Thailand Itinerary by Activity: 5 Routes for Divers, Beach Lovers, Culture Seekers & More

Not everyone who comes to Thailand wants the same thing. Some want to dive. Some want to lie on a beach. Some want temples and markets. Some want nightlife. Some are traveling with family and want a mix of adventure and comfort.

This guide gives you five completely different 2-week itineraries. Pick the one closest to your style, adjust as needed, and go.

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Track 1: The Diver's Thailand (2 Weeks)

Route: Bangkok (2 nights, transit) → Koh Tao (7–10 nights) → Koh Phangan (2 nights, recovery) → Fly home from Koh Samui

Best for: Anyone getting (or advancing) their PADI certification, or those who want 7+ days underwater.

Why Koh Tao

Koh Tao is the cheapest place on Earth to get your Open Water certification. In Europe or the US, you'll pay 40,000B (~USD 1100). In Koh Tao, it's 10,000–13,000B (~USD 280–360). This is real.

The island has 25+ dive sites, excellent visibility in dry season (June–September), and dive schools that aren't cutting corners.

The Schedule

Days 1–2: Bangkok

Arrive, sleep, eat. You need one day to adjust. Don't waste it diving.

Days 3–9: Koh Tao (Open Water certification)

• Days 3–6: PADI Open Water course (4 days, 10,000–13,000B depending on school). Courses run daily. Pick a school carefully: Big Blue, Crystal, and New Heaven are reputable and safety-focused.
• Structure: Pool training in day 1–2, open water dives on days 3–4. You'll do four dives total. Each dive is shallower than the previous, teaching skills progressively.
• Days 7–9: Fun dives. Once certified, you can dive without an instructor (with a buddy). Popular sites: White Rock, Chumphon Pinnacle (30-minute boat ride, advanced but stunning), Southwest Pinnacle.

Budget: Koh Tao (7 nights)

• Accommodation: 400–700B/night (dorm to private room)
• Certification: 10,000–13,000B (one time)
• Fun dives: 1200–1500B per dive (boat, guide, equipment)
• Food: 100–250B/meal
• Daily total (with dives): 1500–2500B

Days 10–11: Koh Phangan (Recovery)

You'll be tired after 7 days of diving. Koh Phangan offers beach time without the party intensity of Full Moon week. Hat Rin beach is quiet outside party week. Bottle Beach is isolated and stunning (reachable only by longtail boat, 300B).

Sleep, swim, eat, recovery.

Accommodation: 400–600B/night

Day 12–14: Travel Home

Fly from Koh Samui (short ferry or speedboat from Phangan) back to Bangkok, then international flight.

If You're Already Certified

Skip the course and dive more:

• Days 3–11: All dives. Explore 10+ sites, take an advanced specialty (deep diving, drift diving, etc.)
• Days 12–14: Travel

Advanced dives to book from Koh Tao:

• Chumphon Pinnacle (60 meters, 30 minutes by boat): Rocks surrounded by water, attracts large fish schools. Stunning.
• Southwest Pinnacle (40 meters): Similar to Chumphon, less boat time.
• Shark Point: Reef sharks are common.

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Track 2: The Beach Lover's Thailand (2 Weeks)

Route: Bangkok (2 nights) → Koh Phangan (4 nights) → Koh Tao (3 nights, snorkeling not diving) → Koh Lanta (4 nights) → Krabi (1 night)

Best for: Those who want variety—Gulf islands, Andaman islands, different vibes.

Critical: This works only November to April. Both coasts need to be in dry season. May–October, stick to Gulf islands only (Phangan and Tao). Andaman swells make Koh Lanta rough.

Days 1–2: Bangkok

Transit sleep.

