How can one visit the coasts of two oceans in just 21 days?

We compiled the itinerary manually, relying on our own experiences as well as recommendations from experienced independent travelers. The budget for the trip was designed with the goal of seeing as much as possible while spending as little as necessary.

Therefore, we began preparing for the trip half a year in advance—booking flights and hotels well ahead allowed us to get significant discounts and privileges. Moreover, traveling in a group of experienced travelers usually proves cheaper. After all, renting boats, cars, or buses on-site is much more economical.

Cost estimate: Approximately 12,000 Thai baht per person (flight from Kiev to Bangkok and back, stays in 4 different hotels, individual insurance).

Personal budget:Varies depending on individual needs, but on average, around 5,000–6,000 Thai baht per person.

Itinerary:Bangkok – Phuket – Phi Phi Islands – Krabi – Samui – Bangkok.

Duration:3 weeks in February 2012.

1. Bangkok

We chose the legendary Kaosan Road, famous among travelers from around the world. Fashionable Europeans often stop here for a few days to socialize, plan their next adventures, and continue on their search for their own “paradise islands.” Kaosan Road resembles a space station or, as Garland described it in the classic movie “The Beach,” an ideal place for relaxation and new encounters. You’re guaranteed to make many international friends and practice your language skills here. But be warned: Kaosan Road isn’t really a place for tourists.

What to see:The Royal Palace, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, and the Temple of the Rising Sun are all within easy reach. Taking a boat tour along the city can give you a glimpse into local life. Don’t miss watching the sunset from the top of the Baiyoke Sky Tower.

What to do:Try freshly squeezed mandarin orange juice, update your summer wardrobe (you can buy Ray Ban sunglasses or Paul Smith shirts here for great prices), and make some new friends.

2. Phuket

After Pattaya, Phuket is Thailand’s most popular tourist destination. It’s becoming increasingly popular among mass tourists, but it’s still worth including in our itinerary. There are countless beautiful places to explore here, and renting a minibus for the day will allow you to visit all the beaches.

What to see:Visit the Big Buddha and write your wishes on a stone tablet that will be buried in the temple foundation. For a different experience, explore Bangla Road—the hub of lies, deception, and fun.

What to do:Enjoy some refreshing fruit drinks, ride a motorcycle along the island’s winding roads, and take amazing photos—at least if you have decent driving skills!

3. Phi Phi Islands

A tiny paradise for divers and partygoers, Phi Phi Islands are usually only available for one-day tours for Russian-speaking tourists. Nevertheless, they have a very relaxed atmosphere. If you stay in the center of the islands, you’ll experience vibrant nightlife at the beaches until dawn. For some solitude, head to the other side of the island.

What to see:Take a boat trip to the neighboring islands of Bambu and Mosquito to see how the sea can be brighter than the sky and the sand whiter than flour. Also, visit Maya Bay—the same location where the movie “The Beach” was filmed. Although it’s often crowded with tourists now, you’ll still be able to feel the unique atmosphere there.

What to do:Try freshly caught seafood cooked right in front of your eyes, and take a walk along the jungle trails.

4. KrabiKrabi is a laid-back city where you can find shops, restaurants, and bars. The rocks here were even used as filming locations for “Avatar.”据说 James Cameron first saw the concept of Pandora in this area.

What to see:Take a taxi boat to Cape Rayleigh and visit Phranang—one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Stay there until evening to watch the sunset over the gentle ocean. In the nearby mountains, you can search for the hidden Laguna, but it requires some physical fitness.

What to do:Enjoy spa treatments made with natural oils during the day, and taste delicious mojitos for 50 Thai baht in the evening. Also, try local delicacies at the night market and dance until dawn at the open-air venues.

Entertainment, Tours, and Attractions in Thailand

86 km north of Bangkok lies Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam, now a historic park featuring ruins of ancient temples and the palace of Bang Pa In. West of Bangkok, near Nakhon Pathom, stands the world’s largest Buddha statue, 127 meters tall. Near Kanchanaburi are the infamous Khwe River Bridge and “Death Road,” built by prisoners during World War II. Nearby is the famous Rose Garden, one of Thailand’s best ethnographic museums, as well as the Samphran Zoo and Elephant Conservation Center.

Northern Thailand, though less visited by tourists, is the birthplace of Thai civilization and home to tropical forests, waterfalls, vibrant festivals, and numerous ancient cities and temples. For example, in Chiang Mai and its surroundings, there are around 300 temples and historical sites, including Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chang Man (the oldest monastery in the region), and Wat Pratang Man, which contains Buddha statues over two thousand years old. Another sacred site is Wat Pradoi Suthep, located on a mountain 16 km northwest of Chiang Mai.

Not far away is the mysterious city of Maehong Son, with the temple Wat Chong Kham and its ancient murals. At the markets here, you can find interesting souvenirs from Laos or Burma, as well as works by northern Thai artisans.

To the northeast of Chiang Mai lies Chiang Rai, known for its beautiful scenery and many Buddhist temples. Nearby, on the banks of the Mekong River, lies Chiang Saen, another ancient capital famous for its temples and the rich Museum of Local History. Beyond the city borders lies the famous “Golden Triangle”—a mountainous region where Thailand, Burma, and Laos meet, the cradle of Thai civilization where the first independent kingdoms in this region emerged centuries ago.

In the Namtok Pa Siya National Park, you can find a six-tiered waterfall. At Tham Pla Park, there’s the “Fish Cave,” where billions of colorful fish live in underground streams, and a small grotto filled with snails of all shapes and sizes. The Nam Tok Me Surin National Park is famous for its 100-meter-high Me Surin Waterfall and the Nam Lot Cave, which contains a spectacular “garden” of stalactites and stalagmites.

The Sukhotai Historical Reserve covers 70 square kilometers along the left bank of the Yom River and preserves over a hundred half-ruined buildings from this ancient capital, including the famous Wat Si Chum Temple with its seated Buddha statue. 33 km north of Bangkok is the Muang Boran Park, which recreates the entire territory of the ancient kingdom, including its most famous historical sites.

In Samut Prakarn, there’s the world’s largest crocodile farm, along with a zoo and a dinosaur museum. The areas around Chiang Mai are home to many indigenous tribes whose cultures remained virtually untouched until the 20th century. One of the most mysterious tribes is the Karen people; for them, women with long necks and large ears represent beauty. As a result, girls in this tribe start wearing copper coils around their necks at a young age, adding more rings as they grow.

Only in Thailand can you visit a wildlife reserve, a massage salon (offering various types of massages), watch exciting shows with elephants, snakes, and crocodiles, and at the same time admire ancient temples and pagodas. Moreover, you can enjoy other active pursuits such as diving, fishing, and dancing until dawn—activities that attract people from all over the world.