Thailand’s story stretches from ancient Mon kingdoms to the Rattanakosin era that birthed Bangkok’s Grand Palace, and onward to today’s creative metropolis and beach-fringed south. The “Land of Smiles” marries old and new: saffron-robed monks alongside skytrains, long-tail boats gliding past glassy malls, and island karsts rising from seas the color of jade.

Bangkok dazzles with the Emerald Buddha, colossal reclining Buddha at Wat Pho, and canal neighborhoods where life hums on timber stilts. Phuket, gateway to the Andaman Sea, is your launchpad to the Phi Phi Islands and Phang Nga Bay—limestone towers, sea caves, and sandbars that look hand-drawn by the sun.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples (shoulders and knees covered). Hydrate—Bangkok’s heat is real. Use Grab for rides; BTS/MRT avoid traffic. ATMs are widespread; eSIMs from AIS/True/DTAC are sold at airports. Street food is a highlight; follow the crowds and ask vendors for spice levels. Always choose ethical elephant experiences where riding is not offered.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a riverine capital where gilded stupas sparkle by day and neon markets glow by night. Cruise the Chao Phraya, sip Thai-inspired cocktails in Chinatown, and trace royal history from the Grand Palace to Wat Arun’s porcelain-spangled spires.

• Top sights: Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Chinatown (Yaowarat), Jim Thompson House, canal (khlong) neighborhoods of Thonburi.
• Why visit now: A wave of chefs, roasters, and mixologists has supercharged Bangkok’s food and coffee scenes, while new riverwalks and museums make exploring easier than ever.

Where to stay: Browse wide options on Hotels.com Bangkok or family-friendly apartments on VRBO Bangkok. Standout picks: riverside icon Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok; serene urban retreat The Siam Hotel; resort vibes within the city at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort. Great-value stays: Lub d Bangkok Siam, Lub d Bangkok Silom, and Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.

Getting in: Fly into BKK or DMK. Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Airport Rail Link and taxis reach central Bangkok; BTS/MRT cover most sights. For overland journeys in Thailand, check Trip.com trains.

Day 1 – Arrival, Riverside First Impressions, Night Tuk-Tuk Feast

Morning: In transit. If you arrive early, grab a light Thai breakfast of kai kata (pan eggs) and iced coffee at On Lok Yun, a 1930s diner near the Old Town.

Afternoon: Check in and decompress by the river. Walk the Tha Tien pier area and ferry across for a golden-hour view of Wat Arun’s porcelain towers. Coffee with a view at The Deck by Arun Residence or a Thai tea at a riverside stall.

Evening: Kick off with a celebrated after-dark food-and-culture ride: Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour. You’ll weave to illuminated temples, markets, and street eats while skipping traffic in a tuk-tuk.

Expect bites like charcoal-grilled pork skewers, boat noodles, and mango sticky rice. If you’re still hungry afterward, pop to Chinatown’s Nai Mong Hoi Thod for crispy oyster omelet or Suki Saap for spicy sukiyaki noodles.

Day 2 – Royal Bangkok and Life on the Khlongs

Morning: Fuel up with specialty coffee at Gallery Drip (BACC) or Sarnies for house-cured bacon sandwiches, then dive into Bangkok’s crown jewels on a guided half-day: Bangkok Royal Road – Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun.

Dress code matters here—cover shoulders and knees. Your guide unpacks royal rites, Khmer-influenced spires, and the Emerald Buddha’s seasonal robes.

Afternoon: See a quieter side of the city by long-tail boat through Thonburi’s canals: Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride.

You’ll pass teak houses, spirit houses, and waterside wats—great for photos and a breeze away from traffic. Lunch near Tha Maharaj: try Krua Apsorn for crab fried rice and stir-fried stink beans with shrimp, or Err for rustic Thai snacks and fermented sausages.

Evening: Pad Thai showdown: Thipsamai (since 1966) for the classic wrapped in egg, or Phed Mark for incendiary holy basil stir-fry by a local celeb foodie. For a nightcap, Tep Bar in Chinatown serves ya dong-infused cocktails with live traditional music; BKK Social Club (Four Seasons) mixes elegant Latin-Thai drinks and ranks among Asia’s top bars.

Day 3 – Markets on Rails and Water, Modern Bangkok at Dusk

Morning: Take a small-group excursion to two iconic markets: Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour.

Watch vendors whisk awnings away seconds before a train passes at Maeklong, then snack by boat at Damnoen Saduak—grilled bananas, coconut ice cream, boat noodles.

Afternoon: Return to town and shop or cool off. If it’s a weekend, browse Chatuchak’s 8,000+ stalls for textiles, ceramics, vintage tees; weekdays, explore ICONSIAM’s Thai food hall or the Jim Thompson House for silk history. Coffee break at % Arabica or Roots.

Evening: Dinner near Sala Daeng: Som Tum Der for Isan papaya salad flights and larb, or Supanniga Eating Room for family recipes from the Trat and Khon Kaen regions. Late-night, hit Jeh O Chula for tom yum “mama” noodles crowned with crispy pork—go early, queues form.

Phuket

Phuket is Thailand’s Andaman all-star: a mountainous island framed by powdery arcs of sand, Sino-Portuguese shophouses in Old Town, and offshore isles where limestone cliffs pierce emerald water. It’s your springboard to Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, and coral-thick snorkel spots.

