Renowned as Southeast Asia's most popular tourist destination, 15 days in Thailand is filled with fascinating discoveries. If it’s your first time visiting Thailand, opting for an all-inclusive tour can be a great idea, especially for a family trip. A well-organized Thailand tour ensures you won’t miss any must-visit sites while immersing yourself in the country’s rich culture and traditions. So, what should you do during a 15-day itinerary in Thailand? Find out below in the detailed review of the Simon family’s trip!
We chose Thailand for our next family vacation and booked a Thailand 15-day all-inclusive tour with the Thailand travel company Autour Asia. The trip went smoothly and turned out to be an unforgettable experience. We had the opportunity to explore bustling metropolises, peaceful suburbs, sacred temples, and breathtaking, sparkling beaches.
Moreover, the range of tourist activities was incredibly diverse, and although Thai cuisine was a bit spicy, it was simply delicious. Below, we would like to share our 15-day itinerary in Thailand and the key sites to visit. This is a general overview of the itinerary, excluding some additional activities such as dining and shopping.
Summary of the 15-day Thailand travel itinerary:
Our 15-day Thailand tour took place in December, in the middle of the dry season. As a result, the weather in Thailand over 15 days was mostly dry, with no cold spells, providing ideal conditions for outdoor activities. It was also a perfect time to enjoy the beaches of Koh Phi Phi and Phuket. The sun wasn’t too harsh, temperatures hovered around 30°C, and the climate remained pleasant thanks to a refreshing monsoon breeze. These favorable weather conditions made our 15-day family trip to Thailand even more memorable.
Day 1 - Arrival in Bangkok: After a long 11-hour flight, we arrived in Bangkok in the evening. Tired from the journey, we simply checked into our hotel to rest and prepare for our 15-day Thailand tour. Luckily, we found many 24-hour 7-Eleven stores around the hotel, making it easy to grab some essentials.
Day 2 - Bangkok city tour: We were eager to visit the city’s iconic landmarks: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun. Each site stood out with its magnificent architecture and unique atmosphere. The most striking sight was the impressive Reclining Buddha statue at Wat Pho. However, the most unforgettable moment was watching the sunset over the Chao Phraya River from Wat Arun — a truly magical scene that will forever be etched in our 15-day Thailand travel memories.
Day 3 - Maeklong Railway Market: Our driver took us to the Maeklong Railway Market, about an hour’s drive from Bangkok. The experience was fascinating: witnessing the train pass right through the market, with vendors swiftly pulling back their stalls to make way, was an unforgettable spectacle. After this visit, we headed to Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Siam Kingdom, where we spent the night.
Day 4 - Ayutthaya 1-day tour: We started the day by visiting the Bang Pa-In Palace, a stunning blend of Thai and European architectural styles. Next, we explored Wat Chaiwatthanaram, a majestic temple with towering stupas, offering us a fascinating insight into Thailand’s history and cultural heritage. This enriching experience added even more depth to our journey. We then returned to Bangkok for an early night, as we had a morning flight to Chiang Mai the next day.
Day 5 - Chiang Mai tour: After a 1.5-hour flight, we landed in Chiang Mai in the early afternoon and immediately began our exploration. Our first stop was the famous Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a temple perched on a hill offering breathtaking views of the city. We then strolled through Chiang Mai’s Old Town before diving into the lively atmosphere of the Night Bazaar Night Market, where we sampled various local delicacies — though some were quite spicy! It's best to ask for "less spicy" dishes in advance.
Day 6 - Elephant Nature Park: This was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our 15-day Thailand itinerary. We spent the day at Elephant Nature Park, an ethical sanctuary where we had the incredible experience of caring for elephants, feeding them, and even bathing them. These gentle giants were amazingly friendly and affectionate, making the experience even more emotional.
Day 7 - Pai city tour: After a 3-hour drive from Chiang Mai, we arrived in Pai, a hidden gem nestled in the northern Thai mountains. The landscapes were simply breathtaking. We explored the Pai Canyon, which offered a spectacular sunset view, and Yun Lai Viewpoint, where we admired a stunning panorama of Pai’s valley and town. We also relaxed at Pai’s hot springs before heading back to Chiang Mai.
We took an early morning flight and, after just 2 hours, landed in the coastal town of Krabi. The weather was pleasant, cool, and dry. Our first day was dedicated to swimming and relaxing at Railay Beach, followed by a visit to Phra Nang Cave.
The next day, we explored Krabi’s 4 islands: Ko Kai (Chicken Island), Ko Poda, Ko Mor, and Ko Thap. We went snorkeling around Chicken Island, where we admired vibrant coral reefs, and experienced a unique walk on the thin strip of sand connecting Ko Mor and Ko Thap — an unforgettable moment! This marked the end of our Krabi adventure from 15 days Thailand itinerary.
The next morning, we took a boat to Koh Phi Phi, reaching the island in just over an hour. We spent 2 full days relaxing on this breathtaking island. The paradisiacal beaches were stunning, and there were also diving opportunities. However, our children found the underwater scenery less impressive than that of Chicken Island.
Our final destination on this 15-day Thailand family trip was Phuket Island. Compared to Krabi and Koh Phi Phi, Phuket was much more vibrant, especially in the evenings, with its lively streets lined with bars and nightlife activities. 3 days were just enough to explore the island. We visited: Phuket Old Town, Big Buddha, and several other landmarks
On our last day in Phuket, we took an early afternoon flight back to Bangkok and spent the day relaxing, shopping, and enjoying a Thai massage before the trip ended.
We checked out of our hotel and took a morning flight back to our hometown, marking the end of our 15-day adventure in Thailand.
Final thoughts on our 15-day Thailand itinerary: Thai cuisine didn’t completely match our expectations in terms of flavors, as some dishes were extremely spicy. However, the desserts were a delightful surprise. The organization of the trip was flawless, with professional and friendly drivers and guides. A big thank you to Autour Asia for their excellent support and quick responses to all our questions throughout the journey. We will highly recommend this service to our friends and will book with you again for future trips to Southeast Asia!
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