These sample itineraries provide blueprints you can customize for clients based on their interests, pace preferences, and budgets. Each itinerary includes realistic timing, activity costs in Thai Baht, and practical tips for smooth execution. Think of these as starting points - mix and match days, swap activities, extend stays as needed.
All itineraries assume travelers are staying in centrally-located hotels within each destination. Transport times listed are estimates from typical accommodation areas. Costs shown are per person in Thai Baht (THB) for activities only - accommodation and most meals excluded unless specified.
Perfect For: First-time visitors, stopover travelers, city lovers, foodies
Best Time: November-February (cool season) or year-round with air-con breaks
Start early to beat crowds and heat at Bangkok's premier attraction. The Grand Palace complex showcases elaborate Thai architecture - golden spires, detailed murals, guardian demons. Wat Phra Kaew houses the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred image. Dress code enforced: shoulders and knees covered, no see-through clothing.
500 THB Entry fee includes both Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew | Duration: 2-2.5 hours
Five-minute walk from Grand Palace. Wat Pho contains a massive 46-meter long gold-plated Reclining Buddha plus over 1,000 Buddha images throughout the complex. The temple also houses Thailand's most respected traditional Thai massage school - consider booking 30-minute foot massage (300 THB) for temple-funded treatments.
200 THB Temple entry | Optional: 300-400 THB for massage | Duration: 1 hour temple, 30-60 min massage
Options: Supanniga Eating Room (upscale Thai, 400-600 THB) or street food stalls on Maha Rat Road (pad thai, noodle soups, 60-100 THB). For air-con and authentic middle ground, Tha Maharaj food court offers riverside setting with quality Thai dishes (150-250 THB).
Experience Bangkok's river life on public ferry boats. Orange flag boats are tourists-friendly (50 THB flat fare, English announcements). Ride from Tha Tien pier (near Wat Pho) to Sathorn pier, seeing temples, neighborhoods, and river activity along the way. It's transportation and sightseeing combined.
50 THB | Duration: 30-40 minutes one-way
Bangkok afternoons are hot. Strategic break prevents exhaustion for evening activities.
Yaowarat transforms into food paradise evenings. Walk the street trying: crispy pork at Nai Ek Roll Noodles (80 THB), crab fried rice at T&K Seafood (200-300 THB), mango sticky rice at Mae Varee (80 THB), bird's nest soup at various vendors (150 THB). The chaos, neon signs, and incredible food make this quintessential Bangkok.
500-800 THB for multi-dish sampling | Duration: 2-3 hours wandering and eating
American silk entrepreneur's traditional Thai teak house complex, now museum. Beautiful architecture, art collection, and guided tours explain Thai silk industry history. Oasis of calm in busy city center. Tours run every 20 minutes in English.
200 THB | Duration: 45-60 minutes with guide
Experience Bangkok mall culture. MBK: 8 floors of stalls selling everything imaginable at negotiable prices - tech, clothes, souvenirs, tailoring. Siam Paragon: upscale brands, massive food court (basement), Southeast Asia Aquarium. Both are air-conditioned refuges from heat.
Variable Shopping budget dependent | Optional: SEA Life Aquarium 990 THB
Options: Paragon food court basement (200-300 THB for excellent variety), Som Tam Nua for Isaan food (150-250 THB), or Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin for modern Thai fine dining (1,500+ THB tasting menus).
If weekend: Chatuchak is massive (15,000+ stalls over 35 acres). Sell everything - clothes, art, antiques, plants, pets, food. Get lost, embrace it, find treasures. If weekday: Talad Rot Fai (Train Market) near Srinakarin operates Thu-Sun evenings with vintage goods, clothing, and street food in retro setting.
Free entry Shopping/eating budget variable | Duration: 2-3 hours (could spend all day)
Options: Sky Bar at Lebua State Tower (famous from "Hangover II," dress code enforced, cocktails 500-700 THB), Octave Rooftop Bar (360-degree views, 300-500 THB drinks, more relaxed), or Vertigo at Banyan Tree (open-air 61st floor, romantic, 400-600 THB cocktails). Watch sunset over Bangkok skyline.
300-700 THB per cocktail | Duration: 1-2 hours
Thip Samai: Bangkok's most famous pad thai (80-150 THB) with lines that move fast. Thong Lor: trendy neighborhood with international restaurants, craft cocktail bars, and hip Thai eateries (300-800 THB per person).
Options: Train from Hua Lamphong Station (20 THB, 1.5 hours, frequent departures) or join organized tour (1,200-1,800 THB including transport, guide, lunch). DIY train route more adventurous; tours more convenient with historical context.
