Thailand’s story arcs from the ancient kingdoms of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya to modern Bangkok’s kinetic sprawl—a capital that never ceded to colonial rule. Today, gilded temples share the skyline with sky bars, and canal-side wooden houses survive in the long shadow of ultra-modern malls.

Expect a feast for the senses: sizzling woks, jasmine rice, and the perfume of lime leaves; monks in saffron, riverboats gliding at sunset, and the whirr of tuk-tuks. From Bangkok’s Grand Palace to Phuket’s karst-studded bays, this trip leans into culture, cuisine, and coastal bliss.

Practical notes: dress modestly for temples (shoulders/knees covered), carry small cash for markets, and plan for heat. Thailand runs on 230V plugs (types A, B, C), tap water isn’t potable, and eSIMs are easy at the airport. Street food is safe when it’s busy and cooked to order.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a city of layers: Rattanakosin’s royal precincts, Chinatown’s neon tangle, riverside warehouses reborn as galleries, and night markets that bloom like orchids after dark. Ride the BTS skytrain, hop the Chao Phraya boats, and snack every few blocks—this is the world capital of street food.

• Top sights: Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun at sunset, Chinatown (Yaowarat), Jim Thompson House, ICONSIAM.
• Why go now: Michelin-rated street vendors, revitalized canals, and a bar scene perched on the 40th floor and up.
• Cafe and bites: On Lok Yun (1930s diner breakfast), Thip Samai (fiery pad thai), Nai Mong Hoi Thod (crispy oyster omelet), Kor Panich (classic mango sticky rice).

Where to stay (Bangkok): Riverside classics and Old Town boutiques keep you close to the action. Browse stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Specific picks: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (legendary riverside service), Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (resort feel in the city), The Siam Hotel (design-forward sanctuary), and smart budget like Lub d Bangkok Siam or Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel.

Getting in and around: Book international flights to BKK/DMK on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport Rail Link + BTS is fastest into town; taxis run ~$10–15 plus tolls. BTS/MRT fares are ~$0.50–$1.80 per ride; Grab works well after midnight.

Day 1: Arrive in Bangkok, river views and a dinner cruise

Afternoon: Land in Bangkok and check in. Grab an eSIM at the airport and ride the Airport Rail Link into the city. Ease in with a riverside wander at ICONSIAM; try Luk Kai Thong for Thai comfort dishes or pick up fruit and fresh-pressed sugarcane at the ground-floor “Sook Siam.”

Evening: Board a modern riverboat for skyline views and live performances on this dinner cruise departing ICONSIAM: Bangkok Sawasdee Chaophraya Dinner Cruise.

Expect lit-up temples, Rama VIII Bridge, and a Thai/international buffet (8:45–10:45 pm typical). Nightcap at Jack’s Bar (ramshackle pier bar) or back to the hotel early to beat jet lag.

Day 2: Royal Bangkok, massage, and a tuk-tuk night food safari

Morning: Classic Bangkok in one sweep: Bangkok City Highlights Tour: Grand Palace & Three Iconic Temples.

It covers Wat Traimit’s 5.5-ton Gold Buddha, Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha (and its famed massage school), and the Grand Palace. Fuel up first at On Lok Yun (butter toast, kaya, Thai-style omelets).

Afternoon: Lunch at Thip Samai (charcoal-fired pad thai “Superb” with shrimp roe) or Krua Apsorn (royal Thai recipes; order crab omelet and green curry). Then a 60–90 minute massage: Wat Pho Traditional, or Health Land Sathorn for consistent technique. Coffee at Blue Whale near Wat Pho (the signature butterfly pea latte is photogenic).

Evening: Zip through backstreets on the city’s best-loved night tour: Bangkok by Night: Temples, Markets and Food Tuk-Tuk Tour.

Taste peppery pad kra pao, Chinatown dumplings, and mango sticky rice; stop for a quiet, floodlit temple and a secret-viewpoint dessert.

Day 3: Floating market morning, modern Bangkok afternoon

Morning: Witness two of Thailand’s quirkiest spectacles in one outing: Bangkok: Floating Market and Train Market Experience.

At Maeklong, vendors whisk awnings off the tracks as the train rolls through; at Damnoen Saduak, boat vendors griddle coconut pancakes and sell orchids. Snack your way through—grilled river prawns and boat noodles are best.

Afternoon: Back in town, browse the Jim Thompson House (mid-century teak architecture and serene gardens) or the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre. Coffee at Gallery Drip Coffee (single-origin pour-overs) and lassi-like mango smoothies downstairs at MBK.

Evening: Rooftop hour: Octave at Marriott Sukhumvit (360-degree view) or Sala Rattanakosin (Wat Arun across the river). Dinner in Chinatown: Nai Mong Hoi Thod (oyster omelet, crisp edges) or T&K Seafood. For a refined option, book nahm (heritage Thai recipes, spicy and balanced).

Phuket

Phuket delivers more than beaches: a colorful Sino-Portuguese Old Town, jungle-backed viewpoints, and offshore limestone spires that look painted into the sea. Base yourself by the sand, then plot day trips to Phi Phi and Phang Nga Bay for the postcard moments.

