Dude, Thailand is the Land of Smiles, for sure! I heard this amazing stuff about the place, and now that I’ve finally experienced it, I can vouch that it’s all the real deal. You’ve got beautiful beaches, wild cities, relaxed temples, and sick street markets—Thailand has something to offer everyone, no question. If you’re looking for adventure, good eats, or just to be relaxing on the sand, Thailand has you covered.
I’ve recently returned from an incredible 10-day adventure visiting the best that Thailand has to offer, and I can’t wait to tell you all about my itinerary! So, let’s dive into it!
Day 1: Arrived in Bangkok – the city that never sleeps
Dude, after that ridiculously long plane ride, I finally reached the wild capital city of Thailand, Bangkok. For real, this city is completely off the chain. The atmosphere there is wild, and I caught the bug the moment I stepped off the airport. As soon as I walked outside, the heat greeted me—warm and sticky, but kinda thrilling too.
I crashed out in the Sukhumvit district, which was great because it’s ridiculously central and there is always so much going on. I tidied up somewhat, then went straight to the legendary Khao San Road, this wild road that’s famous for the backpacker scene. Hawkers lined the road, selling anything from tasty pad Thai to those weird, wonderful trinkets. I needed to eat, so I went for it, and it was seriously good. That combination of sweet, savory, spicy that the Thais produce is completely next level.
In the evenings, I visited the Asiatique Riverfront, this trendy night bazaar along the Chaopraya River. It was incredible to see the city skyline at night along the river, and while walking along the promenade, I tasted my first mango sticky rice—it was yummy!
Day 2: Visiting Bangkok’s markets and temples
On day two, I wanted to immerse myself in the incredible culture of Bangkok, so I visited some really rad temples. I went to the Grand Palace—no joke, it’s one of the most incredible places I’ve ever visited. That fancy architecture and that beautiful greenish-blue Buddha were just incredible. And one piece of advice: you’ve gotta wear clothes that are respectable (like covering up your shoulders and knees) when you visit these religious sites, or you’ll be told to wear something rented.
I passed by Wat Pho to see this giant Reclining Buddha. Gosh, that statue is enormous and completely covered with gold leaf—any photographer would be crazy! I walked around absorbing all that history, then headed to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, which sits smack dab alongside the river, and those spires are incredible along the skyline.
Then, later in the day, I visited the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which is shoppers’ heaven with over 8,000 booths. It was this wild combination of food, clothing, antiques, and artwork. I snagged some amazing coconut ice cream (a necessary item in Thailand) and just walked around, taking it all in.
Day 3: It’s Day Trip Time to Ayutthaya
So, on Day 3, I decided to take a quick day trip from Bangkok to this ancient city named Ayutthaya, which is about an hour and a half away. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and quite frankly, maybe the coolest place to see some history in all of Thailand.
I got on this tour bus that brought me to a lot of temples and ancient ruins, such as the well-known Wat Mahathat, where they have this Buddha head completely entwined with tree roots. These ancient ruins were once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and there’s a lot of interesting stories from the past. All the people hanging out there have this really relaxed, spiritual atmosphere, and I was glad I went.
Day 4: Heading to Chiang Mai – Who’s ready to explore Northern Thailand?
So after all the excitement in Bangkok, I was stoked to travel up north to Chiang Mai, which I’d heard was full of relaxed vibes, ancient temples, and the surrounding cool mountains. I caught a short flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (it took only about an hour) and when I arrived, it was cool and pleasant with really relaxed vibes.
I spent time around the Old City, which was really accessible to explore on foot. Although smaller than Bangkok, Chiang Mai has loads of character, no doubt. Day 4 involved visiting Wat Phra Singh, one of the city’s most famous temples, then walking around the small streets surrounding it lined with all manner of interesting local markets selling fantastic handicrafts and trinkets to be sent home.
That evening, I visited the hugely trendy Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, where I strolled around and munched on local treats such as khao soi (this incredible northern Thai noodle dish) and sai ua (spicy sausage).
Day 5: Elephant Sanctuary time!
One of the highlights of my visit was visiting the Elephant Nature Park, which is essentially an elephant rescue facility. I’ve always wanted to spend time around these incredible animals, but I was hesitant about the elephant ride tours that exist because I’ve heard that those can be stressful for the elephants. But at the Elephant Nature Park, they seem to focus on assisting the elephants and educating people.