20 THB train OR 1,200-1,800 THB organized tour
UNESCO World Heritage ruins of Thailand's ancient capital (destroyed 1767). Must-see temples: Wat Mahathat (Buddha head in tree roots - most photographed spot), Wat Phra Si Sanphet (three iconic chedis), Wat Chaiwatthanaram (Khmer-style riverside temple). Rent bicycle (50 THB/day) or hire tuk-tuk for temple hopping (300-400 THB for 3-4 hours).
220 THB combo ticket for 6 temples | 50 THB bicycle OR 300-400 THB tuk-tuk
Try roti saimai (Ayutthaya specialty - cotton candy wrapped in crepe, 40-60 THB) and boat noodles at riverside restaurants (60-100 THB). Malakor Kitchen & Cafe offers air-con comfort with Thai dishes (150-250 THB).
Continue temple visits or take short river cruise around Ayutthaya island (200-300 THB for 1-hour boat showing temples from water perspective). Alternative: visit Bang Pa-In Royal Palace 20 km south (beautiful European and Chinese architecture, 100 THB entry).
Catch train back to Bangkok (last trains around 7 PM) or tour van returns you to hotel. Arrive Bangkok around 6-7 PM.
Options based on client preference: Street food at Or Tor Kor Market (premium produce market with food stalls, 100-200 THB), traditional Thai at Baan Khanitha (400-600 THB), or splurge at Gaggan (Indian-Thai fusion, 4,000-6,000 THB tasting menu, book months ahead).
Perfect For: Culture seekers, temple enthusiasts, nature lovers, cooking class fans
Best Time: November-February (avoid March-April burning season smoke)
1-hour 20-minute flight. Book early for best fares (1,000-2,000 THB). Arrive, transfer to hotel in old city or Nimman area.
Chiang Mai's old city contains 30+ temples within ancient walls and moat. Start at Wat Phra Singh (40 THB, houses important Buddha image), walk to Wat Chedi Luang (50 THB, damaged chedi from 1545 earthquake), end at Wat Phan Tao (free, beautiful wooden temple). Self-guided walk takes 2-3 hours at relaxed pace.
90 THB combined temple fees | Duration: 2-3 hours
If visiting Saturday: Wualai Road Walking Street (silver-crafts neighborhood). If Sunday: Ratchadamnoen Road Walking Street (most famous, closes entire main street). Handicrafts, textiles, artwork, street food, live music. Arrive early (4 PM) before peak crowds. Ends around 11 PM.
Free entry Shopping variable | Duration: 2-4 hours
Chiang Mai's most sacred temple crowns mountain 15 km from city. Golden chedi visible from valley. Climb 309 steps (or take funicular for lazy 20 THB). Temple complex offers sweeping city views, monk chanting (if you time it right), and important spiritual significance for northern Thailand. Dress code enforced.
30 THB entry, 20 THB funicular optional | 300-400 THB songthaew round-trip transport | Duration: 2-3 hours including travel
Several farm-to-table restaurants near Doi Suthep area. Khaomao Khaofang offers organic Thai food in rice terrace setting (150-250 THB). Alternative: return to city for lunch before cooking class.
Half-day classes teach 4-6 dishes - typically pad thai, curry paste from scratch, curry, spring rolls, mango sticky rice. Most include market visit to shop for ingredients, hands-on cooking, recipe booklet to take home. Recommended schools: Thai Farm Cooking School, Mama Noi's, Zabb E Lee.
900-1,200 THB | Duration: 4-5 hours including market visit
After cooking class (which includes eating what you cooked), clients likely aren't hungry. Suggest gentle evening walk around old city moat, massage (200-300 THB for traditional Thai massage), or early night to rest.
Visit sanctuaries that have eliminated riding - Elephant Nature Park, Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, or similar ethical operations. Activities include feeding elephants, bathing them in rivers, learning about elephant care and conservation. Most programs include hotel pickup, lunch, guide. Book directly or through reputable agencies only.
2,500-3,500 THB depending on program length and sanctuary | Duration: Full day (8 AM-5 PM typically)
Chiang Mai's trendy neighborhood - boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, bars. Younger, hipper vibe than old city. Dinner options: Tong Tem Toh (Northern Thai food, 200-350 THB), SP Chicken (local chain famous for roast chicken, 150-250 THB), or one of dozens of international restaurants.
Options: Join organized tour (1,500-2,200 THB including temples, lunch, guide, transport) or DIY via Green Bus (180 THB, 3 hours one-way). Tours are easier; DIY saves money but requires navigating local transport in Chiang Rai.
Contemporary all-white temple designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat - every surface covered in intricate plaster and mirrored glass. It's surreal Buddhist art installation disguised as temple. Strict rules: no photos inside ubosot, follow marked paths, respectful behavior (it's still sacred space despite modern design).
100 THB foreigners (free for Thais) | Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House (riverside artsy cafe, 150-300 THB) or Phu Lae Restaurant (Northern Thai specialties, 100-200 THB).
