thailand, light carry-ons speed things up; book early in peak seasons (Nov–Apr).

Bangkok

Bangkok grew from a canal-woven river port into Thailand’s thrumming capital. Today, glittering Wat Phra Kaew, the dreamy spires of the Grand Palace, and reclining Wat Pho sit a boat ride from Chinatown’s neon noodle dens and the flower-scented aisles of Pak Khlong Talat.

• Don’t miss: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown (Yaowarat), Thonburi canals, and a Chao Phraya night cruise.
• Food highlights: Jay Fai’s legendary crab omelet, Thipsamai’s charcoal-fired pad thai, Nai Mong Hoi Thod’s oyster omelet, boat noodles at Victory Monument.
• Fun fact: Wat Traimit’s Golden Buddha weighs 5.5 tons—once hidden under plaster to foil invaders.

Where to stay (Bangkok): For heritage luxury on the river: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, artful serenity: The Siam Hotel, resort vibes on the Chao Phraya: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, stylish budget in Siam: Lub d Bangkok Siam or character-filled old-town digs at Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel. Browse more options on Hotels.com Bangkok or VRBO Bangkok.

Getting there: Compare international flights into BKK or DMK via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Consider an arrivals helper like the airport fast-track service below if landing at peak hours.

Ban Chalong (Phuket)

Ban Chalong anchors Phuket’s southeast coast. It’s a gateway to Chalong Pier (island tours), the revered Wat Chalong, and the 45-meter-tall Big Buddha watching over Kata and Karon’s bays. Cafés, Muay Thai camps, and seafood grills line leafy roads.

• Don’t miss: Big Buddha viewpoint, Wat Chalong, sunset at Promthep Cape, day trips to Phi Phi or Phang Nga Bay, and Phuket Old Town’s shophouse lanes.
• Food highlights: Southern Thai curries (gaeng som), seafood at Kan Eang@Pier, Hokkien mee in Phuket Town, and roti with curry for breakfast.
• Fun fact: Phuket’s tin-mining boom in the 19th century drew Chinese migrants—today’s Sino-Portuguese facades are their legacy.

Where to stay (Chalong/nearby): For pool villa hideaways near the hills, look at Stay Wellbeing & Lifestyle Resort, Villa Zolitude, and Chalong Chalet; beach access is a short drive to Kata or Nai Harn. Search broadly on Hotels.com Chalong or check villas on VRBO Chalong.

Getting there from Bangkok: Morning flights to Phuket (HKT) take ~1h25m; fares are commonly $35–$85 one-way with Thai Vietjet, AirAsia, Nok Air, or Thai Smile. Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. HKT to Chalong is ~50–70 min by taxi or pre-booked transfer.

Day 1 — Bangkok Arrival, Canal Life, and Chinatown Flavors

Morning: Fly into Bangkok. If you’re arriving during busy hours and want to breeze through immigration, consider Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport VIP Fast-Track Lane Service to save time at BKK.

Afternoon: Drop bags and refresh. Start with a window into old Bangkok on a longtail ride through Thonburi’s khlongs (canals)—stilt houses, spirit shrines, and orchid-draped porches glide by. Book the Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride for an easy, photogenic warm-up.

Evening: Head to Chinatown (Yaowarat) for dinner-hopping: try Nai Mong Hoi Thod (crispy oyster omelet), Guay Jub Ouan Pochana (peppery rolled rice noodle soup), and mango sticky rice from street carts. Nightcap on Soi Nana (Chinatown) at Tep Bar for Thai herb cocktails and live traditional music.

Day 2 — Royal Bangkok, River Horizons, and a Night Tuk-Tuk Feast

Morning: Coffee and kaya toast at century-old On Lok Yun, then temple-hop: Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), cross to Wat Arun’s porcelain spires, and finish at Wat Pho for the 46m Reclining Buddha and a traditional Thai massage at the temple school.

Afternoon: Lunch by the river at Supanniga Eating Room (Tha Tien) for eastern Thai recipes—try the crab curry and moo cha muang. Browse Pak Khlong Talat flower market, then cool off at Sarnies with an iced coconut cold brew.

