What To Do In Thailand? Review 12 Days In Thailand From Mr Smith
Hello everyone, I'm Derek Smith, an American who loves to travel around the world. Today, I'd like to share my 12 days in Thailand. I was fortunate to receive the invaluable help of Selina, my travel advisor from Autour Asia, who carefully crafted my Thailand itinerary 12 days and took care of all the bookings. Thanks to her, my stay went smoothly and was truly unforgettable. Here's the Thailand travel itinerary 12 days that I followed, and I hope this information will be useful to you.
Table of Contents
- Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok – Begin the 12-day journey in Thailand
- Day 2: Explore Bangkok city tour
- Day 3: Unique market – Mae Klong – Damnoen – Kanchanaburi
- Day 4: Kanchanaburi – Erawan National Park – Ayutthaya
- Day 5: Ayutthaya – Bang Pa In – Bangkok – Flight to Chiang Rai
- Day 6: Chiang Rai – Thailand itinerary 12 days
- Day 7: Chiang Rai – Mae Salong – Golden Triangle – Chiang Saen
- Day 8: Chiang Saen – Thaton – Chiang Mai
- Day 9: Chiang Mai – Elephant Poopoo Paper Park – Train to Bangkok
- Day 10: Bangkok – Flight to Trat – Koh Chang Island
- Day 11: Koh Chang Island - 12 days in Thailand
- Day 12: Koh Chang Island – Trat – Flight to Bangkok – End 12 days in Thailand
Day 1: Arrival in Bangkok – Begin the 12-day journey in Thailand
Since my flight landed in Bangkok in the afternoon, I didn't have time to visit many places on the first day. Immigration procedures were fairly quick, and the driver was already waiting outside the airport, so the transfer to the hotel was smooth and fast.
In the evening, I visited the Rod Fai Train Night Market. While there were plenty of clothing and souvenir stalls, it was the street food stands that caught my attention the most. I tried spicy ribs, mango sticky rice, and pomegranate juice. Aside from the food being a bit too spicy, the desserts were delicious.
Day 2: Explore Bangkok city tour
I started the day with a delicious Pad Thai at the hotel. Then, the guide and driver took me to explore Bangkok's top tourist spots, like the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, and, of course, the famous Wat Pho with its massive reclining Buddha — truly impressive!
In the afternoon, I strolled through Chinatown, where the architecture and cuisine are authentically Chinese. I then took a short cruise on the Chao Phraya River, and I was lucky enough to witness a breathtaking sunset. The boat dropped us off near Wat Arun, so I took the opportunity to visit it as well.
In the evening, I headed to Terminal 21, a lively shopping mall in Thailand. There's a food court with plenty of dishes to choose from, and right next to it, there’s a great night market.
Find out: Thailand packing list.
Day 3: Unique market – Mae Klong – Damnoen – Kanchanaburi
I left early for Kanchanaburi to have more time to enjoy the scenery. I visited the Mae Klong Railway Market and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Both markets were lively and crowded. Since I didn't need to shop, I simply walked around, tasted some local dishes, and then continued my journey to Kanchanaburi.
The driver stopped at the best war museum of Kanchanaburi - Jeath War Museum and the cemetery. The guide was very knowledgeable and shared many details about Thailand during that era.
In the afternoon, we visited the Bridge over the River Kwai and took a train ride along the railway linking Thailand and Myanmar. This place was also built by prisoners of war and locals. The Thailand travel itinerary 12 days allowed me to learn more about the history of this country.
Day 4: Kanchanaburi – Erawan National Park – Ayutthaya
On the 4th morning of my 12 days in Thailand, our driver came to take us to Erawan National Park. I especially loved this spot because after hiking through the national park, I got to swim under the stunning seven-tiered waterfall.
In the afternoon, I checked out from the hotel in Kanchanaburi and headed to Ayutthaya. The journey took about 2.5 hours, so I arrived in the evening.
Day 5: Ayutthaya – Bang Pa In – Bangkok – Flight to Chiang Rai
Selina arranged for me a traditional frog-shaped tuk-tuk in Ayutthaya to get around and explore the area in the morning. I visited Wat Yai Chaimongkol and Wat Mahathat temples.
At noon, I had lunch at a local market restaurant. After that, I visited the Bang Pa In Summer Palace, renowned for its splendid royal architecture.
