So, you fancy spending the month in Thailand? You couldn’t have chosen a better place to explore with so much to see across the country no matter what your interests are (unless it’s snow, then this really isn’t the place for you). From hectic busy cities to beautiful beaches and stunning green landscapes, Thailand really does have it all and it doesn’t stop there. Thailand is also home to some of the best food in the world, full of spice and flavour (I hope you can handle some chilly!) and the hospitality in this country is incredible.

Generally, locals are very happy to welcome tourists and lend a helping hand when needed, which makes you feel right at home. So, let’s get started with this guide of how to spend a month in Thailand. The guide will include a rough plan that you can adapt to your liking and will include great places to stay, amazing eats, things to do and how to get from A to B. So sit back, grab a cup of tea and let’s start planning your month in Thailand…

Day 1 – 4 – Phuket

Phuket is a must visit when travelling around Thailand, it’s in the South and is actually a huge area which I did not realise during my first visit there. 4 days in Phuket is a good amount of time, however this is one of the areas I would extend if you are flexible with your trip to Thailand as there are countless beautiful beaches to explore, amazing cafes and luxury resorts (if that’s your thing).

There really is something for everyone in Phuket whether you prefer to spend your time on beaches, trekking, meeting elephants or experiencing the culture with temples and local markets. Due to this, Phuket is very touristy and very busy. You will meet people from around the world during your visit, and find many expats based here too. If you’re not a fan of busy tourist areas, I’d recommend staying a little more inland than the beach resort areas and hiring a bike to get around however personally, I loved staying by the beaches so you can walk to your favourite restaurants and cafes easily.

If you’d like to visit beautiful temples, find cool cafes and lots of local shops then I’d recommend staying in the Old Town. However if you prefer the beach areas and fancy resorts then I have some amazing hotel recommendations on various beaches in Phuket which you can find here.

Hotels I recommend in Phuket:

• Le Mèridien Mai Khao
• Outrigger Surin Beach
• Paradox Resort

Day 4-6 – Koh Samui

Next, let’s spend a few days in Koh Samui, a must visit island off the East Coast of Thailand. From Phuket, you can get there using a local transport company called Lomprayah who sort everything and have a mix of coaches, minivans and ferries to get you from place to place. You can book directly with them or book transport on a 3rd party site such as Omio or 12go. Once you’re on the island, you need to choose which area to stay in. I stayed in a quiet place along the main road on Lamai Beach. The area was great for tourists with lots of shops, cafes and bars however it was a little TOO touristy for me so definitely do some research before your visit to see where on the island will suit you better, I read that the North of the island is for the party goers, if that’s what you’re into.

Things to do in Koh Samui:

• Take a boat trip to see the pink dolphins (not guaranteed to see them) and visit pig island, book your trip here.
• Relax on Lamai beach
• Go shopping in Chenang
• Explore Angthong Marine Park and try snorkelling, book a tour here.
• Take a day trip to Koh Tao and Nangyuan and go snorkelling! Book here.

Day 6-8 – Koh Pha Ngan

Koh Phangan is a quieter island than Koh Samui so this might just be the perfect spot for some relaxation and calm beach days or adventures exploring the jungle. I’d recommend choosing somewhere to stay near Chaloklum Beach and visiting some nearby waterfalls; Wang Sai and Paradise Waterfall are two beautiful ones. Make sure you also spend some time on the beach, go snorkelling to find some beautiful sea-life and head to the jungle for some hikes, don’t miss some of the many viewpoints of this stunning island.

Tours to join in Koh Pha Ngan:

• If you missed it in Koh Samui, you can also visit Angthong Marine Park from here too, book here.
• Take ATV Bikes around the jungle! Book here.
• Take a day tour to Koh Tao & Nang Yuan, book here.

Day 8-12 – Krabi

Next up is Krabi, a beautiful region of Thailand that I completely fell in love with and hope to explore more someday. On my short visit here, I stayed in a gorgeous hotel that impressed me in every single way from it’s sustainability efforts to it’s beautiful design and incredible staff who made me feel right at home. This hotel completely changed the way I experienced Krabi and I think it is such a hidden gem that I can’t wait for more of you to discover, find out more here. You can easily get to Krabi from Koh Samui or Koh Phangan or actually might prefer to swap the dates around and do Krabi before the islands, completely up to you. I get around easily from place to place using a local transport company called Lomprayah who sort everything and have a mix of coaches, minivans and ferries to get you from place to place. You can book directly with them or book transport on a 3rd party site such as Omio or 12go.

