Thailand: From Bangkok to the Southern Islands in 2 Weeks

We landed at Suvarnabhumi and the city welcomed us with its unmistakable energy. Bangkok is a perfect blend of ancient tradition and futuristic modernity. We dedicated two full days to exploring the capital. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew are must-sees: the level of detail in the temples is overwhelming. At sunset, we crossed the Chao Phraya River by longtail boat to Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, whose towers gleam in the golden light of dusk. Street food is Bangkok's soul. In Chinatown (Yaowarat) we tried the best pad thai of our lives for just 50 baht (€1.30). Khao San Road stalls are more touristy but equally delicious. We recommend the Amphawa floating market (90 minutes from Bangkok), much more authentic than Damnoen Saduak. Going on a Friday or Saturday evening and staying to watch the fireflies at nightfall is magical.

A short flight took us north to Chiang Mai, Thailand's cultural capital. The atmosphere here is completely different: calmer, greener, more spiritual. The old city is surrounded by a moat and medieval walls, with over 300 temples inside. Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh are the most iconic, but getting lost in the streets and discovering small temples is part of the experience. We climbed Doi Suthep, the mountain temple that watches over the city from above. The panoramic sunset views are spectacular. We visited Elephant Nature Park, an ethical sanctuary where rescued elephants live freely. No riding or shows: simply observing, feeding, and bathing them in the river. A life-changing experience. The Sunday night market on Ratchadamnoen is a feast of flavors, crafts, and live music. Don't miss it.

We flew from Chiang Mai to Krabi to begin the beach portion of our trip. Krabi is the gateway to some of the most spectacular beaches on the planet. Railay Beach is only accessible by boat and worth every second: karst cliffs rising from turquoise waters, hidden caves, and Thailand's best rock climbing. We dedicated a full day to the Phi Phi Islands. Although Maya Bay (the beach from DiCaprio's "The Beach") now has limited access to protect the corals, snorkeling at Pileh Lagoon and Bamboo Island left us speechless. From Krabi, we took a ferry to Koh Lanta, a much quieter and more local island. We spent three days here in a beachfront cabin, dining at beach shacks and watching the most beautiful sunsets of the trip.

Our last destination was Koh Samui, the most developed island in the Gulf of Thailand. Here we combined total relaxation with activities: Ang Thong National Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 protected islands. The speedboat excursion includes snorkeling, kayaking, and climbing to the viewpoint of the inner emerald lake. One of the best excursions of the trip. The Big Buddha temple (Wat Phra Yai) is iconic, with its 12-meter golden statue visible from the plane when landing. For our last night, we chose a resort with an authentic Thai spa. A two-hour Thai massage for €25 is the perfect finale.

**Best time**: November to February (dry and cool season). March-May is very hot. June-October is rainy season (but prices drop significantly). **Visa**: Spanish citizens don't need a visa for stays up to 30 days (extendable to 60 with eVisa). **Currency**: Thai baht (THB). €1 ≈ 38 THB. ATMs charge a 220 THB commission. **Internal transport**: Domestic flights with AirAsia or Nok Air from €15. Island ferries cost €5-15. **Food**: Street food costs €1-3 per dish. A mid-range restaurant, €5-10. **Health**: No mandatory vaccines, but hepatitis A/B and typhoid are recommended. Sunscreen and mosquito repellent are essential. **Tips**: Not mandatory but appreciated. 10% at upscale restaurants.