Thailand layers golden-era kingdoms and modern energy with irresistible hospitality. In Bangkok, saffron-robed monks pass skyscrapers as long-tail boats chug through klongs (canals). In the south, Phuket’s palm-framed coves serve as gateways to Phang Nga Bay and the famed Phi Phi Islands.

Expect bold flavors—fiery som tam, rich massaman, wok-kissed pad thai—and a street food culture that rivals any on earth. Temple etiquette matters: dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), remove shoes where required, and speak softly. Cash is still king at markets; e-payments work widely in cities.

Weather varies: cool/dry Nov–Feb is prime; Mar–May is hot; May–Oct brings monsoon showers (especially in the south). This 7-day Thailand travel plan focuses on two destinations—Bangkok and Phuket—for a balanced rhythm of culture, cuisine, and island time.

Bangkok

Bangkok, the “City of Angels,” grew from a canal-laced trading post into Thailand’s kinetic capital. Wat Pho’s reclining Buddha, Wat Arun’s porcelain spires, and the Grand Palace guard centuries of royal and Buddhist art. Across the river, creative Charoen Krung hums with galleries, cafes, and shophouse restaurants.

Food is a pilgrimage here. Slurp tom yum goong at Pe Aor, line up for pad thai fried over charcoal at Thip Samai, or book a chef-led tasting of heirloom recipes. At night, Chinatown (Yaowarat) glows—oysters, mango sticky rice, and wok-fire theater at every corner.

• Where to stay (Bangkok): Browse stays on VRBO Bangkok or Hotels.com Bangkok. Specific picks: riverside icon Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, serene art-filled The Siam Hotel, resort-style Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, social hub Lub d Bangkok Siam, and heritage-budget Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.
• Getting in: Fly into BKK or DMK. Compare fares and routes on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com; most long-haul itineraries connect via hubs like Tokyo, Doha, or Singapore (typical total travel time 17–24 hours from North America).

Day 1: Arrival, Old Town Taste, and Bangkok by Night

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle stroll around Rattanakosin: peek at Loha Prasat’s tiered metal spire and the canals flanking the Old City. Coffee at Sarnies (Charoen Krung) or Gallery Drip at BACC for hand-poured Thai beans.

Evening: Kickstart your palate with a small-group tuk-tuk adventure through temples, markets, and street eats. Book Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour.

Expect hot-off-the-wok pad thai, market snacks, and a luminous view of Wat Arun. Nightcap options: Teens of Thailand (gin-focused) or Tep Bar (Thai-herb cocktails with live music).

Day 2: Floating Markets, Railway Market, and River Night

Morning: Venture west of the city to two uniquely Thai spectacles. Join the Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour in Thailand.

Watch vendors fold awnings as a train inches past at Maeklong; then cruise Damnoen Saduak’s canals for boat noodles and coconut pancakes.

Afternoon: Return to Bangkok for a quiet canal glide through Thonburi—stilt houses, waterside shrines, and orchids. Book the Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride.

Late lunch at Krua Apsorn (order crab omelet and green curry) or Pe Aor (tom yum with jumbo prawns).

Evening: Dine with the skyline on a smooth riverboat. Book The Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise.

If you prefer land, book a chef-curated crawl with Bangkok Backstreets Food Tour with 15+ Tastings for regional bites—Issan salads, central Thai curries, Chinese-Thai sweets.

Day 3: Ayutthaya—the Lost Capital

Trade the metropolis for Siam’s former capital. The UNESCO-listed ruins at Ayutthaya—decapitated Buddhas, tree-root-entwined faces, and towering prangs—tell of a 14th–18th century empire felled by Burma in 1767. Join the Small Group Tour to Ayutthaya Temples from Bangkok with Lunch.

You’ll typically see Wat Mahathat, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, and Wat Chaiwatthanaram with a local guide.

Back in the city, celebrate your last Bangkok night: reserve at Baan (family recipes from Chef Thitid) or sample street-legend crab omelet at Raan Jay Fai (expect queues). For a view, sip at Sky Bar at Lebua or the more relaxed Seen on the river.

Phuket

Phuket is more than beaches. Old Town’s Sino-Portuguese mansions tell of 19th-century tin barons and Hokkien merchants; today, cafes and murals fill their pastel shells. Offshore, limestone towers spear the sea in Phang Nga Bay, while Phi Phi’s lagoons glow jade.

Island cuisine leans spicy-sour and seafood-forward. Don’t miss moo hong (braised pork belly), crab curry with rice noodles, and roti with gaeng. Hunt them at Raya, One Chun, and local favorite Go Benz (late-night rice porridge and pork stew).

