Thailand Travel Guide for Filipinos – How to Make the Most of Your Trip

Thinking of going out of the country?

Thailand might just be the perfect destination!

Not only is it a fellow ASEAN country – so it’s easy and VISA-free to visit… 

But it’s also a VERY amazing country with delicious food, interesting culture, and breathtaking scenery to enjoy. 

In this Thailand travel guide for Filipinos, I’ll tell you everything you need to know from a Filipino perspective! 

This includes things like: 

• How Thailand is different from the Philippines
• Unique things to do in Thailand (that you can’t find in the Philippines)
• A list of must-try Thai food 
• How much I spent and how to budget
• My exact itinerary and planning tips

There’s a lot to cover, so let’s jump in! 

How Thailand is Different From the Philippines

One of the things that I love about Thailand is that when you first step into it, you won’t feel like you’re in another world. 

The people are warm and friendly. 

Their culture isn’t too different from ours (family-oriented, high respect for elders, etc.) 

And it’s a land full of smiles, even though Thailand is also a poorer country like us. 

But you’ll also find that despite the similarities, Thailand is also very different.

Their alphabet is different. 

Their language sounds so foreign. 

They drive on the left side of the road. 

Their food is PACKED with herbs and spices. 

And their cities are full of golden temples rather than old stone churches. 

The longer you stay, you’ll even start to notice more subtle differences like how Thai people respect nature so much more than we do. 

You’ll also find that Thailand is FULL of foreigners. 

Seriously. 

If you think the Philippines gets a lot of tourists, wait until you see Thailand. 

In some areas, it almost feels like the tourists outnumber the locals! 

And this is great. 

It’s great because Thais know exactly what tourists are and how to treat them. 

Note: Pinoys look like Thais. So many people mistook me for a local 😂. But the moment you say one English word like “Hi,” Thais will realize you’re a visitor! 

Where In Thailand Should You Visit? (North vs Central vs South vs Bangkok)

Now let’s get to a BIG question…

Where should you visit??? 

If you already have plans, you may skip this part. 

But if you don’t, well… I’ve got some good news and bad news for you:

The good news is that there are so many GREAT places you can visit. 

The bad news?

There are SO MANY great places. 

So many that you’ll have a hard time choosing! I certainly did. 

But here’s a quick summary of the three main regions and what makes them different! 

North Thailand

Main Tourist Zones: Chiang Mai, Pai, Chiang Rai

Best For: Mountains and Nature

North Thailand is probably the most different from the Philippines. 

It’s so far inland, things are not at all the same as the island life we’re used to. 

And it’s so far north, the air is noticeably colder here. 

There are a lot of things to do around here, but you’ll find that north Thailand has the best mountains and nature.

There even are cherry blossoms around here! 

As well as dozens of roses, yellow and orange trees, and all kinds of natural beauty you can enjoy. 

The main tourist zone here is Chiang Mai. 

Backpackers also love Pai. And Chiang Rai is well-known for its gorgeous temples. 

I chose northern Thailand mostly because I wanted to experience something different from the Philippines – and that’s exactly what I got! 

Absolutely no regrets! 

Central Thailand 

Main Tourist Zones: Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai

Best For: Ancient temples and off-the-beaten-path destinations

Kanchanaburi is known for the beautiful Erawan national park and the death railway. 

Ayutthaya is an ancient city that still has a LOT of its ruins standing. 

Both Kanchanaburi and Ayutthaya are not too far from Bangkok, which is why they do get plenty of visitors. 

However, the rest of Central Thailand is the least popular amongst tourists. 

That can either be a good thing or a bad thing depending on what type of traveler you are! 

So if you’re someone who’d rather mingle with locals rather than other travelers…

Or if you like exploring places that aren’t super well-documented already…

Then Central Thailand might just be for you! 

There’s a massive expanse of land and more than a handful of cities that you can visit in this area! 

South Thailand

Main Tourist Zones: Too many, but some you can check out are Phuket, Koh Samui, Khao Sok, Krabi, etc.

Best For: Beaches and limestone formations

South Thailand is where most of the action is at. 

