Thailand has worn many names—Sukhothai and Ayutthaya to Siam and today’s Kingdom—yet its spirit remains constant: gracious hospitality, fiery cuisine, and a mosaic of traditions shaped by rivers, monsoons, and trade. From Bangkok’s royal precinct and klongs to Phuket’s tin-baron mansions and jade bays, the country rewards curiosity at every turn.

In Bangkok, saffron-robed monks move alongside skytrains and skyscrapers. The Grand Palace dazzles with mirrored mosaics; street vendors sizzle morning-to-midnight. Down south, Phuket is both beach playground and cultural port, a launchpad to limestone karsts and the Phi Phi archipelago where coral gardens shimmer beneath long-tail prows.

Practical notes: dress modestly at temples (shoulders and knees covered), carry small cash for markets, and prepare for heat year-round (peak dry season is roughly November–April). Many passports enjoy visa-free entry for short stays—confirm current rules before you fly. For flights, compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a city of water and light: royal barges glide past gilded spires by day; neon markets and rooftop bars spark after dusk. This is the spiritual and culinary heart of Thailand, where century-old shophouses hide craft coffee and Michelin-lauded street stalls.

Top sights include the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha and massage school, and Wat Arun’s porcelain-clad prang. Hop the Chao Phraya boats, wander Chinatown’s Yaowarat Road, and peek into creative enclaves like Talat Noi.

Eat widely. For breakfast nostalgia, On Lok Yun plates thick-cut toast and Thai-style omelets; for green curry and crab dishes beloved by locals, Krua Apsorn hits the spot. Pad Thai at Thipsamai crackles over charcoal; Phed Mark turns basil-studded pad kra pao into an obsession. For cocktails, try Tropic City’s tropical riffs or the Thai-spirit-forward Tep Bar.

Where to stay (Bangkok):

• Browse apartments and townhomes on VRBO Bangkok or hotels on Hotels.com Bangkok.
• Splurge-worthy icons: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok; The Siam Hotel; riverside resort vibes at Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.
• Great-value stays: Lub d Bangkok Siam; Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.

Getting in: Fly into Bangkok (BKK or DMK). Compare options on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. BTS Skytrain and river boats make sightseeing swift; taxis and Grab fill the gaps. Thailand’s intercity trains (bookable on Trip.com trains) serve day trips.

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, canals and Chinatown

Afternoon: Land and check in. Shake off the flight with a caffeine stop at Factory Coffee (award-winning espresso) or Gallery Drip Coffee near BTS National Stadium. Ride the Chao Phraya express boat to Tha Tien pier and stroll the riverfront breeze.

Evening: Dive into Yaowarat Road, Chinatown. Slurp peppery pork noodles at Nai Ek Roll Noodles, then share chili-lime razor clams and steamed crab at T&K Seafood. Cap with pandan custard buns or a scoop from SweetTime. For a nightcap, slip into Teens of Thailand in Talat Noi for gin with Thai botanicals.

Late: Optional canal experience at sunset: a long-tail putters through Thonburi’s stilted neighborhoods, where temple roofs peek over frangipani. It’s a gentle first look at “Venice of the East.”

Day 2: Royal Bangkok and river icons

Morning: Fuel up with Thai toast and soft-boiled eggs at On Lok Yun, then head early to the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. Dress code is enforced; bring a light shawl and trousers. Continue to Wat Pho to admire the 46-meter Reclining Buddha and consider a traditional massage at the temple’s school.

Afternoon: Cross the river to Wat Arun; its porcelain daisies glitter in the sun. Lunch at Krua Apsorn (order stir-fried crab with yellow chilies and the signature green curry). Cool down at Blue Whale Café with a butterfly pea latte and views of the temple spire.

Evening: Watch the city glow from a riverside table—try a Thai set dinner with river breezes, then wander Pak Khlong Talat flower market as garland weavers knot jasmine into fragrant braids.

Tour option (fits this day): Bangkok City Highlights Tour: Grand Palace & Three Iconic Temples — skip lines, learn temple etiquette, and cover the essentials smoothly.

Day 3: Markets, modern Bangkok, and a tuk-tuk feast

Morning: If it’s a weekend, browse Chatuchak Market’s 10,000 stalls; otherwise explore Jim Thompson House for Thai silk history and serene teak architecture. Coffee at Roots at The Commons or Brave Roasters, both championing Thai beans.

Afternoon: Lunch on spicy basil chicken at Phed Mark (choose your heat wisely). Wander creative Talat Noi—street murals, Chinese shrines, and metalworking alleys—before pausing for iced tea at Mother Roaster.

Evening: Join a small-group tuk-tuk food crawl that threads through night temples and hidden kitchens. Expect charcoal-wok noodles, Isaan sausages, and dessert under a lantern-lit shrine.