I spent the entire day relaxing with the elephants, giving them fruit to eat and even bathing them in the river. It really moved me emotionally and made me realize how much I adore these creatures and the concept of responsible tourism. If you ever travel to Chiang Mai, you should totally visit an elephant sanctuary that properly looks after the animals.
Day 6: Touring around Doi Suthep and the Old City
On day six, I visited Doi Suthep, the mountain that sort of overlooks Chiang Mai, to see the fantastic Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. This temple boasts incredible views of the city down below, and that chedi, covered with gold, was breathtakingly beautiful early in the morning.
Dude, I ended up spending the rest of the day exploring the Old City of Chiang Mai. I visited some really adorable and laid-back temples, walked through the gorgeous gardens, and shopped the Sunday Walking Street Market. To be real, it was so much nicer than the night bazaar since it felt like this totally local atmosphere. I loved browsing through all the handmade items, the fashion, and the yummy street food!
Day 7: Travel to Krabi – Your Gateway To The Andaman Sea
It was after some wild days in Chiang Mai that I needed to relax, so I took a flight to Krabi, which is on the west coast of Thailand. It’s famous for those breathtaking limestone cliffs, ridiculously clear turquoise water, and hip nearby islands of Phi Phi and Railay Beach. I started off at Ao Nang Beach, which is really trendy, with lots of restaurants, shopping, and activities to enjoy.
I completely relaxed on the beach this afternoon, soaking up the sun and feeling the nice breeze, just enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. It was the perfect way to relax and get psyched up for my island activities.
Day 8: We’re island-hopping around the Phi Phi Islands!
I had to visit the Phi Phi Islands while I was at Krabi, and I gotta tell you, it was well worth it. The water was completely clear, the coral reefs were colorful, and those insane cliffs made it feel like I was inside a postcard or something. I took a day tour that took me to Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh, where I swam, snorkeled, and visited the world-famous Maya Bay (yep, the one where that movie, The Beach, was filmed).
The highlight was completely snorkelling among tropical fish amidst the really clear water, and I was able to kayak around the island surrounded by the incredible vistas too.
Day 9: Phra Nang Cave Beach and Railay Beach, wow!
On Day 9, I visited Railay Beach, which you can reach only by boat. It is this tiny piece of heaven. Everything around the beach was huge limestone cliffs, so it was really gorgeous, and the water was the perfect temperature to swim.
I’ve visited Phra Nang Cave Beach, where I saw the famous cave, along with the princess cave where individuals drop gifts to the cave deity. It was so relaxing there, I ended up spending hours enjoying the scenery around me.
Day 10 – Back to Bangkok – Bidding farewell to Thailand
So, the final day I was in Thailand, I returned to Bangkok to board my flight back home. I walked around the city one final time, absorbing all the tiny details I’d become accustomed to since I’d been there forever. I visited one or two more temples, along with doing some last-minute shopping to get those last few souvenirs.
By the time I finished my trip, I was completely under Thailand’s spell. The culture’s incredible, the scenery’s unreal, and the people are just so friendly and warm! From Bangkok’s crazy streets to the relaxed temples of Chiang Mai, and those gorgeous beaches of Krabi, Thailand’s got everything, man!
6 Key Travel Tips for Thailand
If you want to really enjoy yourself while you are there, read on for some advice I gained while I was visiting.
- Always carry some cash with you – Though most establishments accept credit cards, small shops and markets tend to prefer cash.
- Dress modestly when you visit temples – i.e., cover your shoulders and your knees at the holy places.
- Stay hydrated and wear sunscreen – Thailand’s heat can be intense, especially in the cities and beaches.
- Haggling at markets is completely awesome, and you can generally get a good price if you bargain around a bit.
- Look at all those lively street stalls! You can be sure the dishes are really fresh and delicious if you notice lots of locals standing around there.
- Learn some simple Thai phrases – things like “hello” (sawasdee) and “thank you” (khob khun) go a long way when you’re speaking to the locals.
Final Thoughts: Why You Should Visit Thailand
If you’re considering going to Thailand, go for it! It’s such a warm country—due to the welcoming people, not to mention the climate—and it feels like there’s an entire new experience lying around the corner, waiting to be discovered.
Whether you’re looking for an urban adventure, cultural experience, or some relaxing time at the beach, Thailand has all that and more. Right after I stepped off the airplane and until I boarded my return flight to head home, Thailand felt like it introduced me to an entire new world.
With only 10 days, you really have to immerse yourself into all the incredible wonders this country has to offer. You’ll be addicted, trust me, starting with the first smile you receive.
Happy travels!