Your Thailand Travel Guide 🇹🇭🐘

We have made it to the third and final stop of SE Asia Travel Journal. 3 weeks in each of these beautiful countries and our final stop has come around. I hope you have enjoyed Bali and Vietnam and are excited for me to sell you the Thai dream. Nearly a year and a half later and I still dream about the Thai green curry and pad Thai we had on our travels. Thailand was different in many ways to each of the countries and I enjoyed it just as much. We visited here between 23rd November and 14th December, the only thing that let us down was the weather especially when visiting the islands (but this to be expected in SE Asia). 

Chiang Mai Elephant Home

Stop 1 - Chiang Mai🐘

Home to the most precious animal in the world, elephants… This is by far one of the best experiences in my whole life. You even have the option to stay at an elephant sanctuary and be woke up at your room by them… (not within our budget) but we loved evert minute from making their food, giving them a mud bath, bathing and cleaning them in the river and obviously having endless photo opportunities with them. Always remember to pick a sanctuary when you are visiting these precious animals. The Night Bazzar Market is a must to enjoy a ‘Chiang Beer’ and purchase all those cute little pressies for home. Cooking classes are also a must here to learn how to make the famous Pad Thai at home!! 

 

Stop 2 - Phuket🕍

After a 2-hour flight we arrived in Phuket. Explore the cultural town of Phuket, The Big Buddha (great picture opportunity and you can get blessed by a Monk if you like) and finally explore Phuket Old town Sunday night walking market before enjoying a beer in one of the many local pubs. I recommend staying here between 1-2 nights before going to Krabi. 

Stop 3 - Patong🏖

Recommendations: (2 nights max). A good escape from the hustle and bussle with time to enjoy sun, sea and beaches. Patong Beach Sand Bar Reggae Bar 

Stop 4 - Krabi 🦀

Day trip to Railay Beach alongside other islands (Ko Po Da Nai and Ko Po Da Nok), where you can enjoy beach time and snorkelling and explore the ocean depths. Day trip to Phi Phi Islands – although we missed this I have heard this is one not to miss, although accommodation can be expensive for what you get this is a MUST. We took this stop as a time to relax during our 4 night stay at Kokotel Hotel (recommended) and recuperate (got our nails done as girls do) as we had experienced some sickness and spent most of the time soaking up the rays on Ao Nang Beach. 

 

Stop 5 -  Ko Samui 🌳

After a transfer time of 2hr 30 minutes from Krabi we arrived in Don Sak where we got a boat to Ko Samui which took roughly took 1hr and 30 minutes. I will warn the boats are not ideal and aren’t for the faint hearted or people who suffer from travel sickness. However, to experience all of Thailand a boat is the only way to explore the islands. They are cheap and very much do the job. Ko Samui is great and is where I got to spend my 23rd birthday. ATV Quad Bike Paddle Board Visit the Jungle Club (most beautiful views and drinks) Eat at 'Koko Tam’s' (you will not regret this, bday dinner was delish) Lamai Viewpoint Zipline.

Stop 6 -  Ko Pha-Ngan 🌝

Lets just say this was a right off, the sickness while travelling can be so far from ideal and caught us right before the once in a lifetime FULL MOON PARTY  but this is MUST for all travellers. 

 Stop 7 - Surat Thani ❌

No words apart from do not recommend, we had to do this as a detour!!! 

Stop 8 - Bangkok 🇹🇭

Saving the best till last, The Grand Palace, A rooftop Bar, China Town, Bangkok Floating Markets, Khao San Road, Ping Pong Show (oioi) or Golden Dome Cabaret Show. By far the craziest, coolest, and busiest city I will ever be in. Embrace the fast lifestyle, cruise around in Tuk-Tuk’s and always avoid cars/taxi’s and use public transport (speaking from experience) We stayed here for 3 nights in the ‘Box packers Hostel’ in a private room which was brilliant and very central. We could have stayed for longer to see everything but unfortunately our time in SE Asia was over and it was time to be reunited with our loved ones for Christmas, a bittersweet moment. 

 Places we missed that I would recommend✨

• Chain Rai 
• Pai 
• Phi Phi Island 
• Ko Tao Isaland

I am so beyond grateful and could not recommend seizing the opportunity and just booking your flight. If you are ever in doubt, always remember it is always super easy to come back home. There are so many beautiful places in this world, and I have been fortunate enough to see three of them. Learning about each culture, history and living and learning a new way of life in a backpack was one to remember, I could not have done it without my two best girls, we have memories that will be with us forever, 

I hope you have enjoyed my travels of SE Asia,

Ellen