Get ready for an unforgettable adventure in Thailand! This 4-week itinerary takes you on an enchanting journey through some of the country's most fascinating destinations.
From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the atmospheric temples of Chiang Mai, from the enchanting Pai Valley to the beautiful islands of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, and from the breathtaking limestone cliffs of Krabi to the lush jungle of Khao Sok - this itinerary offers a diversity of experiences.
Explore the rich culture, enjoy the breathtaking landscapes and relax on Thailand's idyllic beaches during this unforgettable 4-week trip!
Preparation
A visa is only required from stays longer than 30 days. First this was 45 days, but since March 31, 2023 this has been changed to 30. For a 4-week trip through Thailand you will get a tourist 'visa'. Upon arrival at the airport you will have to go through immigration and hand over your passport, note that it must be valid for at least 6 months after your return. You will then get a stamp with the latest date of departure.
Vaccinations Thailand
I am not a health expert, so in this one I enlisted the help of the GGD (Dutch Health Institution). They recommend a vaccination against DTP and hepatitis A.
Best time to visit Thailand
The best time to visit Thailand varies depending on the regions you want to visit and the activities you want to do. In general, there are two main seasons in Thailand: the dry season and the rainy season.
The dry season generally runs from November through February and is considered the best time to visit Thailand. The weather is pleasant with little precipitation and moderate temperatures.
The rainy season generally runs from May through October and can vary depending on the region. During the rainy season, some parts of Thailand may experience heavy rainfall and higher humidity. Although the rainy season is considered low season, it can still be a more than good time to travel as there are fewer tourists and nature is in bloom. In doing so, it is often tropical showers that can be over after only an hour.
At least in the rainy season, a lot more water comes out of this waterfall in the National Park near Chiang Mai
Beware of the burning season!
The "Burning Season" in Northern Thailand, also known as "smoking season," usually takes place between February and April. It is a period when there is extra high air pollution and smog in the air due to the burning of crops and vegetation by local farmers as part of agricultural practices.
Air pollution during the Burning Season can significantly affect air quality in northern Thailand, especially in cities such as Chiang Mai. Your view may then be hidden just like that by a large amount of smog in the air. As a result, traveling in this region during Burning Season can be less pleasant, with reduced visibility, poorer air quality and possible health risks.
Especially for people with respiratory problems, such as asthma or allergies, it is definitely not a nice time to be in Northern Thailand.
Would be a shame if near Thailand's highest point you can't enjoy the view due to smog.
Tips
- Withdraw cash before departure!
Before departure, withdraw money (ideally in bills of €50 or higher) so that when you arrive in Thaiand you can go to a bureau de change to Thai Baht. Again, saves you transaction fees and the exchange rate is better. 1 euro equals about 37 Thai Baht (4-2023). - Don't buy a sim card at the airport, but go to a 7-Eleven store for this. Ask for a 150 Baht sim card here and you will get unlimited Internet for 30 days. In Thailand it is mandatory to register the sim card by name, so you will have to give the clerk at the 7-Eleven your passport for a while.
- Download the map of the region where you will arrive so you can navigate to your ho(s)tel and the nearest 7-Eleven store without the Internet.
The 7-Eleven also has sandwiches that they even warm for you. My favorite breakfast!
Arrival in Thailand: Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
A very large portion of your travels through Thailand will start in Bangkok, arriving at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. The other, smaller airport, Don Mueang facilitates mostly domestic flights and flights to some neighboring Asian countries.
After collecting your stamp and luggage, you can begin the journey to your accommodation. To get to the city center you can take the SkyTrain leaving from the airport, for about €1.50 you can get a ticket for this. From the nearest stop to your accommodation you can take a cab if it is too far to walk.
Do you prefer a cab? Always ask for a cab meter, otherwise you will undoubtedly pay too much. Also note that you still have to pay the toll when driving from the airport towards the heart of Bangkok.
Culture & customs
As a traveler to Thailand, it is important to consider the local culture and customs. Here are five cultural customs in Thailand to keep in mind:
- Respect the royal family: It is important not to criticize the Thai royal family, as this can be considered offensive and even punishable.
- Greeting with the Wai: The Wai, a traditional Thai greeting with folded hands and a slight bow, is used to show respect to elders, monks, teachers and in formal situations.
- Appropriate dress in religious places: Cover your shoulders and knees when entering religious places such as temples, and remove your shoes as a sign of respect.
- Use of right hand: In Thailand, the right hand is considered clean and polite, so use it to accept things, greet and eat.
- Respect for local customs and traditions: Show respect and appreciation for local culture, traditions, religion and customs, and adapt to local ways of doing things, even if they are different from what you are used to.
Scooter rental
The most cost-effective way to travel from a to b in a city is by scooter. For about € 6.00 - € 11.00 per day you can rent one, and a full tank costs about € 3.00 in Thailand. The two of you can ride a scooter just fine. So for the value of an average cab ride you have a scooter at your disposal for a full day.
In Thailand people drive on the left side of the road, which for me took some getting used to since I am used to driving on the right side of the road. Traffic in Thailand can be chaotic and unpredictable, especially in busy cities like Bangkok. Traffic rules are not always strictly enforced and traffic violations can be common. Scooters, tuktuks and motorcycles are common modes of transportation and can exhibit reckless driving behavior.
Officially, an International Motorcycle License is required to ride a scooter up to 50cc in Thailand. The most common scooters have an engine capacity of 110cc - 125cc. Class A Thai motorcycle license is required for scooters with engine power above 50cc.
Using an international driver's license is not sufficient in that case. Thus, you are not insured should you go driving anyway. If you do want to take the risk, be extra careful.
From experience, I have learned from other travelers that people do not mind if you have an International Motorcycle License if you are riding a 50+cc scooter. Not having this will most likely get you a fine.
The 4-week Thai itinerary
If you only have 3 weeks or 3.5 weeks you can leave out one or two places from this itinerary to make it a realistic one. At the end of this blog you will find the places listed with the number of nights, including a suggestion for a slightly shorter itinerary.
The starting point of the itinerary: Bangkok!
To explore Bangkok you will need at least 2 full days, this way you can visit some of the highlights of Thailand's capital city. You can also choose to spend 1 night acclimatizing and then continue immediately, as you are expected to return to Bangkok for your return flight anyway.
Bangkok is a vibrant city known for its lively streets, bustling markets, impressive temples and delicious food. As a metropolis rich in history and culture, Bangkok offers a unique blend of old and new, where ancient temples stand next to modern skyscrapers and traditional markets can be found next to luxurious shopping malls.
Destination 2. Chiang Mai (3-4 nights)
From Thailand's largest city to its second largest city. Chiang Mai is a city known for its rich history, breathtaking natural beauty and vibrant culture. From ancient temples and a beautiful nature reserve to bustling markets and delicious food: Chiang Mai has everything to awaken your senses.
The journey to Chiang Mai
A 10 - 11 hour bus trip over about 675KM will take you from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. To save a full day of travel, it is best to take the night bus. It leaves around 20:00 / 21:00 and arrives around 06:30 - 07:30. Tickets can be bought online via 12GoAsia, but also at the bus station (Mochit) itself. You can usually buy a ticket at your hostel as well. A ticket for the Bangkok Busline cost me about € 17.50 (594 Baht). You then have a comfortable seat with a seat that you can recline.
You can also take the night train, although I've heard from many travelers that it gets booked up very quickly.
Things to see and do in Chiang Mai
- Visiting temples
- To the highest point of Thailand
- Cooking course
- Muay Thai lesson
- Visiting an elephant sanctuary
Pai, a small mountain town known for its cultural charm, relaxed atmosphere and beautiful natural landscapes. Pai has a laid-back and hippie-like atmosphere, with an abundance of guesthouses, boutiques, cafes, restaurants and bars. It is especially popular among travelers looking for an alternative and creative atmosphere, but also definitely for travelers who like to party.
The journey to Pai
The trip from Chiang Mai to Pai is one that I recommend everyone to cover by scooter. About 130 KM of riding, of which about 80 KM is on the beautiful Route 1095. Here 762 bends (combinations) await you, if you look around every now and then you can immediately enjoy beautiful views. You can read more about this beautiful ride here!
Should you only have 3 weeks I would skip Pai and take a domestic flight south from Chiang Mai to spend another 2 weeks or so here.
Travel day north-south for destination no. 4: Khao Sok (2 nights)
Before you get to Khao Sok, you will need to set aside at least a day to travel from northern to southern Thailand. For that, from Pai you will first travel back to Chiang Mai, and then make the choice between your means of transportation to the south:
- A night bus to Bangkok to then take a night bus to Khao Sok (via Surat Thani). Pretty intense trip that will take you about 2 days.
- A flight to Surat Thani, to go from here by Minivan from the airport to the center; after which you get into another Minivan towards Khao Sok for about 2 hours.
I personally found the flight from Chiang Mai to Surat Thani to be on the expensive side, so I opted for an overnight bus from Chiang Mai to Bangkok to fly to Surat Thani from here via Don Mueang Airport. If you arrive too late to travel to Khao Sok you will have to spend the night in Surat Thani.
Khao Sok National Park
The highlight of Khao Sok National Park is Lake Cheow Lan. It is one of the oldest and most impressive rainforests in the world. The park is dotted with lush green forests, towering limestone cliffs, crystal clear rivers and an abundance of exotic flora and fauna.
