How To Do Thailand in 9 Days

Yes, flying from the United States to Thailand for just a week, or from anywhere across the world from wherever you are, sounds just plain crazy or tiring, and maybe not even worth it to you.  The thing is when you only have a certain number of vacation days, you kind of have to suck it up and take what you can get.  Seriously, having a full-time job is tough when all you want to do is see the world.

I had 9 days of work off, so I knew I had to be really strategic about where I was going to go in Thailand.  I knew I wouldn’t get enough time, at all, in each location, but if that was all the time I was going to get, I’d take it.  I was thinking of it as my crash course and introduction to Thailand.  One day I’ll go back and be able to enjoy the destinations more.

I wanted to see the three main areas - Bangkok, the north and the beaches.  I didn’t get to go to Phuket this time around, which by the way every person I talk to says to avoid Phuket, I wasn't too upset about it.  I, also, heard the beach in the far south, compared to the Gulf of Thailand, are very similar.  

Here is my 9-day itinerary:

DAY 1: Travel day.
DAY 2: Tavel Day.
DAY 3: Fly from Bangkok to Koh Samui.  Overnight in Koh Samui.
DAY 4: Take the ferry to Koh Tao.  Explore Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan.  Overnight in Koh Tao.
DAY 5: Ferry to Koh Samui.  Fly to Chiang Mai.  Explore Chiang Mai. Overnight in Chiang Mai.
DAY 6: Explore Chiang Rai and Karen Long Neck.  Overnight in Chiang Mai.
DAY 7: Explore Chiang Mai.  Overnight in Chiang Mai.
DAY 8: Fly to Bangkok.  Explore Bangkok.  Overnight in Bangkok.
DAY 9: Explore Bangkok in the morning.  Fly home.
 

If you only have a week, don’t be discouraged!  Use my itinerary as proof that you can see a lot in a short amount of time.  You will definitely sacrifice some sleep and maybe your health (I got a cold after!), but it can be done.  I really did my research beforehand, though.  I think the key is to pick the most important sites to you ahead of time, so that you can have some sort of plan.  

It was a whirlwind of a trip, but surprisingly, having 7 days in Thailand (accounting for travel), felt like a long time.  In total, I took 7 planes in 9 days.  Yes, that sounds absurd, but so worth it.  

Yours Truly // Shannon 

For tips on what to do in each location, check out my other Thailand posts: