The idea here is to offer itineraries primarily designed for those who are not coming to Thailand for the first time (I initially titled the article "Itineraries for Thailand addicts") and are therefore eager to really get away from the classic places to see more.
While this article could be relevant to everyone, I believe that for a first trip, one is more tempted to stick to the classic sites, in order to see the "essentials".
- See also my article on how choosing your itinerary for a first trip to Thailand.
But if you're willing to skip the classic (though some are still unmissable) spots, here's something to get you exploring a bit. "off the beaten track".
Note that these itineraries are focused on "discovery", with regular travel and are primarily optimized for a stay using independent transport, motorcycle/scooter rental if licensed, or car (see the conditions for driving in Thailand).
It is still feasible to reach the main cities by public transport, but you will still need transport to get around each drop-off point, and in this case you will need to allow extra time in the timing proposed here.
Let us therefore review, according to a system of length of stay, the possibilities for a different trip to Thailand.
Itinerary for a 1 week stay in Thailand
Same story as last time, a week is short, but it happens... So I suggest among other things what to do in a week in Bangkok if you really like the city, and what to do around it.
Route 1, Bangkok lovers
- Day 1 : Arriving in Bangkok, depending on the time you probably won't do much for this first day.
- Day 2 : Start with a morning walk in Lumphini Park, head to Baan Krua, the Muslim community where Jim Thompson was born (not far from home), then take a boat to old Bangkok. You can stop at Bo Bae Market on the way, otherwise get off at the last stop, next to Wat Saket and walk around the area to Wat Suthat.
- Day 3 : Bike ride to Bang Kachao, the green lung of Bangkok (see what it looks like here), if you already know it, you can try a walk to Ko Kret, to the north (or vice versa if you know this place).
- Day 4 : Stroll in Thonburi, the other side of Bangkok, visit the community of Ban Bu (artisans working with bronze), Kudee Jin, the old Chinatown.
- Day 5 : Erawan Museum, Ancient City, Bang Poo seaside and mangroves, Wat Asokaram temple are all places to visit in the neighboring province of Samut Prakan.
- Day 6 : If it's a weekend, Amphawa floating market, boat ride to Don Hoi Lot, train market (Mae Klong market) and Wat Bang Kung are the possibilities to do in the Samut Songkhram region, less than 2 hours from Bangkok.
- Day 7 : A little rest and shopping, try other stores than MBK, not necessarily to buy but the "fun" of seeing what the city can offer, go for example to Terminal 21, Asok district.
Route 2, east side, a touch of nature
- Day 1 : Bangkok
- Day 2 : Direction Nakhon Nayok, near Khao Yai National Park, which you can also visit from there. You can also see the Buddhism Memorial Park
- Day 3 : Head to Sa Kaeo and Pang Sida National Park (I know, not a very glamorous name…).
- Day 4 : Visit Ta Phraya National Park, you can see the Lalu rock formations at Thap Rat village.
- Day 5 : Direction Chanthaburi, small seaside town, passage towards the Pet Pho Thong cave (see location)
- Day 6 : Chanthaburi
- Day 7 : Double R. Return and rest in Bangkok.
If you love nature and want to be amazed, then this itinerary is for you! A week in the countryside and not far from Bangkok (everything is within a 3-hour radius of the capital). Having stumbled upon it by chance, the Pet Pho Thong cave is a little gem that certainly did not leave me indifferent and literally captivated my mother. The road leading to Chanthaburi also has its charm in places.
Route 3, west side, nature and beach
- Day 1 : Bangkok
- Day 2 : Head to Nakhon Pathom, for its imposing chedi and the Sanam Chan palace.
- Day 3 : Direction Phetchaburi, visit of the Khao Luang cave, the old town and its temples, possibly a trip to the beach.
- Day 4 : Visit to Kaeng Krachan National Park (4×4 essential!).
- Day 5 : Phetchaburi Beach, possibly Cha Am (more touristy)
- Day 6 : Phetchaburi Beach, possibly Cha Am (more touristy)
- Day 7 : Return Bangkok.
Even in a short week, you can fit in a bit of beach, certainly not the prettiest in Thailand, but they are still beaches! In the area suggested above, they are certainly not the most beautiful beaches, but the nature around is still very attractive!
