KIMONO: Amazon ($19) // BODYSUIT: Revolve // SANDALS: Nordstrom // VISOR: WildnBloom ($15) // SUNNIES: Amazon // SHORTS: Agolde
CLICK TO SHOP THE POST:
Wow Thailand! I’m currently at 35,000 feet in the air writing my Thailand travel guide while everything is fresh in my mind after an amazing two-week mother daughter trip. We had a great trip just adventuring all over Thailand and enjoying our time together!
I know a lot of you via Instagram mentioned that you’re currently planning a trip to Thailand and were really looking forward to my travel guide, so I’m excited to share everything we did and where we went, as well as share my knowledge of Thailand in hopes that it’ll make your planning process easier and your trip more enjoyable! Be sure to watch my “Thailand” highlight on Instagram stories to experience all my videos from our trip at once! First things first: we planned 90% of our trip before we left in hopes that it would ease some of the stressors that come with travel… and we are certainly glad we did! Below I’m sharing our itinerary from start to finish, and then sharing some important tips and tricks you must know before you go!
DURATION OF TRIP: 15 days total
LOCATIONS TRAVELED TO: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Lanta, Railay Beach
TOP: 12th Tribe (identical here) // SUNNIES: Quay // NECKLACE: Ettika
KIMONO: Amazon // PANTS: Bobi // SHOES: Sofft
JUMPSUIT: Amazon // SANDALS: Nordstrom
SWIM TOP: Saks Off 5th (major sale) // BOTTOMS: L*Space // VISOR: WildnBloom
ROMPER: Billabong
ROMPER: L*Space
ROMPER: L*Space
JUMPSUIT: Tiare Hawaii // BANGLES: Budha Girl
DENIM SHORTS: Agolde // SUIT: Revolve
CROCHET PANTS: Amazon // HAIR TURBAN: Missoni // SUNNIES: Amazon
EARRINGS: Madewell
We flew from LAX – Shanghai – Bangkok on China Eastern Airlines and stayed at the Marriott Sukhumvit for one night. We hired a private tour guide (highly recommend checking out Viator.com) who was quickly able to communicate with the locals and was knowledgeable. Honestly one day in Bangkok is all you need:
- Floating Market (Lad Mayon Market): THE best pad thai
- Grand Palace: make sure to wear clothing that covers your shoulders + goes past your knees!
- Reclining Buddha
- Rising Temple
- Flower Market
The next morning we flew from Bangkok – Chiang Mai on Thai Air and stayed at the MOST stunning temple-like resort called Dhara Dhevi. This is our itinerary while staying in Chiang Mai:
- Floating Lantern Festival: the most magical festival making a wish and releasing your lantern into the sky
- Flytographer at Tae Pae Gate: use code TOREY50 for $50 off your photoshoot anywhere in the world
- Mom’s birthday: relaxing poolside and going out for a Thai dinner
- Old Chiang Mai: more temples and the 3 Kings statue
- Night Market
- Tuk Tuk ride
- Elephant Jungle Sanctuary: the most humane and ethical grounds for elephants- we did the full day experience (a must do!)
- Pai: visit the city for the day
- Wat Chiang Man: temple on top of mountain
Next up, we flew from Chiang Mai – Krabi on Thair Lion Air and then our resort took us by boat to the Pimalai on Koh Lanta (island).
- 4-Island Tour: Opals Speed Boat took us snorkeling all day in the most clear waters (Ko Mook, Ko Chuek, Ko Kraden Ko Mah)
- Moped/Scooter: we rode around the entire island of Koh Lanta (south where we stayed is very quiet + peaceful). Give them a copy of your passport instead of your real passport. $8 for the day!
- Long Beach: rode here on our scooter
- Paddle boarding/swimming
Our last stop was a short boat ride away where we stayed at the stunning Rayavadee which is situated on a peninsula between 3 beaches:
- Railay Beach: only go to the west side + get a thai massage for $5/hour
- Railay Beach west: rent a private long-tail boat for the day to take you island hopping
- Pha Nong Beach: rock climbing, “dick cave”, sunsets here are amazing
- Hike the limestone cliffs
- Plankton kayak at night
PRO TIPS:
- Purchase “no jet lag” to take- they really helped
- Use the app “TripIt” and enter your itinerary in there so you can pull it up without Wi-Fi
- Use Trip Advisor for anything you’d want to book in Thailand- they have the most trustworthy reviews
- Bring protein bars
- Pack bug spray, sunscreen + a hat
- Pack very light- they even weigh your carry-on bags so the lighter you pack the better off you’ll be!
- You’ll only wear very casual attire- only sandals
- Be careful of the ice- if it has holes it should be safe from a factory
- Give yourself time on your layovers- the domestic airport system isn’t very efficient and takes time
- Pack a portable battery charger + converter/adapter
- Bring your debit card to get out “baht” from the airport ATM when you land
- Download the “mobile pass” app for free and clear customs in ONLY minutes- we skipped the entire long line!
We LOVED the food + drinks in Thailand: Be sure to try mango sticky rice, pad thai, coconut ice cream, mango smoothies, chang beer, and curry anything!
Overall, we really found the people of Thailand to all be SO nice, respectful, and reliable! We felt very safe at all the locations we traveled to, everyone in the tourism industry speaks English (jobs actually require 4 year degrees) so you don’t need to worry, and all of the airports had English signs. I would recommend still being aware of your surroundings at all times and on hotel property by evening time.
THAT’S A WRAP! I hope you get a chance to travel to Thailand once in your lifetime- it truly is a beautiful and special place in this world. There’s nowhere else like it! If you plan a trip using my guide or travel to Thailand be sure to tag me on Instagram so I can see your adventure or comment below with any other Thailand recommendations for other readers!
XOXO