Evening: Bangkok shines after dark in a tuk-tuk. Join the acclaimed Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour—expect sizzling street bites, a quieter Wat Arun, and hidden local stops.

Day 3 — Fly to Phuket (Chalong), Wat Chalong, and Sunset at Big Buddha

Morning: Depart Bangkok early for Phuket (~1h25m, typically $35–$85). Compare fares and times on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Taxi or pre-booked transfer to Ban Chalong (50–70 min).

Afternoon: Check in, then visit Wat Chalong, Phuket’s most important monastery. The Grand Pagoda enshrines a Buddha relic; dress modestly. Stop by We Café (Chalong) for fresh-pressed juices and hydroponic salads from their own garden.

Evening: Drive up to the Big Buddha for panoramic golden-hour views over Kata and Chalong Bay. Dinner at Kan Eang@Pier: grill prawns, blue crab, or spicy Phuket-style fish cakes with sea breezes off the marina. For a nightcap, Phuket Old Town’s Chillva Market (Thurs–Sun) offers live music and dessert stalls.

Day 4 — Andaman Dreaming: Phi Phi Islands Day Trip

Full-day island-hopping through sapphire water, limestone cliffs, and reefy coves. Board a speedboat from Chalong/Boat Lagoon; snorkel near Phi Phi Leh, gaze at Maya Bay’s chalk-white arc (beach access rules vary to protect corals), and enjoy a seaview lunch.

Our pick: Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine (award-winning, small-group feel compared to big boats).

Back on shore, rinse off and head to One Chun or Tu Kab Khao in Phuket Town for southern staples like moo hong (braised pork belly) and gaeng som (tamarind turmeric curry). If you prefer the water at sunset, swap to an afternoon bay cruise like the Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner for caves, kayaks, and deckside dining.

Day 5 — Phuket Old Town, Viewpoints, and Departure

Morning: Quick highlights circuit with the Phuket City Tour with Wat Chalong, Big Buddha & Famous Viewpoints—you’ll tick vintage shophouses, Karon/Kata overlooks, and any last photos. Alternative for wildlife lovers: A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary (ethical, no riding)—check timing if your flight is early afternoon.

Afternoon: Lunch of Hokkien noodles at Mee Ton Poe (Phuket Town) or seafood at Laem Hin. Transfer to HKT; for a smooth airport experience, there’s a guided priority lane service: Phuket Airport VIP Fast-Track Immigration with Personal Guide. Fly onward (1h25m to Bangkok if connecting) via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have extra time before your flight, grab a last iced Thai tea and a roti at Roti Taew Nam in Phuket Town and toast to a week well-spent.

Extra Taste-Forward Picks (Bangkok)

If food is your compass, add one of these on your free slots: Bangkok Backstreets Food Tour with 15+ Tastings for alleyway gems, or a river-view evening on The Newest Luxury 5 Star Bangkok Chaophraya Dinner Cruise.

Bangkok dining cheat sheet: Reserve Raan Jay Fai (crab omelet) if you’re keen; otherwise try Thipsamai (charcoal pad thai) or Phed Mark (fiery basil stir-fry). For refined Thai with river views, Supanniga Cruise snacks or Err Urban Rustic Thai (from the Bo.lan team). Rooftop sundowners: Moon Bar (Banyan Tree) or Sky Bar (Lebua).

Phuket/Chalong dining cheat sheet: Kan Eang@Pier (seafood on the bay), Mor Mu Dong (thatched salas over mangroves; Southern classics), and One Chun (Michelin Bib) for family-style spreads. Beachy bites: Rawai Sea Gypsy Market—pick your fish and a nearby kitchen will cook it to order.

Wrap-up: In five days you’ve traced Bangkok’s sacred skyline, eaten your way through alleys and riverboats, and chased the Andaman’s blues from Chalong to Phi Phi. Thailand’s joy lies in contrasts—temple bells at dawn, island stars by night—and you’ve tasted both.