With Thailand offering free visas, I thought, why not take the opportunity to explore this incredible country and immerse myself in its rich culture? In this blog, I share my experiences and highlight why Thailand is the perfect destination for a relaxing vacation.
A long-awaited plan with my friend finally came to life as we packed our bags and set off for Thailand, staying nearly 10 days in this vibrant country. Our trip coincided with the start of the peak tourist season, and we planned to explore destinations like Phuket, Hong Island, Pi Leh Lagoon, Phi Phi Island, Pattaya, and Bangkok. Although we knew we’d miss out on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, we were fortunate that the Full Moon Party dates aligned with our itinerary, allowing us to experience it on Phi Phi Island instead. Let me take you through our journey, one destination at a time!
First Day in Phuket
Our first day in Thailand turned out to be quite eventful. We landed in Phuket, only to discover that my friend’s luggage was locked, and the passcode wasn’t working. We spent some time at the airport researching how to fix it, but nothing seemed to work. Eventually, we decided to buy a local SIM card and head to the hotel, hoping the staff could assist us. After checking in, we tried several methods to unlock it, and thankfully, we finally succeeded! The rest of the day was spent soaking in a bit of Thai culture and catching up on much-needed rest—we were so exhausted that nearly half the day was gone in recharging ourselves.
In the evening, we headed to Patong Beach and were immediately captivated by its vibrant atmosphere. Coincidentally, we had arrived on the first day of Thailand’s Full Moon Party celebrations, which were set to last for the next three days. We spent our time exploring Patong Beach, the bustling walking street, and soaking in the energetic vibes.
Patong Beach evening view
Unfortunately, with only two days in Phuket, we couldn’t make it to Old Phuket Town. It’s best visited on weekends, but we were there during the middle of the week. We also had to skip the Big Buddha as it was under maintenance at the time.
Hong Island and James Bond Island
After some research in Phuket, we decided to book an island-hopping tour that seemed fascinating. The next day, we visited Hong Island, where we enjoyed canoeing and exploring the pristine freshwater bodies. We also stopped by the iconic James Bond Island, which was captivating despite being crowded with tourists. The entire island-hopping experience took up a full day, and along the way, we explored smaller islands like Naka Island and Panyee Island as well.
Hong Island Canoeing
Mayabay and Pi Leh Lagoon
The next day, we planned to visit Phi Phi Island for some relaxation and, of course, to enjoy the parties. We took a speedboat from Phuket and made our way to Phi Phi, passing by Maya Bay, which was absolutely stunning. The way the Thai government has preserved it is truly impressive. After Maya Bay, we headed to Pi Leh Lagoon. The shallow waters here are perfect for activities like swimming, snorkeling, and even scuba diving. The water is crystal clear and vibrant blue, allowing you to see the seabed clearly. Once again, the area is impeccably maintained.
Mayabay Beach View
Pi Leh Lagoon View
After several stops, we finally arrived at Phi Phi Island. We had lunch, which wasn’t very impressive, and then explored the small island and its charming market area. It was such a beautiful place. We found our accommodation, which was conveniently just 200 meters from Phi Phi Beach—perfectly located. We spent the evening relaxing on the beach and partying, kicking off our first night on Phi Phi with some wild fun—jumping over fire ropes, dancing, and more!
Koh Phi Phi Island
The next day was all about relaxation. After a busy travel day and partying, it was time to unwind. We spent the morning sipping coconut water, pineapple juice, enjoying some food, and simply resting on the beach, taking in the beautiful sea views. The first half of the day was all about peace and quiet. Later, we hiked to the Phi Phi Island viewpoint, which was a rewarding trek with an incredible view. Afterward, we treated ourselves to a full-body Thai massage and foot massage at Anita Thai Massage Center—it was pure bliss. By the evening, we felt completely recharged and headed to the Ibiza Pool Party. However, it didn’t live up to the hype—the vibe was lackluster, and the party ended abruptly at 11 pm. It was definitely not worth it. On the other hand, I discovered the Freedom Beach Bar on Phi Phi Island, which was 1000 times better. The people were fantastic, the atmosphere was lively, and the music played until morning, creating the perfect vibe.
Phi Phi Daytime
Phi Phi Night time
Phi Phi Beach View in the morning
Phi Phi Viewpoint
Pattaya
The following morning, we took a ferry from Phi Phi to Phuket, and from there, we caught a connecting domestic flight to Bangkok. The entire journey took us a full day. After arriving at Bangkok airport in the evening, we still had a 3-hour drive to Pattaya. Due to landing during peak office hours in Bangkok, it took us about 3.5 hours to reach Pattaya.
Feeling quite hungry and not in the mood to explore other options, we decided to grab a meal at an Indian restaurant. After dinner, we ventured out to the famous Walking Street of Pattaya, which is even larger than the one in Phuket. We then explored the Pattaya Beach area, which stretches an impressive 2.7 kilometers.
The next day, we visited the Sanctuary of Truth, an ancient and iconic temple in Pattaya, renowned across Thailand for being entirely made of wood. We then went to the Tiger Park and Nong Nooch Botanical Garden, where we enjoyed Thai cultural performances, including an elephant show featuring playful, artistic, and dancing elephants. Oh, and I also brought myself a DJI Neo drone. I found an excellent deal, and since it’s not available in India, it had been on my wishlist for a long time. I’m excited to learn drone videography and photography as a new skill.
Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya
Closing - Bangkok
At the end of the day, we returned to Bangkok for the next two days. On our first day there, we were scammed by a boat at the floating market, ending up lost in old Bangkok. We decided to explore the area on our own before heading back to Sukhumvit Street, where we were staying. The following day, we visited the Grand Palace, enjoyed Michelin-starred mango sticky rice, and partied at Khao San Road. I also tried crocodile meat for the first time, which turned out to be delicious! Initially hesitant, I ended up loving it. On our last day, we did some shopping in Bangkok before catching our flight back to Delhi.
Sukhumvit Street, Bangkok
Khaosan Road, Bangkok
Michelin Star - Mango Sticky Rice
Thailand is an incredible country with a rich culture and incredibly friendly people. I’m already looking forward to visiting again, with Phi Phi Island being my favorite spot to relax like nowhere else.
I hope you enjoyed reading, until next time! :)