Ancient kingdoms and neon nights coexist in Thailand, where gilded temples reflect in the Chao Phraya River and longtail boats skim jade-green bays. From the powerful Ayutthayan roots of Bangkok to the Peranakan shophouses of Phuket Old Town, history is never far from your pad kra pao or coconut ice cream.

Thai cuisine is a delicious study in balance—sweet, sour, spicy, salty—and you’ll taste it everywhere, from Yaowarat’s wok-fire theatrics to humble beach shacks ladling yellow crab curry. You’ll also meet modern Thailand: rooftop skybars, creative cafés, and boutique hotels layered inside century-old Sino-Portuguese facades.

Practical notes: dress modestly for major temples (shoulders/knees covered), keep hydrated in the tropical heat, and use metered taxis or Grab to avoid fare haggling. The best weather is roughly Nov–Mar; May–Oct sees short, tropical downpours—great for lush landscapes and fewer crowds.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a city of contrasts: monks collecting alms at dawn and swizzle sticks clinking in sky-high bars at dusk. The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and Wat Pho anchor Rattanakosin Island, while across the river, Wat Arun glows like a porcelain lighthouse at sunset. Nearby, canal neighborhoods (khlongs) reveal wooden stilt houses and fruit orchards that feel worlds away from Siam’s malls.

Eat your way through Chinatown’s Yaowarat—peppery boat noodles, flame-kissed pad thai, and charcoal grilled seafood—or try a guided tuk-tuk crawl to a roll call of Michelin-rated street eats. Coffee fans will love photogenic cafés near Talat Noi’s street art and the creative cluster around Ari.

• Where to stay (Bangkok): Iconic river luxury at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok; serene design at The Siam Hotel; resort vibes in the city at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort. Stylish hostels: Lub d Bangkok Siam, Lub d Bangkok Silom, and the character-filled Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.
• More options: Browse apartments and hotels: VRBO Bangkok | Hotels.com Bangkok
• Getting in: Search flights to Bangkok on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. From Suvarnabhumi, the Airport Rail Link reaches downtown in ~30 minutes (~45 THB); taxis are ~300–500 THB plus tolls.

Day 1: Arrival, Riverside Icons, and a Dinner Cruise

Afternoon: Land in Bangkok and check in. Stretch your legs along the river, then ferry to Wat Arun for golden-hour photos—its porcelain-inlaid prang is dazzling at sunset.

Evening: Glide past illuminated temples and palaces on a river cruise with dinner and live performances. Bangkok Sawasdee Chaophraya Dinner Cruise from ICONSIAM is a festive first-night choice departing 18:45–20:45.

Prefer lanes and neon? Post-cruise, head to Yaowarat (Chinatown) for a second round: T&K Seafood’s king prawns, Nai Ek Roll Noodles’ peppery pork soup, and mango sticky rice at Sweet Time.

Day 2: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Canal Life

Morning: Fuel up at On Lok Yun (old-school Thai toast and coffee) or Sarnies for hearty plates. Visit the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (8:30–15:30; strict dress code), then stroll to Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho (giant 46 m Buddha, soothing massage school).

Afternoon: See Bangkok’s “green lungs” by longtail boat. The two-hour Hidden Bangkok Longtail Boat Tour to Big Buddha & Canal Life cruises past stilt houses and temples.

Evening: Rooftop hour at Mahanakhon SkyBar or Lebua’s Sky Bar. Dinner near the Old City: Krua Apsorn (crab omelet, stir-fried lily bulbs) or Thipsamai (charred pad thai with fresh orange juice). Nightcap at Tep Bar for heritage-inspired Thai cocktails and live music.

Day 3: Markets, Street Food, and a Tuk-Tuk Feast

Morning: Take a classic half-day of markets: the Floating Market and Train Market Experience pairs Maeklong’s “umbrella snap” with Damnoen Saduak’s canal boats.

Afternoon: Back in town, browse the Jim Thompson House’s silk-filled teak home or café-hop in Ari. Refuel on tom yum goong at Pe Aor or garlic-kissed fried chicken at Soi Polo Fried Chicken.

Evening: Climb aboard a Michelin-themed food crawl by tuk-tuk—no guesswork, just nonstop flavors. Book the Bangkok Michelin Food by Tuk Tuk for a curated romp through Bangkok’s best bites.

Phuket

Phuket combines sapphire bays and sugar-sand beaches with a fascinating cultural core. In Phuket Old Town, pastel shophouses reflect Hokkien Chinese and Malay influences from the island’s tin-mining days, now reborn as cafés, galleries, and speakeasies.