Some things you absolutely must do when in Krabi include a private longtail boat trip to Hong Island. This is a really magical experience and one I cannot recommend enough. Hong Island is truly beautiful and on this trip you will also stop by some other small islands and even have the chance to go snorkelling and see nemo!

Secondly, a visit to Dragon’s Crest mountain is an incredible experience and will give you some amazing views. This beautiful spot located in Khao Ngon Nak National Park is amazing for those who love a hike, it is 565 metre high and a 3-5 hour round trip.

Book your stay at Varana Hotel, Krabi.

Day 12-16 – Bangkok

Bangkok was not somewhere I was expecting to like as I really am not a city girl, however I really enjoyed my time here and can highly recommend it to you. No matter what you enjoy doing, there are actually plenty of things to keep you busy in Bangkok even if like me, you prefer nature over city life.

Things to do in Bangkok for foodies: Bangkok if full of amazing food! Whether you’re after cheap local eats in Bangkok, fancy high-end restaurants or you’re craving international food, Bangkok has it all. There are also lots of amazing places in Bangkok that you can have a drink with an incredible view of the city, especially in the area of Sukhumvit, where you’ll also find lots of high rise hotels with great views.

For those looking to experience the local culture in Bangkok, there are countless temples that you can visit, some of which are very unique and extremely impressive. Some of the best temples to visit in Bangkok include: Wat Arun Ratchawararam, Wat Saket Ratchaworamahawihan, Wat Benchamabophit, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan. As well as the many beautiful temples, there are also plenty of amazing markets to visit in Bangkok to try some delicious street food and find some local products at amazing prices. I also highly recommend visiting a floating market as this is a really unique experience. I thought you had to go right out of the city to do this but it turns out there are a few dotted around the city, just type ‘floating markets’ into google maps to see which is closest to you. I visited Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market and really enjoyed it, it wasn’t too far by motorbike from Wat Arun too, so I combined the two in once trip and really recommend this. How to get around in Bangkok? I go from place to place using Grab app and Bolt app, where you can easily book a car or motorbike to take you around the city.

For the nature lovers in Bangkok, there are lots of gorgeous National Parks outside of the city but this is quite a journey so I recommend taking a tour if you want to go on day trips, you can find some options here. If you prefer to stay in the city, there are many beautiful parks you can wander around and find peaceful spots in the city. My favourite was Chatuchak Park which is also connect to Queen Sirikit Park and Wachirabenchathat Park (Rot Fai Park), it’s a huge area and usually very quiet, so you can really get your dose of nature here. Inside the park is also a Butterfly Garden and Insectarium that is really nice to spend some time in if you enjoy butterflies; I really loved this spot. Next the park is also Chatuchak Weekend Market, a huge market with over 15,000 stalls with just about everything you can think of and amazing prices too.

Where to stay in Bangkok:

• Hyatt Place Sukhumvit
• SilQ Hotel and Residence (Sukhumvit)
• Villa Deva

Day 16-20 – Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a beautiful part of Thailand to explore and is much less touristy than the well known areas such as Phuket and Krabi. It’s a great spot for beach lovers, nature explorers and as I discovered during my visit, amazing coffee spots! 

Some things you must do during your time in Hua Hin if you love nature includes; exploring Pan Buri Forest and walking around the Mangroves, visiting Sam Roi Yod National Park and witnessing the morning light shine into Praya Nakhon cave (this is a really special experience). You can even go and see elephants in the wild on a safari style ride at Kuiburi National Park, book here.

If you enjoy art, you can visit the artist village located in the town, or book a unique experience with Khomapastr, a Thai textile company offering cotton printing workshops.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Hua Hin, Let’s Sea Hua Hin is THE place to stay. It’s located right on the beach, has a stunning pool running along the middle of the hotel with gorgeous rooms on either side. The rooms are incredibly beautiful with everything inside so well thought out, with the bottom room leading straight to the pool whereas the top room boats a private rooftop Jacuzzi bath. For a more budget friendly alternative, try their neighbouring hotel Loligo Resort, also with a good sized pool and beautiful bar!

Day 20-25 – Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a gorgeous city in the North of Thailand and is much calmer than other areas of the country. It is a city home to countless beautiful temples and a rich history given that it was once the capital city of the Lanna Kingdom. Because of this, there is still a lot of influence from Lanna times, the most noticeable being the different cuisines (which are delicious by the way). If you’re interested in the history of Chiang Mai and learning about the Lanna Kingdom, read more here.