With a dozen of uber-popular destinations, you’re going to have a really hard time choosing just one! 

The main theme of southern Thailand though has to be its fine-white sand beaches, majestic limestone formations, and great diving. 

Sound familiar? 

Why… that sounds just like the Philippines! 

So while South Thailand is undoubtedly incredible…

And while so many tourists flock to this area…

As a Filipino, you should probably ask yourself if you really want to go abroad to experience something that’s so easily available in your own country! 

You do you, of course. 

But think about it! 😊

Bangkok

Main tourist spots: Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Khao San Road, etc. 

Not exactly a “region,” but Bangkok deserves its section! 

That’s because, for short-term travelers, I wouldn’t recommend venturing too far off Bangkok. 

Unless you take a plane, going north or south from Bangkok can eat up a whole day of travel. 

That’s why it’s better to spend your time exploring the city and making taking a few day trips to nearby attractions (like Kanchanaburi or Ayutthaya). 

Bangkok is an enormous city.

It’s the capital and the center of Thailand (both literally and figuratively). 

You can easily spend 3-4 days here without getting bored! 

Unique Things to Do in Thailand for Pinoys

Once you’ve chosen the region you want to visit, the next question is:

What can you do there??? 

Each region has its specialties. 

But all of them do have some unique things to do. 

By unique I mean “can’t be done in the Philippines” unique. 

So with that said. 

Let’s get into some of the best things you can do in Thailand (that you can’t really do in the Philippines!). 

Unique Things to Do in Thailand #1: Mingle With the Elephants in an Elephant Sanctuary!

One of the must-dos in Thailand is visiting an elephant sanctuary! 

Yes, you can see Mali in Manila Zoo (the only elephant in the Philippines). But in Thailand, it’s so much better! 

Elephants are a national symbol of Thailand. 

These animals have roamed the country for centuries, and are very well respected here. 

You can find these sanctuaries almost everywhere in Thailand. 

And in most of them, you don’t only get to look at the animal from afar, but you get to interact with them too! 

Here’s how the day went when I visited the Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary (most sanctuaries will have similar activities as this): 

Feeding 

The day started by feeding the elephants bananas. 

Our guide showed us how to place the bananas in the elephant’s trunk. 

They also showed us how to put a banana straight into the elephant’s mouth by shouting “Bon! Bon!” 

Mud Bath

After feeding, we brought the elephants to a mud bath. 

The guides told us to cover the elephants (and ourselves!) in mud. 

Apparently the elephants like this treatment. 

It keeps them cool and safe from the ultraviolet rays of the sun. 

It can be a little gross to rub the mud on your skin though! 

River Bath

Once the elephants – and you – are covered in mud, it’s a short walk down to a river where you’ll wash it all off. 

This part is a lot of fun! 

There’s something about splashing these gentle giants with the cold river water that’s so memorable. 

From there, my tour went on to visit waterfalls and a bamboo raft down a river. 

But other sanctuaries might also include other tasks like grinding elephant food and medicine. 

Cost: 

My whole-day trip (including lunch and river rafting) with the Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary cost ฿2,000 (roughly ₱3,200). 

They also have half-day packages at ฿1,500 (₱2,400). 

And two-day packages for around ฿4,000 (₱6,400). 

Those are roughly how much you’ll spend for elephant sanctuary visits all around Thailand. 

Note: Some “sanctuaries” allow you to ride the elephants. However, this practice is heavily frowned upon, since it hurts the elephants in the long run. Try as much as possible to find an ethical sanctuary!  

Unique Things to Do in Thailand #2: Gaze at the Brilliant Thai Temples

Thailand is one of the biggest Buddhist countries in the world. 

It’s no surprise then when you find temples ALL over the place. 

Seriously. 

Even if you aren’t looking for them, you’ll run into one. 

What makes them even better is that Thais put SO much effort into beautifying their temples. 

At times, it feels like they’re competing to get as much gold as they possibly can into their temples. 

And if it isn’t gold, they’ll try to make the most intricate and beautiful designs you’ll ever see. 

I remember when I first entered the Grand Palace in Bangkok – my eyes went into sensory overload! 

There was so much gold and so much to see, I had no idea where to look. 

