The Ultimate Way to Explore Thailand in Two Weeks

Thailand

2.2min read

Published 17 July 2019

Flight Centre Author

UK Content & Social Lead


Share


Thailand may not seem that big on the map – especially when compared to the likes of the USA and Australia – but it’s undoubtedly a cultural behemoth. There’s so much to do across this eclectic nation that it can be difficult to know what to see in the time you have available. That said, you can definitely catch the highlights, even if you’re only popping over for a 14-day jaunt. Here, we recommend the ultimate way to see Thailand in two weeks:

rs-elephant-nature-park-chiang-mai-thailand.jpeg
rs-elephant-nature-park-chiang-mai-thailand.jpeg
rs-elephant-nature-park-chiang-mai-thailand.jpeg

Bangkok

HOW LONG FOR? 3 days

WHAT TO DO:

No trip to Thailand can be considered complete if you haven’t spent some time in Bangkok; it’s easily a Southeast Asian rite of passage. Three days is plenty of time to explore the best temples – the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha and Wat Arun are musts. It's also mandatory to grab a cocktail or two at one of the city’s buzzing rooftop bars, cycle along the jungle-fringed pathways of Bang Krachao (otherwise known as the ‘green lung’ of Bangkok), and cram in some shopping: Siam is where the best commercial malls live.

rs-grand-palace-bangkok.jpeg
rs-grand-palace-bangkok.jpeg
rs-grand-palace-bangkok.jpeg

Chiang Mai

HOW LONG FOR? 4 days

WHAT TO DO:

Chiang Mai is the Polar opposite to Bangkok. The pace here is different; it's a laid-back haven, delivering Thailand at its most authentic and a city rich in culture, natural wonders and ancient history. Much like the whole country, you can spend weeks getting immersed in it, but fortunately four days will give you a flavour of its best bits. Temples are a big deal here – some of the most historic and intricate include Wat Chedi Luang, Wiang Kum Kam, Wat Phra Singh and Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. We recommend spending one of your days with the hill tribes too, and also allowing plenty of time to wander the city’s vibrant street markets and night bazaar.

If your dates are flexible, it’s worth visiting in April as Chiang Mai is renowned as the place to be when it comes to Songkran. Every year, the Thailand water festival sees locals taking to the streets to literally soak each other – buckets, balloons and super soakers are packed with water. Best not to wear white.

RS-Wares-at-Chiang-Mai-night-market-shutterstock_326743637.jpeg
RS-Wares-at-Chiang-Mai-night-market-shutterstock_326743637.jpeg
RS-Wares-at-Chiang-Mai-night-market-shutterstock_326743637.jpeg

Elephant Hills, Khao Sok National Park

HOW LONG FOR? 2 days                                                               

WHAT TO DO:

Khao Sok National Park is a bit off the usual tourist trail but trust us, it’s worth the detour. At Elephant Hills you’ll stay in luxury floating tented camps atop the Cheow Lan (Larn) Lake, complete with en-suite bathrooms and powered by solar and wind energy. From the shores you can watch eagles, hornbills and gibbons while soaking up the intimacy of your secluded surroundings. And of course there’s the big draw: you’ll get to partake in the ‘Elephant Experience’. Offering the opportunity to engage with these gentle giants up close, you can help mahouts with the animals’ daily meals, cleaning and bathing. This is one of the most ethically-conscious ways to see Asian elephants in the wild and provides a truly unmissable, once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounter.

RS-Elephant-Hills-Carrie-Lee.jpeg
RS-Elephant-Hills-Carrie-Lee.jpeg
RS-Elephant-Hills-Carrie-Lee.jpeg

The Islands

HOW LONG FOR? 5 days

WHAT TO DO:

Put simply, Thailand’s southern isles are all about relaxation. You can spend your days hopping between a few of the region’s gems (we love Koh Samui, Ko Yao Noi, the Phi Phi islands, Ko Lanta and Phuket), but there’s still plenty to do if you choose to spend the remainder of your trip solely on Phuket too. Here you can laze on sugary beaches; kayak through the limestone caverns of Phang Nga Bay (of James Bond fame); visit a village on stilts in Koh Panyee; admire colonial architecture in Old Phuket; experience the Bangla Road nightlife first-hand; explore even more temples; and gaze up in awe at the Big Buddha.

RS-James-Bond-Island-Phang-Nga.jpeg
RS-James-Bond-Island-Phang-Nga.jpeg
RS-James-Bond-Island-Phang-Nga.jpeg

Have we successfully kick-started your wanderlust? Travel to Thailand on one of our incredible tailor-made holiday itineraries called Journeys; speak to one of our Travel Experts today to find out more.

...loading
Flight Centre

© Flight Centre (UK) Limited, Registered in England No. 02937210.

* 0800 calls are free for landlines and mobiles. 0333 calls are included within inclusive minutes package on mobiles, otherwise standard rates apply. 0844/0845 calls are 7p/pm plus your local carrier charge. Prices are per person twin share, correct as at the date of publication, subject to change and may be higher/unavailable for certain dates. Airfares are economy on specified airlines from London, unless otherwise stated. For full booking conditions visit Booking Conditions. Some of the flights and flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. We will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each holiday and travel service offered before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but not all the parts of your trip are listed on it, those parts not listed will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk.