A road trip planned by Marcus Routledge over 15 days with 16 stops.
Countries: THA
From 2026-03-03T00:00:00.000Z to 2026-03-17T00:00:00.000Z
Thailand
FLIGHTS & AIRPORT HOTELAirport Hotel – Manchester (if used) Holiday Inn Manchester Airport (T2) – IHGhttps://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/gb/en/manchester/manso/hoteldetailOutbound Flight – Manchester → Bangkok Departure: 03/03/2026 – 08:25 (Manchester – MAN)Arrival: 04/03/2026 – 07:10 (Bangkok – BKK)Duration: 15h 45m – 1 stopReturn Flight – Bangkok → Manchester Departure: 17/03/2026 – 02:55 (Bangkok – BKK)Arrival: 17/03/2026 – 12:15 (Manchester – MAN)Duration: 16h 20m – 1 stop
Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri, Thailand
Day 2 – Wed 04/03 – Arrive Bangkok → PattayaArrive Bangkok 07:10 – Land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).Immigration, luggage, customs: ~45–90 minutes.Transfer Bangkok → PattayaHotel for Pattaya: Meliá PattayaOfficial site: https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/pattaya/melia-pattayaOptions from BKK to Pattaya: Taxi (easiest) Time: ~1.5–2.5 hoursCost: ~1,500–2,500 THBFollow airport signs for “Public Taxi” and show “Meliá Pattaya”.Bus + Taxi (cheaper) From BKK Level 1, Gate 8 (e.g., Bell Travel or Roong Reuang).Bus: ~2 hours, 130–300 THB.Then short taxi/Grab in Pattaya to “Meliá Pattaya” (~15–25 minutes).Rest of the Day Check‑in at Meliá Pattaya.Relax after flight – beach walk, local bars, food, early night.Sleep: Meliá Pattaya – Night 1
Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri, Thailand
Day 3 – Thu 05/03 – Pattaya – Free DayIdeas in PattayaSearch these names in Google Maps: “Pattaya Beach”“Walking Street Pattaya”Activities: Beach and swimming.Water sports (parasailing, jet ski, banana boat).Nightlife on Walking Street in the evening.Sleep: Meliá Pattaya – Night 2
Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand
Day 4 – Fri 06/03 – Pattaya → Bangkok → Koh SamuiMorning – Travel Pattaya → Bangkok (BKK) Taxi from Meliá Pattaya to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).Time: ~2–2.5 hours.Leave hotel about 5 hours before your flight to Koh Samui.Example (as noted): 08:00 – Taxi Pattaya → BKK11:00 – Flight BKK → Koh Samui (USM)~12:00 – Land in Koh SamuiFlight – Bangkok → Koh Samui (USM) Usually Bangkok Airways (PG).Flight time: ~1–1h10.Evening – Arrive in Koh Samui Taxi/minivan to your Koh Samui hotel (~15–30 minutes).Dinner and relax by the beach.Sleep: Koh Samui – Night 1 (06/03)
Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand
Day 5 – Sat 07/03 – Koh Samui – Beaches & Fire ShowDaytime – Explore Koh SamuiSearch in Maps: “Chaweng Beach”“Lamai Beach”“Fisherman’s Village Bophut”Activities: Beach time (Chaweng or Lamai).Lunch at a beachfront restaurant or café.Massage and pool time.Evening – Fisherman’s Village & Fire Show Head to Fisherman’s Village, Bophut for shops and restaurants. Watch the nightly fire show at: CocoTam’s Beach Bar (aka CocoTam / CocoTam’s)Search in Maps: “Coco Tam’s Bophut Koh Samui”Typical fire show time: around 19:00–21:15 every night.Sleep: Koh Samui – Night 2
Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand
Day 6 – Sun 08/03 – Koh Samui – Boat Trip, Pig Island & Night MarketDaytime – Boat Trip from Koh Samui Option A – Ang Thong Marine National Park Beautiful islands, snorkelling, kayaking, viewpoints.Info:Ang Thong Marine Park: https://www.thainationalparks.com/ang-thong-national-marine-parkExample tour booking page:https://www.getyourguide.com/koh-samui-l898/ang-thong-national-marine-park-tours-t20434/Option B – Pig Island (Koh Madsum) Search in Maps: “Koh Madsum Pig Island”.Many local tour shops in Chaweng/Bophut offer this.You can often combine snorkelling + Pig Island + nearby island stops in one day tour. Evening – Fisherman’s Village Night Market Return to Fisherman’s Village area.Night market days vary but usually busy on weekends.Great for street food, souvenirs, bars by the beach.Sleep: Koh Samui – Night 3
Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand
Day 7 – Mon 09/03 – Koh Samui → Koh TaoMorning – Transfer to Koh Tao Taxi from your hotel to Koh Samui ferry pier (Nathon / Maenam / Bangrak – depends on your ferry). High‑speed ferry companies (book online or at a travel shop on Samui): Lomprayah High Speed Ferries: https://www.lomprayah.com/Seatran Discovery: https://www.seatrandiscovery.com/Ferry time Samui → Koh Tao: ~1.5–2 hours.Afternoon – Arrive Koh Tao Check in to your Koh Tao hotel.Relax at the beach, go for a swim, sunset drinks.Evening Dinner at a beachfront restaurant.Bars along Sairee Beach if you want nightlife.Sleep: Koh Tao – Night 1 (09/03)
Thailand
Day 8 – Tue 10/03 – Koh Tao → Phuket (Travel Day)Morning Early ferry from Koh Tao to the mainland (Chumphon or Surat Thani) – usually via Lomprayah / Seatran.Daytime – Transfer to Phuket Combination ferry + bus / minivan arranged by the same company,OR ferry + bus to an airport (Surat Thani) and then flight to Phuket.This will likely take most of the day. Evening – Arrive PhuketHotel in Phuket (3 nights): Amari Phuket (5‑star) Official site: https://www.amari.com/phuketCheck‑in, shower, dinner at hotel or in Patong nearby.Sleep: Amari Phuket – Night 1
Thailand
Day 9 – Wed 11/03 – Phuket – Beach & Three Monkeys RestaurantDaytime – Relax in Phuket Enjoy Amari Phuket’s pool, small private beach and spa.Optional walk or short ride to Patong Beach for more atmosphere, cafés and shops.Tree‑Top Restaurant – 3 Monkeys Three Monkeys Restaurant – PhuketOfficial site: https://www.3monkeysphuket.com/Set in the treetops/jungle with great views.Ideal for lunch or sunset dinner (book a table in advance if possible).Evening Either stay out in Phuket Town/Patong or return to relax at hotel.Sleep: Amari Phuket – Night 2
Thailand
Day 10 – Thu 12/03 – Phuket – Phi Phi Islands & Naka Night MarketDay Trip – Phi Phi Islands Famous day tour for snorkelling and scenery. General info: Phi Phi Islands (Tourism Authority):https://www.tourismthailand.org/Destinations/Provinces/phi-phi-islandsExample day tours from Phuket: https://www.getyourguide.com/phuket-l32123/phi-phi-islands-tours-t38032/Book a Phi Phi + Maya Bay + snorkelling style tour. Evening – Naka (Weekend) Night Market Search in Maps: “Phuket Weekend Night Market” or “Naka Market Phuket”.Huge variety of food, clothes, souvenirs and live music/entertainment.Sleep: Amari Phuket – Night 3
Thailand
Day 11 – Fri 13/03 – Phuket → Chiang MaiMorning / Early Afternoon – Free time in Phuket Final swim, spa, brunch at Amari Phuket.Check out and transfer to Phuket Airport (HKT).Flight – Phuket → Chiang Mai (HKT → CNX) Airlines to check: Thai VietJet, Thai AirAsia, Thai Smile, Nok Air (sometimes via Bangkok).Fly to Chiang Mai Airport (CNX), then taxi to your Chiang Mai hotel.Evening – Chiang Mai Check‑in and relax.Explore nearby streets, grab dinner, maybe a foot massage.Sleep: Chiang Mai – Night 1
Thailand
Day 12 – Sat 14/03 – Chiang Mai – Temples, Elephants, Waterfall, CookingMorning – Doi Suthep Temple & Viewpoints Search in Maps: “Wat Phra That Doi Suthep”.Iconic hilltop temple with panoramic views over Chiang Mai.Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered).Daytime – While in Chiang Mai Elephant Nature Park (Ethical Sanctuary) Full‑day or half‑day visit – must be booked in advance.Official website: https://www.elephantnaturepark.org/Waterfall / Nature (Land‑of‑the‑Angels Feel)Search one of these in Maps and choose based on your preference / time: “Bua Thong Sticky Waterfalls” (fun to climb the rocks)“Mae Sa Waterfall”Thai Cooking ClassExcellent options in Chiang Mai (book online): Thai Farm Cooking Schoolhttps://thaifarmcooking.net/Zabb E-Lee Thai Cooking Schoolhttps://zabbelee.com/Evening – Old City & Night MarketsSearch in Maps: “Chiang Mai Old City” (temples, cafés, bars) “Chiang Mai Night Bazaar” (street food and shopping)Sleep: Chiang Mai – Night 2