Now here’s the thing about the temples. 

You really don’t have to try and see all of them. 

Yes, they’re amazing at first. 

But once you’ve seen 2-3 good ones, they begin to feel a little repetitive (unless you’re visiting to meditate of course). 

Here are some of the more unique temples:

Grand Palace (Bangkok)

This one is a must-visit! 

The grand palace is more than just a temple. 

Instead, it’s a big complex full of beautiful Thai buildings – including the official residence of the kings of Thailand. 

This one is a complete overload for the eyes. 

There’s gold, purple, and all kinds of colors. 

Chedi, Yakshas, demons, and so many designs everywhere you look! 

Wat Arun (Bangkok)

I wasn’t able to visit this since I was out of time, but I regret it! 

It’s just walking distance from the Grand Palace, and it is one of the most decorative temples in Thailand. 

Don’t make the same mistake as me. 

Visit Wat Arun! 

Doi Suthep (Chiang Mai) 

Heading north, Doi Suthep is a must if you’re in Chiang Mai. 

This temple on the mountain provides you with a lovely overlooking view of Chiang Mai. 

Yes, you’ll have to climb 309 steps to get to the top. 

But it’s all super worth it. 

Doi Suthep isn’t nearly as fancy as the Grand Palace. 

But the nice view and lovely cool weather up on the mountain make it a nice place to visit. 

White Temple (Chiang Rai) 

Probably the prettiest temple in Thailand is the White Temple in Chiang Rai. 

Now… 

I wouldn’t plan a Thailand trip around visiting this temple. 

But if you’re already in north Thailand and have a few days to spare, a trip to Chiang Rai wouldn’t be complete without a stop here! 

At first, it looks heavenly. 

When you come closer, you’ll notice the design is a lot “darker,” with desperate hands reaching out to the gates. 

It turns out, these hands symbolize that the way to happiness is to overcome cravings (it’s not some sort of depiction of hell). 

Other Temples

Of course, there are going to be dozens of temples you’ll run into in Thailand – even if you don’t plan. 

And wherever you’re going in Thailand – whether that be north, central, or south, there’ll surely be a famous temple near you. 

So go and visit it! 

Because it’s one of the most unique things about this country. 

Unique Things to Do in Thailand #3: Eat As Much Thai Food as Possible

I’m going to have a separate chapter on this. 

But for now, let me just say:

EAT Thai Food! 

I challenged myself to never eat a single Western food when I was there. 

It turned out to be a great idea! 

Thai cuisine is one of the bests in the world. 

And they have SO many dishes to try. 

Because of this, Thai food needs a whole section for itself. 

Skip below if you want to check that out! 

Unique Things to Do in Thailand #4: Join a Thai Cooking Class

You’ll find flyers to join a cooking class all over Thailand. 

And for good reason! 

Thai cuisine is so good and popular, SO many people want to learn more about it. 

And the cooking classes are a lot of fun too! 

Now…

These aren’t actual cooking schools, where you’ll have serious lessons on how to cook properly. 

Instead, these are just quick and fun. 

You choose which dishes you want to cook, buy the ingredients at a market, drive out to a farm, and just follow your instructor to cook everything. 

Yes, you will learn more about the Thai food you’re eating, which is great. 

But the best part of these cooking classes is getting to meet other travelers in the area. 

This is especially great if you’re doing solo travel! 

Unique Things to Do in Thailand #5: Visit a National Park

As I said before…

Thais have HUGE respect for nature. 

One of the ways you can see this is by the number of national parks that they have. 

Now… we do also have some national parks.

However, what separates Thailand is the fact that nature there just seems so much more accessible. 

Yes, they have plenty of hikes for people who enjoy hiking. 

But even for a casual tourist, there are dozens of nature walks that you can take. 

I personally really enjoyed the Doi Inthanon national park – where you can almost drive right up to this stunning waterfall! 

Again, there are national parks all over Thailand – so go and visit one! 

Unique Things to Do in Thailand #6: Ride an Overnight Train! 

Riding public transportation doesn’t sound like the most exciting thing to do. 

But in Thailand, it’s different! 

