Overview

This post is the main overview for my 2019 time in Thailand, following my 3 weeks in Vietnam.

There are separate posts for each of the cities I visited, which are linked below, along with bullet lists for the main points of interest I visited.

Quick Facts

Thailand

• Capital: Bangkok
• Official Language: Thai
• Currency: Thai Baht (THB)
• Main Religion: Buddhism
• Visa info: thaiembassy.com

Interesting facts about Thailand

Thailand is one of the last countries to have a monarchy. The current king is King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who has been the king since 2016. The king however has very little power, and the country is run by the prime minister.

Thailand used to be called Siam, and was the only country in Southeast Asia to avoid being colonized by a European power.

Human habitation in present-day Thailand may date back to around 20,000 years ago, and evidence of rice-growing dates back to 2,000 BCE.

The Cities I Visited

The links below will take you to the 1st or main post for each of the cities I visited.

Phuket Itinerary

Phuket, pronounced “poo-ket”, was my 1st stop in Thailand. While many tourists come to Phuket for the beaches, I came for the temples, and to explore Phuket Old Town.

Phuket, the city, is one of the oldest cities in Thailand, and is located in the southeast of Phuket Island. It’s the capital of Phuket Province, and is the largest city on the island.

Day 22

• Fly from HCMC to Phuket
  • Bus from HCMC to HCMC Airport
    • Price: 20,000 VND
  • Fly from HCMC to Phuket
    • Price: 2,296 THB
    • Booking link: 12go.asia
  • Shuttle from the airport to Phuket Old Town
    • Price: 100 THB
• Check into Chino Town Hostel
  • Address: Chino Town at Yaowarat Phuket
• Explore Phuket Old Town

Day 23

• Gallery Cafe
  • Address: 39, 78 ซอย ไสยวน ตำบล ราไวย์ Town, ภูเก็ต 83130
  • Breakfast: Fried eggs, toast, bacon, sausage, baked beans, grilled tomato, and mushrooms
  • Price: 280 THB
  • Website: gallerycafesphuket.com
• Wat Chalong
  • Hours: Daily 08:00 - 17:00
  • Official website: wat-chalong-phuket.com
• Big Buddha
  • Hours: Daily 06:00 - 18:30
  • Official website: mingmongkolphuket.com
• One Chun Cafe & Restaurant
  • Address: 48/1 ถนน เทพกษัตรี ตำบล ตลาดใหญ่ อำเภอ เมืองภูเก็ต Phuket 83000
  • Lunch: Yellow Thai Curry with Chicken
  • Price: 230 THB
• Yo’s Egg Waffle Ice Cream
  • Address: Chino Town at Yaowarat Phuket
  • Dessert: Egg Waffle with vanilla ice cream
  • Price: 74 THB
  • Website: facebook.com
• Wat Mongkol Nimit
  • Hours: Daily 08:00 - 17:30

Day 24

• Shrine of the Serene Light
  • Address: V9MQ+G5R ถ. พังงา ตำบลตลาดใหญ่ อำเภอเมืองภูเก็ต ภูเก็ต 83000
  • Hours: Daily 08:30 – 17:30
• Wat Khao Rang & Golden Buddha
  • Address: 87 7 ตำบล รัษฎา อำเภอเมืองภูเก็ต ภูเก็ต 83000
  • Hours: Daily 08:00 - 16:00
• Khao Rang Lookout Point
  • Address: ตำบลตลาดใหญ่ อำเภอเมืองภูเก็ต ภูเก็ต 83000

Bangkok Itinerary

Bangkok, my 2nd and final stop in Thailand, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. It’s located in the central part of the country, on the Chao Phraya River delta.

Bangkok is known for its vibrant street life, and is a popular tourist destination. It’s also known for its incredible ornate shrines and vibrant street life.

Day 24 (continuation)

• Fly from Phuket to Bangkok
  • Shuttle to Phuket airport
    • Price: 100 THB
  • Fly to Bangkok
    • Price: $49.91 USD
    • Booking link: nokair.com
  • Bus from Bangkok Airport to Rambutree Road (near Khaosan Road)
    • Price: 50 THB
• Check into Darin Hostel

Day 25

• Wat Pho
  • Entrance fee: 200 THB per person
  • Official site: watpho.com
• Exploring the streets of Bangkok
• Siam Center
  • Hours: Daily 10:00 - 22:00
  • Website: siamcenter.co.th
• Tickled Pink Ice Cream
  • Address: 1 Fl., Lido Connect, Siam Square Soi 3, Rama 1 Rd., Pathumwan, Bangkok
  • Hours: Daily 11am - 9pm
  • Price: 109 THB each
  • Instagram link: tickledpink.siam
• Siam Center Continued

Day 26

• Wat Arun
  • Hours: Daily 08:00 - 18:00
  • Ferry fee: 4 THB per person
  • Entrance fee: 50 THB per person
  • Website: wat-arun.com
• Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World
  • B1-B2, Siam Paragon, 991 Rama 1 Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok
  • Hours: Daily 10:00 - 20:00
  • Official site: visitsealife.com

Ayutthaya Itinerary

Ayutthaya, my 3rd stop, is a city in the Central Plains Region of Thailand, and is the capital of Ayutthaya Province. It’s located 80 km north of Bangkok, and was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, and later the Kingdom of Thailand, from 1350 until 1767.

Ayutthaya is known for its ruins, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a popular day trip from Bangkok, which is how I visited it.

Day 27

• Exploring Ayutthaya
  • Wat Chai Watthanaram
    • Foreigner entrance fee: 50 THB per person
  • Wat Lokkaya Sutharam
  • Wat Wora Chet Tha Ram
  • Chedi Phukhao Thong
  • Wat Phra Si Sanphet
    • Foreigner entrance fee: 50 THB per person
  • Wat Maha That
    • Foreigner entrance fee: 50 THB per person
  • Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon

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