Thailand rewards the curious. From Ayutthaya’s legacy feeding into modern Bangkok’s skyline to the color and calm of Phuket’s Sino-Portuguese Old Town, the Land of Smiles packs centuries of history into everyday life. Monks at sunrise, markets at noon, rooftops at dusk—each day feels like three little adventures.

Bangkok, founded in 1782, orbits around the Chao Phraya River and its glittering royal quarter. Beyond the palaces lie neighborhoods of noodle maestros and coffee craftsmen, canal villages in Thonburi, and tuk-tuks weaving between night markets. Far south, Phuket fronts the Andaman Sea—gateway to Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, and sunset cruises through limestone cathedrals.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples (shoulders and knees covered). November–April is the driest window for Phuket seas; May–October can bring monsoon swells. Carry small bills for markets, hydrate often, and embrace mai pen rai—Thailand’s easygoing spirit.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a city of layers: a royal capital on one bank, everyday canal life on the other. Ferries crisscross the river, while sois (lanes) hide heritage shophouses, third-wave coffee, and some of the world’s boldest street food.

• Headliners: Grand Palace, Wat Pho (reclining Buddha), Wat Arun, Chinatown (Yaowarat), Thonburi canals, Jim Thompson House, and lively markets.
• Food mood: From wok-fired pad thai and peppery boat noodles to Southern Thai curries and mango sticky rice—every corner is a lesson in flavor.

Where to stay (bookable links): Browse stays on VRBO Bangkok or Hotels.com Bangkok. Standouts: riverside icon Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, design-forward sanctuary The Siam Hotel, resort-style Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, social budget favorite Lub d Bangkok Siam, and heritage stay Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.

Getting in: Fly into BKK or DMK. Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport Rail Link and taxis make downtown 30–45 minutes away (traffic swings wildly at rush hour).

Day 1: Arrive, Canals and Chinatown Energy

Afternoon: Touch down and check in. Shake off jet lag with a serene Thonburi canal ride—the stilt houses and quiet temples feel a world away from downtown speed.

Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

Glide past khlong life, spot monitor lizards sunning on banks, and see why this was once the “Venice of the East.” Expect ~2 hours dock-to-dock.

Evening: Feast in Chinatown (Yaowarat). Try Nai Mong Hoi Thod (oyster omelet crisped in lard), T&K Seafood’s stir-fried crab, and sesame buns from Yaowarat Bakery. For dessert, grab black sesame dumplings in ginger syrup at a street stall, then sip a nightcap at Tep Bar where herbal Thai infusions meet live molam tunes.

Day 2: Royal Bangkok, Temples and Night Tuk-Tuks

Morning: Go guided for context and skip confusion at the dress-coded gates.

Bangkok Highlights: Grand Palace & Three Famous Temples

Marvel at the Emerald Buddha, the 46-meter reclining Buddha, and riverside Wat Arun’s porcelain spires. Cover shoulders/knees; borrow sarongs if needed.

Afternoon: Refuel at Krua Apsorn (royal Thai recipes—order crab omelet and green curry). Pop into the Bangkok National Museum if you love history, or the Jim Thompson House for silk lore and teak architecture. Cool off with a pour-over at Gallery Drip Coffee or a coconut ice cream at Nuttaporn near the museum.

Evening: See the city light up by tuk-tuk—less heat, more sparkle, and eats folded into the ride.

Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour

Award-winning route with stops for street bites, a glowing temple, and lively markets—an easy, fun primer to Bangkok nights.

Day 3: Floating Markets, Art, and Pad Thai Mastery

Morning: Venture beyond the city for two Thai originals—a market on active railway tracks and canal-side commerce by paddle boat.

Bangkok: Floating Market and Train Market Experience

Watch awnings snap back for the passing train at Maeklong, then sample boat noodles and coconut pancakes at Damnoen Saduak.

Afternoon: Back in town, browse the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC) for contemporary Thai art, or—if it’s a weekend—dive into Chatuchak Market for ceramics, textiles, and fruit shakes. Coffee at Sarnies or %Arabica on the river.

Evening: Dinner at Thipsamai (charcoal-fired pad thai with plump river prawns), or try Jay Fai if you’ve secured a spot for her famed crab omelet. Nightcap by the river—try Sala Rattanakosin’s bar with Wat Arun views across the water.

Phuket

Phuket’s appeal stretches far beyond its beaches. Old Town’s pastel shophouses, Hokkien noodles, and Peranakan desserts meet a coastline of hidden coves, soft sand, and water as clear as glass. It’s also your springboard to Phi Phi and the karst giants of Phang Nga Bay.

• Headliners: Kata, Karon, and Nai Harn beaches; Phuket Old Town; Big Buddha; island-hopping to Phi Phi; Phang Nga Bay’s sea caves; ethical elephant sanctuaries.
• Vibe check: Slow mornings, salt on your skin by day, markets and cocktail terraces after sunset.

Where to stay (bookable links): Browse VRBO Phuket or Hotels.com Phuket. Favorites include cliffside icon Amanpuri, private-pool romance at The Shore at Katathani, family-friendly Sunwing Kamala Beach, buzzy social hub Lub d Phuket Patong, peaceful luxe JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, refined hideaway Trisara Phuket, and splash-ready Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket.

Getting there from Bangkok: Morning flight BKK/DMK → HKT is ~1h25. Fares often run $35–$120 one-way with carry-on; check Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Transfers to beach areas: 45–75 minutes by taxi or hotel car (longer to the north).

Day 4: Fly South, Beach Time, and Old Town Bites

Morning: Fly to Phuket. Check in and grab a simple lunch—order Hokkien mee (wok noodles with seafood) at Lock Tien food court or fish-ball noodle soup near Talat Yai.

Afternoon: Beach session at Kata or Nai Harn; rent a lounger and swim if seas are calm (red flags in monsoon season mean no swimming). Coffee and cake at Feelsion Café or cool minimalist pours at Dou Brew in Old Town.

Evening: Dinner at One Chun (Michelin Bib; get crab curry and moo hong pork belly) or Raya Restaurant for crabmeat curry with rice vermicelli. If it’s Sunday, wander the Phuket Sunday Walking Street Market (Lard Yai). Otherwise, browse Chillva Market’s indie stalls and live music.

Day 5: Phi Phi Islands Adventure (Full Day)

Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine

Early pickup for a small-group speedboat to Maya Bay viewpoints, Pileh Lagoon’s emerald bowl, and snorkeling over reefs. Expect clear water, limestone cliffs, and a sea-view Thai lunch. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a dry bag.

Post-tour dinner: Laem Hin Seafood on the pier (stir-fried clams with chili-basil, steamed fish with lime) or Chillva’s skewers if you prefer casual bites.

Day 6: James Bond Karsts and Sunset Dinner (Full Day)

Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner

Cruise Phang Nga Bay with kayaks into sea caves, lounge on daybeds, and photograph Ko Tapu (the “James Bond” spire). Bar on board, DJ beats, and a golden-hour dinner as the limestone turns copper. Return after sunset—pure Andaman theater.

Nightcap: If you’ve still got steam, go low-key at The Library Phuket for craft cocktails or stroll Patong’s beach road for a gelato.

Day 7: Ethical Elephants, Last Swim, Departure

Morning: Meet Thailand’s gentle giants the right way at Phuket’s first ethical sanctuary—no riding, just observation, feeding, and learning.

A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Stroll forest boardwalks, watch mud baths, and help prepare fruit baskets. A moving, educational finale.

Afternoon: Quick lunch—go for khao soi at One Chun Café’s lighter menu or green papaya salad and grilled chicken at a local som tam stall. Slip in a final swim or a foot massage.

Evening: Transfer to HKT for your afternoon/early evening flight. Compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim to arrive 2 hours before departure; Phuket traffic can bunch up near the airport in late afternoon.

Extra Ideas (Swap-Ins or Add-Ons)

• Riverside dinner cruise in Bangkok for a final-night sparkle: The Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise

  

• Prefer more water time? Swap in a discover-dive day at Ko Racha: One Day Scuba Diving Experience at Ko Racha

  

Coffee, Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner picks to pepper through the week:

• Bangkok breakfast: On Lok Yun (Thai-American diner since 1933), Luka for hearty brunch, or Jok Prince for smoky rice porridge.
• Bangkok lunches: Pe Aor for tom yum goong noodles; Boonlang Noodles near Victory Monument for boat noodles; Som Tam Jay So for fiery papaya salads.
• Bangkok dinners: Thipsamai (classic pad thai), Baan for home-style Thai, or Sorn (book far ahead) for southern Thai tasting menus.
• Phuket coffee: Campus Coffee Roaster, Dou Brew, or Phuketique for local desserts with espresso.
• Phuket casual eats: Blue Elephant Phuket (heritage mansion Thai), Mor Mu Dong (open-air huts over mangroves; grilled fish), Go Benz (famous pork with peppery broth and crispy pork belly).
• Sunset sips: Baba Nest at Sri Panwa (book well ahead), Catch Beach Club (Bang Tao), or a quieter shoreline beer at Kata’s southern rocks.

For every flight, check baggage allowances and note that island tours can be weather-dependent; operators will advise on sea conditions. Carry cash for small vendors, use Grab for reliable rides, and remember reef etiquette—look, don’t touch.

Accommodation quick links for fast planning: VRBO Bangkok, Hotels.com Bangkok, VRBO Phuket, Hotels.com Phuket.

In one week you’ll trace Bangkok’s river-born history, sip and snack through its markets, then swap city lights for seaside horizons in Phuket. With temples, canals, karst bays, and coral water on the docket, this Thailand itinerary balances depth and downtime—memories guaranteed to linger like the scent of lemongrass and sea salt.