The Thailand Travel Guide

We’ve got the insider itinerary for the trip of a lifetime.

Summer is coming to an end, and with it, summer vacations. If you’re already daydreaming of your next escape, you’re in luck. We’ve got an epic trip planned just for you.

With crystal-clear waters, a lively metropolis, and jungles filled with majestic creatures, this historic, awe-inspiring country has something for everyone. We sought some expert advice from two Thai expats for tips that are way better than anything you could ever get from a travel guide. Here’s an itinerary for a week’s worth of adventures, sampling Thailand’s best destinations  that are all within Bangkok or just a short drive away. Excited yet? You should be.

Preparation

Be sure take out cash and exchange your currency before you leave for Thailand. Most street vendors do not accept credit cards and those who do may charge a hefty credit-card fee. So here in Thailand, cash is key.

The Best Time of Year to Visit

During the hot season from March to May temperatures reach into the high 90s. If you’re not afraid of the heat, visit during the middle of April when an all-out water gun fight called the Water Festival, douses locals and tourists in the streets of Bangkok. For the more moderate-climate minded, the best time to travel to Thailand to avoid the heat is November through February.

Day 1

Morning:

Terminal 21 Food Court

One of the most important things in life (and in travel) is filling your belly with good, local food. Start off with brunch at the best food court in the world. Yes, you heard us right—a food court. While mall food courts aren’t synonymous with good cuisine in America, in Thailand, they don’t mess around. Terminal 21 mall is famous for serving gourmet food from all the best restaurants and street vendors in Thailand. Here you can get your grub on and get a break from the heat.

The mall itself isn’t a sight to be missed. It’s modeled after an airport terminal and each floor is a decorated like a different country. There’s even a sculpture of the Golden Gate Bridge suspended above the escalators. When you’re done with brunch, be sure to check out the bathrooms (really!) because toilets are also internationally inspired. If you’ve never visited Japan and used a bidet, now’s your chance.

Afternoon:

Wat Phra Kaew (The Grand Palace)

In the afternoon, visit Bangkok’s most cherished temple, The Grand Palace. Thai kings roamed its halls for over 150 years and now you can, too. Wander through the grounds to find Phra Thinang Amarin Winitchai, a hall with an ornate gold throne that would make other royals jealous. Afterwards, stroll over to the famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Inside The Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha is a stunning jade sculpture of Buddha. According to legend, a saint in India carved the statue with the help of the Hindu god Vishnu in 43 B.C. Since then, it journeyed through Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos, before finally arriving back in Thailand. Since it is still worshiped today, the King of Thailand changes the golden clothes of the Buddha every season.

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(Photo by Ruby Yeh)

Wat Pho (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha)

Exploring can be exhausting, so when you’re finished with The Grand Palace walk over to Wat Pho, a temple with another impressive Buddha sculpture. This tranquil building is the birthplace of Thai massage, so put your name down for a treatment and while you’re waiting, pay homage to the impressive 49-foot long, reclining golden Buddha. The walk through the temple is equally gorgeous. 1,000 golden Buddha statues line the walls of the cloisters.

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(Photo by Ruby Yeh)

Finally, end with your authentic Thai massage. Wat Pho is still known as the leading school of Thai massage, so your treatment is sure to be one of the best in the world.

Night:

Asiatique

At night, take the ferry to Asiatique, one of Bangkok’s coolest new night markets. Eat along the waterfront then finish your night with ride on the ferris wheel, for a jaw-dropping view of the Bangkok’s lights glittering into the night sky.

Day 2

All day:

Ayutthaya

On your second day, take day trip to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand and the Siamese Empire. The hour-long train ride from Bangkok takes you straight into the heart of the city. Here you can rent a bike and spend the day riding through town, in awe of the ruins.

Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya flourished between the 14th and 18th centuries as a global center of civilization and commerce before the Burmese army burned it to the ground. The invaders cut off the golden heads of the Buddha sculptures, scraped off the gold, and dumped the remains in the forest. On your bike journey, you’ll spot the curious sight of Buddha heads nestled among the tree roots that have grown around the sculpture.

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(Source: nationalgeographic.com)

For lunch, bike over to the river for a unique crustacean delicacy. The local specialty here is scrumptious giant river prawns, the size of a forearm, sliced and grilled. Don’t forget to eat the head oil of the prawn, which is the juiciest portion.

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(Source: eatingthaifood.com)

Night:

Yaowarat (Chinatown)

Journey back to Bangkok and follow the foodies to Chinatown to sample the best street food in Bangkok. Here the scent of grilled meat rises into the air. Feast upon roasted squid, pad Thai mussel omelette, and pork skewers. Finish up with a sweet Yaowarat toasted bread, filled with condensed milk and warm custard.

Khaosan Road

You’ll need a drink or two to cool yourself from the heat, so head over to Khaosan Road for a cocktail. A mainstay for adventurous travelers and young Thai partiers, here there’s a type of bar and club for everyone. With so many revelers, it’s a perfect place for people watching, as well. So head on over and party the night away.

Day 3

All day:

Damnoen Saduak

In the morning, hire a tour guide or take a drive to the outskirts of Bangkok to visit Damnoen Saduak, a historic floating market. Here longboat guides will take you sailing through a myriad of stalls that float upon the water. Ready to stop at a moment’s notice, the guides will help you shop for souvenirs and pick up a fresh  coconut or dragon fruit for a refreshing snack.

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(Source: zamaktel.com)

Night:

Rod Fai Market

At night, return to Bangkok to grab dinner and more souvenirs at Rod Fai market. Filled with shops selling vintage collectibles, trendy clothes, and authentic Thai street food. On a warm night, you’d be crazy to miss this bustling outdoor bazaar.

Sky Bar

Finish your evening with a nightcap at Sky Bar. Suspended 820 feet in the air, the lounge’s view of the skyline will make for a memorable last night in Bangkok before you head out to the surrounding areas in the morning. Sip on a sweet poptail, a delicious cocktail and popsicle juice concoction, and reflect on the magic of the city.
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(Photo by Ruby Yeh)

Day 4 & 5

All day:

Koh Larn

After three days in Bangkok, it’s time to relax. Drive to the Pattaya coast, then catch a speedboat to Koh Larn, a secluded island full of picturesque beaches. Here, the crystal-clear waters and soft white sands provide a much needed moment of calm and relaxation. Rent a room and spend the next two days swimming through water so clear you can see the sand at the bottom of the sea. The island is a local favorite and not as well-known by tourists, so rest assured you are truly enjoying one of Thailand’s hidden treasures.

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(Source: zatavki.com)

Day 6 & 7

All day:

Khao Yai National Park

Make your last two days in Thailand an adventure. Rent a car and drive to the sprawling forest and grasslands of Khao Yai National Park. Just a few hours outside of Bangkok, the park is home to 66 species of mammals, including black bears, elephants, and tigers. Infinitely better than any trip to the zoo, spend your first day in the park marveling at the ridiculously cool wildlife and hiking through the breathtaking landscape to the park’s impressive waterfalls.

At night:

Night Safari

Finish your trip with a night safari that’ll change your life. Hire a guide and as darkness falls, your tour guide will drive you through the jungle. If you’re lucky you’ll spot the park’s elephants and tigers at play. Hold the selfies. This is something you’ll want to fully experience without any distractions. A tiger in the wild at night is a breathtaking moment you won’t soon forget.

Head back home the next day, but don’t be sad. Your next adventure is just waiting to be planned.