We’re back from an incredible 17-days trip across Thailand, and wow, what a journey it was! Our last visit to this tropical paradise was back in 2015 when our oldest was just 6 months old, so it felt like the perfect time to return. This time around, we mixed things up by revisiting Bangkok (of course!) and exploring a few new spots like the islands we had yet to discover.
Let’s dive in and take you through everything we got up to during our two-and-a-half-week adventure!
Day 1-8: BANGKOK – Where City Meets Culture
We landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport, breezed through immigration with the family priority line. At first, 8 nights in this vibrant city might seem a bit much, but honestly, it gave us plenty of time to really experience it. We stayed at two fabulous hotels: Lancaster Bangkok and Centre Point Chidlom – both perfect for families.
Day Trips Galore:
We took three awesome day trips from Bangkok. First up, we ventured to Mueang Boran, the model ancient city park. Then, we explored two legendary markets: the bustling Damnoen Saduak floating market and the chaotic Maeklong train market (watch out for that train!). Our last trip took us to Ayutthaya, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site, full of ancient ruins.
The Grand Palace & Wat Arun:
The Grand Palace was beautiful but incredibly crowded with tour groups on loud speakers (so expect a bit of a battle for space and photos). Wat Arun was equally stunning, though it too was packed with tourists getting their photos taken by the local photographers.
Shopping Heaven:
Okay, Bangkok’s shopping scene is a serious highlight. From the labyrinth of Chatuchak Weekend Market to the never-ending maze of cheap goodies at MBK and Platinum Mall, we definitely went shopping. But we didn’t stop there. Luxury malls like Siam Paragon, Central World, Emquartier, and Icon Siam were also on our list, and yes, we explored every single one!
And because no trip is complete without amazing food, we wrapped up our first week with a lovely dinner at The Verandah at Mandarin Oriental, where we enjoyed breathtaking views of the Chao Phraya River. Still waiting for that one day we can finally afford this hotel LOL!
Day 9-11: PHUKET – Not What We Expected
Next up was Phuket, where we stayed in the charming Old Town at Homa Phuket. Now, Phuket wasn’t exactly our favourite stop (more on that later), but we made the most of it.
Highlights of Phuket:
We visited Wat Chalong, the island’s most famous temple, and wandered around Phuket Old Town, soaking up the colonial-style architecture. We also had two memorable experiences – a private Muay Thai lesson at Phuket King and an unforgettable session feeding and bathing elephants at Kerchor Elephant Family Sanctuary.
Chilva Night Market:
If you’re looking for a smaller, more relaxed night market, head to Chilva Night Market. It’s not huge, but the vibe is cosy, and the street food is a must-try.
The Stunning Samet Nangshe Viewpoint:
A little further away from Phuket, the Samet Nangshe Viewpoint 1.5 hourse drive North offers panoramic views of Phang Nga Bay and the surrounding islands. Get there early for the best views and a quiet morning.
Day 12: Koh Pan Yee – The Floating Village
This place has been on our bucket list ever since we saw it on both The Amazing Race US & Australia edition. We couldn’t resist and booked a night at the only accommodation on the island; James Bond Bungalow (basic, no hot water, but the views? AMAZING).
We loved how peaceful the village became in the afternoon after the day-trippers left. Our boys had a blast playing soccer with the locals, and it was such a unique experience. The next day, we had a private longtail boat tour to James Bond Island and the surrounding mangroves – one of the highlights of our trip!
Day 13: Koh Yao Noi – Paradise Found
Koh Yao Noi was the definition of laid-back Thailand island life. It is right in between Phuket and Krabi but doesn’t attract many tourists. Getting there was an adventure – a 1.5 hour long tail boat ride through rough seas (it was an experience, to say the least!), but once we arrived, the weather cleared up instantly, and we were in heaven. We stayed at Koh Yao Seaview Bungalow, which was exactly what we needed: simple, peaceful, and full of charm.
We rented a tuk-tuk (DIY style) to explore the island at our own pace, stopping at gorgeous beaches, local markets, and just soaking in the serenity. No crowds here – just pure, unspoiled beauty.
Day 14-17: Ao Nang beach, Krabi – The Laid-Back Beach Vibes
We wrapped up our trip in Ao Nang, Krabi, which had a relatively relaxed, welcoming vibe compared to the commercialised Phuket. We stayed at Addjit Resort, where we had incredible cliffside views and the perfect temperature swimming pool!
And the best part of our trip? Island Hopping Adventures!
We took two epic boat trips – first to Hong Island & Railay Beach and the next day to the famous Phi Phi Islands. We splurged on private boats to go early and avoid the huge crowds of tourists arriving on big ferries, and trust us, it was totally worth it!
Ao Nang beachside dinner:
For a laid-back evening, we had dinner at Reeve Beach Club, where we got to enjoy a delicious meal while watching their nightly 30 minutes fire show – highly recommended if you’re in the area!
AIRFARE, ACCOMMODATION, & GETTING AROUND
We flew with Singapore Airlines for the long haul and Scoot for shorter legs (Singapore to Bangkok and Krabi back to Singapore). Total cost for four of us? $3200AUD. Not bad at all for high season!
Accommodation in Bangkok was super family-friendly, with large rooms and affordable prices. Phuket and Krabi were a bit pricier, especially at the more resort-style places. But there are still options for budget savvy family travelers. Checkout our Bangkok tips here.
For getting around, we mostly used rideshares apps like Grab or Bolt (except in Phuket, where fix price daily private drivers usually work better). Getting from Bangkok to Phuket was a quick 1.5-hour domestic flight with Air Asia, which was a breeze!
FOOD & DRINK: Eat Like a Local
We ate so well in Thailand, and it didn’t break the bank. Seafood is everywhere and usually priced the same as other meat dishes. For a family of four, a nice seafood meal with drinks would cost around 1,000 Baht ($50AUD). Bargain!
IS THAILAND SAFE?
Absolutely! We felt very safe, even walking around at night. The only thing to watch out for is traffic – not all motorists follow the rules (including foreigners hiring cars or bikes), so be cautious when crossing roads.
After 17 days of adventure, Thailand left us with unforgettable memories, new experiences, and a lot of happy moments. From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the serene islands, there’s something for everyone. If you’re planning a trip, we hope our journey helps inspire your next adventure!
