Thailand crams an entire continent's worth of experiences into one country.
In Bangkok
1. The Grand Palace and Wat Pho
Yes, it's the obvious one — and it's obvious because it's spectacular. Go early or late, cover up, and take a guide who can explain the details the crowds walk straight past. Wat Pho next door holds the vast Reclining Buddha and, importantly, the temple where Thai massage was formalised.
2. Wat Arun at sunset
Cross the river by ferry and climb the prang as the light goes golden. It's the best free-to-cheap sunset in the city.
3. Eat your way through Chinatown
Yaowarat after dark is a sensory riot of noodle stalls, grilled seafood and neon. Come hungry and graze your way down the street.
In Chiang Mai and the north
4. An ethical elephant sanctuary
Skip the riding camps entirely — the good sanctuaries are the ones where you feed, walk with and observe rescued elephants. Our family package builds in one we trust.
5. Doi Suthep temple
The mountain temple above Chiang Mai rewards an early start with misty views and the sound of monks chanting at dawn.
6. A Thai cooking class
Half a day, a market visit, and you'll leave able to cook a proper pad thai and green curry at home. Kids love it.
On the islands
7. Phi Phi island-hopping
Maya Bay, the lagoons, the snorkel stops — the Phi Phi day trip is a cliché because it's genuinely world-beating. Go with a boat that leaves early to beat the crowd.
8. Phang Nga Bay by longtail
The limestone karsts of Phang Nga Bay, explored by private longtail, feel like a film set — because they were one.
9. Railay and the Krabi cliffs
Climb if you're game, or just float under the cliffs and wonder how anywhere got this pretty.
The ones people skip (but shouldn't)
- Street food breakfast — a morning bowl of noodles for under a pound is the real Thai experience.
- A night market — any of them; go hungry.
- A longtail canal ride — old Bangkok from the water beats the skytrain any day.
- Thai massage — two hours for the price of a London sandwich.
- Kayaking through sea caves — the lagoons only reveal themselves from the water.
How to fit it all in
You can't do everything in one trip — and you shouldn't try. Pick one or two per base. The temple-and-street-food days belong in Bangkok, the elephants and cooking in Chiang Mai, and the boat days on the coast. That's the natural rhythm, and it's exactly how our packages are structured. All of these are woven into our Phuket & Krabi and family packages. To build a trip around your must-dos, call 020 7946 0958.
Quick questions, answered
What's the one thing I shouldn't miss?
If we had to pick one, it's a Phi Phi island-hopping day — the lagoons are the image everyone associates with Thailand. A private Phang Nga Bay longtail comes a very close second.
Do I need to book tours in advance?
The big ones, yes — a Grand Palace guide, an ethical elephant sanctuary, and any private boat are worth booking ahead, especially in peak season. Smaller things you can book on the day.
How much do day trips cost?
Group island-hopping runs £25–£50 per person; a private longtail £150–£300 for the boat. Sanctuary visits are £40–£70pp including lunch, and cooking classes £20–£40pp.
Can you build these into one trip?
Yes — the highlights are already woven into our island and family packages, so you don't have to stitch it together yourself.
