In the summer of 2019 we visited Thailand. What an experience! From tranquil Chiang Mai to the sunny Ko Tao. With in between beautiful temples in Ayutthaya, the Bridge over the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi, bathing with elephants and a special experience in the rainforest. All this topped with bling bling, a special cycling route, street food, red and green curry, exotic fish and of course … golden buddhas. In this blog you find our complete travel route with accommodation and transport and some practical tips.
Itinerary: from Chiang Mai to Ko Samui
| DAY | CITY | VISIT & TRANSPORT | ACCOMODATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brussel | Finnair – Brussels → Helsinki → Bangkok → Chiang Mai | Sleep on flight |
| 2 | Chiang Mai | Arrival Chiang Mai Transfer airport→ hotel | The Opium Chiang Mai 121/1-S Soi Viangbua, Chottana Rd., Changpuak, A. Muang, Chang Puea Chiang Mai, Thailand +66 87 786 3686 |
| 3 | Chiang Mai | Chiang Mai Visit temples o.a. What Chiang Man, Wat Phra Singh, Wat Buppharam, What Chedi Luang Evening market Walking & local taxi | The Opium Chiang Mai 121/1-S Soi Viangbua, Chottana Rd., Changpuak, A. Muang, Chang Puea Chiang Mai, Thailand +66 87 786 3686 |
| 4 | Chiang Mai | Doi Pui Mong Hill Tribe Village Bhubing Palace Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Minivan with driver | The Opium Chiang Mai 121/1-S Soi Viangbua, Chottana Rd., Changpuak, A. Muang, Chang Puea Chiang Mai, Thailand +66 87 786 3686 |
| 5 | Chiang Mai | Swimming pool | Night train 1st class Tickets via 12Go Asia https://12go.asia/en (18 u – 4.58u) |
| 6 | Ayutthaya | Boat trip (evening) | Phuttal Residence 8/9 Moo 1, Tawasukree, U-Thong Rd, 13000 Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand +66818839969 |
| 7 | Ayutthaya | Cycling in the temples area Visit 3 temples | Phuttal Residence 8/9 Moo 1, Tawasukree, U-Thong Rd, 13000 Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Thailand +66818839969 |
| 8 | Kanchanaburi | Transport Ayutthaya → Kanchanaburi Erawan waterfalls Minivan with driver | Good Times Resort 265/5 Maenam Kwai Rd. Tha Makham, A. Muang Kanchanaburi 71000 Thailand +66 (0) 90 143 4925 |
| 9 | Kanchanaburi | VM: Kanchanaburi (museum, cemetery, Bridge over River Kwai) NM: Elephant Haven Minivan with driver | Good Times Resort 265/5 Maenam Kwai Rd. Tha Makham, A. Muang Kanchanaburi 71000 Thailand +66 (0) 90 143 4925 |
| 10 | Bangkok | Transport Kanchanaburi → Bangkok Damnoen Saduak Maeklong Railway Market Minivan with driver | Nouvo City Hotel 2 Samsen 2, Samsen Road, Banglumphu, 10200 Bangkok, Thailand +6622827500 |
| 11 | Bangkok | Bangkok Old city (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, boottocht, Khao San Road) On foot | Nouvo City Hotel 2 Samsen 2, Samsen Road, Banglumphu, 10200 Bangkok, Thailand +6622827500 |
| 12 | Bangkok | Transport Bangkok hotel – airport Transport Surat Thani – Khao Sok Air Asia 9.50 u – 11.05 u Taxi | Khaosok Riverside Cottages 230 Moo 6, Klongsok, Phanom, Surathani, 84250 Khao Sok, Thailand +66 77 395 159 |
| 13 | Khao Sok | Khao Sok National Park (dam) – Boat trip Minivan with driver | Neenlawat Riverside 90 Moo 1 Khao Hua Khway Poonpin 84130 Surat Thani Thailand |
| 14 | Surat Thani | Ferry Surat Thani → Ko Tao Lomprayah (9.00 u -14.15 u) | Blue Diamond Resort 24/1 Moo 2, Koh Tao, Surat Thani, 84360 Ko Tao, Thailand +6677456255 |
| 15 | Koh Tao | Beach & snorkeling | Blue Diamond Resort 24/1 Moo 2, Koh Tao, Surat Thani, 84360 Ko Tao, Thailand +6677456255 |
| 16 | Koh Tao | Beach & snorkeling | Blue Diamond Resort 24/1 Moo 2, Koh Tao, Surat Thani, 84360 Ko Tao, Thailand +6677456255 |
| 17 | Koh Tao | Beach & snorkeling | Blue Diamond Resort 24/1 Moo 2, Koh Tao, Surat Thani, 84360 Ko Tao, Thailand +6677456255 https://www.bluediamondresortkotao.com/nl-nl |
| 18 | Koh Tao | Ferry Koh Tao → Koh Lomprayah (15 u – 17.20 u) | Infinity Bophut Apartments 105/146 Moo 1, Tumbol Bo Phut, 84330 Bophut, Thailand +66 62 052 0005 |
| 19 | Ko Samui | Beach Bophut Evening market | Infinity Bophut Apartments 105/146 Moo 1, Tumbol Bo Phut, 84330 Bophut, Thailand +66 62 052 0005 |
| 20 | Ko Samui | Transport Koh Samui → Bangkok → Helsinki → Brussels |
Land, sea and air
Exploring Thailand with six people is an expedition in itself. You can easily reach your first destination, in our case northern Chiang Mai, with a domestic or intercontinental flight. And afterwards? You easily get around by a variety of transport means: from a local tuk-tuk to a really sickening Hoovercraft and an overnight train journey. Something for everyone, always worthwhile and very easy to organize. And especially exciting for children.
Conclusion
- We flew to Thailand with Finnair, over Helsinki, to Bangkok. Same for the return journey. An ordinary, decent flight. Nothing to complain about. A drink and snack at the airport are expensive. But you are of course in ‘Santa’s official gateway’ -:)
- We took 3 domestic flights. #1 On the day of arrival we flew directly with Bangkok Airways from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, in the north of Thailand. #2 We flew from Bangkok to Surat Thani with Air Asia. Simple, fast, cheap and comfortable. Even a tasty snack is included. #3 On our last day we went from the island of Ko Samui to Bangkok, again with Bangkok Airways, to take our connection to Belgium.
- We traveled from Chiang Mai to Ayutthaya on the Thai Railways night train number #10. This train leaves at 6 pm and arrives in Ayutthaya around 6 am. We travelled in first class, the ‘1st Class Sleeper’ are comfortable. We booked 3 sleepers for 2 people, 2 of them connected by a connecting door. Each has a small bathroom. The beds are made up by a steward in the evening. You can buy food on the train, but we took our own lunch. You can follow your journey on a digital screen, comes in handy for your arrive time. Quite an experience and a pleasant way to travel. Any downside? We traveled at night so you can’t admire the scenery. And sleeping in a train is not easy – quite some noise – but the two smallest slept like roses.
- For the route Ayutthaya – Kanchanaburi – Bangkok we rented a minivan with driver. This is a very comfortable way to travel: you have the minibus all by yourself and the driver takes you where you want to go and waits. These vans are also very comfortable – some even have free WIFI – and you can leave your stuff in them when you visit: the van is locked and the driver stays nearby.
- And then the transfers to the sunny islands. We went from Surat – Thani to Ko Tao, the furthest island and then from Ko Tao to Ko Samui by ferry and booked with Lomprayah. This company has easily accessible docks in Surat Thani.
- And in the cities? Local tuk-tuks, bicycles, ferries or just on foot!
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