One of my favorite memories was riding the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. 

It wasn’t so much the ride that I enjoyed. 

If anything, it just feels like a shakier bus ride. 

But pair that with the scenery of the Thai countryside, and the sleeper cars that these trains have, and it’s an experience to remember! 

Tip: If you’re heading somewhere far – like Bangkok to Chiang Mai – getting on a sleeper train can save you one night of accommodation! 

There are also very scenic rides, like the Death Railway in Kanchanaburi. 

If you’re brave – or stupid – enough, you can hang out of the train car to get some amazing Instagram photos. 

Unique Things to Do in Thailand #7: Check Out a Thai Market

One way to experience the uniqueness of Thailand is to go and check out a market. 

There you’ll see all the crazy spices and herbs that Thais use in their dishes. 

You’ll also find all kinds of unique snacks that you won’t find elsewhere. 

Now, there are tourist markets, and there are regular markets as well. 

In the tourist markets, you’ll find plenty of pasalubong items, such as Pad Thai and Tom Yum sets! 

These let you cook your own at home. 

Meanwhile, the regular markets are a maze of all kinds of food and items.

If you’re going for unique, you can even visit a floating market. 

I didn’t get to visit, but these markets are all on boats! 

Must-Try Thai Food (Everything I Ate in Thailand!)

Are you hungry?

If yes, then you might want to skip this section. 😂

Thai cuisine is one of the bests in the world. 

And heading to a night market is one of the most exciting things about visiting Thailand. 

With that said…

Here’s everything I ate in Thailand! 

Must-Try Thai Food #1: Pad Thai

If you haven’t had pad thai, have you been to Thailand? 

Pad Thai is the #1 tourist food. 

It’s made from rice noodles mixed with a bunch of things like shrimp or chicken, bean sprouts, peanuts, and a variety of herbs and spices. 

Add a dash of Thai lemon, and you have a super delicious meal. 

Pad Thai goes for around only ฿40-50 (around ₱80), and is already a very good meal! 

Must-Try Thai Food #2: Tom Yum Soup 

Another uber-popular dish is tom yum soup. 

At first glance, it might look like tomato soup (even sounds like a bit). 

But once you take a spoonful, you’ll find that it’s anything but! 

Instead, you’ll be hit by a STRONG taste of kaffir lime leaves. 

If you don’t know what that tastes like… unfortunately for you… you’ll have to grab a bowl of tom yum to know. 😂 

Tom yum comes with a bunch of different proteins, but the most iconic is tom yum goong (shrimp). 

Must-Try Thai Food #3: Thai Curries (Red, Green, Massaman, etc.) 

If you think Thai curry tastes like Pinoy curry, think again! 

Yes, they do have yellow curry, which tastes similar to the ones we have at home. 

But once you order a nice bowl of red curry, your tongue is going to taste something new and exotic. 

Red curry has a very unique blend of spices (of course), coconut milk, and little bits of meat. 

Somewhat surprisingly, Thai green curry is actually spicier than red curry! 

It uses a different type of pepper, which makes it feel like red curry on steroids. 

The other curries – massaman, yellow, khao soi, and a BUNCH of others – all taste somewhat similar. 

Must-Try Thai Food #4: Thai Basil and Pork (Pad Kra Pao Moo)

At first glance, this dish looks meh. 

It’s just rice with pork, something we’ve probably all had. 

But what makes this special is the herby-ness of it all! 

It’s a great dish to try to fully get the difference between Thai and Pinoy cuisine: 

While we PACK our dishes with salt and sugar, Thais PACK theirs with herbs and spices! 

Because otherwise, a lot of the dishes are very similar. 

This is especially obvious when you try pad kra pao moo! 

Must-Try Thai Food #5: Mango Sticky Rice

Up for dessert? 

Well, here’s a dish you can’t escape! 

Mango sticky rice is found ALL over Thailand – from street vendors, corner eateries, and even fancy restaurants. 

It’s a very simple dish: 

• Sticky Rice
• Coconut Milk
• Mango
• Peanuts

That’s all. 

But WOW. 

The combination of those ingredients makes for one of the most delicious things you’ll taste in Thailand. 

