TUI · Thailand

Thailand Complete

From the Golden Triangle to Koh Samui

The full Thai spectrum in 22 days: glittering Bangkok temples, the mountain north around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, UNESCO ruins of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya, the jungle of Khao Sok — and a week of island life on Koh Samui to finish.

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The story

The first morning in Bangkok hits you like a warm, fragrant wall — diesel and jasmine and frying garlic all at once. You eat noodles from a cart before the city fully wakes, then spend three days losing yourself in gilded temples and chaotic markets before the overnight train carries you north into cooler air. Chiang Mai smells of incense and woodsmoke. Chiang Rai feels quieter, stranger, the Golden Triangle's muddy rivers sliding past in three directions at once.

The middle stretch is where Thailand's bones show. Sukhothai's ruins rise from lotus ponds at golden hour, and Ayutthaya's headless Buddhas stand in long grass with an eerie, humbling dignity. Kanchanaburi slows everything down — the River Kwai is greener and gentler than history prepared you for.

Then the south opens up. Khao Sok's limestone peaks disappear into cloud each morning, and by the time you reach Koh Samui, your last six days belong entirely to salt water, ripe mango, and long, unhurried light.

The route

Highlights

Temples of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
Three-country point at the Golden Triangle
UNESCO parks of Sukhothai and Ayutthaya
Jungle lake of Khao Sok
Beach finale on Koh Samui

Day by day

1
Bangkok
Day 1-3

Temples of the Grand Palace, Wat Pho's reclining Buddha and longtail boats on the Chao Phraya river.
Explore Bangkok →

Photo by Zaonar Saizainalin on Pexels
2
Chiang Mai
Day 4-6

The rose of the north: mountain temples like Doi Suthep, night markets and Lanna cuisine.
Explore Chiang Mai →
3
Chiang Rai & the Golden Triangle
Day 7-8

The dazzling White Temple and the three-country point where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet on the Mekong.
- Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
- Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)
- Golden Triangle Viewpoint (Sop Ruak)
- Mekong River longtail boat trip (Golden Triangle)
- Hall of Opium Museum
4
Sukhothai
Day 9-10

Cycle through the UNESCO-listed historical park of Thailand's first capital, dotted with lotus ponds and giant Buddhas.
- Sukhothai Historical Park
- Wat Mahathat (Sukhothai)
- Wat Si Chum
- Wat Sa Si
- Wat Si Sawai
- Cycling the Historical Park
Explore Sukhothai →
5
Ayutthaya
Day 11-12

Temple ruins wrapped in tree roots in the former royal capital, an easy river cruise from Bangkok.
- Ayutthaya Historical Park
- Wat Mahathat (Ayutthaya)
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram
- Chao Phraya River cruise (Ayutthaya)
Explore Ayutthaya →
6
River Kwai (Kanchanaburi)
Day 13-14

The famous bridge and the moving history of the Death Railway, deep in the jungle west of Bangkok.
- The Bridge on the River Kwai (Death Railway Bridge, Kanchanaburi)
- Thailand-Burma Railway Centre (JEATH War Museum area)
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
- Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
7
Khao Sok National Park
Day 15-16

One of the world's oldest rainforests: limestone cliffs, Cheow Lan lake and a night surrounded by jungle sounds.
- Cheow Lan Lake (Ratchaprapha Dam Reservoir)
- Jungle night sounds experience
- Longtail boat safari on Cheow Lan Lake
8
Koh Samui
Day 17-22

Roughly six days of palm-fringed beaches, beach resorts and slow island life to end the trip.
- Chaweng Beach
- Lamai Beach
- Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai)
- Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Fisherman's Village (Bophut)
Explore Koh Samui →