Thailand
Day 13 – Sun 15/03 – Chiang Mai Free Day → Sleeper Train to BangkokDaytime – Free in Chiang Mai Last‑minute shopping and sightseeing.Cafés, massage, maybe one more temple or market.Evening – Sleeper Train: Chiang Mai → Bangkok Book a night train ticket in advance (1st or 2nd class sleeper) via: 12Go Asia: https://12go.asia/en (very popular for Thai train tickets)Board evening train from Chiang Mai Railway Station. Sleep overnight on the train and arrive Bangkok next morning (Day 14).Sleep: Overnight on sleeper train
Thailand
Day 14 – Mon 16/03 – Bangkok – Markets, Temples, Chinatown, MallsArrive in Bangkok (Hua Lamphong station or new station depending on train).Transfer to your Bangkok hotel (ideally near the airport or central, but with easy airport access). Floating Markets & Railway Market (Day Trip)Often combined in one tour: Maeklong Railway Market – train passes through the middle of the market.Damnoen Saduak Floating MarketSometimes also Amphawa Floating Market.Example combined tour booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/bangkok-l169/maeklong-railway-market-damnoen-saduak-floating-market-t142555/Bangkok Temples & Palace The Grand Palace Info: https://www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/the-grand-palaceSearch in Maps: “The Grand Palace Bangkok”Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Search in Maps: “Wat Pho Bangkok”Evening – Chinatown & Big Malls Chinatown (Yaowarat Road) Search: “Yaowarat Road Chinatown Bangkok”Amazing for street food and neon atmosphere.Big shopping malls (choose one or two): ICONSIAM – huge riverside mallWebsite: https://www.iconsiam.com/enCentralWorldWebsite: https://www.centralworld.co.th/Siam ParagonWebsite: https://www.siamparagon.co.th/Late Evening / Night Return to hotel, shower, pack, short rest.You’ll be heading to the airport around midnight for your flight.
Thailand
Day 14 – Mon 16/03 – Bangkok – Markets, Temples, Chinatown, MallsArrive in Bangkok (Hua Lamphong station or new station depending on train).Transfer to your Bangkok hotel (ideally near the airport or central, but with easy airport access). Floating Markets & Railway Market (Day Trip)Often combined in one tour: Maeklong Railway Market – train passes through the middle of the market.Damnoen Saduak Floating MarketSometimes also Amphawa Floating Market.Example combined tour booking: https://www.getyourguide.com/bangkok-l169/maeklong-railway-market-damnoen-saduak-floating-market-t142555/Bangkok Temples & Palace The Grand Palace Info: https://www.tourismthailand.org/Attraction/the-grand-palaceSearch in Maps: “The Grand Palace Bangkok”Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Search in Maps: “Wat Pho Bangkok”Evening – Chinatown & Big Malls Chinatown (Yaowarat Road) Search: “Yaowarat Road Chinatown Bangkok”Amazing for street food and neon atmosphere.Big shopping malls (choose one or two): ICONSIAM – huge riverside mallWebsite: https://www.iconsiam.com/enCentralWorldWebsite: https://www.centralworld.co.th/Siam ParagonWebsite: https://www.siamparagon.co.th/Late Evening / Night Return to hotel, shower, pack, short rest.You’ll be heading to the airport around midnight for your flight.
Thailand
Day 15 – Tue 17/03 – Fly Home – Bangkok → ManchesterVery Early Morning – Airport & Flight 00:00–00:30 – Aim to check in at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).02:55 – Depart Bangkok (BKK) → Manchester (MAN).12:15 – Land in Manchester the same day (17/03/2026).
3 Mar 2026 - 17 Mar 2026