Yes, it does taste similar to Puto Sikwate with mango. 

But the rice isn’t gingery, and the peanuts add a unique crunch that I have no idea why isn’t a common thing in the Philippines. 

Must-Try Thai Food #6: Banana Roti

Sticking to the desserts, another must-have is banana roti. 

It’s another dessert that is incredibly simple, but at the same time SUPER delicious. 

The roti is made from flour that is stretched out in front of you. 

Then add a lot of butter and bananas to the thin flour, fold it a couple of times, and top it with something sweet like honey, condensed milk, Nutella, or any other flavoring you want. 

Easy 10/10 dessert! 

Must-Try Thai Food #7: Thai Tea (With Foi Thong) 

Listen…

Thai tea isn’t your ordinary milk tea! 

This dark orange tea has a unique flavor that I haven’t tasted anywhere else. 

Try to find a shop that serves it with foi thong (egg threads) on top, and you’ll be craving for more – especially on a hot day! 

Must-Try Thai Food #8: Scorpion! 

Thailand doesn’t only have good food…

They also have weird food! 

Walk around a night market or Khao San Road, and you’ll find a bunch of different bugs to try. 

The scorpion itself doesn’t actually taste good. 

If you’re wondering, it tasted like salty cardboard 😂

It’s more of a fun experience than actual good food. 

If you’re trying one of these, make sure to bargain since there are no set prices. 

I got mine for ฿80, which I felt was a bit too much (but considering the first price was ฿150, I felt alright). 

There are a LOT of other Thai dishes of course. 

And I had the joy of trying a bunch of them on my visit. 

But if I wrote about everything I ate, this blog might never end 😂

That said, these 8 are my favorites, and some of the absolute must-trys in the country! 

Thailand Budget for Pinoys (How Much I Spent) 

Alright…

This section is going to be a serious breakdown of exactly how much I spent in Thailand! 

I’ll start with a summary of everything I spent on. 

Then I’ll follow it up with some tips on how you can save! 

Note: This is how much I spent as a solo backpacker. 

If you’re traveling in a group, you can save more than me. 

But if you’re someone who enjoys fancy hotels and 5-star food, then you’ll probably end up spending more. 

Let’s go! 

How Much I Spent in Thailand (10 Days) 

Note: The exchange rate I used for this list is /1.6 for THB and /55 for USD. 

Total: ₱34,381.03 (฿21,488, $625) (note: airfare and pasalubong not included)

Accommodation: ₱5,481.83 (฿3,426, $99)

• The Cottage Suvarnabhumi (Hotel, 1 night, Bangkok) – ₱1,225.83
• Potae’s House (Hostel, 8 nights, Chiang Mai) – ₱2,752
• Baan Baramee House (Hotel, 2 nights, Chiang Rai) – ₱1,504

Transportation: ₱9,409.04 (฿5,880, $171) 

• Sleeper Train (Bangkok to Chiang Mai) – ₱1,586.64
• Busses (Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai 2x) – ₱548.8
• Sleeper Bus (Chiang Mai to Bangkok) – ₱1,104
• Taxi to and from Bangkok Airport – ₱1,392
• Habal-habal rides (6x) – ₱1,041.6 (this includes one time I got ripped-off for ₱640 😢)
• Motorbike Rentals (6 days) – ₱2,896
• Gas for Motorbikes – ₱840

Food: ₱6,496 (฿4,060, $118)

• Meals (23x, mostly street foods and mid-price restaurants) – ₱5,096
• Coffee and Snacks – ₱1,400

Activities: ₱7,360 (฿4,600, $133)

• Grand Palace entrance (Bangkok) – ₱800
• Doi Inthanon entrance (Chiang Mai) – ₱512
• Doi Intahnon trail entrance + guide (CM) – ₱416
• Chiang Mai Elephant Sanctuary (CM) – ₱3,200
• Doi Suthep temple entrance (CM) – ₱48
• Bhubing Palace entrance (CM) – ₱80
• Cooking class (CM) – ₱1,600
• Chiang Dao Cave entrance + guide (Chiang Dao) – ₱544
• White Temple entrance (Chiang Rai) – ₱160

Miscellaneous: ₱1,940.4 (฿1,213, $35)

• Sim Card (15 days unlimited calls/texts/data) – ₱1,118.4
• Thai Pants – ₱320
• Other small items – ₱502

How to Save Money While Visiting Thailand (Tipid Tips) 

Here are some things I WISH I knew before I visited! 