Khao Lak is a lesser-known destination in southern Thailand. It is a place where many beachfront resorts can be found, but for the action lover it is definitely worth exploring Phang Nga Bay from here. I could stay in this region for at least another 2 weeks with all the islands in the area.
For example, from Khao Lak, take a day trip to the floating island of Koh Panyee, where you can play ball in one of the world's most unique places.
The journey to Khao Lak
From Khao Sok you can board the Minivan which takes about 1.5 hours to Khao Lak. There are several ho(s)tels in Khao Sok where you can buy this bus ticket.
From Khao Lak you can also take a day trip to Khao Sok National Park. If you have only 3 weeks you can plan your days in the south of Thailand more efficiently.
Destination 6: Krabi (3 nights)
On to perhaps the most beautiful beach in Thailand: Railay Beach! Krabi is not only the ideal base for visiting one of Thailand's most beautiful beaches, but is also conveniently located for visiting numerous islands.
The journey to Krabi
Good to know: Krabi has an airport (international). To save time during your trip through Thailand, you can choose to take a flight to Krabi from the north and start your journey through the south.
From Khao Lak it is only an hour or 2 drive in the Minivan to Krabi. Should you want to go to Ao Nang, just outside Krabi, you should count on 30 minutes extra travel time.
In addition to Railay Beach, the places to visit in Krabi include:
- Khao Ngon Nak Viewpoint
- Tiger Cave
- Wat Kaew Korawaram
- (Night) Market
- Various islands
Destination 7: Koh Samui (2 nights)
The first 'real' island is immediately the 3rd largest in size: Koh Samui. The island is known for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, palm trees, large overlapping stones and lively atmosphere. Furthermore, it is an ideal place to get acquainted with Thai culture in the form of a Muay Thai class or a cooking course.
Since island hopping doesn't take an extreme amount of travel time, I didn't necessarily mind a bit tighter schedule here. A full day and a morning is enough to see the highlights of the island, during which you can also feel free to relax at the beach.
The trip to Koh Samui
From Krabi, I bought a combination ticket for the bus and ferry to Koh Samui for about €18.00. From Krabi to the pier in Surat Thani is about 2.5 - 3 hours, after which you are on the ferry for about another hour.
Off to Thailand's party island! If you want to go to the Full Moon Party you will have to plan well, because accommodations sell out quickly and often require a minimum stay of 3 nights. Even if you don't want to party there is plenty to see and do on the island.
For example, go to the most beautiful viewpoint on the island and visit the abandoned water park to get a taste of what was once a popular activity.
The trip to Koh Phangan:
From Koh Samui it is about an hour by ferry, tickets (about €8.00) are best picked up 1 day in advance at the pier on Koh Samui.
Destination 9: Koh Tao (5 nights)
Discover Thailand's beautiful underwater world on Koh Tao (turtle island). The island is quite small, and with its white beaches and crystal clear waters, you'll soon feel like you're in paradise.
The journey to Koh Tao:
Just under an hour by ferry from Koh Phangan takes you to Koh Tao, where you will immediately see numerous boats with diving equipment and air bottles in the harbor. The boat ticket cost me about €16.00.
Koh Tao is a popular destination for divers because of its beautiful coral reefs and diverse marine life. There are numerous diving schools on the island where you can learn to dive or improve your diving skills. Snorkeling is also a great way to explore Koh Tao's colorful underwater world, with many snorkeling spots accessible from the beach.
Fun fact: Koh Tao is one of the cheapest places in the world to get your diving license.
If you only have 3 weeks, a 3-day diving course might be a bit much. You could then stay a little shorter on Koh Tao, because if you are not going diving, 5 nights is on the high side since there is not a whole lot else to do.
End of trip!
Before your trip through Thailand ends it is advisable to stay one more night in Bangkok. From Koh Tao it is a good 10 hours travel before you are back in the capital. Saves some stress with possible ferry / bus delays.
An overview: 4 weeks
- Bangkok (3 nights)
- Chiang Mai (3 nights)
- Pai (3 nights)
- Travel day north-south (1-2 nights)
- Khao Sok (2 nights)
- Khao Lak (3 nights)
- Krabi (3 nights)
- Koh Samui (2 nights)
- Koh Phangan (2 nights)
- Koh Tao (5 nights)
Total: 28 days
An overview: 3 weeks
- Bangkok (3 nights)
- Chiang Mai (3 nights)
- Travel day north-south (1 night)
- Khao Lak (4 nights)
- Krabi (3 nights)
- Koh Samui (3 nights)
- Koh Phangan (2 nights)
- Koh Tao (3 nights)
Total: 21 days
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