Thailand rewards curiosity. In Bangkok, gilded temples and royal palaces rise over the Chao Phraya River while narrow alleys hum with sizzling woks, herbal compresses, and late-night tuk-tuks. Down south, Phuket opens onto jade bays and sugar-soft sand, a jumping-off point for the cinema-blue waters of the Phi Phi archipelago.

From the 18th-century Rattanakosin era to today’s creative scene, the Kingdom’s story is written in stupas and shop-houses, longtail boats and lofty sky bars. Expect big flavors—fiery som tam, charcoal-grilled moo ping, silky boat noodles—and a culture that prizes hospitality as much as it reveres tradition.

Practical notes: modest attire is required for major temples (shoulders/knees covered), cash is useful at markets though QR and cards are widespread, and Grab ride-hailing eases cross-town hops. Book internal flights early for the best fares, and pack reef-safe sunscreen for island days.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a study in contrasts: royal splendor beside back-alley shrines; lotus ponds under elevated trains; Michelin Bib street stalls next to speakeasy cocktail labs. The old city (Rattanakosin) holds the Grand Palace, while Thonburi’s canals reveal stilted homes and quiet monasteries.

Getting around: ride the BTS Skytrain and MRT to dodge traffic, then hop ferries along the Chao Phraya for river breezes. For short jumps, tuk-tuks and Grab are handy.

• Top sights: Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho (reclining Buddha), Wat Arun at golden hour, Jim Thompson House, and the creative lanes of Chinatown/Talat Noi.
• Dining highlights: Thipsamai for classic pad thai; Krua Apsorn for royal-style Thai; Jay Fai for wok-fired seafood; Nai Ek Roll Noodles for peppery broth and braised pork; Teen of Thailand and Tep Bar for inventive evening drinks.

Where to stay (Bangkok):

• Design icon with river views: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
• Serene riverside hideaway: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort
• Boutique heritage-luxe: The Siam Hotel
• Social, central budget: Lub d Bangkok Siam or Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Bangkok | VRBO – Bangkok

How to arrive: Fly into BKK or DMK. Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Airport Rail Link connects BKK to the city; taxis are metered—expect 45–60 minutes to riverside hotels with traffic.

Day 1 — Arrive Bangkok, river vibes & tuk-tuk tastes

Afternoon: Land in Bangkok and check into your hotel. Shake off the flight with a gentle stroll along the riverside or a 30-minute foot massage near your hotel to reset.

Evening: Join this award-winning night food-and-temple tuk-tuk tour to meet Bangkok at its best after dark (guide, tastings, and hidden spots included).
Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour

Expect crispy oyster omelets, charcoal-stirred noodles, and incense drifting from temple courtyards.

Day 2 — Palaces, reclining Buddha, and Chinatown flavors

Morning: Cover the big three on a concise guided tour (ideal for first-timers who want context and queue-skipping logistics):
Bangkok Royal Road – Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun (Half-Day)

Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered). After, cool off with an iced Thai coffee.

Afternoon: Lunch at Krua Apsorn (classic crab omelet and green curry), then wander Talat Noi’s street art and mechanic alleys. Pause for espresso at Gallery Drip Coffee or Thai beans at Phil Coffee Company.

Evening: Feast in Chinatown: try Nai Ek Roll Noodles for peppery broth and crispy pork, or Yaowarat Nai Mong for oyster omelet. Cocktails after at Teens of Thailand (gin-forward) or Tep Bar (herb-infused drinks, live Thai music).

Day 3 — Markets beyond Bangkok + city sunset

Morning–Midday (tour): Ride a local train through the Maeklong Railway Market and boat through Damnoen Saduak Floating Market—touristy but uniquely Thai, with a savvy guide to navigate crowds.
Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour

Snack on boat noodles and coconut ice cream; bring small bills.

Afternoon: Back in town, browse the Jim Thompson House (silk and teak architecture) or, on weekends, the Chatuchak Market for souvenirs. Massage break at Wat Pho Traditional Medical School if you missed it yesterday.

Evening: Rooftop finale—head to a sky bar for sweeping city views before an easy dinner at Jeh O Chula (late-night tom yum mama noodles with seafood; expect a queue) or Thipsamai for pad thai cooked over flame.

Phuket

Phuket is Thailand’s gateway to the Andaman Sea, from calm family coves to lively beach towns. Inland, rubber plantations give way to Sino-Portuguese streets lined with cafes and shophouses painted like sorbet.

