Bangkok, the gateway
Bangkok is where nearly every trip begins. Give it three or four days for the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, the river and canals, the street food of Chinatown and the night markets. The ruined former capital of Ayutthaya is an easy day trip or overnight stop by train.
Chiang Mai and the north
Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of the north: a moated old city full of temples, cooking schools, craft villages and markets, with mountains, waterfalls and elephant sanctuaries close by. It is an hour's flight or an overnight train from Bangkok, and a good base for Chiang Rai, Pai and Sukhothai.
The Andaman coast
Phuket is Thailand's largest island, with lively beaches, quiet coves, an old town of painted shophouses and boat trips to Phang Nga Bay and the Phi Phi islands. Krabi across the bay is wilder, with the climbing cliffs of Railay, Ao Nang's boats and calm islands such as Ko Lanta. This coast is best from November to April.
The Gulf islands
Ko Samui leads a chain of islands in the Gulf of Thailand, with Ko Phangan for yoga and the Full Moon Party and Ko Tao for diving. The Gulf has a different rhythm of seasons to the Andaman, so it is a good choice from January to August.
How to combine them
A classic two-week route is Bangkok, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, then a week on one coast. Domestic flights are frequent and low cost, and trains, buses and ferries link everything else. Our places to visit list helps you fill each stop, and the free trip planner helps you set a realistic pace.