A Wandering Jon

Where ever I go, there I am.

Two Weeks in… Thailand

While I have been on this trip and making notes to help with this blog / answering questions / persuading folks to do the same, I offered to put a few bits together on a two week trip for a brilliant young colleague at my former workplace. This took the form of a couple of suggested itineraries, including sights, accommodations etc. Hopefully they have helped.

Originally, I posted this on Instagram as a series of pictures, mostly as Messenger does not do file transfer and I forgot that WhatsApp does do file transfer! Anyway, heading back here (Pai) from Mae Hong Son I was jotting down on places for me to go after this trip is out of the way next year, I remembered I had the itineraries and thought I would get it up on this site. And I’ll turn it into a “thing” for each country I visit. Mostly for people who want to DIY this sort of thing. Everyone else, get ripped off by an agent ;)

Here for your perusal are two suggested itineraries for 2 weeks in Thailand. Used a fortnight in May as for many its the sweet spot, outside of school holidays, its past Easter for those stuck in retail and so on. Can be very hot locally, but that’s a good thing right?! One point to note, fly on a Saturday or a Sunday at the start of your trip, this maximises your time in country. Aim to land as early as possible on a Monday.

Itinerary One – Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Gulf Islands (Koh Samui / Koh Phangan / Koh Tao)

Bangkok. Monday – Wednesday

Explore the locale you’re staying in, see the Grand Palace & Wat Pho, Wat Arun. Jodd Fairs – night market/street food. Malls. Jim Thompson House. Get a Thai Massage. Khao San road one evening too.

  • Accommodation.
    Personally I like the Banglamphu area, so my recommendations go from hostels like Bed Station & Nap Park to riverside hotels like New Siam Riverside, Riva Surya. In between you have Baan Chart, Old Capital Bike Inn, Royal Rattanakosin and hundreds more options on many budgets. Options get comfier as you move around the city, but for me Banglamphu works.

Chiang Mai. Wednesday – Monday

Either fly up on the Wednesday afternoon, or take an overnight train from Bangkok – this would be my preference, its an adventure in itself. Do 2nd class sleeper, check here for info & such. You still get 4 days in Chiang Mai if you do the overnight train.

(Image snipped from 12go.com)

In & around the city there are plenty of temples, elephant sanctuaries (check reviews and do ones with no riding and only ethical treatment), trip up Doi Inthanon, night markets, Sunday walking street, Muay Thai fights, cooking classes etc. Can do some of this in Bangkok, but Chiang Mai is just easier to get around and considerably more relaxed/cheaper.

  • Accommodation.
    Stay in the old city, within its walls. Look at Vieng Mantra, Suneta, The Moment, Ban Nai Soi Mini Hotel, Moon Dragon, Hob Nob Hostel. Being within the old city walls is just nice for CM. Walkable and very cosy really. Plenty of things to see and do and lots to eat of course.

Koh Samui. Monday – Saturday

Bangkok Airways fly direct from Chiang Mai and can do a multi-city to get you back to Bangkok too. Costs around £60.  There is a lot to see and do around Koh Samui. Cooking lessons, loads of beaches, snorkelling, boat trips, view points, many different beaches, great food offerings and so much more. Take a day or two and maybe go over to Koh Phangan as well, you will miss the Full Moon party, but its still worth a visit, some great views and experiences to be had. 

  • Accommodation.
    Depends which Beach you stay on/around, but Lamai/Mae Nam are both nice. Chaweng is just too much noise & effort in my opinion. You can get some good places on Booking from like 40 quid for the 5 nights for a good clean bungalow to really high prices at top end joints. Yes from £8 a night!

Bangkok. Saturday

Fly back to Bangkok as late as possible, hang around BKK – Suvarnabhumi Airport – until its time to check in for the flight home. There are places to chill/shower/freshen up before that if needed. Ideally you will have booked a flight that leaves wee small hours Sunday and gets you home Sunday night. Ready for the real world Monday morning!

Itinerary Two – Bangkok, Krabi, Phi Phi / Phuket

Bangkok. Monday – Thursday

Explore the locale you’re staying in, see the Grand Palace & Wat Pho, Wat Arun. Dinner around Khao San Road in the evening. Jodd Fairs – night market/street food. Malls. Jim Thompson House. Get a Thai Massage. Khlong Tours, Wat Saket (for Sunrise/views over old town), Sky bars and glass walks, take the tourist boat or local passenger boats down the river, eat round chinatown.

  • Accommodation.
    Personally I like the Banglamphu area, so my recommendations go from hostels like Bed Station & Nap Park to riverside hotels like New Siam Riverside, Riva Surya. In between you have Baan Chart, Old Capital Bike Inn, Royal Rattanakosin and hundreds more options on many budgets. Options get comfier as you move around the city, but for me Banglamphu works.

Krabi Area. Thursday – Monday

Fly to Krabi. Stay in a beach town called Ao Nang. Basically its very tourist friendly. Can take tours to Railay (awesome awesome little set of beaches, caves, hikes etc), James Bond island (filmed The Man with the Golden Gun there), kayaking, Poda Island, Dragons Crest Viewpoint, Tiger Cave, Krabi town night market etc etc

  • Accommodation.
    Ao Nang has everything from hostels to full on resorts. Booking.com or Agoda will be good options to use to find what feels right. As per, here are a few anyway. Tan Hostel, J Mansion, Avani Ao nang Cliff Resort.

Koh Phi Phi. Monday – Wednesday

Worth doing no matter what really. View points are great. Few tours to do – snorkelling, diving if you had more time there. Big draw is Phi Phi Ley, especially Maya Bay. Hopefully its open and you can get onto the beach proper (they filmed The Beach here after all!). Can get here via ferry from Ao Nang. Check 12go.com for that and then just book locally when you are there.

  • Accommodation.
    Phi Phi has plenty of different hostels, hotels and such. Either stay in the centre or take a bit of a walk out, or even a short hop on a long tail. Look at Voyagers Hostel, or Phi Phi The Beach Hotel.

Wednesday – Saturday

Again, ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Phuket. Staying in the Patong area, it’s big, it’s brash, it’s built up but despite me not liking it for years, it’s grown on me. Plenty across the island to see. Big Buddha view point, numerous beaches, temples, Elephant sanctuaries, old town is well worth an afternoon/evening. Phuket is a pretty big “island”, so look at renting a car, or if you have all the right papers a scooter. Otherwise use public transport or Grab etc.

  • Accommodation.
    Patong is the most popular area for folks to stay. I was just outside it for a while at Kalima Beach (some images here on my insta) as I got a great last minute deal. Again it is worth researching yourself as tastes do differ. 

Bangkok. Saturday

Fly back to Bangkok as late as possible, hang around BKK – Suvarnabhumi Airport – until its time to check in for the flight home. There are places to chill/shower/freshen up before that if needed. If planned right and it works, there are several major airlines that fly from Phuket to the various middle east gateways, so could be worth looking into instead of flying back to Bangkok.