Best for: island-hopping to Phi Phi or Phang Nga Bay, sunsets at Promthep Cape, spicy Southern Thai curries, and café-hopping in Old Town.

• Top sights: Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Phuket Old Town, Kata–Karon viewpoint, Promthep Cape.
• Food favorites: One Chun (southern Thai classics), Mor Mu Dong (rustic seafood over mangroves), Laem Hin Seafood (pierside platters), Red Duck (Kata, refined Thai).

Where to stay (Phuket):

• Clifftop romance: Trisara Phuket or The Shore at Katathani
• Resort with amenities: JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa or Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket
• Family-friendly: Sunwing Kamala Beach
• Budget/social: Lub d Phuket Patong
• Ultra-premium icon: Amanpuri
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com – Phuket | VRBO – Phuket

Getting there from Bangkok: Morning flights to HKT run ~1h25 and typically cost ~$35–$90 one-way (plus bag fees) when booked early via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Overland is possible (overnight train to Surat Thani + bus, check Trip.com trains), but flying maximizes beach time.

Day 4 — Fly south, Old Town colors & a seaside sunset

Morning: Depart Bangkok on a morning flight to Phuket (aim to land before noon). Taxi or pre-booked transfer to your hotel; drop bags and refresh.

Afternoon: Explore Phuket Old Town’s shophouses and cafés. Order crab curry with vermicelli at One Chun (Michelin Bib) or try Hokkien mee from a local noodle shop. Coffee break at The Feelsion Café or Campus Coffee Roaster.

Evening: Sunset at Karon Viewpoint or Promthep Cape, then dinner at Laem Hin Seafood (short pier setting; order steamed crab and pineapple fried rice). Nightcap at Dibuk House—a cocktail bar blending Thai botanicals with classic technique.

Day 5 — Phi Phi Islands adventure (full-day tour)

Set your alarm for an early start and let the pros handle logistics on this speedboat day trip to turquoise lagoons and white-sand coves. Expect Maya Bay photo stops (swimming restrictions vary by season), snorkeling in clear water, and a seaview Thai lunch included.

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

Return by late afternoon. Dinner options near popular beaches: Red Duck (Kata; refined Thai with southern spice) or No. 9 2nd (Patong; broad Thai menu, great value). If energy allows, stroll the sand for bioluminescent sparkles on very dark nights.

Day 6 — Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, and mangrove seafood

Morning: Visit the hilltop Big Buddha for panoramic views, then Wat Chalong’s ornate halls. Light attire is okay, but bring a shawl for temple interiors. Grab brunch at We Café (garden-to-plate salads, Thai dishes, smoothies).

Afternoon: Beach time—choose Kata for soft waves, Nai Harn for mellow waters, or Kamala for families. Try a longtail ride to Kata Noi for quieter sands.

Evening: Early dinner at Mor Mu Dong—rustic huts over mangroves serving turmeric-fried fish, chili pastes, and smoky squid. If it’s a weekend, pop by Chillva Night Market for crafts and snacks; on Sundays, Phuket Walking Street turns the Old Town into a lively promenade.

Day 7 — Slow morning & departure

Morning: Easy start with a swim or a leisurely snorkel at Ya Nui (gear rentals on the beach). Coffee at Rush Coffee Phuket or Torry’s (for Sino-Thai desserts in Old Town) if you’re nearby.

Afternoon: Depart from HKT. Search one-way or multi-city fares (Bangkok in, Phuket out) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Phuket Airport is 50–80 minutes from most west-coast beaches; plan buffers for traffic.

Optional upgrades and swaps

• Prefer a river dinner in Bangkok? Consider a 2-hour Chao Phraya night cruise with live music and a buffet of Thai classics: Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise

  

• If seas are rough, swap the Phi Phi day for a Phuket Old Town food walk and a sunset at Kata–Karon viewpoint.

Estimated local costs (per person): Bangkok meals $2–$12 at street stalls/casual restaurants; taxis/Grab across town $3–$12; massages from $8–$20/hour. Bangkok–Phuket flight ~$35–$90; island day trip ~$90–$130 depending on inclusions.

In one week, you’ll weave Bangkok’s royal heritage and irresistible street food with Andaman adventures and calm sunsets. Thailand’s contrasts are the point—temples at dawn, noodles at midnight, and emerald seas in between. Save this itinerary and tweak the pace to your taste; the Kingdom rewards both planners and wanderers.