One Week Travel Itinerary for Thailand

One of the many alleys in Chatuchak Market

This itinerary should provide a good look at Thailand’s ancient and modern culture. A week is nowhere near long enough to see all that the country has to offer but this itinerary gives you a brief glimpse. Note there are an endless number of things to do in Thailand and this is just one itinerary. I could easily come up with several different itineraries.

Because Thailand has so much to see and do, one week is not nearly enough time. Six months to a year would allow a traveler to view much of the country and to get a feel for each region. A month will allow 10 days in Southern Thailand, a week in Bangkok, a few days in Pattaya, a week in Chiang Mai and a few days in one of Bangkok's surrounding cities. 

If you want to travel, there's plenty of traveling to be done in Thailand. Fortunately, the transportation network in the country is extensive and you can get anywhere quickly and inexpensively.

Monday Afternoon – Have lunch at Bayoke Tower to take in the view of Bangkok, return to the hotel and prepare for the evening’s cruise. Alternatively, head to Chinatown for lunch at the Shangarila Restaurant (my favorite) and a couple of hours of stumbling through back alleys. 

Monday Evening - two-hour Chaopraya dinner cruise (1700) - several companies - dinner (Thai) and go from Oriental and Peninsula Hotel past the Wat Pho, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn),  the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha) , the Royal Barges Museum, and Wat Phra Atit. The boat then makes a u-turn and goes back in the direction of the Oriental and Peninsula Hotel.

Tuesday Morning - head to Samut Prakarn to the Ancient City (700).
Known as the gateway to Thailand’s cultural heritage, the 600 rai piece of land is
full of copies and artifacts from prehistoric times to 25th Buddhist era.

Lonely Planet Thailand (Travel Guide)

Friday Evening - return to Bangkok. Relax or time and desire permitting, check out the Hard Rock Cafe in Siam Square and /or Spasso’s at the Hyatt Erawan

Saturday - spend the day and afternoon at Chatuchak Market. Out to dinner at Siam Square (Ban Khun Mae) then off to Patpong and Nana Plaza.

Sunday morning / early afternoon - go for a massage at the Wat Pho ($8 / $13). 

Lunch at the Oriental Hotel.

Prepare to depart Bangkok

Choke dee, lae jer gan mai (โชคดีและเจอกันใหม่) - Good luck. See you later.

Plenty of T-shirts to choose from at Chatuchak Market

Muay Thai at Lumpini - everyone should go at least once

Tuesday Evening - Go to the new Lumpini Stadium on Ram Intra to take in some Muay Thai bouts. Foreigners pay approximately 2000 baht depending on the number of people in their group and your negotiating skills.

Wednesday Morning - take a bus to the city of Ayutthaya to view the ancient ruins. Ayutthaya is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Thursday Morning - Take a bus to Pattaya! Spend Thursday and Friday in Pattaya.  

If you prefer to go elsewhere, head to Kanchanaburi or Sukhotthai. 

Jansport Right Pack Backpack Viking Red

The Muang Boran or Ancient City is a must-see

Ancient City (Muang Boran)

Ayutthaya

Ban Khun Mae Restaurant

Baiyoke Buffet

Chaopraya Dinner Cruise

Hard Rock Cafe

Lumpini Boxing Stadium

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

Spasso Restaurant and Bar

Wat Pho Massage

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