I was lucky enough to experience Loy Krathong and Yi Peng during my visit in Chiang Mai. If you can arrange your visit to fit in with this beautiful festival or similar ones such as Songkran. Loy Krathong and Yi Peng festival is the festival of lights and is held on the night of the full moon of the 12th month of the Thai lunar calendar. During this time you will see hundreds of lanterns all around the city, along with markets, shows, parades and floats that light up the river (Krathong).

Chiang Mai is another place that is absolutely abundant in beautiful coffee shops, especially when you go out of the city into the countryside and mountain areas. Anywhere you go in Chiang Mai you will find gorgeous coffee shops, restaurants and hotels, along with friendly locals, independent shops and handicrafts. I highly recommend venturing outside of the city when visiting Chiang Mai as there is just so much to see and do.

Things you must do when visiting Chiang Mai include:

• Visiting Doi Suthep
• Exploring Doi Inthanon
• Hiking Doi Luang Chiang Dao 
• Spending a day in Royal Park Rajapruek
• Riding a bike up the mountain roads
• Spending time with elephants at Chai Lai Orchid

Day 25- 28 – Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai is about a 3 hour drive from Chiang Mai and is abundant in nature. Chiang Rai is known for its incredible temples, two of the most famous being the White Temple and the Blue Temple and they’re both absolutely worth the journey to Chiang Rai even if it’s just for a day trip. Chiang Rai is also home to many hill tribes and traditional villages that are worth a visit if you have an interest in culture and history. You can even book a day trip the Golden Triangle and to visit some of the Hill Tribes! Book here.

There are also plenty of local markets to discover in Chiang Rai, however there is not as much nightlife as there is back in Chiang Mai, if that’s what you’re interested in. It is however full of modern arts, creativity and a LOT of nature spots. It’s a little less touristy that Chiang Mai is which is lovely, and gives you more of a quieter local experience.

Chiang Rai is not connected to the country’s rail network, so you’ll need to get a private transfer here or take a bus which is really easy to navigate and a much more affordable option too. If this is your last stop in Thailand, your closest international airport will be Chiang Mai, so head back there or get a direct transfer to the airport.

I hope you all have a wonderful time exploring this gorgeous country! Thailand is a truly stunning country to explore no matter your interests, so I know you’ll find something you love on this journey. Safe travels!

As always, love Elise x

P.S. This post contains affiliate links, which helps me continue to write travel blogs for you! It doesn’t cost you any extra, but I get a small amount of commission from the sale.

FAQ

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT Thailand?

The best time to visit Thailand is during the dry season which is usually from November to April, with pleasant weather, lower humidity and less rain.

HOW DO I GET TO Thailand?

You can get to Thailand easily by plane with many flights going directly to different areas around the country. At times you may need to take a connecting flight from a major airport such as Bangkok or Chiang Mai. Once you’re in Thailand, you can continue to fly to different areas or use other transportation methods such as trains, boats, busses and private transfers.

ARE THERE ANY WATER ACTIVITIES IN Thailand?

There are lots of fun water activities to do along the coat of Thailand and on the islands for adventurers and those looking for something more relaxing. You can take part in activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking, island hopping, and boat tours to explore the stunning limestone cliffs and clear waters.

WHAT IS THE LOCAL CUISINE IN Thailand?

Thailand offers a variety of local Thai dishes that vary depending on where you are in the country. Try dishes like Tom Yum soup, Pad Thai, Green Curry (my favourite) , and fresh seafood at local markets and restaurants. Personally, I love a mix of really beautiful upscale restaurants, and super local street food and I think it’s great to experience both!

ARE THERE ANY CULTURAL OR RELIGIOUS CONSIDERATIONS FOR VISITORS TO Thailand?

While the majority of Thailand is relatively relaxed, it’s essential to respect local customs and traditions as with anywhere you travel to. When visiting temples, dress modestly, remove your shoes before entering, and be mindful of local customs.

WHAT IS THE CURRENCY USED IN Thailand?

The official currency in Thailand is the Thai Baht (THB). Credit cards are often accepted in tourist areas, but it’s advisable to carry some cash for local markets and smaller shops. I’ve noticed that I need cash in Thailand much more often than in other countries, so it’s always good to have some on you.

Do locals speak english in thailand?

While many locals in tourist areas speak basic English, it’s helpful to learn a few common Thai phrases. It can enhance your experience and interactions with the locals, I always try to learn at least ‘hello’ and ‘thank you’ are the bare minimum when I visit a new country and I think it’s polite to make some effort, however most people will speak relatively good English, so don’t worry about not being understood after all, there is always Google Translate!