Days 3–6: Koh Phangan

The island has two sides:

Hat Rin (party side):

• Full Moon Party happens monthly (dates vary—check online before booking)
• Outside party week, Hat Rin is quiet and unremarkable
• If you time it right, arrive 2–3 days before the party to enjoy the buildup and nightlife

Beyond Hat Rin (quiet side):

• Bottle Beach: Reachable only by longtail boat (300B one-way), gorgeous white sand, only a handful of bungalows, incredibly peaceful
• Haad Yuan and Haad Salad: North-side beaches, quiet, locals frequent them
• Thong Nai Pan: Split bay, both sides beautiful, good snorkeling

Accommodation: 400–700B/night (dorm to private)

Food and drink: 100–400B per meal depending on where you eat

Days 7–9: Koh Tao (Snorkeling, not diving)

If you didn't dive here, spend 3 days snorkeling. The reefs are excellent. Snorkel boats run 600–900B for a half-day tour (usually 2 sites). You can also snorkel from shore at several beaches.

Good snorkel spots from shore:

• Sairee Beach (north side): Easy entry, fish immediately
• Tanote Bay (east side): Rock formations, good fish diversity

Accommodation: 300–600B/night (guesthouses are cheaper when not diving)

Days 10–13: Koh Lanta (Andaman islands switch)

This requires a ferry transfer. Ferry from Chumphon (Koh Tao departure point) goes to Surat Thani or Krabi. From there, southbound ferry to Koh Lanta (2–3 hours more).

Why Koh Lanta: It's slower and quieter than Koh Phangan. Fewer backpackers, more couples and families. Longer beaches. Good for 2–3 days of just lying around.

Saladan Pier (west side) has shops and restaurants.

Klong Dao Beach is the main beach—1km of sand, quiet, locals outnumber tourists.

Khlong Khong Beach (south): Smaller, more secluded.

Snorkeling: Day trips to Coral Islands run 900–1200B. Or rent a snorkel, walk into shallow water, and go.

Accommodation: 400–700B/night

Best for: Couples, slow travelers, people who want beach without party energy

Days 14–15: Krabi (Overnight, then fly home)

Krabi is a gateway—Phi Phi boats, Railay Beach access, airport. One night is enough. Rest, get dinner, catch a morning flight.

Accommodation: 500–800B/night

Total Budget (2 weeks)

• Accommodation: ~8500B
• Ferries and boats: ~2500B
• Food: ~6000B (150–200B average per meal)
• Activities and snorkeling: ~3000B
• Total: ~20,000B (~USD 560), or ~1400B per day

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Track 3: The Culture Seeker's Thailand (2 Weeks)

Route: Bangkok (4 nights) → Ayutthaya day trip → Chiang Mai (4 nights) → Chiang Rai (2 nights) → Bangkok (1 night)

Best for: History lovers, temple enthusiasts, people who want the "real" Thailand.

Days 1–4: Bangkok (Deep Dive)

Most guides say "see Bangkok in 2 days." Don't. Spend 4 days and you'll actually understand it.

Day 1:

• Grand Palace and Wat Pho (morning/early afternoon)
  • Book tickets online to skip lines. Dress code: covered shoulders and knees (sarongs provided but bring your own to be safe)
  • Grand Palace is stunning, ornate, historical—home of the King
  • Wat Pho sits next to it, houses the famous Reclining Buddha (46 meters long, gold-plated)
  • Go early (8am opening) to beat crowds
  • Allow 3 hours total
  • Entrance: 500B Grand Palace, 200B Wat Pho (or combined tickets 600B)

Day 2:

• Chinatown street food tour (evening)
  • Yaowarat is Bangkok's Chinatown, chaotic and electric
  • Street food: meatball soup (clear broth, 20B), grilled squid skewers (50B), mango sticky rice (30B)
  • Go at dusk (5–6pm) when the street food stalls open
  • Spend 3–4 hours eating
  • Join a food tour (500–1500B) if you want structure and history, or go solo if you're comfortable navigating chaos

Day 3:

