2 weeks in Thailand!

Let me begin by telling you that two weeks is not nearly enough to explore Thailand, or really most countries in SE Asia. I suggest a minimum of four weeks. However, I know that most of us in the US (with 8-5 jobs) don’t have the luxury to take that much time off at once, so I am hoping that this article will help you plan your getaway without cramming too much into one trip. Think of this as a “Thailand Highlights” itinerary.

My Thailand Itinerary:

Day 1: ✈ Bangkok > ? to Ayutthaya
Day 2: Explore Ayutthaya > ? to Chiang Mai
Day 3 – 6: Chiang Mai
Day 7: Chiang Mai ✈ Ao Nang
Day 8 – 11: Railay Beach
Day 12: ⚓Railay Beach to Krabi
Day 13: Krabi ✈ Bangkok
Day 14: Bangkok (✈ out at night)

Ayutthaya:

Founded c. 1350, Ayutthaya was the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and an international trading port until it was destroyed by the Burmese in 1767. It is a must see if you are into history, old temples and ruins. And it’s conveniently located 1.5-2 hours north of Bangkok, making it a perfect day trip opportunity. Once in Ayutthaya, and you’re done looking at the temples, go check out the Bang Lan night market near the Historical Park. It’s not very big, but definitely worth a visit!

Best form of transportation around town is bike/bicycle rental (30 Baht/200 Baht respectively). You can also hire a tuk tuk, however, be careful not to pay full price, as most were definitely asking too much. I ended up paying 500 Baht for 2 hours. We were able to visit 6 temples on the outside of the old city. Everything in the center is pretty close by, so you can rent a bicycle and easily knock those out for much cheaper. More on transportation here.

Sight seeing suggestions:

– Wat Mahathat – Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon

– Wat Chaiwatthanaram – Wat Phanan Choeng

– Wat Ratchaburana – Weekend Night Market

Chiang Mai:

Chiang Mai is the largest city in the mountainous northern Thailand. It was founded in 1296 and was the capital of the independent Lan Na Kingdom until 1558 and later became the Kingdom of Chiang Mai (1774 -1899) and finally the seat of rulers until 1939. It is located near the highest mountains in the country, which offers lots of excellent trails. On top of that, it is home to many elephant sanctuaries, amazing food, cheap massages, some of the best cooking classes and bustling night markets! Chiang Mai is also roughly 3 hours away from Chiang Rai (home of the white temple) and Pai (hipster village in the far north). I didn’t get to visit either in the short time that I was there, but I hear both places (especially Pai) are worth it if weather is nice.

Day trip suggestions:

– Sanctuary. Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. – Cooking class. Siam Rice School.

– Trekking. Waterfalls. Happy Bird Tour. – Sunday Night Market.

– Doi Inthanon National Park. – Pai. 3 hours north of Chiang Mai.

Ao Nang/Krabi:

Krabi province is the perfect destination if you’re looking for a place to relax in southern Thailand. The province features stunning scenery and is characterized by sheer limestone cliffs, mountain chains, dense forests, and hundreds of islands. Krabi has so many things to offer to all travelers. I chose to spend the night in Ao Nang to check out the Tab Kak Hang Nak hike in the morning. Let me tell you guys, it’s an EPIC hike with amazing views (more on that here). Ao Nang/Krabi are just a little over an hour flight of Bangkok. Getting around both, Ao Nang and Krabi is also very easy. Almost everything is located either along the beach or along the Airport Road.

Day trip suggestions:

– Tab Kak Hang Nak. – Ao Nang Beach. And beach bars.

– Tiger Cave Temple. – Night Market.

Railay Beach:

Oh man, Railay Beach. Where to begin. Railay (also known as Rai Leh) is definitely my favorite place in Thailand. It is a large peninsula that lies between Ao Nang and Krabi. While it’s not an island, the only way to access its gorgeous beaches is by boat due to the limestone cliffs that cut it off from mainland. Those cliffs are what draws so many people to this place. The rock climbing possibilities here are endless. Ok, that is a bit of an exaggeration, but there are roughly 700+ bolted climbing routes, making it home to one of the best rock climbing places in the world! Climbing and the beaches are not the only reasons this place is so popular. Its somewhat central location makes it easy to visit other islands. Boats and ferries run daily. For more info, go here.

Day trip suggestions:

– Rock Climbing Class. Real Rocks Climbing School. – Kayaking. Plenty of rentals available.

– Princess cave. Yes, you’re seeing this right. – Overlook hikes. East Overlook.

– Phi Phi Island (Monkey Island +snorkeling) – Muay Thai + Fire Show at the “Last Bar”.

Bangkok:

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and is the most populous city in the country. It used to be a small settlement with a fort that was strategically located on the eastern shores of the Chao Phraya river. It then became known as the ‘key to Siam’ (now Thailand). Currently Bangkok is mainly known for it’s cultural landmarks and vibrant city life. I will note that it was very smoggy when I was visiting, so the vibrancy wasn’t quite what I was expecting it to be but that didn’t stop me from exploring. As a “foodie”, Bangkok did offer a plethora of options. So many different street foods, I felt like I wasn’t there long enough to try everything. That’s a good problem I like to have though. Street food is cheap cheap cheap! Bring lots of cash and an empty stomach!