We\u2019ve got the insider itinerary for the trip of a lifetime.<\/p>\n
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Summer is coming to an end, and with it, summer vacations. If you\u2019re already daydreaming of your next escape, you\u2019re in luck. We\u2019ve got an epic trip planned just for you.<\/p>\n
With crystal-clear waters, a lively metropolis, and jungles filled with majestic creatures, this historic, awe-inspiring country has something for everyone. We sought some expert advice from two Thai expats for tips that are way better than anything you could ever get from a travel guide. Here\u2019s an itinerary for a week\u2019s worth of adventures, sampling Thailand\u2019s best destinations that are all within Bangkok or just a short drive away. Excited yet? You should be.<\/p>\n
Be sure take out cash and exchange your currency before you leave for Thailand. Most street vendors do not accept credit cards and those who do may charge a hefty credit-card fee. So here in Thailand, cash is key.<\/p>\n
During the hot season from March to May temperatures reach into the high 90s. If you\u2019re not afraid of the heat, visit during the middle of April when an all-out water gun fight called the Water Festival, douses locals and tourists in the streets of Bangkok. For the more moderate-climate minded, the best time to travel to Thailand to avoid the heat<\/a> is November through February.<\/p>\n One of the most important things in life (and in travel) is filling your belly with good, local food. Start off with brunch at the best food court in the world. Yes, you heard us right\u2014a food court. While mall food courts aren\u2019t synonymous with good cuisine in America, in Thailand, they don\u2019t mess around. Terminal 21 mall is famous for serving gourmet food from all the best restaurants and street vendors in Thailand. Here you can get your grub on and get a break from the heat.<\/p>\n The mall itself isn\u2019t a sight to be missed. It\u2019s modeled after an airport terminal and each floor is a decorated like a different country. There\u2019s even a sculpture of the Golden Gate Bridge suspended above the escalators. When you\u2019re done with brunch, be sure to check out the bathrooms (really!) because toilets are also internationally inspired. If you\u2019ve never visited Japan and used a bidet, now\u2019s your chance.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the afternoon, visit Bangkok\u2019s most cherished temple, The Grand Palace. Thai kings roamed its halls for over 150 years and now you can, too. Wander through the grounds to find Phra Thinang Amarin Winitchai,<\/em> a hall with an ornate gold throne that would make other royals jealous. Afterwards, stroll over to the famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha.<\/p>\n Inside The Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha is a stunning jade sculpture of Buddha. According to legend, a saint in India carved the statue with the help of the Hindu god Vishnu <\/em>in 43 B.C. Since then, it journeyed through Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos, before finally arriving back in Thailand. Since it is still worshiped today, the King of Thailand changes the golden clothes of the Buddha every season.<\/p>\n[[{“fid”:”4986″,”view_mode”:”default”,”type”:”media”,”link_text”:null,”field_deltas”:{},”attributes”:{“alt”:”Wat Pho”,”height”:600,”width”:921,”style”:”height:600px; width:921px”,”class”:”file-default media-element”,”data-delta”:”1″},”fields”:{}}]]\n (Photo by Ruby Yeh)<\/span><\/p>\n Exploring can be exhausting, so when you\u2019re finished with The Grand Palace walk over to Wat Pho<\/em>, a temple with another impressive Buddha sculpture. This tranquil building is the birthplace of Thai massage, so put your name down for a treatment and while you\u2019re waiting, pay homage to the impressive 49-foot long, reclining golden Buddha. The walk through the temple is equally gorgeous. 1,000 golden Buddha statues line the walls of the cloisters.<\/p>\n[[{“fid”:”4965″,”view_mode”:”default”,”type”:”media”,”link_text”:null,”field_deltas”:{},”attributes”:{“alt”:”Wat Pho”,”height”:600,”width”:921,”style”:”height:600px; width:921px”,”class”:”file-default media-element”,”data-delta”:”1″},”fields”:{}}]]\n (Photo by Ruby Yeh)<\/span><\/p>\n Finally, end with your authentic Thai massage. Wat Pho<\/em> is still known as the leading school of Thai massage, so your treatment is sure to be one of the best in the world.<\/p>\n At night, take the ferry to Asiatique, one of Bangkok\u2019s coolest new night markets. Eat along the waterfront then finish your night with ride on the ferris wheel, for a jaw-dropping view of the Bangkok\u2019s lights glittering into the night sky.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n On your second day, take day trip to Ayutthaya<\/em>, the former capital of Thailand and the Siamese Empire. The hour-long train ride from Bangkok takes you straight into the heart of the city. Here you can rent a bike and spend the day riding through town, in awe of the ruins.<\/p>\n Founded in 1350, Ayutthaya<\/em> flourished between the 14th and 18th centuries as a global center of civilization and commerce before the Burmese army burned it to the ground. The invaders cut off the golden heads of the Buddha sculptures, scraped off the gold, and dumped the remains in the forest. On your bike journey, you\u2019ll spot the curious sight of Buddha heads nestled among the tree roots that have grown around the sculpture.