• Floating Market and Canal Tour (morning)
  • Damnoen Saduak is the famous one (100km, 2 hours), but touristy
  • Amphawa is closer (30km) and more local (go Thursday–Sunday when vendors are out)
  • Longtail boat tour: 200–500B depending on length and negotiation
  • Breakfast from boat vendors: mango pancakes, noodle soup
  • 2 hours in the market is plenty

Day 4:

• Contemporary art and Chatuchak Market
  • MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art): 300B, excellent if you like modern Thai and Southeast Asian art
  • Chatuchak Market: Massive weekend market (15,000 stalls), browse for 3–4 hours. No ticket, it's free to walk.
  • Wear comfortable shoes—you will walk for hours

Accommodation: 500–1000B/night (mid-range hotels or hostels)

Food: 100–400B per meal (street food cheap, restaurants pricey)

Day 5: Ayutthaya Day Trip

Travel: Train from Bangkok central station or minivan from Khao San Road

• Train: 15B, 1.5 hours, departs hourly. Historic and atmospheric.
• Minivan: 100–150B, 1.5 hours, more direct

What to see:

Ayutthaya was Thailand's capital for 400 years (1351–1767) before the Burmese destroyed it. The ruins are haunting.

• Wat Phra Si Sanphet (largest temple complex): Entrance 100B, three large chedis (stupas), beautiful grounds, peaceful
• Wat Mahathat: The famous temple with a Buddha head growing inside a tree—serene photo, 100B entrance
• Elephant kraal (old elephant stables): 200B, less touristy than most sites
• Take a longtail boat tour around the island's canals (200–400B for 1–2 hours). The town sits on an island surrounded by water.

Spend: Full day, leave Bangkok 7am, return 6pm. Hire a motorbike guide locally (200–300B) or join a group tour (500–1000B).

Days 6–9: Chiang Mai (Going Deep)

Chiang Mai is the cultural heart of Northern Thailand.

Day 6 (Temples):

Do the temple circuit in the old city. You can walk or rent a bicycle (50–100B/day).

• Wat Chedi Luang (city center): Enormous ancient chedi damaged in an earthquake. Atmospheric and genuine. 40B entrance.
• Wat Phra Singh (west old city): Beautiful Lanna architecture, peaceful gardens. 40B.
• Wat Suan Dok (university area): Working temple, less touristy, monks study here. 40B.
• Wat Chiang Man (old city): Thailand's first temple, Buddha images from Sri Lanka. 40B.

Walk between them (1–2 hours for all four), enjoy coffee and khao soi (Chiang Mai's famous curry noodles) for lunch.

Day 7 (Mountains and Nature):

• Doi Suthep Temple (golden temple on mountain, 15km from city)
  • Songthaew from city center: 100B
  • Entrance: 30B
  • Cable car to top (optional): 100B round trip
  • Sunset views over the city
  • Spend 1.5 hours

Day 8 (Cooking Class):

Chiang Mai is the cooking class capital of Thailand. It's worth doing one.

• Cost: 1000–1800B per person, full-day class
• Structure: Market tour in morning (learn ingredients), return to cooking school, cook 4–5 dishes, eat what you made
• Popular schools: Thai Farm Cooking School, Krachai Cooking School, Racha Thai Cooking
• Book in advance: Most have 2–3 classes daily, fill up

Day 9 (Evening and Walking Street):

• Sunday Walking Street (if you're there on Sunday):

  • Entire old city closes to cars, becomes a night market
  • Crafts, clothes, food stalls, live music
  • 6pm to midnight
  • Free to walk, budget 200–500B for shopping/eating

• If not Sunday:

  • Explore night markets (Monday Walking Street is smaller, Saturday Night Bazaar is commercial)
  • Get a traditional Thai massage (150–250B/hour)
  • Have dinner at a local restaurant

Accommodation: 400–700B/night (mid-range hotels, good guesthouses)

Food: 40–200B per meal (local food cheap, tourist restaurants 300–600B)

Days 10–11: Chiang Rai (Temple Triangle)

Chiang Rai is smaller and quieter than Chiang Mai. It's 3 hours north by minivan (150–200B).

