Thailand

Bangkok:

Things To Do:

  • The Royal Palace: the most beautiful palace I visited in Asia. The dress code is very strict. You cannot show your knees or shoulders. A scarf is not enough to cover your shoulders and if you don’t have proper clothing you have to buy it. The place is beautiful but it’s hard to take pictures because there are so many tourists.
  • Wat Phra: visit this temple to see the giant Reclining Buddha, it’s a great site.
  • Moon Bar on top of the Banyon Tree Hotel: great views of the city and cheaper than Sky Bar. There is a dress code so make sure you don’t wear short skirts or ripped jeans.
  • Khao San Road: known as the “center of the backpacking universe,” backed with bars, small market shops, buzzing restaurants and endless massage places.
  • Wang Lang Market: great place for street food and souvenirs. Try the macaroons at Lamune.
  • Go shopping on Tha Maharaj for cute boutique stalls.
  • Soi Cowboy: the red-light district of Bangkok. Known for the ladyboy shows and ping pong shows, it’s a very raunchy place, definitely an 18+ area. Part of The Hangover was filmed here and it’s interesting (to say the least) to walk through.
  • If you’re looking to get a massage or a pedicure / manicure, go to Darin. They have great Thai massages and the best pedicure I’ve ever had for very reasonable prices!

Accommodation:

  • Once Again Hostel: a really nice hostel with complementary breakfast.

Food / Drinks:

  • Peeps Thai Eatery: really good Thai food. Try to mango beer!
  • Creamery Boutique Ice Cream
  • Havana Social: a super cool Cuban speakeasy. There is a dress code for males and 300 Baht cover, which includes a nice cocktail. A great atmosphere and live music!

Notes:

  • Everything is Bangkok is really spread out, so plan to budget for Tuk Tuk rides and taxis.

Chiang Mai:

Things To Do:

  • Zabb E Lee Cooking Class: a great way to learn about Thai food and how to cook it! You get to do a market tour and then pick 5 dishes to make between a variety of different options. The food is amazing!
  • Elephant Jungle Sanctuary: a really unique experience to interact with elephants. You get to feed them, bathe them and give them a mud bath. I would recommend the full day tour, as the sanctuary is a 2 hour drive outside of Chiang Mai.
  • Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: famous Buddhist temple with great views of the city. Make sure you go on a clear day so you can see the city. I hiked up to the temple, and it was a great hike, but hard to find the trails. Check out this site for how to find the hike: https://www.tielandtothailand.com/hiking-monk-trail-doi-suthep-chiang-mai/
  • Old Town Weekend Night Market: my favorite market I visited in Asia. So many cute handicrafts and great food!
  • Go shopping on Nimmanahaeminda Road for cute shops and boutiques.
  • Biking around the city is an adventure. You ride with traffic and it’s biking like you’ve never done before.

Accommodation:

  • Stay in the Old Town:
    • Hostel Lullaby: absolutely fantastic hostel! The beds are so comfy, there’s free bike rentals, breakfast and snacks all day are included and it’s in a great location. Would definitely stay here again!

Food / Drinks:

  • Rosy Cheeks: delicious, healthy, fusion food. I would recommend the Phoritto and the Tortilla Pesto Pizza.
  • Rustic and Blue: really good, healthy cafe! Great atmosphere.
  • Box Box Dog Cafe: a coffee shop with a bunch of dogs!
  • Zoe in Yellow: a fun club in great location with a bunch of other bars and clubs.
  • Girasole: good Italian food if you need a break from Thai everyday.
  • Piccadilly: great ice cream, decorated with a bunch of toppings!

Notes:

  • Try Khao Soy (Chiang Mai noodle curry) while you’re here, it’s the famous local dish.
  • Take a ride in a songthaew! It’s how most of the locals transport around the city.

Krabi:

Things Do To:

  • Visit the islands:
    • I would not do the 4 or the 7 island tour. You are on such a tight time schedule that you don’t get to enjoy the islands.
    • I would recommend doing a private boat tour and going to Tup Island and Poda Island.
      • Go to Tup Island later in the day (around 2pm), because the tide gets so low that a sandy walkway appears that allows you to walk to Chicken Island.
      • Tup Island and Poda Island both have beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear water.
      • You can book a private tour at the tour stand at the south end of Ao Nang Beach.
      • If you don’t want to pay for a private boat tour, you can do a tour of the 3 islands, but you will need to wait until at least 6 people are on the tour.
  • Visit Railay Beach: it takes about 15 minutes to get there from Ao Nang by long boat. There is a cute little shopping strip on the beach that has food, smoothies and all the beach essentials.
    • Note: when taking a longboat to Railay Beach (the only way to get there), there has to be a minimum of 6 people on the boat. If you have less than 6 people in your group, you will have to wait until more people show up to go.
  • Watch sunset at Ao Nang Beach.

Accommodation:

  • The best area to stay in is Ao Nang. The closer to Ao Nang Beach, the better!

Food:

  • Carnivore Grill: delicious steakhouse with reasonable prices.
  • The Coffee Club: brunch spot with a large selection of pastries and several American style menu options.
  • Ton Ma Yom: very cheap, but very good traditional Thai food.
  • Jungle Kitchen: the best Thai restaurant in Ao Nang. They get booked very quickly, so make sure to get a reservation!
  • Azzurea: really good Italian food, I would recommend getting homemade pasta with the pesto sauce.

Nightlife:

  • RCA Entertainment: a strip of a bunch of small bars with good drink specials.
  • Cairo Nights: a bar with live music and outdoor seating. It’s in a square with a bunch of other bars as well.

Notes:

  • You can fly into Krabi, which is much easier than flying into Phuket and traveling ~2.5 hours to Krabi.

Koh Phi Phi:

Things To Do:

Accommodation:

  • When you get off the ferry from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, there is a hut right off the boardwalk that shows all the available accommodations on the island. You can book ahead, or wait until you get there to book.

Notes:

  • Try a bucket: a tasty mixed drink in a beach bucket
  • Don’t do a fish massage, these fish can carry and transfer diseases.
  • Don’t ride the elephants! They are beat into submission. Google “phajaan” for more information.

Background photo taken in the islands outside Koh Phi Phi. 

Jellyfish – Phang Nga Bay
Pee Pee Viewpoint – Koh Phi Phi
Elephant Jungle Sanctuary – Chiang Mai
Tup Island – Krabi
Zabb E Lee Cooking School – Chiang Mai