Thailand’s story arcs from ancient kingdoms to modern mega-city, from forested highlands to coral-ringed islands. Bangkok dazzles with royal palaces, vibrant shrines, and markets that feel like theater; Phuket trades the neon for jade seas, longtail boats, and a Chinese-Portuguese Old Town that whispers of tin barons and spice merchants.

Expect rich contrasts: orange-clad monks on dawn alms rounds; then neon-lit Yaowarat frying oysters by night. Off Phuket, limestone towers lance the horizon, hiding sea caves and lagoons where water glows glassy green. Street food is a national sport—pad thai, boat noodles, green curry—and coffee culture hums in cool, creative cafes.

Practical notes: Thailand uses the Thai Baht; eSIMs and airport SIM counters are cheap and reliable. Dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered), carry light cotton for the tropical heat, and pack reef-safe sunscreen for island days. Dry season for the Andaman coast (Phuket) runs roughly November–April; Bangkok is year-round with afternoon showers common May–October.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a riverine capital where longtail boats skim khlongs (canals), gold-leaf Buddha images glow under teak eaves, and electric night markets run on steam, chili, and chatter. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho are the city’s ceremonial heart; Chinatown (Yaowarat) is its midnight pantry.

• Top sights: Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun, Jim Thompson House, Chinatown, Talat Noi street art, and the canals of Thonburi.
• Why visit: world-class street food, ornate temples, river life, and a nightlife scene that ranges from craft beer shophouses to rooftop bars with sweeping Chao Phraya views.
• Local flavor: try pad thai at Thipsamai, crab omelet at Raan Jay Fai (book early/expect queues), boat noodles at Victory Monument, and mango sticky rice at Mae Varee.

Where to stay (Bangkok): Riverside for views and boat access; Old Town (Rattanakosin) for temples; Siam/Silom for shopping and BTS/MRT.

• Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (iconic riverside classic): Check availability
• The Siam Hotel (boutique serenity on the river): Check availability
• Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (lush riverside escape): Check availability
• Lub d Bangkok Siam (budget, steps from BTS): Check availability
• Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel (Old Town charm): Check availability or Lub d Bangkok Silom on Hostelworld: See beds
• Search more stays: VRBO Bangkok rentals | Hotels.com Bangkok hotels

Getting in and around: Fly into BKK or DMK—compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. In town, use BTS/MRT, river boats, or Grab for short hops.

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, Riverside Golden Hour

Afternoon: Land, check in, and refresh. If you’re peckish, slip into On Lok Yun (old-school Thai breakfast cafe famed for kaya toast) or Factory Coffee near Victory Monument for award-winning espresso.

Evening: Kick off with a small-group tuk-tuk romp through glittering temples, markets, and street eats on the award-winning tour below. It’s fast, fun, and orients you to the city’s flavors.

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

Prefer a sit-down dinner? Book Nahm (refined regional Thai) or Baan Ice (excellent southern Thai). Nightcap at a riverside bar with views of Wat Arun lit like a lantern.

Day 2: Bangkok’s Royal Core and Life on the Water

Morning: Tour Bangkok’s spiritual heart: Wat Traimit (Golden Buddha), Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha and traditional massage school), and the Grand Palace. Going with a guide streamlines queues and adds rich context.

Bangkok City Highlights Tour: Grand Palace & Three Iconic Temples

Lunch nearby: Thipsamai (classic pad thai over charcoal), Pe Aor (legendary tom yum noodles), or Krua Apsorn (royal-style Thai—order the crab omelet and green curry).

Afternoon: Drift through the Thonburi canals in a longtail boat—see stilt houses, hidden temples, and waterside life few visitors catch.

Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

Evening: Dine as the city slides by on the Chao Phraya. Watching the Grand Palace and Wat Arun glide past from the open deck is pure Bangkok.

The Newest Luxury 5-Star Bangkok Chao Phraya Dinner Cruise

Day 3: Floating Markets, Train Market, and Midnight Eats

Morning: Head out to two of Thailand’s most unique spectacles: the Maeklong Railway Market (vendors whisk awnings aside as a train inches through) and Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Go early to beat heat and crowds.

Bangkok: Floating Market and Train Market Experience

Afternoon: Return for coffee at Phil Coffee Company (Ari) or Gallery Drip Coffee by the art center. If it’s a weekend, roam Chatuchak Market for handicrafts and local fashion. Massage break: choose a reputable spa or Wat Pho’s school for a traditional Thai massage.

Evening: Jump on a culinary tuk-tuk safari spotlighting Michelin-rated street bites—think charcoal-grilled pork, pad kra pao, and classic desserts.

Bangkok Midnight Food Tuk Tuk Tour

Alternative for earlier diners: the “Bangkok Michelin Food by Tuk Tuk” experience for a dinner-time window.