• Top experiences: Phi Phi snorkel lagoons, sea-cave kayaking in Phang Nga, Sunday Walking Street Market (Lard Yai), Promthep Cape sunset, Old Town murals and shophouses.
• Food to find: Southern Thai curries (fiery), moo hong (braised pork), roti with curry, fresh squid grilled to order at Rawai.
• Great with kids: Calm mornings at Kata/Kamala, elephant sanctuaries that prioritize welfare, boat trips with big, shaded decks.

Where to stay (Phuket): Browse beach stays on VRBO or Hotels.com. Standouts: JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa (quiet Mai Khao), The Shore at Katathani (romantic Kata villas), Trisara Phuket (private-pool luxury), Amanpuri (iconic), family-friendly Sunwing Kamala Beach, or value-forward Lub d Phuket Patong and Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket.

Getting there from Bangkok: Fly BKK/DMK → HKT (1h20–1h30; ~$35–$120) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Airport to the main beaches takes 45–75 minutes by taxi (700–1,000 THB).

Day 4: Fly to Phuket, beach time, and Old Town flavors

Morning: Depart Bangkok on an early flight (assume 9–10 am). Grab coffee and a croissant at Roast at the gate if flying from BKK. Touch down and taxi to your hotel.

Afternoon: Easy beach hours at Kata or Kamala. Light lunch: roti with chicken curry at a local “roti taew nam,” or Go Benz in Phuket Town (famous pork-and-shrimp rice porridge; go mid-afternoon to avoid lines). Coffee at Campus Coffee Roaster (careful roasting; airy shophouse vibe).

Evening: Stroll Phuket Old Town’s Sino-Portuguese streets; photograph Soi Romanee in pastel. Dinner at One Chun (southern Thai—moo hong, yellow crab curry) or Tu Kab Khao (spicy gaeng som). If it’s Sunday, the Lard Yai Walking Street brings craft stalls and street snacks; other nights, try Chillva Night Market (Wed–Sat) for coconut ice cream and grilled squid.

Day 5: Full-day Phi Phi Islands by speedboat

Set the alarm for a blockbuster day at sea: Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine.

Snorkel clear reefs, motor past Maya Bay’s cliffs, and anchor at Pileh Lagoon’s emerald bowl. A seaview lunch and gear are included; bring reef-safe sunscreen, a dry bag, and small cash for national park fees. Back on land, a casual dinner near your hotel—Kan Eang@Pier (seafood, breezy decks) or No.9 2nd Restaurant (big Thai menu, good value).

Day 6: Ethical elephants, spa, and sunset capes (alt: James Bond Bay)

Morning: Meet gentle giants at the island’s leading ethical sanctuary: A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.

Walk boardwalks as elephants forage and bathe on their own terms (no riding). Coffee after at The Shelter Coffee (careful extractions) and an early lunch at Mor Mu Dong (rustic waterside huts; grilled fish with turmeric and chili).

Afternoon: Spa time—Banyan Tree Spa for classic Thai techniques or a beachside massage on Kata for something simpler. Swim at Nai Harn’s calm crescent if seas permit.

Evening: Golden hour at Promthep Cape, then dinner at Rawai Seafood Market: choose your catch (prawns, snapper) and have it cooked next door with garlic and pepper. If you prefer a second boat day, swap today for sea caves and karsts on Phang Nga Bay Sea Cave Canoeing & James Bond Island by Big Boat.

It’s a relaxed alternative with shaded decks and guided kayaking into hidden lagoons.

Day 7: Beachy brunch and departure

Morning: Last swim, then brunch at The Feelsion (Old Town—coconutty Thai desserts and strong coffee) or Ryn Phuket for impeccable espresso. Pick up edible souvenirs: Phuket pineapple cookies, cashews, or local curry pastes.

Afternoon: Transfer to HKT for your flight home or onward via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have extra time, grab a southern Thai lunch at One Chun before heading to the airport.

Getting between cities (timing and cost)

Bangkok → Phuket (Day 4, morning): 1h20–1h30 nonstop flights, typically $35–$120 one way depending on season; book on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Allow 60–75 minutes for the airport-to-beach transfer in Phuket.

Extra Bangkok options (if you add a day or swap activities)

Prefer canals and dinner on the river? Consider Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride.

Food-obsessed travelers might swap a night for the Bangkok Michelin Food by Tuk Tuk. For fast entry on arrival, consider Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport VIP Fast-Track Lane Service.

Where to book and how to budget: Flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com, hotels on Hotels.com and VRBO. Street eats $2–$5, mid-range restaurants $8–$18 per person, boat days $70–$140, massages $10–$30/hr, taxis $3–$12 in town.

In seven days, you’ll trace an arc from Bangkok’s sacred spires and sizzling woks to Phuket’s lime-green lagoons and easy sunsets. With smart flights, centrally located stays, and a few curated tours, this itinerary balances depth and downtime—the kind of week that lingers like the scent of kaffir lime.