Thailand has dazzled travelers for centuries—first as the powerful Kingdom of Ayutthaya, later as Siam, and today as a modern nation that still reveres its temples, traditions, and royal heritage. Bangkok’s glittering Grand Palace and riverside wats frame a city that hums with long-tail boats, sizzling woks, and cutting-edge galleries.

Head south to Phuket for jungle-cloaked hills, pastel Sino‑Portuguese shophouses, and quick access to the Andaman Sea’s marquee islands. Snorkel into turquoise coves around Phi Phi and meet rescued elephants at an ethical sanctuary—the kind of experiences that linger long after the tan fades.

Practical notes: Dress modestly for temples (covered shoulders and knees), carry small bills for street food, and use Grab for taxis. Dry season (roughly November–March) brings clear skies in most regions; shoulder seasons mean fewer crowds and good value. Street food is a highlight—follow the queues and you’ll eat well.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a study in exhilarating contrasts: royal rooftops tiled in emerald and gold, canal-side wooden houses in Thonburi, Michelin-lauded street carts, and neon night markets. The Chao Phraya River is your compass—temples, ferries, and breezy dinner cruises radiate from its banks.

• Top sights: Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho (reclining Buddha), Wat Arun, Chinatown (Yaowarat), Jim Thompson House, and the klongs (canals) of Thonburi.
• Eats to remember: Jay Fai’s wok-fired crab omelet; Thipsamai’s classic pad thai; Krua Apsorn’s crab curry; Pe Aor’s tom yum; Chinatown’s seafood and sweets.
• Fun fact: Wat Pho is considered the birthplace of traditional Thai massage—plan time for an authentic treatment in its massage pavilions.

Where to stay (Bangkok):

• Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok — riverside icon with legendary service.
• Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort — resort feel on the Chao Phraya with a shuttle boat.
• The Siam Hotel — art deco river sanctuary with private boat.
• Lub d Bangkok Siam or Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel — stylish, wallet-friendly bases.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Bangkok | Hotels.com Bangkok

How to get here: Find international flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Suvarnabhumi (BKK) has an Airport Rail Link into town (~30 minutes); taxis with tolls run ~$12–18 depending on traffic.

Day 1: Arrival, Riverside Bangkok & Wat Arun Sunset

Afternoon: Land in Bangkok and check into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a riverside stroll. Grab an iced Thai coffee at ICONSIAM’s ground-floor food zone or Gallery Drip Coffee (for meticulously brewed single-origin beans).

Evening: Cross the river by ferry to Wat Arun for golden-hour photos as the porcelain spires glow. Dinner nearby: choose Thipsamai (old-school pad thai cooked over charcoal) or Krua Apsorn (royal-style Thai; order the crab yellow curry and stir-fried flower omelet). Toast the first night with a view at Sala Rattanakosin’s terrace or a craft cocktail at Tropic City in Charoen Krung.

Day 2: Grand Palace, Canals & Night Food by Tuk-Tuk

Morning: Early start at the Grand Palace & Wat Phra Kaew—dress modestly; rent cover-ups if needed. Continue to Wat Pho; book a 30–60 minute Thai massage at the on-site school. Breakfast ideas: On Lok Yun (retro diner for kaya toast and Thai-style omelets) or The Coffee Academics at ICONSIAM.

Afternoon: Explore the city’s quieter side on a long-tail boat through Thonburi’s klongs.

Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

Watch stilt houses drift by, wave to kids fishing, and spot hidden temples—an easy, photogenic interlude after temple-hopping. Snack run: mango sticky rice at Mae Varee or boat noodles at Victory Monument.

Evening: Dive into Bangkok’s award-winning night food tour by tuk-tuk—temples lit up, markets buzzing, and a progressive menu of street classics.

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

Expect sizzling pad krapao, Chinatown bites, and a quiet, after-hours temple stop—an unforgettable intro to the city’s flavors.

Day 3: Day Trip to Ayutthaya (UNESCO Temples)

Trade city bustle for the former Siamese capital’s headless Buddhas, prang spires, and tree-entwined relics. This small-group tour covers the highlights with history-rich commentary and a local lunch.

Small Group Tour to Ayutthaya Temples from Bangkok with Lunch

Sites often include Wat Mahathat’s Buddha head in tree roots, Wat Phra Si Sanphet, and riverside ruins. Back in Bangkok, celebrate with dinner at Jay Fai (book or queue early) or Pe Aor for luscious tom yum with giant river prawns.

Phuket

Phuket blends soft beaches with a lively Old Town of candy-colored shophouses. Offshore, the Andaman Sea fans out to Phi Phi and Khai Islands—limestone cliffs, coral gardens, and calm lagoons perfect for snorkeling.