Bangkok Michelin Food by Tuk Tuk - Hotel-pickup Lunch or Dinner

Phuket

Phuket pairs sugar-soft beaches with a brilliantly preserved Old Town of Sino-Portuguese shophouses, shrines, and cafes. Offshore, karst spires puncture Phang Nga Bay and coral gardens ring the Phi Phi Islands—your stage for snorkeling, sea caves, and luminous lagoons.

• Top experiences: island-hopping (Phi Phi, Bamboo Island), Phang Nga Bay sea cave canoeing and “James Bond Island,” ethical elephant encounters, Phuket Old Town food crawl, and sunset spots like Promthep Cape or Kata Rocks.
• Food highlights: Mor Mu Dong (rustic seafood on stilts), One Chun (heritage Phuket dishes), Tu Kab Khao (Southern Thai), Go Benz (pork rice soup), and Raya Restaurant (blue crab curry).

Where to stay (Phuket): Beach north (Mai Khao) for tranquility, Kamala/Kata for family-friendly sands, Patong for nightlife, Phuket Town for culture.

• Trisara Phuket (private-villa elegance, west coast): Check availability
• JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (Mai Khao seafront): Check availability
• The Shore at Katathani (romantic villas, Kata Noi): Check availability
• Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket (beachfront with a lazy river): Check availability
• Lub d Phuket Patong (social, budget-friendly): Check availability
• Search more stays: VRBO Phuket rentals | Hotels.com Phuket hotels

Getting there: Fly Bangkok to Phuket (1h25 flight; ~2.5–3 hours door-to-door). Typical one-way fares run ~$35–120 depending on carrier/season—compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Consider booking an “open-jaw” ticket: into Bangkok, out of Phuket.

Day 4: Fly to Phuket, Old Town Colors and Southern Thai Flavors

Morning: After breakfast in Bangkok, transfer to the airport and fly to Phuket (aim for a morning departure). Pre-book seats on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Taxi or hotel transfer to your resort (45–75 minutes depending on beach).

Afternoon: Wander Phuket Old Town: pastel shophouses along Thalang Road, Chinese shrines, and creative cafes. Coffee at Campus Coffee Roaster; dessert at The Feelsion Cafe (wildly photogenic). Shop for batik, hand-carved rubberwood, and island spices.

Evening: Dinner at One Chun (order moo hong—slow-braised pork belly—and Phuket crab curry). For cocktails, slide into Tantitium or a speakeasy-style bar in the Old Town; beach-goers can watch sunset from Kata Rocks or Promthep Cape.

Day 5: Phi Phi Islands Day Trip (Snorkeling, Lagoons, and White Sand)

Full-day island-hopping to the famed Phi Phi archipelago—think clear water, snorkeling with tropical fish, and a seaview lunch. Early departures beat the swell and crowds; bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard.

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

Back on Phuket, soothe sun-kissed shoulders with a Thai herbal compress massage. Dinner ideas: Tu Kab Khao (southern Thai staples), Raya (blue crab curry), or Mor Mu Dong (rustic seafood over mangroves—arrive before dark).

Day 6: Phang Nga Bay Sea Caves or Ethical Elephant Morning

Option A—Spend the day gliding beneath limestone arches into hidden lagoons, with views of “James Bond Island.” Big-boat programs are comfortable and scenic; guided canoeing gets you deep into the caves.

Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island by Big Boat

Option B—If wildlife calls, devote the morning to an ethical elephant sanctuary where retirees roam forest and ponds freely. Then laze the afternoon at a beach club in Kamala or Bang Tao.

A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Post-adventure dinner: One Chun (if you missed it), Go Benz (late-night comfort bowls), or Blue Elephant (grand setting, royal Thai cuisine).

Day 7: Slow Morning, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Swim at sunrise, then brunch on the beach—crab fried rice, roti with curry, or tropical fruit and Thai iced coffee. Pick up last souvenirs in Phuket Old Town: local cashews, pineapple jam, or batik.

Afternoon: Transfer to HKT for your outbound flight. Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim to reach the airport 2 hours before domestic, 3 hours before international flights.

Evening: In transit. If you have a late flight, consider an early dinner near the beach—grilled seafood with lime and chili, or a final bowl of boat noodles—and one last sunset at Nai Yang.

Need-to-know tips: Carry a light scarf for temple modesty; always remove shoes before entering sanctuaries. For markets, small bills help. Street food is freshest at busy stalls; watch for made-to-order woks and swift turnover. Hydrate often and use sunscreen liberally on boat days.

Optional swaps and add-ons: If seas are choppy, switch Day 5 for the calmer Phang Nga Bay cruise on Day 6, or add a Phuket Town food tour. Beach families might opt for Sunwing Kamala Beach: Check availability.

Thailand rewards curiosity. In one week you’ve tasted Bangkok’s temple spires and street feasts, then traded city buzz for Phuket’s turquoise coves and sea caves. You’ll leave with the scent of jasmine rice, salt on your skin, and a promise to return.