By Pamela Nandi | May 07, 2019

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Here is the review of my itinerary on an epic trip to Thailand, as a SOLO woman traveller.

A traveller’s hotspot in South East Asia known for tropical beaches, luxurious royal palaces, ancient ruins and ornate temples of Buddha. Bangkok, it’s capital city boasts an ultramodern city landscape with high rises and the iconic temples. In addition, the country enthrals some gorgeous bustling beach resorts destinations like Pattaya and Phuket – a platonic ideal of all leisure vacations.

TIME OF VISIT: JANUARY

DESTINATION 1: PHUKET, THAILAND

Phuket, the country’s largest rainforested, mountainous island located in the southern provinces (Changwat) of Thailand. If you are a travel fanatic, and ready to discover the beauty of sea, sun and sand, then Phuket is a one-stop island destination that houses high-end seaside resorts graced by the clear waters of the western shore, spas, restaurants, old shophouses and busy markets.

THAILAND DAY 1: PHUKET (The City Tour)

MY ARRIVAL: Flew from Bangkok to Phuket by Thai Airways (a NON STOP flight duration of 1 hr 30 mins). Checked-in to my hotel at Patong the main resort town of Phuket during the early afternoon.

TIPS: The concierge service at my resort booked an afternoon Phuket City Sightseeing Tour with a local operator which was a duration of about 4 hrs – a HALF-DAY TOUR

Take a break from the beaches and make sure to go on a sightseeing city tour of the best things to see in Phuket and discover its historical heritage.

THAILAND DAY 2: PHUKET (Phi Phi Island)

Phi Phi Islands – Thailand’s island-superstar located, between the large island of Phuket and the Straits of Malacca coast of Thailand, a part of Krabi Province.

TIPS: The main departure/arrival port in Phuket is Rassada Pier, located in Phuket Town and board the early morning ferry which takes about 2 hours to reach Phi Phi Island with some stop overs to other Bay and Island – a FULL DAY TOUR.

THAILAND DAY 2 : PHUKET (Night Tour at Patong Beach)

Are you looking for a crazy night out in a tropical beachside environment?
The nightlife scene at Phuket’s town of Patong from crazy Bangla Road to Rawai is the icing on the cake by keeping you amused. Chill and relax in a cafe by the beachside to feel the moist air of the beach in order to stay away from the diversity of the nightlife

MY STAY: Banthai Beach Resort, one of a Luxury Hotel in Phuket located along Patong Beach, showcases authentic Thai hospitality.

DESTINATION 2: PATTAYA, THAILAND

MY ARRIVAL: Flew from Phuket to Bangkok by Thai Airways ( non-stop early morning flight with a duration of 1 hr 30 mins.) and pre-booked a car to take the drive from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya Hotel (duration of 2 hrs) and arrive Pattaya in the mid-afternoon.

Pattaya – the resort city on Thailand’s eastern Gulf coast about 100 kilometres (62 mi) southeast of Bangkok. A city known for its beaches, 4 km crescent of coastline, a perfect destination for water sports lovers and lined with shopping malls, cabaret bars and 24-hour clubs constantly brimming with life.

THAILAND DAY 3: PATTAYA ( Alcazar Cabaret Show )

A must visit place while travelling to Pattaya – the world-famous 30 years old Alcazar Cabaret Show – a dazzling energetic show graced with vibrant colours and costumes.

THAILAND DAY 4: PATTAYA (Half Day Coral Island Tour in the Morning)

TIPS: Proceed from your hotel to the Chalong Pier and catch a short speedboat ride that will take to Coral Island (duration of about 1 hour). Booked a tour in advance for a pickup from hotel and drop at the Pier and back to the city ( a HALF DAY TOUR ).

Coral Island, known locally as Koh Hey located in the Gulf of Thailand about 4.5 miles from the coast of Pattaya. A marvellous day away from the city to this beautiful island ringed by white sandy beaches, gentle sounds of the ocean, a breathtaking view, and warm turquoise water while indulged in some exciting water activities to this island – the hub for watersports. A magnificent place to just sit back and relax watching the crowd on the beach while sipping cool Coconut water . can be a very relaxing experience. Relived this great day in my mind as I enjoyed a comfortable ride back to my hotel.

THAILAND DAY 4: PATTAYA (The Walking Street in the Evening)

Walking Street the centre of the nightlife entertainment in the city of Pattaya, Thailand –
the biggest and busiest party hotspot in the whole of Thailand. Its the street of fire – a one-kilometre stretch of pedestrian-only (at night) ringed by neon light gaudiness, the craziest street in all of Asia.

Just walked into this ice cream parlour – Swensen’s, at Central Festival Pattaya Beach Mall overlooking the beach to try some ice cream in order to fulfil my sweet tooth. To my surprise came to know that they only serve ice creams in the form of full dinner meal course. Oh my God, what a dessert treat I had. Just ust unbelievable. Haunched on these 2 courses of ice cream meal

MY STAY AT PATTAYA: A-One The Royal Cruise Hotel Pattaya located right on Pattaya Beach Road.

DESTINATION 3: BANGKOK, THAILAND

MY ARRIVAL: Drive from Pattaya to Bangkok City by a pre-booked car which takes a duration of about 2 hrs.

TIPS: There are tour options that will pick-up from Pattaya hotel early morning and will take you to the half-day Bangkok city tour on arrival at Bangkok city and will finally drop you at the Bangkok City hotel.

Bangkok, Thailand’s most populous capital, well known for its dynamic and vibrant street life. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep. The Chao Phraya River flowing past the Grand Palace – Rattanakosin royal district and home to its sacred Wat Phra Kaew Temple and Wat Pho Temple with an enormous reclining Buddha.

THAILAND DAY 5: BANGKOK (The Morning City Tour)

Take a tour of the eye-catching main Buddha temples, at Wat Traimit that boasts the largest solid gold 5.5-ton Buddha image in the world, and then continue to the nearby Wat Pho, or Temple of the Reclining Buddha – 151-foot (46-meter) long, the longest in Bangkok.

THAILAND DAY 5: BANGKOK (The Evening Siam Niramit Show)

TIPS: Booked this show through Viator.com, which offerred a pick-up and drop-off to the Bangkok hotel. As Bangkok traffic is terrible, please make sure to arrive on time at the show. OR
Siam Niramit Theater can be conveniently accessed by MRT (Metro).

Must-see the lavish performance of Siam Niramit – Bangkok’s top shows certified by Guinness World of Records at Siam Niramit Theater with amazing sound and backdrops, wonderful costumes. The show boasts an 11.95-metre proscenium showcasing Thai arts and cultural heritage with live elephants & over 100 performers.

THAILAND DAY 6: BANGKOK (Tour to Bangkok’s 360 Degree Revolving Roof Deck)

Welcome to the top of one of Thailand’s tallest buildings 250 meters long to feel the cool breeze and excitement at The Baiyoke tower (The Baiyoke Sky Hotel) and enjoy the spectacular view of Bangkok beyond the metropolis ringed with maps, computerized multimedia kiosks and coin-activated telescopes with a provision of 360 degrees revolving rooftop on the 84th floor.

THAILAND DAY 6: BANGKOK (The Dinner Cruise on the Chao Praya River)

TIPS: Book a tour for your Chao Phraya River cruise – 2.5 to 3 hours of excursion with hotel pickup and drop off to your Bangkok city hotel. The guide drives you to the waterfront.

A must do a trip in Thailand – a night out in Bangkok on the Chao Phraya river. Board the luxurious Bangkok river cruise and spend an evening to enjoy the illuminated Bangkok skyline and historical landmarks at night — including the famous Grand Palace and Wat Arun (17th-century Temple of Dawn) lined along the banks of the Chao Phraya river.

The leisurely dinner cruise offers a large gourmet buffet of Thai dishes to treat yourself or head out to the deck to discover city’s spectacular night sceneries and listen to the live band and other entertainers. Definitely a memorable experience, to say the least.

MY STAY: Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit, located at a place that’s slightly away from all the noise of Sukhumvit nightlife.

HELPFUL LINKS –

Sightseeing –

https://www.viator.com/Phuket/d349-ttd
https://www.viator.com/Pattaya/d344-ttd
https://www.viator.com/Bangkok/d343-ttd

Thailand Public Transportation

https://www.thailandee.com/en/transportation-thailand/

Thailand Tourism –

https://www.tourismthailand.org/home