• Where to stay (Phuket): Compare options on VRBO Phuket or Hotels.com Phuket. Specific picks: cliff-perched Trisara Phuket, romantic-villa The Shore at Katathani, family-friendly Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, resort-style JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, and social-beachfront Lub d Phuket Patong.
• Getting there (Bangkok → Phuket): Morning flights take ~1h25m; fares commonly run ~$40–100 one-way. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From HKT airport, taxis reach major beaches in 40–70 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 4: Fly South, Phuket Old Town, and Local Flavors

Morning: Fly Bangkok to Phuket. Check in and refresh.

Afternoon: Wander Phuket Old Town: Sino-Portuguese shop-houses on Thalang and Dibuk Roads, shrines like Jui Tui, and indie cafes. Coffee at Campus Coffee Roasters; try an affogato with local beans.

Evening: Dinner at One Chun (Southern Thai—order crab curry with rice noodles and moo hong). Alternative: Raya for heirloom recipes in a creaky mansion. If it’s Sunday, stroll the Lard Yai walking street market for snacks and crafts; otherwise, grab a cocktail at Dibuk House or a dessert at The Feelsion.

Day 5: Phi Phi Islands—Lagoons, Snorkeling, and Seaview Lunch

Make a full-day dash to Thailand’s poster-child archipelago. Book Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine (2023–2025 award-winner).

Expect early pickup, snorkel stops over coral gardens, Pileh Lagoon’s jewel tones, and a seaview lunch.

Back ashore, keep it easy: beachfront bites at No.9 2nd Restaurant (Thai and seafood) or sunset sips at Catch Beach Club if you’re near Bang Tao.

Day 6: Ethical Elephant Morning, Beach Time, and Sunset

Morning: Spend a meaningful half-day with rescued elephants at the island’s first ethical camp. Book A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.

Observe, feed, and walk beside them—no riding—across 30 acres of forest and ponds.

Afternoon: Beach time. Kata and Karon are great for a swim; Nai Harn is quieter. Lunch on grilled squid and papaya salad at a simple seaside shack.

Evening: Southern Thai feast at Tu Kab Khao (try crab curry and shrimp paste relish). For a splurgey sunset, reserve the rooftop at Sri Panwa’s bar for 360° bay views, then toast your trip with a lemongrass-lime cocktail.

Optional alternate day: If you’d rather explore sea caves and “James Bond” scenery, swap today or Day 5 for Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner.

Kayak Hong Island’s caves by day, then cruise back as the sky turns sherbet.

Day 7: Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Last dip and brunch. Try The Coffee Club by the beach for eggs and Thai iced coffee or a roti stall for something local and flaky with curry. Pick up cashew nuts, Phuket pineapple jam, or hand-dyed batik as souvenirs.

Afternoon: Depart from Phuket Airport. Typical flight time back to Bangkok is ~1h25m; connect onward internationally. Compare fares and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Bangkok Dining & Coffee Shortlist (Save for Your Trip)

• Breakfast/Coffee: On Lok Yun (Thai diner, kaya toast and soft-boiled eggs), Sarnies (hearty sourdoughs, cold brew), Gallery Drip (pour-over, Thai single-origin).
• Lunch: Krua Apsorn (royal-style Thai; crab omelet), Pe Aor (tom yum goong), Thipsamai (charcoal pad thai; orange juice slushy).
• Dinner: Baan (family Thai), Jeh O Chula (late-night tom yum mama noodles), Chinatown’s Yaowarat (oysters, grilled seafood, desserts).
• Drinks: Tep Bar (herbal cocktails, live traditional music), Teens of Thailand (gin), rooftop at Lebua or Seen (river views).

Phuket Dining & Coffee Shortlist

• Breakfast/Coffee: Campus Coffee Roasters (Old Town), The Feelsion (brunch with nostalgic decor), beachside fruit shakes along Kata/Karon.
• Lunch: Mor Mu Dong (seafood huts over mangroves; grilled fish with turmeric), One Chun (Southern Thai classics), Go Benz (porridge and pork stew).
• Dinner: Raya (heritage house cuisine), Tu Kab Khao (Southern flavors), Catch Beach Club (sunset loungers, DJs).

Practical Tips: Carry light layers for air-con and a sarong to cover shoulders/knees at temples. Use metered taxis or ride-hailing; avoid “gem” shop detours. In monsoon months (May–Oct), seas can be rough—tour operators may adjust routes for safety.

In a single week, you’ll trace Siam’s royal heart in Bangkok, taste your way through night markets, and drift past limestone towers to jade-green coves. Thailand rewards curiosity; leave time to sip an iced coffee in a shophouse and watch daily life unfold—sabai sabai.