Since I had a flight to Chiang Rai, I headed straight to Bangkok Airport after the visit. The driver was very professional, and I had no issues with transportation these past few days. This marks the end of the 5th day of my 12 days in Thailand.
Day 6: Chiang Rai – Thailand itinerary 12 days
During my visit to Chiang Rai, I had the chance to explore several temples with unique architecture, among the most distinctive I've seen in Thailand. These include Wat Rong Khun (the White Temple) and Wat Rong Suea Ten (the Blue Temple). Both temples stand out for their unique colors and are must-sees in a Thailand itinerary 12 days.
In the afternoon, I took a boat trip on the Mae Kok River from Chiang Rai to the Karen village. The cruise was very pleasant, allowing me to observe the daily life of residents from the river.
Day 7: Chiang Rai – Mae Salong – Golden Triangle – Chiang Saen
In the morning, I headed to the mountainous region in northern Thailand. The first stop on this Thailand itinerary 12 days was the stunning Mae Salong mountain, where I visited the Akah and Lisu ethnic villages, which are home to ethnic minorities in Thailand.
After lunch in the village, I went for a hike in the Mae Fah Luang Botanical Garden. The guide then took me on a boat ride along the Mekong River, which borders three countries: Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, also known as the Golden Triangle. I returned to Chiang Saen to spend the night.
Day 8: Chiang Saen – Thaton – Chiang Mai
In the morning, I traveled to Chiang Mai. I stopped at the village of Thaton where I met the Padong Karen tribe. The women of this tribe wear copper rings around their necks to elongate them.
In the afternoon, after checking into my hotel in Chiang Mai, I attended a local cooking class. I learned to make traditional curry and rolls. It was a very enriching experience that introduced me to some of Thailand's cultivated plants.
Day 9: Chiang Mai – Elephant Poopoo Paper Park – Train to Bangkok
On this 9th day of my Thailand itinerary 12 days, I had fascinating experiences at the Elephant Poopoo Paper Park. I visited an eco-museum and learned how traditional paper is made from elephant dung and cocoa fibers. I even participated in the paper-making process, a truly unique experience. In the afternoon, I enjoyed a boat tour on the tranquil Mae Ping River, admiring Chiang Mai from the water. After dinner, I took the night train to Bangkok.
Day 10: Bangkok – Flight to Trat – Koh Chang Island
Early in the morning, I arrived in Bangkok where a driver picked me up for breakfast at a local restaurant before taking me to the airport for my flight to Trat. Then, it was off to Koh Chang Island for a relaxing stay. Selina had recommended this island, less known than Phuket, so it’s quieter but just as stunning with its pristine beaches and landscapes. Still relatively undeveloped, its nature remains untouched. I highly recommend this island for a tranquil getaway.
Day 11: Koh Chang Island - 12 days in Thailand
After watching the sunrise over the sea, I visited local recommendations such as Klong Plu Waterfall, Salakkok Fishing Village, and war wrecks. In the afternoon, I relaxed on a white sandy beach.
Day 12: Koh Chang Island – Trat – Flight to Bangkok – End 12 days in Thailand
Early in the morning, a car took me to the port for the trip to Trat Airport, where I took my return flight to Bangkok. In just an hour, I was back in Bangkok in the afternoon. Thus ended my 12 days in Thailand.
Again, thank you Selina for your invaluable help in organizing my Thailand travel itinerary 12 days. I will highly recommend Autour Asia - Thailand tour operator to any traveler who wants to visit Southeast Asia.
Yes, Thailand has several other islands worth visiting.
Consider Phuket for its vibrant nightlife and beaches, Koh Samui for luxury resorts and lush landscapes, and Koh Phi Phi for stunning scenery and snorkeling. Koh Lanta offers a quieter vibe with beautiful beaches, while Koh Lipe is known for its clear waters and relaxed atmosphere.
In Bangkok, you should try these must-eat dishes:
- Pad Thai, a classic stir-fried noodle dish with shrimp or chicken
- Tom Yum Goong, a spicy and sour shrimp soup
- Som Tum, a tangy green papaya salad
- Massaman Curry, a rich and mildly spicy curry.
For street food, don’t miss Mango Sticky Rice for dessert and Moo Pad Krapow, a flavorful stir-fried pork dish with basil.
You can refer to this blog to find out more about What to eat in Bangkok.
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