#1: Avoid Money Changers! (Use ATMs Instead)

In NAIA, I paid ₱4,200 and only got ฿2,000 in return. 

That means I lost roughly ₱1,000!!! 😭

Now, you can’t completely escape money changers. 

It’s always wise to carry some of the local currency whenever you enter a new country. 

But here’s my tip: 

Try to exchange as little money as possible. 

You only need ฿500 to get from the airport to central Bangkok by taxi (and only ฿20 if you manage to catch the airport bus).   

The money changer in NAIA only has ฿1,000 bills, so that’s probably the minimum you can exchange. 

Just cut your losses, but for the rest of your money, get them from ATMs instead! 

#2: Withdraw As MUCH Money As You Can From ATMs

In Thailand, ALL international cards have a ฿220 withdrawal fee. 

That’s why the best way to save would be to withdraw as MUCH as you can in one go. 

Thai ATMs allow you to withdraw as much as ฿30,000 in one transaction. 

That’s why I recommend making a rough budget for how much you’ll spend. 

This way, you’ll know exactly how much you should withdraw. 

I ended up withdrawing ฿10,000 two times – mostly just because I didn’t plan properly. 

#3: Avoid the Airport ATM

The airport ATM has a pretty awful exchange rate too. 

It’s almost as bad as the money changers. 

Here’s a screenshot of my withdrawals, both for ฿10,000. 

You can see that the one at Suvarnabhumi Airport is significantly more expensive! 

#4: Use the Grab App For Transportation! 

Yes, yes…

Thailand uses Grab too. 

And you don’t even have to download another app. 

If you already have Grab on your phone, it’ll automatically switch to the Thai version. 

The reason you want to use Grab is not that they have cheaper rates, but it helps you avoid getting ripped off! 

The ONE time I hailed a motorcycle taxi without the app, I instantly got ripped off (I paid ฿400 for what should’ve been a ฿180 ride). 

With the Grab app, you can see fair prices on your phone. 

Plus, in some parts of Thailand, there are even Grab Tuktuks! 

(Tbh, riding a tuktuk is just like riding a tricycle. I know foreigners love it for the experience. But c’mon… we’re Pinoy. It’s not a novel experience for us)

Note: If you ride taxis, also make sure their meter is turned on! I met some people who were scammed by unmetered taxis. 

#5: Don’t Buy a Sim in the Airport (Buy it in 7-11)

This is one of those things that, yes, it does cost more. 

But it’s also more convenient. 

I bought my sim card and unlimited 15-day data plan at the airport for ฿699. 

In a 7-11, it only costs ฿599 for the same plan. 

So if you want to save a hundred baht, skip the airport booths. 

The only downside is that you’ll be in a foreign country without any internet until you can find a 7-11 – which can be a little scary if you’re not used to traveling internationally. 

But it’s very doable! 

#6: Bring Pants! 

Yup! 

This might sound odd, but it’s true. 

In Thailand, you aren’t allowed to show your shoulders or your knees inside temples and other buildings. 

So if you show up to the Grand Palace in shorts, you’ll be forced to buy some Thai pants from the vendor nearby. 

It costs ฿200, which is SUPER expensive. 

In a market, the same pants would only cost ฿50. 

So make sure to bring some pants with you. 

Or… if you want to get into fashion, buy Thai pants from a market rather than right outside a temple. 

My Thailand Itinerary

Thailand is a HUGE country with SO much to do and see. 

You can stay for months and still not see everything! 

That’s why me giving you an itinerary just doesn’t make sense – I’ve only been there for 10 days! 

But what I can do is show you exactly what I did. 

Then I’ll follow that up with some planning tips for your trip. 

Shall we? 