The "Temple Triangle" (literally three temples close together):

• Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)

  • Thailand's most photographed temple (Instagram famous for a reason)
  • Modern construction (built 1997), brilliant white, reflecting pools
  • Go early: Arrive 8am before tour groups descend. Entrance 50B.
  • Spend 45 minutes
  • Dress code strictly enforced: covered shoulders and knees

• Wat Rong Suea Ten (Blue Temple)

  • Built more recently, cobalt blue interior, less famous
  • Entrance 50B
  • Less crowded than White Temple
  • Spend 30 minutes

• Baan Dam (Black House)

  • Private museum (Baan = house, Dam = black)
  • Artist's collection of dark teak buildings filled with art and oddities
  • Entrance 100B
  • Spend 45 minutes (quirky, worth seeing once)

All three are within 15km. Hire a motorbike (150B/day) or tuk-tuk (500–800B for full day).

Optional: Golden Triangle

The famous "intersection" where Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos meet. Admittedly touristy, but historically interesting. Viewpoint is free. Border town of Chiang Khong is 1 hour further north if you want to cross into Laos (but that's another visa situation).

Accommodation: 300–600B/night (Chiang Rai is cheaper than Chiang Mai)

Day 12: Return to Bangkok

Overnight flight or morning flight from Chiang Rai (short flight to Bangkok, 1 hour, 800–1200B), or 12-hour overnight bus (400–600B).

Thai Etiquette Primer (For Culture Seekers)

These matter and people notice:

• The Wai (greeting): Hands together at chest level, slight bow. Age/status determines height—equals at chest, elders at face level. Return the greeting.
• Royal family rules: Don't disrespect the King, Queen, or symbols (flag, currency). Criticizing them in public is illegal.
• In temples: Remove shoes, wear covering (shoulders and knees), be quiet, don't point at Buddha images.
• Photos: Ask before photographing people, especially monks and hill tribe members. "Kop khun" after.
• Feet: Pointing feet at people (or Buddha images) is rude. Keep feet to yourself.
• Chopsticks: Not used for eating rice—use a spoon. Forks are secondary.

Total Budget (14 days, Culture Track)

• Accommodation: ~8000B
• Food: ~6000B (eating local, some nice restaurants)
• Transport: ~2500B (trains, buses, songthaews)
• Entrance fees: ~1500B (temples, museums)
• Activities: ~2000B (cooking class, tours)
• Total: ~20,000B (~USD 560), or ~1400B per day

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Track 4: The Nightlife Thailand (2 Weeks)

Route: Bangkok (4 nights) → Koh Samui (2 nights) → Koh Phangan Full Moon (2–3 nights) → Phuket Patong (3 nights) → Bangkok (1 night)

Best for: Party travelers, nightlife enthusiasts, those wanting late nights and energetic vibe.

Days 1–4: Bangkok Nightlife

Bangkok's nightlife is varied—backpacker chaos, Thai clubbing, LGBTQ+ scene, rooftop bars.

Sukhumvit Soi 11 (Backpacker Central)

• Open-air bars, live music, beer pong, travelers from everywhere
• Cheapish beer (80–150B), easy social scene
• Walking street, can bar-hop easily
• Vibe: Fun, chaotic, young, loud
• Best: Thursday–Saturday

RCA (Royal City Avenue) (Thai Clubbing)

• Street of clubs where Thai locals go to dance
• Clubs: Cosmic Bowl, Route 66, Bash, Onyx
• More expensive than Sukhumvit (drinks 150–300B), better production
• Vibe: High-energy, mostly Thai, good DJs
• Best: Friday–Saturday nights (opens ~11pm)
• Language barrier a bit higher (fewer English speakers)

Khao San Road (The Legend)

