The heat in Thailand doesn’t warn you. It envelops you. That was my first shock when I got off the plane in Bangkok. A humid breeze made me realize that I was definitely back in Asia.

I had two weeks ahead of me and an open heart for everything the Land of Smiles had to offer.

This article is about my first trip to Thailand, which evolved into an itinerary. If you are also planning to visit that country, here’s a tried, tested, and proper plan.

I won’t just tell you what to see. I’ll tell you what it was like to experience a country that I didn’t have high expectations for and that ended up surprising me every day.

Travel itinerary for Thailand

Days 1-2: Bangkok – perfect chaos

I arrived in Bangkok early in the morning, tired from the long flight from Lisbon, and with the idea that the city would be nothing but traffic and pollution. But it only took 10 minutes on the street to realize that the capital of Thailand is actually a theater of smells and rhythms.

I stayed very close to the famous Khao San Road, on a quieter street, but with easy access to everything.

During the day, I took the opportunity to have my first contact with Khao San, renowned for its vibrant nightlife and as a hub for tourists and backpackers traveling through Asia.

The street was filled with numerous vendors calling out to tourists passing by, inviting them into their restaurants or offering tours and transportation.

At night, I returned and the atmosphere had changed completely: loud music (deafening in some spots), street vendors selling fried insects for tourists to look at (but never eat), neon-lit bars, and ladyboys dancing on tables. It was definitely out of my comfort zone, but it was worth every minute I spent there.

In the surrounding streets, the atmosphere is different, less chaotic, enveloped in the smell of garlic and fish sauce coming from street food carts. Here, you can order Pad Thai, prepared in front of you with hypnotic agility, and eat it right there on a plastic stool, with a cat prowling around your feet. Bangkok had begun to win me over, not because of its excess, but because of the details amid the chaos.

The next day, I lost myself in the temples and flavors of this city:

• At the Royal Grand Palace, I learned about Thai history and how to navigate the crowds and heat with a certain lightness (arrive early and be patient).
• At Wat Pho, I contemplated the largest reclining Buddha I had ever seen (46 meters long) and realized that pausing is also a virtue and a way of traveling.
• I climbed to the top of the Mahanakhon Tower at the end of the day to walk on its glass floor and watch night fall over Bangkok.
• I ended up in Chinatown, sampling a thousand and one flavors at dozens of street food stalls.

Day 3: Ayutthaya – history in ruins

I took a car early in the morning to Ayutthaya, with the windows open and the wind bringing the smell of rice fields.

Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Siam. Although it lies in ruins today, walking around, you feel the grandeur of the past still lingers in the air.

I explored the historical park on foot, without rushing, letting myself be carried away by the dirt paths and silent temples. I passed Wat Phra Si Sanphet, with its symmetrical ochre stupas, which were once part of the royal palace, and stopped in front of Wat Mahathat, where the head of Buddha rests entwined in the roots of a bodhi tree. An iconic image!

Along the way, decapitated statues, monks dressed in bright orange, visitors in formal attire, and ancient fig trees that have witnessed stories of an empire that was once the most powerful in Southeast Asia.

Days 4-6: Chiang Mai – north with soul

Arriving in Chiang Mai was like breathing. Literally. The air seemed lighter, the city quieter. Here, we exchanged chaos for spirituality and street markets.

On the first day, I started at Wat Suan Dok, a less touristy temple, but full of soul, where the white chedis seem to reflect the heat and stand out against the blue sky. It was almost empty when I arrived, just a couple of monks in a very quiet environment.

Next came Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, driving up the winding road that leads to the top of the hill. It is said that if you don’t visit this temple, you haven’t truly experienced Chiang Mai, and it’s easy to see why. The staircase with the naga serpents is impressive, but it’s the details at the top that leave you speechless: the golden stupa shining in the sun, the sound of bells dancing in the wind, the monks in prayer who bless you in exchange for a donation, the smell of incense.

Back in the city, it was time to head to the night market, with stalls as far as the eye can see, wonderful street food, and even live music. Chiang Mai is the perfect place to do some much-desired shopping in Thailand.

Days 7-8: Khao Sok – sleeping in the jungle

I flew to Surat Thani and headed to Khao Sok National Park to enter a completely different Thailand.

After driving along the road to Cheow Lan, through green hills, I reached the lake shore, where I boarded a wooden boat that took me to the bungalows on the water where I would be staying.

For two days, I fell asleep to the gentle rocking of the water, hiked through the jungle, kayaked, and dived into a lake so calm it looked like a mirror. At night, with no cell phone reception and no distractions, it’s just you and the sounds of the forest.

Days 9-13: Railay Beach – cliffs and tropical seas

Getting to Railay is an adventure in itself: a boat from Krabi, backpack in hand, feet in the water to disembark. Railay has no cars. Only sandy paths, curious monkeys, and the sound of the sea and the boats that bring tourists there every day.

There, each day begins with a swim and ends with a sunset over the Andaman Sea.

It’s the perfect place to relax, enjoy the beaches, and stroll along the street lined with shops and restaurants.

In my case, since I don’t like to stay still, I took a boat tour of the Phi Phi Islands.

Yes, now that visits and swimming have been restricted, Maya Bay (known from the movie “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio) is magnificent!

Day 14: farewell, Thailand

On the last day, I left Railay by boat early in the morning and headed for Krabi, my feet still wet from the sea and sand.

The flight to Bangkok was short, and the layover long enough to soak up the vibe of this country one last time.

I walked through the airport corridors with the feeling that I had been completely wrong about Thailand. I thought it was just another Asian country, worn down by mass tourism. But Thailand isn’t a destination that can be summed up by what you see in magazines or on social media. It is made up of sensations, flavors, and smiles exchanged without a word.

The complete guide to Thailand is coming soon!

If you liked this itinerary, imagine having:

• More detailed information
• Maps with all the important places
• Alternative itineraries
• Local contacts, apps, and secret tips
• Offline access to use whenever and wherever you want

The Thailand travel guide is in the works.

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