<\/p>\n[[{“fid”:”4968″,”view_mode”:”default”,”type”:”media”,”link_text”:null,”field_deltas”:{},”attributes”:{“alt”:”buddha head ayutthaya”,”height”:600,”width”:921,”style”:”height:600px; width:921px”,”class”:”file-default media-element”,”data-delta”:”1″},”fields”:{}}]]\n (Source: nationalgeographic.com<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n For lunch, bike over to the river for a unique crustacean delicacy. The local specialty here is scrumptious giant river prawns, the size of a forearm, sliced and grilled. Don\u2019t forget to eat the head oil of the prawn, which is the juiciest portion.<\/p>\n [[{“fid”:”4971″,”view_mode”:”default”,”type”:”media”,”link_text”:null,”field_deltas”:{},”attributes”:{“alt”:”Thailand giant prawn”,”height”:600,”width”:921,”style”:”height:600px; width:921px”,”class”:”file-default media-element”,”data-delta”:”1″},”fields”:{}}]]<\/strong><\/p>\n (Source: eatingthaifood.com<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n Journey back to Bangkok and follow the foodies to Chinatown to sample the best street food in Bangkok. Here the scent of grilled meat rises into the air. Feast upon roasted squid, pad Thai mussel omelette, and pork skewers. Finish up with a sweet Yaowarat<\/em> toasted bread, filled with condensed milk and warm custard.<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need a drink or two to cool yourself from the heat, so head over to Khaosan<\/em> Road for a cocktail. A mainstay for adventurous travelers and young Thai partiers, here there\u2019s a type of bar and club for everyone. With so many revelers, it\u2019s a perfect place for people watching, as well. So head on over and party the night away.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the morning, hire a tour guide or take a drive to the outskirts of Bangkok to visit Damnoen Saduak<\/em>, a historic floating market. Here longboat guides will take you sailing through a myriad of stalls that float upon the water. Ready to stop at a moment\u2019s notice, the guides will help you shop for souvenirs and pick up a fresh coconut or dragon fruit for a refreshing snack.<\/p>\n[[{“fid”:”4977″,”view_mode”:”default”,”type”:”media”,”link_text”:null,”field_deltas”:{},”attributes”:{“alt”:”Damnoen Saduak”,”height”:600,”width”:921,”style”:”height:600px; width:921px”,”class”:”file-default media-element”,”data-delta”:”1″},”fields”:{}}]]\n (Source: zamaktel.com<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n At night, return to Bangkok to grab dinner and more souvenirs at Rod Fai <\/em>market. Filled with shops selling vintage collectibles, trendy clothes, and authentic Thai street food. On a warm night, you\u2019d be crazy to miss this bustling outdoor bazaar.<\/p>\n Finish your evening with a nightcap at Sky Bar. Suspended 820 feet in the air, the lounge\u2019s view of the skyline will make for a memorable last night in Bangkok before you head out to the surrounding areas in the morning. Sip on a sweet poptail, a delicious cocktail and popsicle juice concoction, and reflect on the magic of the city. (Photo by Ruby Yeh)<\/span><\/p>\n After three days in Bangkok, it\u2019s time to relax. Drive to the Pattaya coast, then catch a speedboat to Koh Larn<\/em>, a secluded island full of picturesque beaches. Here, the crystal-clear waters and soft white sands provide a much needed moment of calm and relaxation. Rent a room and spend the next two days swimming through water so clear you can see the sand at the bottom of the sea. The island is a local favorite and not as well-known by tourists, so rest assured you are truly enjoying one of Thailand\u2019s hidden treasures.<\/p>\n[[{“fid”:”4974″,”view_mode”:”default”,”type”:”media”,”link_text”:null,”field_deltas”:{},”attributes”:{“alt”:”Koh Larn”,”height”:600,”width”:921,”style”:”height:600px; width:921px”,”class”:”file-default media-element”,”data-delta”:”1″},”fields”:{}}]]\nDay 1<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Morning: <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Terminal 21 Food Court <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Afternoon:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Wat Phra Kaew <\/em>(<\/em>The Grand Palace)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Wat Pho<\/em> (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Night:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Asiatique<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Day 2<\/strong><\/h2>\n
All day:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Ayutthaya<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Night:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Yaowarat<\/em> (Chinatown)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Khaosan<\/em> <\/strong>Road <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Day 3<\/strong><\/h2>\n
All day:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Damnoen Saduak<\/em><\/strong> <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Night:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Rod Fai<\/em> <\/strong>Market <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Sky Bar<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n[[{“fid”:”4980″,”view_mode”:”default”,”type”:”media”,”link_text”:null,”field_deltas”:{},”attributes”:{“alt”:”sky bar thailand”,”height”:600,”width”:921,”style”:”height:600px; width:921px”,”class”:”file-default media-element”,”data-delta”:”1″},”fields”:{}}]]\nDay 4 & 5<\/strong><\/h2>\n
All day:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Koh Larn<\/strong><\/h3>\n