Continuation of artistic temple theme - saturated blue interior with intricate murals and white Buddha statue. Completed 2016, less touristy than White Temple. Genuinely stunning.
Free | Duration: 30-45 minutes
If time permits: Singha Park (tea plantations, flower fields, free entry but activities cost extra) or Baan Dam Museum (Black House - dark counterpoint to White Temple, 80 THB). Or head back to Chiang Mai for evening arrival.
Light dinner, massage, early rest after long day.
Chiang Mai's main fresh market - locals buying vegetables, meat, flowers. Upper floors sell textiles, clothing, handicrafts at wholesale prices. Chaotic, authentic, zero tourists. Great for last-minute shopping and cultural immersion.
Free entry Shopping variable | Duration: 1-2 hours
Options: Wat Umong (forest temple with tunnels and lake, peaceful, 40 THB), Baan Celadon pottery workshop (free to watch, buy direct from factory), or spa treatment before departure.
Depending on flight time. Most Bangkok flights are afternoon/evening.
Perfect For: First-timers, couples, families, anyone wanting city + beach balance
Best Time: November-April (especially for Andaman coast beaches)
Use Days 1-2 from the 3-Day Bangkok itinerary above - Grand Palace, Wat Pho, river boat, Chinatown food tour on Day 1. Jim Thompson House, shopping, markets, rooftop bar on Day 2. This establishes Bangkok foundation before beach time.
1.5-hour flight. Morning departures allow afternoon beach time. Fares: 1,500-3,500 THB depending on booking advance. Alternative: Phuket (same flight time and cost).
Krabi Airport to Ao Nang: 30 minutes by taxi (400-600 THB) or airport shuttle van (150 THB per person). Check into hotel, beach time, relaxation after Bangkok's intensity.
Ao Nang main beach road lined with restaurants - seafood grills, Thai food, international options. Fresh seafood BBQ restaurants let you choose fish/prawns/squid and watch them grill (300-600 THB per person). Sunset drinks at beachfront bars.
Classic Krabi experience visiting: Phra Nang Cave Beach (stunning limestone cliffs, cave with phallic shrine), Tup Island (sandbar connecting islands at low tide - walk between them), Chicken Island (distinctive rock formation), Poda Island (beautiful beach, snorkeling). Tours include hotel pickup, long-tail boat, lunch, snorkel gear, guide.
800-1,200 THB depending on group size and inclusions | Duration: Full day (return 4-5 PM)
After day in sun and snorkeling, traditional Thai massage (250-400 THB for 1-2 hours) feels deserved. Dinner at The Hilltop (seafood with Ao Nang views, 400-700 THB) or street food at Ao Nang night market (80-150 THB).
Railay Beach accessible only by boat - no roads reach it. Long-tail boats from Ao Nang beach (100 THB per person, 10 minutes). Arrive at Railay West Beach. The area is car-free paradise surrounded by limestone cliffs.
Activities: Rock climbing (Railay is world-famous climbing destination - half-day courses 1,500-2,000 THB), kayaking (300-500 THB per kayak), snorkeling off beaches (free if you have gear), hiking to Railay viewpoint (free, 20-minute climb, panoramic views), beach relaxation. Phra Nang Beach (10-minute walk from Railay West) has famous cave shrine and stunning setting.
Simple Thai food shacks on Railay West - fried rice, pad thai, green curry (100-200 THB). Sand between toes, waves as soundtrack.
Last boats leave around 5-6 PM. Watch sunset from boat.
Option A: Hong Islands by Speedboat
Less touristy than Phi Phi, equally beautiful. Emerald lagoon surrounded by cliffs (paddle in), pristine beaches, excellent snorkeling, fewer crowds. Tours include hotel pickup, speedboat, snorkel gear, lunch, guide. More relaxed vibe than Phi Phi's party atmosphere.
1,400-1,900 THB | Duration: Full day
Option B: Phi Phi Islands Day Trip
Visit Maya Bay (Leonardo DiCaprio's "The Beach" - now limited visitors to protect ecology), Phi Phi Leh lagoons, Monkey Beach, snorkeling spots, Phi Phi Don for lunch. Maya Bay is stunning but crowded. Tours by speedboat (faster, rougher ride, 1,800-2,400 THB) or ferry (cheaper, slower, 1,200-1,600 THB).
1,200-2,400 THB depending on boat type | Duration: Full day
Sleep in, final swim, pack leisurely. Last Thai massage before leaving (you'll want one more). Light lunch at beach cafe.
Transfer Ao Nang to Krabi Airport (allow 1.5 hours before flight). Most evening flights back to Bangkok connect to international departures same night or next morning.
Use these sample plans as starting points for creating perfect Thailand experiences.
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