ONE MONTH ITINERARIES FOR THAILAND

 ARRIVE IN BANGKOK

DEPART FROM BANGKOK

**TIP: Download the GRAB app and use it to order a taxi. The app is used almost everywhere in Thailand. This will help you avoid possible scams and/or confusion regarding your destination.

BANGKOK (3 NIGHTS) 

• Party on Khao San Road, a very lively street with many bars and nightclubs.
• Visit the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
• Discover Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha).
• Admire Wat Arun, considered one of the most impressive Buddhist temples.
• Visit a night market and taste delicious Thai cuisine. If you're in Bangkok over the weekend, head to the Chatuchak Weekend Night Market.
• Do a boat ride on Bangkok’s canals.
• If you have time, visit the Maeklong Railway Market (keep in mind that it's more than an hour's drive from Bangkok) or a floating market.

AYUTTHAYA (1 NIGHT) 

• Take a minivan, a train or a bus to Ayutthaya, an ancient capital of Thailand.

     **I booked most of my transport between cities with 12go.asia

• Rent a bike and explore the UNESCO-listed temples and ruins of Ayutthaya Historical Park.
• Visit the Night Market.
• Take a boat tour on the rivers surrounding the historic district.

NIGHT TRAIN (1 NIGHT)

• Spend the day visiting other temples and the city.
• In the evening, head to Ayutthaya train station and take the night train to Chiang Mai. 

**My advice: opt for an air-conditioned car. 

Good night!

CHIANG MAI (3 NIGHTS) 

• Visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a temple located on a mountain with panoramic views of the city.
• Explore Chiang Mai Old Town.
• Take a Thai cooking class.
• Eat at Ploen Ruedee Night Market.
• Visit the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar.
• Watch a Ladyboy Cabaret Show at Anusarn Market.
• Book a day trip to see elephants in an ethical sanctuary.
• Take an hour to receive a REAL Thai massage.
• Travel to Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak.

PAI (3 NIGHTS) 

• Take a minivan to Pai, a small town nestled in the mountains of northern Thailand.
• Taste delicious Thai food or do some shopping at the Night Market
• A must-try: Tipsy Tubing. With hundreds of other backpackers, go down a lazy river on a tube with your drink of choice in hand. Take a break on the banks to party, then get back on your tube and head back to the city.
• Rent a scooter or book a tour to explore the surroundings of Pai.
• Explore Nam Lod caves, one of the largest caves in Thailand
• Discover Pai Hot Springs, Pam Bok Waterfalls, Pai Canyon and the White Buddha Temple.
• Enjoy Pai's laid-back nightlife until midnight in one of the many bars.

CHIANG RAI (2 NIGHTS) 

• Get back to Chiang Mai in a minivan, then take a bus to Chiang Rai.

          **I bought all my transport (minivan from Pai to Chiang Mai and then bus from Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai) in a store in Pai.

• Visit the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun).
• Visit the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten).
• Visit the Night Market.
• Meet at the Golden Triangle, where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet.

       **You can book a day trip in which you will see, among other things, the two temples and the Golden Triangle.

• Fly to Koh Samui, then take a ferry to Koh Tao (or Koh Phangan if there's a Full Moon Party).

**KOH PHANGAN

If you happen to be around when on of the Full Moon Parties happens in Koh Phangan, I recommend going there.

I suggest spending 3 nights on the island: the first booked for the day before the party, the second on the day of the party and the third one the day after the party.

If you decide to go to Koh Phangan, spend less time in Phuket.

If there is no Full Moon Party on the dates of your trip, head straight to Koh Tao.

KOH TAO (3 NIGHTS)

• If you're in Koh Phangan, take a ferry to Koh Tao. 

           **On the islands, many vendors sell ferry or bus tickets at the same price or cheaper than 12go.asia.  

• Book a scuba diving or snorkeling tour.
• Visit Koh Nang Yuan, an island with crystal clear waters on which a small strip of sand connects three small islands.
• Explore the island's beaches, such as Aow Leuk Beach (my favorite), Sairee Beach, Shark Bay or Freedom Beach.
• Enjoy the nightlife at Sairee Beach or Mae Haad.
• Party at a Jungle Party or another party happening on the island.

KHAO SOK VILLAGE (1 NIGHT)

• Take a ferry, then a bus/minivan to Khao Sok Village.
• Book in advance a 2-night/3-day or a 2-day overnight Khao Sok lake tour where you'll spend a night in a floating lake house.

          **A few companies offer these excursions. I booked the one with Smiley tours.

• If you choose the 2-night/3-day, the night in Khao Sok Village is included in the price. But if you choose the 2-day overnight option, you'll have to book your own accommodation for a night in Khao Sok Village in order to catch the 9am transportation to the lake.

KHAO SOK (2 NIGHTS)

• The bus leaves Khao Sok Village at 9am.
• During the excursion you will:

- Kayak or swim in the lake.

- Go on a boat safari to try to see monkeys and other wild animals.

- Hike through the rainforest to a cave or a waterfall.

- Travel by boat, with a stop to the famous Guilin of Thailand rocks.

KRABI (3 NIGHTS)

• When booking your Khao Sok Lake tour, make sure to also book your transfer to Krabi at the end of the tour.
• Hike to Railay Viewpoints
• Explore Thung Teao Forest Nature Park to see Emerald Pool or Blue Pool.
• Relax on the beach at Ao Nang Beach, Phra Nang or Railay Beach
• Book a day trip to Phang Nga Bay to see the famous limestone islands, including James Bond Island (Koh Tapu) and Phang Nga Cave.
• Visit the Krabi Town Night Market.

KOH PHI PHI (3 NIGHTS) 

• Take a ferry to Koh Phi Phi.
• Explore the stunning beaches of Koh Phi Phi, such as Maya Bay or Long Beach.
• Spend the night dancing in bars (shout-out to Slinky Bar and Freedom Bar).
• Try boxing at the Reggae Bar (the winner gets a bucket of alcohol).
• Do snorkeling or go on a boat tour around the island.
• Party at an Afternoon Pool Party.

PHUKET (3 NIGHTS)

• Party in the bars and nightclubs of Bangla Road in Patong Beach.
• See the Big Buddha.
• Visit Wat Phra Thong.
• Walk around Phuket Old Town.
• Try to go to Freedom Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Phuket.
• Relax on the beach at Patong Beach, Kata Beach or Karon Beach.
• Visit an elephant sanctuary that treats animals ethically and responsibly.

BANGKOK (1 NIGHT)

• Fly from Phuket to Bangkok.
• Visit Bangkok some more before taking your return flight.