Content [Switch to sidebar]

Southern Thailand Summer Vacation - Ben’s Family 15-day Itinerary

Our summer vacation in Southern Thailand turned out to be the perfect family getaway. We spent two unforgettable weeks exploring Bangkok's cultural landmarks, the historic sites of Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi, before slowing down on the beautiful beaches of Krabi and Phuket. This Southern Thailand summer vacation 15 days itinerary offered just the right balance of sightseeing, island hopping, and relaxing by the sea, keeping both adults and children entertained throughout the trip. Looking back, these 15 days gave us some of our favorite family memories, and we'd recommend this journey to anyone planning a holiday in Thailand.

I. When to visit Thailand ?

Before our 15-day Southern Thailand summer vacation, I spent quite a bit of time researching the Thailand weather. Most people recommended visiting between November and March, and I was a little worried because our family holiday fell during the rainy season. Thankfully, those concerns disappeared as soon as we arrived. We did get a few short showers, usually in the late afternoon, but they never stopped us from exploring or enjoying the Southern Thailand beaches.

In fact, traveling at this time turned out to be a great decision. The attractions felt less crowded, hotels were more affordable, and we still had plenty of sunny days to swim, go island hopping, and enjoy the outdoors. Looking back, I'd say the best time to visit Thailand really depends on what kind of trip you're looking for, rather than simply avoiding the rainy season.

II. Our 15-day Southern Thailand summer vacation

1. Bangkok (Days 1-2)

• Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

Bangkok was the perfect introduction to our Southern Thailand summer vacation 15 days itinerary. After landing, our guide greeted us at the airport and took us to the beautiful Mandarin Oriental, where we had the rest of the day to settle in and recover from the journey.

The next morning, we explored Bangkok's cultural highlights by boat, cruising along the Chao Phraya River to Wat Arun. Arriving early meant cooler temperatures and beautiful views across the river, making it one of my favorite experiences in the city. If you're visiting Bangkok with children, I'd definitely recommend starting your day this way.

From there, we continued to the Grand Palace, whose glittering architecture and intricate details were even more impressive in person. We also visited Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha, before ending the morning at Wat Pho, where the giant Reclining Buddha and peaceful temple grounds provided a welcome contrast to the crowds.

2. Ayutthaya (Day 3)

• Accommodation: Mandarin Oriental

On the third day of our Southern Thailand 15 day itinerary, we set off early from Bangkok for a day trip to Ayutthaya, Thailand's ancient capital. We explored historic landmarks including Wat Phu Khao Thong, the Royal Palace and Wat Phra Si Sanphet, before visiting Viharn Phra Mongkol Bophit, home to one of Thailand's largest bronze Buddha statues.

After a traditional Thai lunch, we stopped at Wat Lokaya Sutha to admire its giant reclining Buddha, then finished the day at the elegant Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, the former summer residence of the Thai royal family. It was the perfect cultural escape before continuing our journey to southern Thailand.

3. Khao Yai National Park (Days 4-5)

• Accommodation: Muthi Maya

As part of our south Thailand itinerary 2 weeks, we left Bangkok behind and chose to travel to Khao Yai National Park by private Grab taxi, which cost around 2,000 THB. For families, I found this to be the easiest and most comfortable option, especially when traveling with luggage and children.

Our first day was spent exploring the park's natural beauty. We visited the viewpoint and visitor center before hiking through dry evergreen forests and grasslands, spotting monkeys, gibbons, and hornbills along the way. After lunch at a local restaurant, we continued to Haew Narok Waterfall for a scenic two-hour trail before ending the day with an unforgettable elephant-spotting experience at dusk.

The following morning was much slower. We enjoyed breakfast on our balcony, listening to birdsong and taking in the peaceful views before spending a little more time relaxing in nature. After checking out, we made our way back to Bangkok in the afternoon, feeling refreshed after two days surrounded by Khao Yai's beautiful landscapes.

4. Kanchanaburi (Days 6-7)

• Accommodation: The Float House River Kwai

From Bangkok, we traveled to Kanchanaburi by private taxi, which took around 2 hours and cost approximately 1,500 THB. We spent our first afternoon settling into our floating villa on the River Kwai, enjoying the peaceful scenery and taking the opportunity to relax after several busy days of sightseeing.

The highlight of our stay was visiting Elephant World Sanctuary. We learned the inspiring stories behind each rescued elephant, fed them, enjoyed a picnic lunch, and walked alongside the herd to the nearby river. One of the most memorable moments was helping the sanctuary staff bathe the elephants, an experience our whole family will never forget.

5. Krabi (Days 8-10)

• Accommodation: Andakiri Pool Villas

Before leaving Kanchanaburi, we stopped at the iconic Bridge over the River Kwai, one of Thailand's most important World War II landmarks. Walking across the bridge and learning about the history behind the Death Railway made it a meaningful final stop before heading back to Bangkok for our evening flight to Krabi. After landing, a driver met us at the airport and transferred us to our hotel in Ao Nang.

Krabi was one of the destinations we had been looking forward to most during our summer holiday. We spent our first full day slowing down, relaxing at Ao Nang Beach, and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the resort after a busy week of sightseeing. It was the perfect chance to recharge before more adventures.

The highlight of our stay was a full-day trip to the Phi Phi Islands and Maya Bay. Swimming in crystal-clear water, snorkeling among colorful marine life, and relaxing on soft white-sand beaches made it one of our family's favorite experiences. If you're planning a Southern Thailand summer vacation 15 days, Krabi is a destination that perfectly combines tropical beauty with a slower, more relaxing pace before continuing on to Phuket.

4. Phuket (Days 11-15)

• Accommodation: Mom Tri’s Villa Royale

From Krabi, we continued to Phuket on a scenic three-hour private transfer, enjoying beautiful coastal views before arriving at our beachfront hotel. We spent our first afternoon unwinding at Karon and Kata beaches before setting off to explore the island over the following days.

One of the highlights of our 15 days in Southern Thailand was exploring Phang Nga Bay, where we visited the famous James Bond Island, paddled through hidden caves and tranquil lagoons, and glided past peaceful mangrove forests before enjoying a traditional Thai lunch at the floating village of Koh Panyi.

One evening, we joined a sea kayaking adventure through limestone caves and quiet lagoons. Watching the sea glow with bioluminescence as we floated beneath the stars and released our handmade krathongs was one of the most magical moments of the trip. On our final day, we slowed down with a relaxing beach day before ending our holiday with a private candlelit dinner by the sea-a perfect finale to two unforgettable weeks in Thailand.

Looking back, this Southern Thailand summer vacation 15 days flew by much faster than we expected. From exploring Bangkok's vibrant streets to relaxing on the beaches of Krabi and Phuket, every stop brought our family a different experience and plenty of great memories. Everything was well organized, so we could simply enjoy the trip without worrying about the details. If you're planning a family holiday in Thailand, I'd definitely recommend booking with Autour Asia - travel agency in Asia. It made our first trip to southern Thailand smooth, relaxing, and truly unforgettable.