• Chaotic, hectic, backpacker-heavy, slightly sketchy
• A rite of passage for many travelers
• Go once, drink a bucket (200–400B for half-liter of spirits + mixer), have a story
• Don't lose your belongings
• Vibe: Truly anything goes

Silom Area (LGBTQ+ Hub and Late-Night Food)

• Bangkok's LGBTQ+ district, very welcoming, diverse
• Clubs: DJ Station, Stranger, Sphinx
• Also: Silom has the city's best late-night food scene (skewers, noodles, rice)
• Vibe: Inclusive, fun, slightly more upscale
• Best: Friday–Saturday nights

Pre-drink spots:

• Sky Bar/Vertigo (rooftop bars, expensive but stunning): 600–1500B per drink, sunset views
• Cheap beer at 7-Eleven: 50–80B for a can, drink at a street-side table, watch Bangkok

Days 5–6: Koh Samui

Koh Samui is party-lite compared to Phangan. Chaweng Beach is the main strip (nightlife, bars, restaurants).

Nightlife is okay here—bars, clubs, go-go bars. But you're coming for the Full Moon Party, so just sleep and prepare.

Accommodation: 500–900B/night (Chaweng area)

Food: 100–300B per meal

Days 7–9: Koh Phangan Full Moon Party

Critical Information:

• Full Moon Party happens monthly on the night before the actual full moon date
• The party is on Hat Rin Beach
• Expect 10,000–20,000 people on the beach, fire dancers, buckets of alcohol, anything goes
• It's genuinely wild, genuinely fun, genuinely chaotic

Before You Go:

• Check the Full Moon date online (alternates, ~29.5 days apart)
• Arrive 2–3 days early to explore the island, get acclimated, build energy
• Accommodation gets expensive and books up—book 2 weeks in advance
• If parties aren't your thing, skip this; Koh Phangan is beautiful beyond the party

Party Night:

• Arrive on Hat Rin beach by sunset (people start gathering at 6pm)
• Entry is officially free, but vendors sell drink packages (600–1500B) or you buy individual buckets (200–400B, ~half-liter of spirits + mixer)
• Fire dancers spin fire poi starting at dark (8pm)
• DJ stages are set up, music goes all night
• People paint, wear body paint, glow sticks, minimal clothing is normal
• Sunrise (around 6am) usually marks the wind-down
• Beach gets rowdy—full-contact dancing, swimming, chaos

Safety reminders:

• Go with friends, stay together
• Never leave your drink unattended
• Watch your phone and valuables (pickpockets exist)
• Don't trust strangers about where to go after the party
• Taxis back to accommodation are available (200–300B) but negotiated—agree price first
• If you feel unsafe, go to a bar or hotel lobby
• Drink water between alcohol—dehydration hits hard

Budget for the party:

• Drinks: 1000–2000B (one night)
• Accommodation: 600–1200B/night (peak prices)
• Food: 100–300B/meal
• Transport to beach: 50–100B

Days 7–9 alternatives: Not partying? Koh Phangan has other beaches (Bottle Beach, Haad Yuan, Salad Beach) that are peaceful and beautiful.

Days 10–12: Phuket Patong

Phuket is Thailand's largest island, and Patong Beach is the most developed. It's party-central—louder and more commercialized than Full Moon.

Bangla Walking Street (Neon Main Street)

• The hectic heart of Patong
• Go-go bars, clubs, street vendors, ladyboys, loud music, bright lights
• Every other storefront is a bar
• Vibe: Tourist nightlife, commercial, explicit, available 24 hours
• Don't: Leave valuables unattended, drink with strangers, wander alone very late

Sky Bar and Rooftop Clubs

• Illuzion (megaclub, international DJs, 500B entry typically includes 1 drink, 150–300B per drink after)
• Catch by Similan (rooftop bar, upscale, 200–600B drinks)
• KEE Sky Lounge (upscale rooftop, sunset recommended, 300–800B drinks)

Late-night/After-hours:

• Club Illuzion goes until 4am
• Some bars 24 hours

Not all nightlife: Patong also has good beaches, Thai massage, restaurants. You can have a balanced trip if you want.