• Top experiences: Sunrise at Phi Phi, sea-cave kayaking in Phang Nga Bay, street eats in Phuket Old Town, soft-sand days at Kamala, Kata, and Bangtao.
• Good to know: West coast beaches face open seas and sunsets; east coast piers launch island tours. Dry season (Nov–Apr) has calmer seas; May–Oct brings some surf and occasional swells.

Where to stay: Search island-wide on Hotels.com Phuket and VRBO Phuket. Luxe: cliffside Trisara Phuket, private villas at Amanpuri, beachfront JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa, romantic pool villas at The Shore at Katathani. Midrange/family: Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, Sunwing Kamala Beach. Budget/social: Lub d Phuket Patong.

Getting there from Bangkok (Day 4): Fly BKK/DMK → HKT (~1h20–1h30; ~$35–$120, seasonal). Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Airport taxis and prebooked transfers take 45–75 minutes to most beach areas depending on traffic.

Day 4 – Fly South, Phuket Old Town Flavors, Night Market

Morning: Depart Bangkok on an early flight to maximize beach time. Grab a quick breakfast—Thai iced coffee and pandan custard toast—before heading to the airport.

Afternoon: Check in and acclimate. If you’re beachside, swim or stroll the sand. If you’re near Phuket Town, coffee at Campus Coffee Roaster and a wander past colorful Sino-Portuguese shophouses and street murals.

Evening: Dinner in Phuket Old Town: One Chun (Bib Gourmand) for crab curry with rice vermicelli and stir-fried stink beans; Raya Restaurant for blue crab curry and caramelized pork belly; Go Benz for pork rice with peppery soup (go early, they sell out). If Sunday, stroll the Lard Yai Sunday Walking Street for crafts and snacks like moo ping and Thai crêpes.

Day 5 – Phi Phi Islands, Lagoons and Reefs (Day Trip)

Beat the crowds with a sunrise small-group speedboat adventure: Luxury Small Group Phi Phi Sunrise from Phuket.

Expect ethereal early light at Maya Bay (protected; no swimming on the main beach), snorkeling over coral gardens, and a seaview lunch on a quieter shore. Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a rashguard; motion tends to be calmer in dry season. Cap the day with a casual beach dinner—grilled seafood, papaya salad, and fresh coconuts at a simple shack right on the sand.

Day 6 – Phang Nga Bay Caves and Sunset

Morning: Slow start with breakfast bowls at The Feelsion Café (retro décor, Thai desserts) or croissants at Bake in Cherngtalay.

Afternoon–Evening: Sail past gravity-defying karsts and kayak into sea caves on a stylish catamaran: Luxury Boat to James Bond Islands with Lunch and Sunset Dinner.

You’ll see Khao Phing Kan (“James Bond Island”), paddle Hong Island’s hidden rooms, and dine as the sky turns tangerine. Prefer something even more otherworldly? Consider a bioluminescence-focused option on select dates: Phang Nga Bay Bioluminescent Plankton and Sea Canoes tour.

Day 7 – Ethical Elephant Morning, Departure

Morning: Spend time with rescued giants in a humane setting—no riding, no tricks: A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.

Observe them roam and bathe, learn their stories, and support their care. Wear closed shoes; bring insect repellent.

Afternoon: Quick lunch—kanom jeen (fermented rice noodles) with yellow crab curry—or a last fruit shake on the way to HKT. Compare rides and flight times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Safe travels—khob khun krub/ka!

Evening: In transit.

Daily Eating & Coffee Shortlist (For Easy Swaps)

• Bangkok breakfast/coffee: Gallery Drip Coffee; Sarnies; On Lok Yun (old-school Thai); Roast for brunch.
• Bangkok lunch/dinner: Thipsamai; Krua Apsorn; Som Tum Der; Supanniga Eating Room; Jay Fai (crab omelet—expect queues).
• Bangkok drinks: Tep Bar (Thai herbs/spirits); Teens of Thailand (gin-forward); BKK Social Club (hotel bar artistry).
• Phuket breakfast/coffee: Campus Coffee Roaster; The Feelsion Café; Bake (Cherngtalay).
• Phuket lunch/dinner: One Chun; Raya; Tu Kab Khao; Laem Hin Seafood (pierside platters); beach shacks at Kata/Kamala for grilled fish and som tum.
• Beach clubs (sunset): Catch Beach Club (Bangtao) and Café del Mar (Kamala) for DJs and golden-hour views.

Practical Tips

• Getting around: In Bangkok, use BTS/MRT and river ferries to dodge traffic; in Phuket, scooters are common but only ride if experienced—otherwise Grab/taxis and hotel shuttles.
• Temple etiquette: Dress modestly; remove shoes where posted; be mindful of photos around monks and sacred images.
• Money & connectivity: ATMs draw in THB; cards widely accepted in malls/hotels, less so at markets. Buy an eSIM or airport SIM (AIS/True/DTAC).
• Seasonality: Dry season (Nov–Apr) brings calmer seas and clearer snorkeling. If seas are rough, island trips may be rescheduled for safety.

Optional add-ons or swaps: Prefer more culture? Swap Phuket Day 6 for a Phang Nga Bay big-boat canoeing day: Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island by Big Boat.

In one energizing week, you’ll savor Bangkok’s royal grandeur, canals, and irresistible street food before unwinding on Phuket’s shores and sailing through the Andaman’s cinematic seascapes. It’s the perfect mix of culture, cuisine, and coast—Thailand, distilled.