Thailand Travel Guide

I don’t think I need to try and sell you on a trip to Thailand, this destination sells itself. It truly is a trip to remember, and it hold some of the most beautiful views I have ever seen, nicest people I have ever met, and experiences that will stick with me for a lifetime.

Below you will see my trip details/suggestions through; Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. From incredible temples, street food, gorgeous views, elephant sanctuaries, and the most beautiful beaches. Thailand is full of life and experiences for everyone to enjoy and see. After taking a trip to Thailand, I put together a travel guide to help highlight the best things to do and see and the things that you may want to skip.

I went in November 2018, with 3 friends. Two of my Best Friends, and one of their husbands. We are all in our late 20’s, early 30’s- but I think all ages would enjoy everything about this trip.

Where the Pacific Ocean meet the Indian Ocean, and the long tail boats bring you to a place of true serenity.

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Things to Know:

$$$

•  Currency: Thai Baht
•  Where to get it: Your bank, Thailand ATM (if you have an international card), Call your bank and ask for the exchange rate and if they have a bank in Thailand that you can withdraw money from.
•  My thoughts: I first got out $300 USD from my bank in Thai Baht, then when I got to Thailand I pulled out money from my international bank card- it cost $7 total. It wasn’t a bad fee to me, but I would use my international card whenever possible.
• Before you go: Call your bank and give them a heads up that you will be in another country so they don’t cut off your card. You will have a hard time calling them if this happens, even if you get a sims card.

Sims Card

• Where to purchase: at the airport
• Cost: I paid $9 for a Sims card that lasted me 7 days
• To Know: you can only communicate with those that are in Thailand. You might lose texts that were sent to you from your friends back home while the sim is in. The place you buy the sim should set it all up for you.
• Other ways to communicate: What’s app. – download it before you go and have all your friends and family at home download it too and when you’re on Wi-Fi you can message them back and forth.

Thailand Visa:

Note: You don’t need a Visa if you have a US, UK, or EU passport and if you are going 30 days or less.

Safety: 

Note: Keep your money close to you, I wore a fanny pack. Also keep your passport and money is a safe place.

Cover up: 

Note: In order to go in temples your shoulder and your knees must be covered. And prepare to remove your shoes.

Transportation:

Note: Flying within Thailand is fairly cheap and easy. Make sure to check the duration of the flight, but I recommend skyscanner and hopper for the best rates. We mostly flew Air Asia, and Smile airline (we loved). They do not provide much room- however they say they have a limit for carry-ons and they didn’t weigh ours- I think they only will if it looks suspiciously large.

Short trips for transportation around the city–>I recommend a tuk tuk, but make sure to confirm the price before the trip or they might try to scam you and get a lot more.

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THAILAND PLANNING

We went to Thailand a total of 9 days, during that time we started in Bangkok, then Chiang Mai, and Phuket. We stayed in what I would consider not the cheapest, but the best price for quality and experience. If you want budget friendly- then they have some decent looking hostels all around the area.

OUR ACCOMIDATIONS FOR 3 PPL:

Bangkok:

• Hotel–> Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel  & Towers 2 Charoen Krung Road
• Addressà Soi 30 (Captain Bush Lane), Siphya, Bangkok, 10500 Thailand
• Cost- $60/night (2 queen beds)
• Advice- this place actually wasn’t the best experience. We got in late and they gave our room away. It wasn’t the best way to start our vacation off.

Chiang Mai:

•  Hotelà 99 Gallery Hotel (STAY HERE!)
• Addressà 99 Intawaroroj Rd.
• Costà $60/night (3 bed, 1 large bathroom, 3 rooms- one being a sitting/hangout room with a TV)AdviceàAmazing experience- they have a pool, its walkable to a lot of temples, restaurants, friendly staff and spacious rooms. I highly recommend this hotel and the breakfast was really good. around $60/night

Phuket:

• Airbnb: Ao-Yun Khoakhad Road House, (STAY HERE TOO!)
•  Location: Tambon Wichit, Chang Wat Phuket
• Cost: $120/night (2 beds, 2 baths – on top of a mountain facing the ocean with two patios facing the ocean on each floor- amazing)
• Advice: I cannot express enough how amazing his place was. The view is breathtaking, on a mountain and Ian, our host was the neighbor and he was AMAZING. It’s very walkable to the beach, convenience store, boat tours, massage, etc..

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To Do:

Bangkok

1. The Grand Palace, Temple of Emerald, Reclining Buddha (Same Complex)
2. Floating Market- Amphawa
3. Choa Phraya Express Boat or Tuk tuk to Wat Arun (climb stairs to top of temple)
4. Shopping- Siam Square
5. Bike tour around the city through Green Lung
6. Khlon Canal Your via longtail boat
7. Pak khlong talat flower market (outside china town)
8. China Town

Chiang Mai

1. Elephant sanctuary
2. Old Town
3.  Doisuthep temple
4. Cooking Class (Muay Thai, or Thai Farm Cooking School)
5. Pai
6. Wat Chiang Man temple
7.  Temples- Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Phra that doi suthep
8. Get a Lila Thai Massage (support inside women’s prison)
9. North Gate Jazz Co-op (night music)
10. Night Life–Zoe in Yellow
11. Hike to Bua Thong Waterfall

Phuket

1. Rent a private boat and go Island Hopping: snorkel, Kayak Pahang Nga Bay, Phi Phi
2. Biking through Koh- Yao-nai Island
3. Must see Big Buddah- Chalong
4.  James Bond Island
5. Raya Island- beautiful for snorkeling
6. White water rafting (adventure tour)
7. Resort retreaters – yoga or spa, meditation
8. Long tail Boat- around islands
9. Monk Chants and get blessed by a monk

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To Pack 

I am definitely guilty of overpacking. However, I was able to stick under the 50lb weight limit and I fit it in a carry-on- so yay! go me! If I were to go back to Thailand (100% plan on it) then here are a few things I would pack, and things that I would hold off on and get when in Thailand.

The weather in Thailand is mostly always warm and humid. Personally when I pack my clothes, I like to be fashionable (partly for the pictures and men- since I might one day wake up in another country and live a life like Cameron Diaz in “The Holiday”, oh and for myself- the happiness/confidence that comes with it).  But I also want to be comfortable- that is #1 when traveling.  So other than the obvious clothes (light weight, shorts, dresses, etc..)

Here are a few things I would add to the list:

1. Fanny Pack (every time I travel I am obsessed with mine, its so easy, and safe!)
2. Comfortable shoes (Sandals (don’t bring any with flat bottoms- you need some cushion there is A LOT of walking), and sneakers)
3. lightweight waterproof jacket
4. Hiking sandals
5. Sarong/scarfs for temples
6. Sports Bras
7. 1 long sleeve lightweight shirt and pants
8. Plenty of socks
9. Hat
10. Comfy Jumpsuits (my fav!)
11. Hand Sanitizer!

Here is a video I put together to highlight the Thailand trip. Later I will post more details around the specifics