• Top experiences: Phi Phi island-hopping, Big Buddha viewpoint, Wat Chalong, Phuket Old Town cafes, sunset at Promthep Cape, and seafood on the pier.
• Local flavors: Southern Thai curries at One Chun; crab with yellow curry at Tu Kab Khao; porridge and braised pork at Go Benz; seafood at Mor Mu Dong or Kan Eang@Pier.
• Fun fact: Many Old Town mansions were built by tin-mining barons—today they house design hotels, galleries, and hip cafés.

Where to stay (Phuket):

• JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa — broad beachfront and family-friendly facilities.
• The Shore at Katathani — romantic villas with private pools near Kata Noi.
• Trisara Phuket — secluded pool-villa retreat with standout dining.
• Amanpuri — design-forward icon on a perfect private cove.
• Lub d Phuket Patong — social and central on a budget.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Phuket | Hotels.com Phuket

Getting there from Bangkok (Day 4): Morning flights from BKK or DMK to HKT take about 1h25 and usually cost ~$35–$90 one-way with checked bag. Compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. From HKT, taxis or Grab to Patong/Kata/Karon run 50–80 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 4: Fly South, Beach Time & Phuket Old Town

Morning: Depart Bangkok on an early flight. Check in and head straight for the sand: Kata Noi (clear water, mellow vibe) or Kamala (family-friendly, gentler surf).

Afternoon: Lazy lunch on the beach—try The Pad Thai Shop (Karon; no-frills, huge flavor) or Green Tamarind Kitchen (burgers if you’re craving Western). Coffee crawl in Old Town: Feelsion, Campus Coffee Roaster, or Bookhemian, each set in heritage shophouses.

Evening: Stroll Thalang Road’s Sino‑Portuguese facades; if it’s Sunday, the Lard Yai night market fills the street with music and street snacks. Dinner at One Chun (order crab curry and moo hong) or Tu Kab Khao (southern classics in a restored mansion).

Day 5: Phi Phi Islands by Speedboat

Beat the crowds and see Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and snorkeling reefs in jewel-toned water. Early departures mean calmer bays and emptier beaches.

Luxury Small Group Phi Phi Sunrise from Phuket

Highlights typically include sunrise over Maya Bay, snorkeling with schools of fish, and a seaview lunch. Prefer a mid-morning start? Consider this crowd-pleasing classic: Phi Phi Islands Adventure Day Trip w/ Seaview Lunch by V. Marine.

Post-boat, unwind with a Thai massage near your hotel and keep dinner easy: Kan Eang@Pier for grilled squid and spicy seafood salad with a harbor view.

Day 6: Ethical Elephant Sanctuary + Sunset

Morning (half-day): Meet rescued elephants in a humane setting—no riding, no tricks, just observation, feeding, and learning. Transfers and a light meal are usually included.

A Morning with the Elephants at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary

Afternoon: Beach-hop to Nai Harn or Freedom Beach for clear water and fewer crowds. Stop by Wat Chalong or drive up to Big Buddha for panoramic island views.

Evening: Aim for Promthep Cape or Windmill Viewpoint at sunset. Dinner at Mor Mu Dong (thatched huts over mangroves; try turmeric fried fish and sator bean stir-fry). Nightcap in Old Town at Dibuk House or a gelato at Torry’s Ice Cream.

Day 7: Slow Morning & Departure

Morning: Brunch at Phuketique (butterfly pea latte and brioche French toast) or Eleven & Two. Last swim at Kamala or Kata Noi, or poke through Old Town boutiques for Peranakan-inspired souvenirs.

Afternoon: Transfer to HKT airport (allow 1.5–2 hours door-to-gate). Search flights to your next stop on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’re extending in Thailand by rail, browse Asia train options on Trip.com Trains.

Food & Coffee Picks by Day (Quick Reference)

• Day 1: Thipsamai or Krua Apsorn; drinks at Sala Rattanakosin or Tropic City.
• Day 2: On Lok Yun breakfast; Chinatown snacks on the tuk-tuk tour; mango sticky rice at Mae Varee.
• Day 3: Jay Fai or Pe Aor after Ayutthaya; late-night Chinatown sweets (Bua Loy Nam Khing).
• Day 4: The Pad Thai Shop or Green Tamarind; coffee at Feelsion/Campus Coffee; dinner at One Chun/Tu Kab Khao.
• Day 5: Tour-provided lunch; massage; seafood at Kan Eang@Pier.
• Day 6: Mor Mu Dong dinner; Torry’s Ice Cream dessert.
• Day 7: Phuketique or Eleven & Two brunch; beach snack huts for coconut shakes.

Optional Add-Ons (If You Have More Time)

• Bangkok markets: Maeklong Railway + Damnoen Saduak Floating Market combo tour: Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour

  

• Phuket sunset at sea: Phuket Luxury Catamaran Phi Phi Maya Bay Maiton with Snorkeling

  

In a week you’ll sample Bangkok’s palaces, canals, and legendary street food, then trade city lights for Phuket’s beaches and the emerald lagoons of Phi Phi. Consider this your springboard—Thailand rewards return visits, each trip widening the map of favorite flavors and secret coves.