Offshore, karst towers spike from Phang Nga Bay, mangrove channels hide sea caves, and the Phi Phi Islands shimmer with white-sand coves. On land, you’ll feast on Southern Thai classics: turmeric-laced crab curry, moo hong (braised pork), and Hokkien noodles tossed in hot woks.

• Where to stay (Phuket): Ultra-private Amanpuri; cliffside villas at Trisara Phuket; beachfront comfort at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa or The Shore at Katathani. Family-friendly options include Sunwing Kamala Beach and Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket. Budget social vibes: Lub d Phuket Patong.
• More options: Browse stays: VRBO Phuket | Hotels.com Phuket
• Getting there from Bangkok (Day 4 morning): 1h20 nonstop flight; typical fares ~$40–90 one way. Compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Phuket airport to Patong/Kata is ~50–70 min; taxi ~800–1,000 THB, shared minivan ~200 THB.

Day 4: Fly South, Phuket Old Town, and Southern Thai Dinner

Morning: Fly Bangkok–Phuket; check in. If your hotel is beachside, drop bags and head for a quick swim.

Afternoon: Explore Phuket Old Town: Soi Romanee’s candy-colored shophouses, Thai Hua Museum courtyard, and street art lanes. Coffee and cakes at Feelsion Café or Bookhemian; try an o-aew shaved-ice dessert at Torry’s Ice Cream.

Evening: Feast on Southern Thai at One Chun (moo hong pork, crab curry) or Raya Restaurant (signature Phuket crab curry). For cocktails, try Dibuk House or Z1mplex Mixology’s inventive drinks.

Day 5: Phang Nga Bay Sea Caves and James Bond Island

Spend a full day among limestone towers, mangroves, and hidden lagoons. This outing typically includes hotel transfers, lunch, and guided kayaking through sea caves. Book Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island by Big Boat for a relaxed, scenic route.

Day 6: Viewpoints, Beach Time, and a Thai Cooking Class

Morning: Hit the viewpoints: Karon Viewpoint or Windmill Point for sweeping Andaman panoramas. Swim at Kata Noi or Nai Harn—clear water, gentler pace than Patong.

Afternoon: Long lunch at Kan Eang@Pier (grilled prawns, spicy seafood salads) and a spa treatment at Oasis or Let’s Relax. Avoid the strongest midday sun; hydrate.

Evening: Learn to cook Thai classics—green curry, pad thai, tangy papaya salad—then feast on your creations at the Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour Option.

Day 7: Big Buddha, Temple Stop, and Departure

Morning: Visit Big Buddha for island-wide views, then Wat Chalong’s ornate halls. Coffee at The Feelsion (if you missed it) or a beachside café for one last sea breeze. Early lunch at Tu Kab Khao (Southern Thai staples, cool colonial setting) before your transfer to the airport.

Afternoon: Depart Phuket. If you’re flying onward via Bangkok, leave ample buffer for connections.

Eating & Drinking Highlights (quick picks to save)

• Bangkok coffee/breakfast: On Lok Yun (retro Thai breakfast), Blue Whale (butterfly pea latte), Gallery Drip Coffee (hand pours at BACC).
• Bangkok lunch/dinner: Thipsamai (old-school pad thai), Krua Apsorn (royal-style Thai), Phed Mark (fiery pad kra pao by a local food celeb), Jay Fai (plan for queues).
• Phuket casual eats: Go Benz (legendary pork rice soup), Lock Tien (Hokkien noodles, satay), Roti Taew Nam (roti with curry).
• Phuket seafood & Southern: One Chun, Raya, Kan Eang@Pier; sunset drinks at Kata Rocks bar or Catch Beach Club (Bang Tao).

Getting Around & Practical Tips

• Bangkok: BTS/MRT are fast and air-conditioned; boats along the Chao Phraya beat traffic for riverside sights. Use Grab for crosstown rides; avoid unsolicited tuk-tuk “gem shop” detours.
• Phuket: Distances are long; taxis and Grab work well. Confident riders can rent scooters, but roads are busy—helmets are essential.
• Weather: Sun is strong year-round—hat, SPF 50, and light layers. In rainy season, plan flexible beach days and add museums/cafés or a spa if seas are rough.

Optional swaps and add-ons: If you crave more islands, swap Day 6 for an early-bird Phi Phi run or a bioluminescent Phang Nga evening. Great alternatives include Phi Phi with Maya and Bamboo Island Day Trip by Speedboat or the magical dusk Phang Nga Bay Bioluminescent Plankton tour.

Wherever you land on the spectrum—temples or tidepools, markets or massages—this 7-day plan balances Bangkok buzz with Andaman calm. You’ll head home with spice on your palate, sea salt in your hair, and a camera roll full of gold and green.