Thailand in 10 Days

Complete Itinerary: Bangkok, Islands & Chiang Mai

Day 1-3: Bangkok (3 days)

Day 1: Grand Palace + Wat Phra Kaew (฿500, arrive 8:30am opening to beat heat), Wat Pho Reclining Buddha (฿200). Afternoon: Wat Arun across river (฿100, climb steep stairs for views).

Day 2: Floating Market: Damnoen Saduak (2h from Bangkok, ฿100 boat ride) OR closer Amphawa weekend market. Street food lunch ฿50-150. Evening: Khao San Road backpacker district (FREE).

Day 3: Chatuchak Weekend Market (Sat-Sun, FREE entry, 15,000 stalls!), Jim Thompson House (฿200), rooftop bar sunset (drinks ฿300-500). Thai massage ฿300/hour must-try!

Day 4-7: Islands (4 days)

Flight Bangkok-Phuket (1h, ฿1,500-3,000). Base in Phuket, Krabi, or Koh Samui.

Option A - Phuket/Phi Phi: Patong Beach, Phi Phi Islands day trip (฿2,500 speedboat or ฿1,000 ferry). Maya Bay (The Beach movie location), snorkeling ฿500 equipment rental.

Option B - Krabi: Railay Beach (accessible only by boat ฿100), rock climbing famous here. Four Islands Tour ฿1,500. Less touristy than Phuket.

Option C - Koh Samui: Quieter island. Big Buddha temple (FREE), Ang Thong Marine Park day trip (฿2,000). Best for relaxation.

Day 8-10: Chiang Mai (3 days)

Flight islands-Chiang Mai (1.5h, ฿2,000-4,000). Old city temples, mountain views, elephant sanctuaries.

Day 8: Doi Suthep temple mountain (฿50 entry + ฿50 songthaew shared taxi). 300 steps to golden temple. Sunset city views. Old City temples walk (FREE - Wat Chedi Luang ฿40).

Day 9: Ethical Elephant Sanctuary (฿2,500 day trip - NO RIDING, feeding/bathing only). Afternoon: Sunday Walking Street Market (if Sunday, FREE).

Day 10: Doi Inthanon National Park day trip (฿300 park fee, highest point in Thailand). Waterfalls, pagodas, hill tribe villages. OR cooking class ฿1,000-1,500.

Transportation

• Bangkok BTS/MRT: ฿17-60 per ride, day pass ฿140
• Tuk-tuk: ฿100-200 short rides (negotiate price BEFORE!)
• Grab app (like Uber): Safer than taxis, shows price upfront
• Domestic flights: ฿1,500-4,000 (AirAsia, Nok Air budget airlines)
• Songthaew shared pickup: ฿20-50 per person

Food

• Street food: ฿40-100 per meal (amazing and safe!)
• Pad Thai: ฿50-80
• Restaurant meal: ฿150-300
• Fresh fruit smoothie: ฿40-60
• Beer Chang/Singha: ฿70-150 depending on location
• Fancy dinner: ฿500-1,000 per person (still cheap!)

Language and Culture

Language: Thai. English widely spoken in tourist areas, less elsewhere.

Tipping: Not required but appreciated. Round up or leave ฿20-40 for good service.

Customs: Remove shoes before entering temples/homes. Never touch anyone's head. Respect Buddha images.

Dress code temples: Cover shoulders and knees. Sarongs available to rent/buy ฿50.

Best Time to Visit

• Cool season (Nov-Feb): Perfect weather 25-30°C, peak tourist season, higher prices
• Hot season (Mar-May): Very hot 35-40°C, fewer tourists, cheaper prices
• Rainy season (Jun-Oct): Daily afternoon showers, greenest landscapes, lowest prices, less crowded

Money-Saving Tips

• Eat street food - delicious, safe, and ฿40-80 per meal
• Stay outside main tourist zones - prices drop 50%
• Free temples: Most temples are free or very cheap (฿20-50)
• 7-Eleven everywhere - cheap water ฿7, snacks ฿20-40
• Negotiate: Tuk-tuks, markets (not shops with price tags)
• Book accommodations direct (not booking sites) for better deals