The Perfect Mainland Thailand Itinerary: ~1 week

Thailand is the “Land of Smiles”, a beautiful South East Asian (SEA) country! Home to pad Thai, motorbikes and many people’s gateway to SEA, there are lots of things to do and experience in Thailand. Below, I will detail a 1-week tour of Thailand “Overland” that can be combined with the “Island Life” 1-week tour that will be featured in my next article. Note: The suggested timeframe is designed to fit into 1-2 weeks of vacation time, but I highly recommend spending longer in each location if you have time. Now without further ado, let’s dive into the Overland itinerary.

1 Week Itinerary: Overland

Thailand is rich with vibrant cities and architectural wonders! From Bangkok to Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai, these “landmark” cities make for a good base in Thailand for further exploration to Pai, Chiang Rai or other areas such as along the Thai border with Laos.

Bangkok (3 days)

Bustling and stunning, Bangkok is home to some of the best food and temples known to Thailand. While a bit of a divisive topic, I loved my visits to Bangkok, so I will recommend my top things to do in the city.

One of the top things to do in Bangkok is to explore the temples. From the Reclining Buddha and surrounding temples to Wat Arun across the river, there are a numerous amount of stunning temples to explore. From beautiful views of Bangkok to rich history, one can explore the ins and outs of this wonderful (albeit hot) city.

Another thing to explore in Bangkok is the Chatuchak Weekend Market. The largest market in Thailand is home to almost every souvenir you could possibly want. Open from 7 AM – 6 PM on Wednesday and Thursdays, 6 PM – 12 AM on Fridays, and 9 AM to 6 PM on weekends, this market has something for everyone to enjoy!

Ayutthaya (1 days)

The best way to get to Ayutthaya is to take a train from the main station in Bangkok for $1 (USD) at the time of writing this article.

Ayutthaya is an ancient capital of Siam (The Kingdom of Thailand) home to a number of Khmer ruins. Upon reaching Ayutthaya, one can take a tuk tuk to one’s accommodation or walk if it’s during day light hours depending on the distance.

During your time in Ayutthaya, one must check out Wat Phra Mahathat, which is easily identified as a buddha head that has been encased in tree roots. The stunning site is one of the most famous sites of the city.

Additionally, Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon is worth checking out – a beautiful string of buddhas wrapped in orange clothes.

After exploring Ayutthaya, it will be time to head back to Bangkok to proceed with your one-week in the country. As noted above, if you have additional time, you can extend your trip over land to include some of the islands discussed below.

Chiang Mai (2-3 days)

A quick flight from Bangkok, Chiang Mai is about an hour away from the capital. This gem of the North is home to beautiful sites, foods, and is relatively easy to navigate. During my time in Thailand, I found myself drawn to the laidback vibe of Chiang Mai while still appreciating it’s bustling energy.

In Chiang Mai, I’d highly recommend checking out a stunning black temple in the heart of the city. Can you find it?

Beyond this beauty, I’d suggest exploring Chiang Mai’s largest market. Similar to the one in Bangkok, you’ll find an array of foods and shops, but I found the market in Chiang Mai to have a smaller more local feel.

Additionally, a lot of people come to Chiang Mai in hopes of seeing, playing with, or in some cases riding (please don’t – read more about why in my post on elephant ethics) elephants. While I understand the draw and recognize this may be some people’s only chance to see and interact with these lovely creatures in a semi-wild environment, it is worth doing your research about where to go as many of these local sanctuaries are known for some degree of animal cruelty.

Once you’ve finished taking in the sites of Thailand’s mainland, it will be time to head to the islands if you have time! Check out my next article about Thailand that will cover the islands you should visit! While many people flock to the islands for obvious reasons, mainland Thailand has so much to offer as you can see above! Excluded were several great spots like Pai and Chiang Rai which deserve honorable mentions.