Thailand’s story stretches from ancient kingdoms along the Chao Phraya to the Sino‑Portuguese shophouses of Phuket, where maritime trade once stitched the Andaman to the wider world. Today, the country draws travelers with gilded temples, lush national parks, coral reefs, and a culinary scene that ranges from hawker carts to Michelin Guide standouts.

In this 7-day Thailand itinerary, you’ll savor Bangkok’s riverfront palaces and neon-lit street food, then swap city buzz for Phuket’s beaches and dramatic limestone karsts. Expect markets at dawn, canal boats at noon, and island sunsets by nightfall—plus plenty of iced coffee and mango sticky rice in between.

Practical note: Thailand welcomes visitors year-round. November–March brings cooler, drier weather; May–October is green season with occasional showers (and fewer crowds). Cash is handy for markets; Grab rideshare, BTS/MRT, and metered taxis make city transit easy. Dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered), and book popular tours and restaurants in advance.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a river city of contrasts: serene temple cloisters and aromatic street stalls set against sky bars and mega-malls. The Grand Palace dazzles with mirrored mosaics, while longtail boats thread sleepy canals where wooden houses lean over water hyacinths.

Eat like a local in Chinatown (Yaowarat), chase pad thai at Thipsamai, and duck into century-old coffee shops near the Old Town. At dusk, the city glows—best seen from a dinner cruise or the steps of Wat Arun as bells echo across the Chao Phraya.

• Top Sights: Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Talat Noi murals, Pak Khlong Talat flower market.
• Food to Try: Boat noodles, pad kra pao, som tam, mango sticky rice, and late-night tom yum mama noodles.
• Insider Tip: Visit major temples right at opening time to beat the heat and tour groups.

Where to stay (Bangkok):

• Iconic river luxury: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok or serene retreat The Siam Hotel (pool, river shuttles, museum-like design).
• Resort vibe in the city: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.
• Boutique/hostel gems near Old Town: Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel, budget-social Lub d Bangkok Siam or Lub d Bangkok Silom.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Bangkok | VRBO Bangkok

Getting in: Fly into Bangkok (BKK or DMK). Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. For regional trains in Thailand, see Trip.com Trains.

Day 1 — Arrival, Old Town Stroll, and Night Tuk-Tuk Eats

Afternoon: Arrive in Bangkok and check in. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk around Rattanakosin: peek into the cloisters at Wat Suthat and browse amulet stalls near the Giant Swing. Coffee at On Lok Yun (retro Thai breakfast café) or Sarnies (Aussie-style roastery) if you need a pick‑me‑up.

Evening: Join a celebrated night food-and-temple tuk‑tuk tour to orient your palate and the city’s glow.

Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour weaves 4–5 tastings with temple photo stops—perfect first-night fun. If you’d rather self-guide, eat along Yaowarat: peppery boat noodles at Nai Ek Roll Noodles, roast duck over rice at Prachak, and pandan buns at Yaowarat Toast.

Day 2 — Grand Palace, River Temples, and a Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise

Morning: Start early at the Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew (home of the Emerald Buddha), then walk 10 minutes to Wat Pho to admire the Reclining Buddha and traditional massage school. Breakfast ideas: Krua Apsorn’s crab omelet near Dusit; or banana roti and iced Thai tea from a street vendor.

Afternoon: Cross the ferry to Wat Arun. Then explore the city’s “klongs” with a classic longtail ride through the Thonburi canals.

Book the Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride to glide past stilt houses, hidden temples, and monitor lizards sunning by the water.

Evening: Cap the day aboard a riverboat with live music and city views.

Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise sails past the Grand Palace and Wat Arun all lit up. Prefer land? Try pad thai at Thipsamai Pratu Phi, then a rooftop nightcap at the Mahanakhon SkyBar.

Day 3 — Markets, Chinatown, and Modern Bangkok

Morning: Day trip to two of Thailand’s most photogenic markets. Watch vendors whisk awnings away as a train rolls right through the Maeklong tracks, then float by canals at Damnoen Saduak.

Book the Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour; it includes a local train ride segment and boat time.

Afternoon: Return to Bangkok and cool off with an iced latte at Nana Coffee Roasters (Ari) or Gallery Drip (BACC). If it’s a weekend, browse Chatuchak Market for crafts and Thai linen.

Evening: Chinatown feast: peppery crab fried rice at T&K Seafood, grilled octopus skewers from street carts, or the Michelin-starred wok fire of Raan Jay Fai (book well in advance). Late-night bowl at Jeh O Chula for tom yum mama noodles if you still have room.

Phuket

Phuket is Thailand’s Andaman gateway: sugar-sand beaches, emerald islets, and a colorful Old Town shaped by Hokkien Chinese traders and tin mining. Beyond Patong’s neon, you’ll find mangrove-fringed bays, ethical elephant sanctuaries, and calm coves ideal for snorkeling.

Island-hop the famed Phi Phi archipelago, kayak into sea caves at Phang Nga Bay, then wander Thalang Road’s pastel shophouses for kopi and kaya toast. Eat like a local on pork rice at Go Benz, southern curries at One Chun, and woodfired seafood at Kan Eang@Pier.