Everything I Did in 10 Days in Thailand

Notes: This is exactly what I did as a solo traveler who isn’t in a hurry to see everything (I like chilling okay?)

Day 0: 

• 16:00 – Flight from Cebu to Manila 
• 17:30 – Pass the immigration officer 😅 

Day 1: Bangkok, Grand Palace, Saranrom Park, Khao San Road, Train to Chiang Mai

• 1:00 – Flight to Bangkok
• 3:00 – Arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport (flight is 3 hours, but Thailand is behind the Philippines by 1 hour) 
• 4:00 – Check in at the Cottage Suvarnabhumi Hotel
• 8:00 – Breakfast and Chill
• 11:00 – Checkout / Taxi to Grand Palace
• 12:00 – Arrive at Grand Palace, explore the buildings
• 14:00 – Lunch outside Grance Palace (tom yum)
• 15:00 – Walk to Saranrom Park 
• 16:30 – Grab Bike to Khaosan Road
• 17:00 – Khaosan Road! Eat pad thai, scorpion, banana roti, and passion fruit shake
• 19:30 – Bike ride to Don Meung train station (this is when I got ripped off for not using Grab Bike) 
• 20:30 – Arrive at Don Meung station, wait for the train
• 22:45 – Ride overnight train to Chiang Mai

Day 2: Train to Chiang Mai, Bicycle Around Chiang Mai Old City

• 7:00 – Breakfast in train
• 12:45 – Arrive in Chiang Mai! 
• 13:30 – Check in at Potae’s House
• 14:30 – Walk to Isaan Ros Sab for lunch (Thai red curry, Thai tea) 
• 16:00 – Rent a bicycle, ride around Chiang Mai old city, and the north/east/south/west gates
• 17:00 – Chill by the old city North gate
• 18:00 – Dinner at the Chang Phuak Gate night market 

Day 3: Doi Inthanon 

• 5:00 – Drive to Doi Inthanon on a rented motorbike
• 6:30 – Arrive at Doi Inthanon signage. Park bike. Have breakfast (there was a bicycle race going on when I visited, so I wasn’t able to bring my rented motorbike higher than this point)
• 8:00 – Ride a songthaew (Thai jeepney) to Kew Mae Pan nature trail
• 8:30 – Walk the Kew Pan nature trail! 
• 9:30 – Done trail, wait for a songthaew going to summit
• 10:00 – Doi Inthanon summit! The highest point in Thailand! 
• 11:00 – Ride songthaew going back down to Doi Inthanon signage
• 12:00 – Arrive at signage, eat lunch
• 13:30 – Coffee and chill at Wabi Sabi Coffee
• 15:30 – Drive to Wachirathan Waterfall
• 16:30 – Start driving back to Chiang Mai
• 18:00 – Back in Chiang Mai
• 19:00 – Dinner at the Chang Phuak Gate night market

Day 4: Elephant Sanctuary

• 7:00 – Free breakfast at hostel
• 8:00 – Pickup at the hostel, drive to sanctuary
• 10:00 – Arrive at the elephant sanctuary, get instructions from guide
• 10:30 – Feed elephants bananas
• 11:00 – Mud bath for the elephants
• 11:30 – Wash off the mud from elephants in river
• 12:00 – Have lunch with the elephants! 
• 13:30 – Walk down to waterfalls, chill
• 14:30 – Drive to river rafting area
• 16:00 – Bamboo river rafting starts! 
• 17:00 – River rafting ends, drive back to Chiang Mai
• 18:30 – Back in Chiang Mai
• 19:00 – Dinner at Jok Sompet (Thai fast food place)

Day 5: Doi Suthep and Thai Cooking Class

• 7:00 – Free breakfast at hostel
• 9:00 – Drive to Doi Suthep temple (rented motorbike)
• 9:30 – Arrive at Doi Suthep temple / explore
• 10:30 – Drive to Bhubing Palace / explore
• 12:00 – Drive to Hmong Village / eat lunch
• 13:00 – Coffee at Hmong coffee shop 
• 14:00 – Drive back to hostel
• 15:00 – Pick-up for cooking class
• 15:30 – Cooking class office / choose dishes to cook / visit market and buy ingredients / drive to farm
• 17:00 – Arrive at farm / start cooking class! 
• 19:30 – Dinner! Eat the dishes we cooked
• 21:00 – End of cooking class / ride back to hostel

