FAMILY TRIP TO THAILAND

FAMILY TRIP TO THAILAND

Our Family Trip to Thailand: Full Itinerary and Trip Breakdown

As mentioned in my recent YouTube video about my family’s trip to Thailand, I wanted to create a detailed blog post to accompany the video. This post is best enjoyed after watching the video, so if you haven’t seen it yet, you can watch it in full here - https://youtu.be/kSvvqufWipo

Having lived and worked in Thailand for over a decade—first as a teacher and now as a content creator—this trip was the ultimate opportunity to showcase the country I call home to my family. I wanted to create the perfect itinerary, balancing iconic destinations with hidden gems.

So, where did we go, what did we do, and how did we get around? Let’s dive in!

Days 1 & 2: Phuket

Location: Nai Harn Beach
Highlights: Sunset cocktails, hidden beaches, and local hikes

My family flew into Phuket International Airport from the UK via Emirates, and I joined them a couple of days later to give them time to recover from their long flight. We met at Rock Salt, my favorite cocktail bar on Nai Harn Beach (Google Maps link). With its uninterrupted beach views, a serene sunset atmosphere, and happy hour deals, it was the perfect spot to reconnect.

Why Nai Harn?

Phuket is massive and, in my opinion, overrun with tourists in areas like Patong and Karon Beach. Nai Harn offers a more tranquil and authentic experience with hidden beaches and nature trails.

Accommodation Recommendations:

Our 2-Day Breakdown:

  • Day 1:

    • Arrival: Taxi from Phuket Airport to Nai Harn (950 THB)

    • Evening: Sunset drinks at SALT followed by dinner at Unni’s Mexican restaurant (Google Maps link)

  • Day 2:

    • Morning: Run around Nai Harn Lake and beach, then hike to a scenic viewpoint (Google Maps link)

    • Midday: Brunch in Rawai (Google Maps link)

    • Afternoon: Explore secluded beaches (Google Maps link) and hike to the rocks of the cape.

    • Evening: Sunset dinner and kayaking at Yanui Beach.

Days 3–5: Koh Yao Noi

Location: Authentic island vibes
Highlights: Sunrise views, cycling, and sunset beers

A short hop from Phuket, Koh Yao Noi is one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets. Quiet beaches, local charm, and stunning landscapes make it ideal for escaping the crowds.

Getting There:

  • Taxi: Nai Harn to Bang Rong Pier (950 THB)

  • Boat: Speedboat to Koh Yao Noi (550 THB, includes resort transfer)

We stayed at The Coastal Resort, which I highly recommend for its beachfront villas. For a splurge, consider the iconic Six Senses Resort.

Our 3-Day Breakdown:

  • Day 1: Arrive, relax, and take in the stunning ocean views.

  • Day 2: Cycling around the island, with stops at hidden beaches and local eateries.

  • Day 3: Kayaking and sunset drinks at Sunset Bar.

Travel Highlight: Longtail Journey

On departure, we opted for a local longtail boat to Phang Nga Bay Pier (Google Maps link). This 2-hour trip through mangroves and limestone karsts was a journey to remember.

Days 6–7: Khao Sok National Park

Location: Floating resorts on the lake
Highlights: Immersive nature, kayaking, and peaceful solitude

Khao Sok is a natural wonder and an absolute must-see. We stayed at Panvaree The Greenery, a floating resort that organized meals, activities, and transfers.

Pro Tips:

  • Stay two nights on the lake for a full experience.

  • Be prepared for the peaceful rocking of floating rooms at night.

Activities:

  • Kayaking through the emerald waters.

  • Guided jungle treks organized by the resort.

Day 8: Travel Day

This travel day was all about efficiency and making the journey as smooth as possible.

After checking out of Panvaree Resort, the staff transferred us back to the public pier along with the other guests. They also organized a private taxi to take us directly from the pier to Surat Thani Airport. The private hire cost around 2,000–2,500 THB—a worthwhile convenience for our group.

At the pier, we found our driver waiting in the parking lot, and we set off promptly. On the way, we stopped at a nearby viewpoint before continuing to the airport, arriving in good time for our domestic flight to Chiang Mai.

Once we landed, we took a taxi (200 THB) to our hotel in Chiang Mai’s Old City. After checking in, we went for a casual evening stroll, found a local market for dinner, and finished the night with a few drinks at Annie’s Bar. By 10 PM, we were all in bed, wrapping up what was a quick, comfortable, and well-planned travel day.

Days 9–10: Chiang Dao

I love Chiang Mai, but I didn’t want to linger too long as I had planned a stay at a beautiful Airbnb in my favorite northern town, Chiang Dao. This part of the trip was even more special as my girlfriend, Miss P, joined us!

Morning in Chiang Mai

We made the most of our morning in Chiang Mai, starting at 8 AM with a walk through the Old City. We visited a few of my favorite temples and enjoyed a delicious bowl of Khao Soi at this spot (map link).

Journey to Chiang Dao

After checking out, we rented motorbikes for 600 THB/day from this rental shop (link). For my mum and aunt, who weren’t comfortable riding bikes, we arranged a private taxi for 1,500 THB each way with a driver we’d used previously.

The ride to Chiang Dao, about 70 km from Chiang Mai, was scenic and enjoyable. Upon arriving, we checked into our stunning Airbnb (link) and settled into the tranquil surroundings.

Highlights in Chiang Dao

  • Relaxing at the Airbnb and enjoying the serene views.

  • Walks around the area with coffee at this scenic cafe.

  • Visiting Chiang Dao Cave.

  • Burgers and craft beer at this spot.

  • Cocktails at this bar.

  • Exploring the Thursday Market (link).

  • Tea, coffee, and lunch at TATA Cafe.

Day 11: Travel Day to Bangkok

We checked out of our Airbnb at 11 AM and headed back to Chiang Mai. My mum and aunt traveled by private taxi, while the rest of us returned our motorbikes upon arriving in the city.

With two hours before our flight, we indulged in a 60-minute massage at this spa and enjoyed another bowl of Khao Soi at this restaurant.

From there, we took a Grab taxi to the airport for a one-hour flight to Bangkok. On arrival, we split up to check into our respective hotels. Miss P and I simply returned to our apartment in Phrom Phong, my favorite area in Bangkok for its excellent hotels, BTS access, lush parks, and top-tier malls.

That evening, we regrouped, explored the malls, and enjoyed Italian food at this restaurant.

Day 12: Bangkok

Our final day together as a family was spent exploring Bangkok. My aunt expressed interest in seeing a quieter, more authentic side of the city, so I booked a tour with Hidden Bangkok Boat Tours.

The tour began at this pier and took us through Thonburi’s canals, local markets, and unique neighborhoods. Ohm, the owner, was an excellent guide, and we capped off the experience with a few cold beers on the boat.

After the tour, we visited Khao San Road for final drinks and live blues music at Adhere The 13th Blues Bar (link).

Closing Notes

I hope you enjoyed watching the video and reading this detailed recap. A special thanks to Klook for sponsoring the video—check out their site for tours, flights, rentals, and more. Use code PADDYDOYLE for a discount at checkout!

Budget Breakdown

The total cost for this 12-day trip was approximately 164,540 THB or 41,135 THB per person (excluding international flights). Adjust based on your budget by exploring alternative accommodations and activities.

Safe travels to Thailand, and have an amazing time!

Cheers,
Paddy