Culture guide
Bangkok · Thailand
Thailand Travel Guide
The Thailand guide: Bangkok, the two coasts, the temple etiquette and the season split.
9 min read · 9 days · Updated September 12, 2026
- thailand
- travel guide
- Destination
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Duration
- 9 days
- Best time
- Nov-Feb
- Style
- Culture · Food · History
- Daily budget
- 50 USD
Thailand is Southeast Asia's great all-rounder: Bangkok's temples and street food, the north's mountains and cafés, and two island coasts that trade seasons — Phuket's Andaman (Nov–Apr) against Samui's Gulf (Jan–Sep). Budgets run $50–70/day at the mid tier.
The classic route: Bangkok (3) → Chiang Mai (3) → islands (3–4). Internal flights cost $30–60 and save the day-long buses.
What this guide covers
The Classic Route
City, north, islands.
Day 1
Bangkok — temples
The Grand Palace trio at opening.
Day 2
Bangkok — markets
Chatuchak, Yaowarat after dark.
Day 3
Bangkok — canals
The khlongs by longtail; fly north.
Day 4
Chiang Mai — old city
Temples, khao soi, the bazaar.
Day 5
Chiang Mai — elephants
The ethical sanctuary day.
Day 6
Fly to Krabi or Samui
Beach arrival, seafood dinner.
Day 7
Islands
The four-island or marine-park day.
Day 8
Islands — slow
Hammock, swim, massage.
Day 9
Islands — farewell
The sunset and the flight home.
Where to Go
Bangkok is the necessary city. Chiang Mai is the north's moated old city and cooking schools. The islands split by season: Krabi, Phuket and Koh Lanta on the Andaman side; Samui, Phangan and Tao on the Gulf.
- Classic: Bangkok 3 → Chiang Mai 3 → Krabi 3.
- Beach-first: Bangkok 2 → Samui 5.
- Culture-first: Bangkok 2 → Chiang Mai 4 → Sukhothai 1.
The Two-Coast Season Split
The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Lanta) is dry November–April. The Gulf (Samui, Phangan, Tao) is dry January–September. There is always a dry coast — pick by month.
Temple Etiquette
Covered shoulders and knees at every temple; shoes off at entrances; never point feet at Buddha images. Scarves solve everything.
What to know before you go
Money
- Bangkok ~$50/day, Chiang Mai ~$45, islands ~$65 at planning figures.
- Street food $1–3; massages $10.
When
- November–February suits both coasts.
- April is the hottest month; the burning season hazes the north.
Turn this guide into a trip
The trip planner opens pre-filled with Bangkok — adjust the dates and interests to fit your trip.
Plan around this destination
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Ready-made trips
Frequently asked questions
Phuket or Samui?
Phuket for the range and the excursions; Samui for the calmer rhythm. The season decides for you.
Is Thailand cheap?
Yes — $50–70/day at the mid tier, with street food at $1–3.
How many days for Thailand?
A week does Bangkok plus one region; ten days does the classic city-north-islands arc.