Day 6: Chiang Dao

• 7:00 – Free breakfast at hostel
• 9:00 – Drive to Chiang Dao! 
• 10:00 – Arrive at Chiang Dao / explore temples and caves
• 12:00 – Done exploring cave / eat lunch
• 13:00 – Visit Wat Tham Pha Plong
• 14:30 – Coffee at Chai Cafe
• 16:00 – Visit Chiang Dao hot springs
• 17:00 – Drive back to Chiang Mai
• 18:30 – Back in Chiang Mai / dinner at Aroy Dee restaurant

Day 7: Chiang Rai and White Temple

• 7:00 – Free breakfast at hostel
• 10:00 – Bus to Chiang Rai! 
• 13:00 – Arrive at Chiang Rai / eat lunch 
• 14:00 – Check in at Ban Baramee House
• 15:30 – Drive to White Temple (rented motorbike)
• 16:00 – Arrive at White Temple / explore
• 17:00 – White Temple closes / drive back to Chiang Rai
• 18:00 – Walk aimlessly around Chiang Rai night bazaar
• 19:00 – Dinner at Chakrapad chicken rice

Day 8: Golden Triangle and Chiang Rai Beach

• 8:00 – Breakfast at hotel
• 9:00 – Drive to Golden Triangle
• 11:00 – Arrive at Golden Triangle / explore
• 12:30 – Lunch at a noodle stall
• 13:30 – Drive back to Chiang Rai
• 15:30 – Back in Chiang Rai
• 16:00 – Visit and chill at Chiang Rai beach
• 18:00 – Dinner at Laoma Express 

Day 9: Back to Chiang Mai, Hmong Village (again)

• 7:00 – Bus back to Chiang Mai
• 8:30 – Bus stop / eat breakfast
• 10:00 – Back in Chiang Mai! 
• 12:00 – Lunch in Isaan Ros Sab (green curry) 
• 14:00 – Drive to Hmong Village in Doi Suthep / drink coffee
• 17:00 – Stopover at Chaloem Phra Kiat Pavilion Viewpoint 
• 18:00 – Back in Chiang Mai / Dinner at Chang Phuak Gate night market 
• 19:00 – Last night in Chiang Mai! Drive aimlessly around the city

Day 10: Pasalubong Buying, Bus back to Bangkok

• 7:00 – Free breakfast at hostel
• 9:00 – Drive to tourist market / buy pasalubongs! 
• 12:00 – Check out of Potae’s House
• 13:00 – Wait in a CoWorking Space
• 13:30 – Order Thai KFC for lunch
• 17:00 – Go to bus terminal
• 18:45 – Ride overnight bus to Bangkok! 

Day 11: Going Home 😢

• 4:00 – Arrive at Bangkok bus terminal 
• 5:00 – Arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport
• 11:00 – Flight back to Manila! 
• 15:00 – Arrive in Manila! 
• 20:00 – Flight back to Cebu
• 21:00 – Home! 

Overall, I was pretty happy with how I spent my time! 

You can see that I started fast. With the first 5 days being PACKED with things to do. 

By the time I reached day 6, I started visiting other areas and taking things a little slower. 

On the night of day 7, I started my aimless walks and long chill sessions. 

If you wanna copy this itinerary, I recommend copying days 1-5, since those were well-planned and well-done! 

Days 6-11 were more spontaneous. 

Overall, I loved it! 

I actually wouldn’t change anything. 

Okay… maybe I should’ve visited Wat Arun or watched a Muay Thai fight. 

But overall it was really nice. 

Conclusion

Visiting Thailand is something I believe everyone should consider doing! 

It’s great for first-timers…

It’s not too different from what we’re used to…

But! At the same time, it’s also incredibly different in so many ways. 

I hope this Thailand travel guide has helped answer some of your questions about visiting our neighbors! 

If you still have questions, feel free to leave a comment. 

Or message me on my Instagram. 

Cheers!

Manoling