• Beaches to Know: Kata (family-friendly), Nai Harn (laid-back), Surin (stylish), Kamala (quiet), Laem Singh (scenic).
• Great for Foodies: Phuket Town’s One Chun and Raya Restaurant highlight southern Thai staples—think turmeric-laced crab and moo hong (braised pork belly).

Where to stay (Phuket):

• High-end hideaways: Trisara Phuket, JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, or Amanpuri.
• Romantic villas: The Shore at Katathani.
• Family-friendly beachfront: Sunwing Kamala Beach, Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket.
• Social and budget: Lub d Phuket Patong.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com Phuket | VRBO Phuket

Bangkok → Phuket: Morning flight is ~1 hr 25 min; fares often $35–$90 one-way. Compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Taxis or pre-arranged transfers from HKT take 40–75 minutes depending on beach.

Day 4 — Fly South, Phuket Old Town Flavors, Beach Sunset

Morning: Fly Bangkok to Phuket. Grab a seat on the right side for island views on approach. Transfer to your hotel and drop bags.

Afternoon: Lunch in Phuket Town: One Chun (Bib Gourmand) for crab curry with rice vermicelli, or Raya Restaurant for moo hong and gaeng poo (yellow crab curry). Stroll Thalang Road’s shophouses—stop for iced kopi at The Feelsion Café or Factory Café.

Evening: Beach time at Kata or Surin; swim and stay for sunset. Dinner at Kan Eang@Pier for grilled prawns and squid with spicy nam jim seafood, or Laem Hin Seafood overlooking bobbing longtails. If it’s Sunday, don’t miss the Lard Yai Walking Street night market.

Day 5 — Phi Phi Islands by Speedboat

Morning: Set out early for limestone cliffs and aquamarine lagoons. Hotel pickup typically 7:00–7:30 a.m.; snorkel gear provided.

Choose the award-winning Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip (V. Marine). Expect Maya Bay (shore access per park rules), Pileh Lagoon swims, and snorkeling over vivid coral. Seasonal conservation closures may apply—guides adjust routes accordingly.

Afternoon: Seaview lunch on Phi Phi Don, then more snorkeling at Bamboo or Khai Island (weather dependent). Return to Phuket mid-late afternoon.

Evening: Easy dinner near your hotel: grilled chicken and som tam at Sabai Sabai, or go local with crab fried rice and Phuket Hokkien noodles at Lock Tien food court.

Day 6 — Phang Nga Bay Sea Caves and James Bond Island

Morning: Sail into karst country. This trip blends big-boat comfort with inflatable canoeing into hidden “hongs” (collapsed cave lagoons).

Book Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island. Guides paddle you under low cave ceilings into emerald pools; later you’ll visit the famed “James Bond” islet from The Man with the Golden Gun.

Afternoon: Swim off the boat and laze on deck as the bay drifts by. Return to port mid-afternoon.

Evening: Phuket Town dinner crawl: One Chun for southern curries, Go Benz for pork rice and peppery soup, and dessert roti at Roti Taew Nam. If you’d like something upscale, Blue Elephant Phuket serves royal Thai recipes in a restored mansion.

Day 7 — Ethical Elephants and Departure

Morning: Spend a soulful half-day with rescued elephants at Phuket’s first ethical sanctuary—no riding or shows, just observation and feeding.

A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary typically runs 08:30–12:30, including transfers and light refreshments.

Afternoon: Quick lunch—kanom jeen (fresh rice noodles with curry) or khao man gai (Hainanese chicken rice)—then head to HKT for your flight. If your international ticket departs Bangkok, book a late afternoon connection: compare options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: In case of a late flight, squeeze in a beach stroll at Nai Yang (near the airport) and a last coconut ice cream.

Extra Bangkok tour options (if you swap Day 2 or 3):

• 

  Bangkok City Highlights Tour for a guided half-day through the big three temples.

• 

  Bangkok Backstreets Food Tour (15+ Tastings) for serious eaters.

Food & coffee short list to bookmark:

• Bangkok: Thipsamai (pad thai), Pe Aor (tom yum noodles), Krua Apsorn (royal Thai staples), Baan Ice (southern Thai), Nai Ek Roll Noodles (peppery soups), Jay Fai (book far ahead), coffee at Sarnies or Nana Coffee Roasters.
• Phuket: One Chun (southern curries), Raya Restaurant (classic Phuket dishes), Go Benz (pork rice), Mor Mu Dong (rustic seafood), Kan Eang@Pier (grilled seafood), The Feelsion Café (coffee/pastries).

In one week, you’ve traced Thailand from Bangkok’s river temples and street food lanes to Phuket’s karst bays and island kitchens. Carry home the sounds of temple bells, the zing of lime and chili, and the memory of emerald water curling around white-sand coves.

Whether you return for Chiang Mai’s mountains or the Gulf’s islands, this first taste of the Kingdom sets the hook—in the best possible way.