Itinerary for a 2 week trip to Thailand
This is a more "reasonable" duration for your new stay in Thailand. If you are in the idea of discovering Thailand "differently", you can make a choice as to the area to visit, combining for example itineraries 2 and 3. Otherwise, there remains the possibility of seeing a little bit of everything, with a choice of island that will depend on the season above all (Ideally, for the east coast between November and April, Gulf of Thailand between January and September roughly, Andaman Sea between November and April)
Route 4, the Thai countryside, Issan
- Day 1 : Arrived in Bangkok
- Day 2 : Departure to Phetchabun with possible visit to Lopburi on the way (but not convenient by public transport)
- Day 3 : Visit the Thung Salaeng Luang National Park with its savannah feel, unusual temple perched on the hill of Wat Pha Sorn Kaew.
- Day 4 : Direction Khon Kaen, visit to the Phu Kradaeng and Suan Hin Pha Ngam national park.
- Day 5 : Next stop, Roi Et, visit of the surrounding countryside, temple of Wat Pa Kung, a sort of small replica of Borobudur
- Day 6 : Join Ubon Ratchathani
- Day 7 : Sam Phan Bok (mainly December to April, ideally March/April), Pha Taem National Park
- Day 8 : Catch your breath in Khong Jiam, on the banks of the Mekong
- Day 9 : Phu Chong Na Yoi and Khao Phra Wihan National Parks, overnight in Si Saket
- Day 10 : Prasat Sa Kamphaeng Yai, Prasat Sikhoraphum and Phanom Rung, choice of night on Nang Rong or Buriram
- Day 11 : Khmer Temple of Phimai and the impressive banyan tree, also known as the Bodhi tree (Look for Sai Ngam on Google Mpas), Prasat Phanom Wan Ban in Nakhon Ratchasima.
- Day 12 : Khao Yai National Park
- Day 13 : Khao Yai National Park and/or return to Bangkok
- Day 14 : Visit/rest in Bangkok.
This itinerary allows you to go around the interesting points in this large region that is Issan, a region largely ignored by most tourists, so much the better for you and me since that is what interests us here! A first part more nature, and the second is more cultural/historical with quite a few Khmer temples scattered in the southern part of Issan.
Route 5, Northern Thailand
- Day 1 : Arrived in Bangkok
- Day 2 : Visit to Wat Muang in Ang Thong, stop at Wat Kaeo and Wat Tha Sung in Uthai Thani, possibly the one in Singburi, Wat Phra Non Chakkrasi Worawihan and its 50-meter reclining Buddha! Night on Tak or Kamphaeng Phet
- Day 3 : Tak or Kamphaeng Phet – Phayao, passing by Wat Phra That in Lampang and Wat Phra Phutthabat Phupha Daeng, perched on its hill!
- Day 4 : Phayao – Phu Langka (possibility of sleeping on site, otherwise continue towards the Phu Chi Fah mountains by taking road 1155, the sunrise is more impressive from the latter, especially in winter between November and February)
- Day 5 : Phu Chi Fah, Doi Pha Tang, Chiang Khong.
- Day 6 : Chiang Khong – Chieng Sen – Mae Sai
- Day 7 : Mae Sai – Doi Tung (via Ban Pha Hi which I talk about here) – Chiang Rai
- Day 8 : A little rest in Chiang Rai
- Day 9 : Visit the surroundings of Chiang Rai in the Kok River Valley.
- Day 10 : Chiang Rai – Thaton – Fang
- Day 11 : Fang – Doi Ang Khang.
- Day 12 : Visit to Doi Ang Khang
- Day 13 : Return to Bangkok via Chiang Mai
- Day 14 : Visit/Rest in Bangkok
There is a possible alternative (among others) in the area around Chiang Rai, go through the Phrao Valley, and visit the Si Lanna National Park among others, to do for example instead of Phayao and then go up to Ang Khang and finish the journey in Chiang Rai, or skip the part including Doi Tung and go to Phrao between Ang Khang and Chiang Mai (Phrao is also not far from Chiang Dao which has its charm, I was just talking about it here recently).
Route 6, descent towards the south, Andaman Sea side
- Day 1 : Arrived in Bangkok
- Day 2 : Bangkok – Hua Hin
- Day 3 : Sam Roi Yot National Park, night on Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Day 4 : Direction Ban Krut or Bang Saphan, quiet and often deserted beach, if you can, I invite you to stay on Ko Talu Private Island, a little gem!
- Day 5 : Direction Chumphon.
- Day 6 : Islands around Chumphon (not Ko Tao! Like…).
- Day 7 : Chumphon – Ranong
- Day 8 : Ko Chang and/or Ko Phayam
- Day 9 : Ko Chang and/or Ko Phayam
- Day 10 : Laem Son National Park
- Day 11 : Khao Lak
- Day 12 : Phang Nga Bay (not just James Bond Island…)
- Day 13 : Return to Bangkok via Phuket (the closest) or Krabi, or even Surat Thani depending on the price of plane tickets (if returning by plane of course)
- Day 14 : Visit/Rest in Bangkok
Route 6a, descent towards the south, Gulf of Thailand side
Instead of focusing on the Andaman Sea coast to the west, the alternative is to focus on the Gulf of Thailand (depending on the season it will be more interesting). The beginning obviously remains unchanged so it would give this:
- Day 1 : Arrived in Bangkok
- Day 2 : Bangkok – Hua Hin
- Day 3 : Sam Roi Yot National Park, night on Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Day 4 : Direction Ban Krut or Bang Saphan, quiet and often deserted beach, if you can, I invite you to stay on Ko Talu Private Island, a little gem!
- Day 5 : Direction Chumphon.
- Day 6 : Islands around Chumphon (Mu Kho Chumpon).
The fork in the direction occurs on the 7th day:
- Day 7 : Chumphon – Khanom
- Day 8 : Khanom
- Day 9 : Tai Rom Yen National Park – Khiriwong (Khao Luang) – Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Day 10 : Nakhon Si Thammarat – Thung Song
- Day 11 : Thung Song – Thale Noi (Phatthalung) – Ko Yo – Songkhla, night on Hat Yai
- Day 12 : Trang then Ko Muk / Ko Kradan or Ko Ngai islands
- Day 13 : Ko Muk, Ko Kradan, Ko Ngai
- Day 14 : Return Bangkok via Trang or possibly Krabi
If instead of going down gradually towards the south you prefer to take a direct flight to Surat Thani for example, you can more or less combine the 2nd parts of itineraries 5 and 6. You can of course, depending on your tastes/preferences, skip one or two places to enjoy a longer beach/island suitable for your desire to relax.
Itinerary for a trip of more than 1 month in Thailand
The first possibility here is to simply combine itinerary 5 with itinerary 6, but I suggest a variation here without southern Thailand.
This is an itinerary that is inspired by the one tested recently (the 2nd part from Chiang Rai especially) with my parents over a period of one month, but this one included an excursion to Laos then Cambodia, knowing that here the goal is to focus only on Thailand, hence a variant that I have not tested myself but seems interesting to me. The whole allows you to see the north of Thailand, a part to the east and islands (east coast, if it is the right season ...), and allows you to see unique places very rarely visited.
Route 7, Northern and Eastern Thailand Loop
- Day 1 : Arrived in Bangkok. Rest
- Day 2 : Journey to Uthai Thani, passing through Ang Thong, stopping at Wat Muang. In the region, you can visit the glass temple (Keao Temple), the Wat Tha Sung by its real name, which is also a meditation center. In the city itself, you will find the old houses, the riverside with the floating houses and the Phra Phutthamongkhon Saksit temple, dominating the city since it is on a hill.
- Day 3 : Go explore the surroundings of Uthai Thani, visit the meditation center of Wat Tham Khao Wong, explore the national park and nature reserve of Thung Yai-Huai Kha-Khaeng.
- Day 4 : Journey to Tak, passage to Kamphaeng Phet (ancient important city with ruins).
- Day 5 : If the season is good (December/January), extend the visit to the Thi Lo Su falls, in the Umphang district, but allow 3/4 days for the round trip (ideally from Mae Sot). Otherwise, stick to the national parks around Tak, such as Ramkhamhaeng, near Sukhothai.
- Day 6 : On the way to Mae Sot, Lan Sang National Park, and/or Taksin Maharat National Park.
- Day 7 : Mae Sot – Mae Sariang, tribal villages, Mae U Su cave will be on the way.
- Day 8 : Mae Sariang – Mae Hong Son.
- Day 9 : Mae Hong Son.
- Day 10 : Mae Hong Son – Mae Lana, Tham Lot Cave, the main attraction of the region.
- Day 11 : Mae Lana – Pai.
- Day 12 : Direction Chiang Dao.
- Day 13 : Chiang Dao – Thaton – Mae Salong.
- Day 14 : Mae Salong.
- Day 15 : Mae Salong – Chiang Rai.
- Day 16 : Chiang Rai – Chiang Khong.
- Day 17 : Chiang Khong – Doi Pha Tang – Phu Chi Fah (either is great for sunrise) – Phayao.
- Day 18 : Phayao – Phrae, visit to Phae Mueang Phi.
- Day 19 : Phrae – Uttaradit, via the lake instead of the main road (you can see what it looks like here), otherwise you can visit Wat Phra That Suthon Mongkhon Khiri and extend the visit to the historical park of Si Satchanalai if you don't already know it (it's a bit like Sukhothai's little sister).
- Day 20 : Uttaradit – Phetchabun.
- Day 21 : Phetchabun – Chiang Khan.
- Day 22 : Chiang Khan – Udon Thani, passing through Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
- Day 23 : Udon Thani – Phimai.
- Day 24 : Phimai – Sa Kaeo, passing by the local Khmer temples (see itinerary 4).
- Day 25 : Sa Kaeo – Trat.
- Day 26 : Ko Chang / Ko Mak / Ko Kood.
- Day 27 : Ko Chang / Ko Mak / Ko Kood.
- Day 28 : Ko Chang / Ko Mak / Ko Kood.
- Day 29 : Return Bangkok.
- Day 30 : Visit/Rest in Bangkok
A possible variation if the islands are not a necessity, you can branch off from Chiang Khan to follow the Mekong, which would look something like this:
- Day 22 : Chiang Khan – Nong Khai.
- Day 23 : Nong Khai – Bueng Kan.
- Day 24 : Bueng Khan – Phu Wua Nature Reserve, Wat Jetiyakhiri – Nakhon Phanom.
- Day 25 : Nakhon Phanom – Mukdahan and its national park
- Day 26 : Mukdahan – Ubon Ratchathani
- Day 27 : Ubon Ratchathani – Khong Chiam – Pha Taem National Park
- Day 28 : Khao Yai National Park
- Day 29 : Return Bangkok.
- Day 30 : Visit/Rest in Bangkok
If, on the other hand, you still want to see islands while keeping the base of this itinerary, but while the weather is really not favorable (the rainy season is particularly marked in this area), you can possibly reach Nakhon Ratchasima after Phimai and take a flight to the south.
I am aware that such an itinerary is not necessarily easy, you are free to adapt it by favoring an area according to your tastes/desires, the idea is to give you a guideline, but it is not necessarily to be followed to the letter, that goes without saying 😉
If you want to make a small excursion to Laos, we crossed the border from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai, from there we left on the Mekong for a 2-day cruise to reach Luang Prabang. A possible option is to return to Thailand after Luang Prabang via Vang Vieng then Vientiane, thus skipping the corresponding part in Thailand.
For a tour in Cambodia, this would give what we did, namely:
- Day 17 : Chiang Khong – Doi Pha Tang – Phu Chi Fah (either is great for sunrise) – Phrae.
- Day 18 : Phrae, visit to Phae Mueang Phi – Chiang Khan.
- Day 19 : Phrae – Uttaradit, via the lake instead of the main road (you can see what it looks like here), otherwise you can visit Wat Phra That Suthon Mongkhon Khiri and extend the visit to the historical park of Si Satchanalai if you don't already know it (it's a bit like Sukhothai's little sister).
- Day 20 : Uttaradit – Phetchabun.
- Day 21 : Phetchabun – Chiang Khan.
- Day 22 : Chiang Khan – Udon Thani, passing through Phu Phra Bat Historical Park
- Day 23 : Udon Thani – Phimai.
- Day 24 : Phimai – Sa Kaeo, passing by the local Khmer temples (see itinerary 4).
- Day 25 to 29 or 30 : Siem Reap – Angkor temples
Now that you have a general idea of your next itinerary, all that's left is to book your hotels 😉
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