Thailand: Bangkok to Islands
Street food capital, ancient temples, and paradise beaches in the Gulf.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Bangkok
Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha)
Grand Palace
Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) and Thai massage
Wat Pho
Lunch at Thip Samai (best Pad Thai in Bangkok)
Thip Samai
Long-tail boat through Thonburi canals
Thonburi Canals
Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) sunset visit
Wat Arun
Khao San Road evening atmosphere
Khao San Road
Dinner at Jay Fai (Michelin street food queen)
Jay Fai
Day 2
Bangkok
Damnoen Saduak floating market trip
Damnoen Saduak
Maeklong Railway Market (train market)
Maeklong Market
Return to Bangkok, lunch at Or Tor Kor Market
Or Tor Kor Market
Chatuchak Weekend Market (if weekend) or Siam district
Chatuchak Market
Rooftop drinks at Sky Bar (Lebua)
Sky Bar
Dinner at Chinatown's Yaowarat Road (seafood)
Yaowarat Road
Day 3
Bangkok
Jim Thompson House museum
Jim Thompson House
Explore Lumpini Park
Lumpini Park
Lunch at Som Tam Nua (papaya salad)
Som Tam Nua
ICONSIAM riverside mall and Thai street food floor
ICONSIAM
Traditional Thai cooking class
Bangkok
Farewell Bangkok dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya
Chao Phraya River
Day 4
Koh Samui
Fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui (1 hr)
Suvarnabhumi Airport
Check into beachfront resort, swim
Chaweng Beach
Lunch at The Hut Café (ocean views)
Chaweng Beach
Visit Big Buddha temple (Wat Phra Yai)
Big Buddha Temple
Explore Fisherman's Village in Bophut
Bophut Fisherman's Village
Sunset at Lad Koh Viewpoint
Lad Koh Viewpoint
Seafood dinner on the beach
Chaweng Beach
Day 5
Koh Samui
Ang Thong National Marine Park boat day trip
Ang Thong Marine Park
Kayak through the emerald lagoons
Ang Thong
Snorkel and beach BBQ lunch
Ang Thong
Hike to the viewpoint on Koh Wua Talap
Koh Wua Talap
Boat back to Koh Samui
Koh Samui
Dinner at Laem Din night market
Laem Din Market
Day 6
Koh Phangan
Fast ferry to Koh Phangan (30 min)
Koh Samui Pier
Relax at Bottle Beach (hidden paradise)
Bottle Beach
Lunch at a beachside shack
Bottle Beach
Snorkel at Sail Rock (best dive spot in the Gulf)
Sail Rock
Sunset yoga session on the beach
Haad Rin
Dinner at Koh Phangan night market
Thong Sala
Day 7
Koh Samui
Ferry back to Koh Samui
Koh Phangan Pier
Visit Namuang Waterfall
Namuang Waterfall
Farewell lunch at a coconut plantation café
Koh Samui
Last beach time
Lamai Beach
Transfer to Koh Samui Airport
Koh Samui Airport
Where to stay
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Things to do
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