Tour: Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour — a multi-award winner for good reason.

Phuket

Phuket isn’t just beaches; it’s a maritime crossroads. In Old Town, Sino-Portuguese mansions wear sherbet colors, and night markets dish Hokkien noodles, grilled squid, and coconut ice cream. Beyond town, mangroves, capes, and island-dotted bays set the stage for snorkeling and sea-kayak days.

Top beaches include Kata (great for families and sunset), Nai Harn (jade water and calmer vibe), and Surin (upscale loungers). Food-wise, seek phuketian specialties: moo hong (braised pork), crab curry with kanom jeen, and cashew chicken. Local legends include Go Benz (rice porridge and pork), Raya Restaurant (grandma’s recipes), and Mor Mu Dong (thatched salas over a mangrove creek).

Where to stay (Phuket):

• See villas and condos on VRBO Phuket or hotels on Hotels.com Phuket.
• High-end retreats: Amanpuri; Trisara Phuket; JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa; The Shore at Katathani.
• Family and value picks: Sunwing Kamala Beach; Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket; Lub d Phuket Patong.

Bangkok to Phuket travel (Day 4 morning): Fly BKK–HKT (about 1h25m). Typical fares range ~$35–$90 depending on season. Compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Aim for a departure between 8:00–10:00 to maximize beach time.

Day 4: Fly south, Phuket Old Town and sunset

Morning: Depart Bangkok and land in Phuket late morning. Drop bags at your hotel.

Afternoon: Explore Phuket Old Town: Sino-colonial shophouses on Thalang and Dibuk Roads, Chinese shrines, and indie boutiques. Coffee at Campus Coffee Roaster; try Hokkien noodles at Mee Ton Poe or a moo hong lunch at One Chun.

Evening: Head to Karon Viewpoint or Promthep Cape for a gold-wash sunset. Dinner at Raya Restaurant (crab curry, caramelized pork belly). For live music, Timber Hut remains a beloved local haunt; for craft cocktails, Dibuk House is intimate and inventive.

Day 5: Phi Phi Islands speedboat adventure

Full-day tour: Skim across the Andaman to Maya Bay’s cliffs, snorkel Pileh Lagoon’s emerald bowl, and lunch with sea views. Guides time stops to dodge the biggest crowds so you get more reef time and quieter bays.

Tour: Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine — award-winning, small groups, and new snorkel mouthpieces included.

Post-tour dinner: Laem Hin Seafood over the water (choose live mantis shrimp or blue swimmer crab), or keep it easy with grilled seafood and papaya salad at Kata’s beachfront stalls. If energy remains, stroll Patong’s Bangla Road once—sights, sounds, then home to rest.

Day 6: Ethical elephants, beach time, and a sunset toast

Morning: Spend a humane half-day meeting rescued elephants—no riding, no tricks. You’ll help prepare food, observe bath time, and learn each elephant’s story across forested grounds.

Tour: A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary — Phuket’s first ethical sanctuary.

Afternoon: Beach-hop: start at Kata for a swim, then a short ride to Ya Nui’s pocket cove for snorkeling. Lunch at Green Tamarind for juicy burgers or Kan Eang@Pier for seafood with a view.

Evening: Choose a laid-back sunset: Catch Beach Club on Bang Tao for tunes and tiki drinks, or quiet sands at Nai Harn with a coconut in hand. Dinner at Mor Mu Dong under thatched salas—order turmeric grilled fish and stink beans with shrimp.

Day 7: Lazy morning and departure

Morning: Final dip or a spa foot massage near your hotel. Breakfast at your resort or Torry’s for a Phuket-inspired ice cream (black sesame or blue butterfly pea) if you’re in Old Town.

Afternoon: Transfer to HKT for your flight. Typical flight time back to Bangkok is ~1h25m; plan to arrive 2 hours before departure. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re rail-curious elsewhere in Thailand, browse schedules on Trip.com trains.

Alternate/add-on Bangkok tour idea (if you swap Day 3 activities): Private Tour: Best of Bangkok in A Day for a customized, guide-led overview.

Dining short list (save for later): Bangkok—Thipsamai (charcoal pad thai), Err Urban Rustic Thai (regional small plates), Baan Phadthai (heritage recipe), Mae Varee (mango sticky rice). Phuket—Go Benz (rice porridge with crispy pork), Lock Tien Food Court (local snacks), Kruvit Raft (floating seafood), Kopitiam by Wilai (Peranakan classics).

Seven days in Thailand lets you trace the country’s story from royal Bangkok to the Andaman’s reef-ringed coves. With temples, canals, street eats, Old Town strolls, and island time, this itinerary balances culture and coast—leaving just enough unscripted space for serendipity.