Accommodation: 500–1200B/night (Patong ranges from cheap to luxury)

Food: 100–400B per meal

Day 13: Return to Bangkok

Early flight or overnight transport back to Bangkok. Rest before your international flight home.

Total Budget (14 days, Nightlife Track)

• Accommodation: ~10,500B (higher prices due to party locations)
• Food: ~6000B
• Drinks and nightlife: ~8000B (Full Moon party alone 1500–2000B)
• Transport: ~2500B
• Total: ~27,000B (~USD 750), or ~1900B per day

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Track 5: The Family Thailand (2 Weeks)

Route: Bangkok (3 nights) → Chiang Mai (3 nights) → Koh Samui (5 nights) → Bangkok (1 night)

Best for: Families, groups of friends who want comfort, people who want adventure mixed with ease.

Note: "Family" here means group travel with some structure and comfort, not strictly children and parents.

Days 1–3: Bangkok Family-Friendly

Safari World (animal park, chaotic but popular)

• 850B entrance
• Large animal area where you drive through (giraffe feeding, zebra, ostrich)
• Separate show area (dolphin show, bird show, acrobatic show)
• Full day activity
• It's touristy and animals are kept in pens, but kids love it

Lumphini Park (free, peaceful)

• Central Bangkok park, Thai people exercising, paddleboats
• 2–3 hour walk
• Rent paddleboats: 50B per person
• Free, very local experience

MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art)

• 250B entrance
• 3 floors of modern Thai and Southeast Asian art
• Interesting for all ages
• 1.5–2 hours

Chatuchak Weekend Market

• Massive market, free to walk
• 15,000 stalls—food, clothes, home goods, art
• 3–4 hours of browsing
• Great lunch: find a food stall, sit, eat

Sky Train (BTS)

• AC, fast, connects across the city
• 15–55B depending on distance
• Ride it for fun—the views are good

Accommodation: 700–1500B/night (hotels, not hostels—worth the upgrade for families)

Food: 100–400B per meal (family restaurants, not fancy)

Days 4–6: Chiang Mai Family

Elephant Nature Park (ethical elephant sanctuary, the ONLY choice)

• 2500–3500B per person
• Half-day or full-day options
• You walk with rescued elephants, bathe them, feed them
• No riding, no shows, no animal labor
• The elephants are genuinely rescued and retired from logging
• Takes 3–4 hours
• Avoid: All other "elephant camps" that involve elephant riding or tricks—these are abusive

Cooking Class

• 1000–1800B per person, full day
• Kids enjoy it—they cook, eat what they made
• Families often do group classes

Chiang Mai Night Safari (Zoo with night viewing)

• 1200B entrance
• Ride a tram through the zoo at night
• See animals by night, different behavior than daytime
• 2–3 hours
• Less educational but visually interesting

Old City and Temples

• Walk around, see temples, relax
• Hire a tuk-tuk (300–600B for few hours), have driver take you to temples

Sunday Walking Street (if there)

• Market, food, shopping
• 2–3 hours of browsing

Mountain biking tours

• Local operators rent bikes and lead tours through rice paddies
• 800–1500B, half-day
• Scenic and active

Accommodation: 600–1200B/night (mid-range, safe areas like Nimmanhaemin or Old City)

Food: 50–200B per meal (local food cheap, family restaurants moderate)

Days 7–11: Koh Samui (Family Beach Base)

Koh Samui is more family-friendly than Koh Phangan (no party vibe). Use it as a base for 5 days.

Chaweng Beach Main

• 3km of sand, shops, restaurants, calm water (usually)
• Stay in a mid-range hotel here, walk to restaurants
• Good for swimming

Fisherman's Village, Bophut (nearby, charming)

• Small historic village turned low-key tourist area
• Colorful wooden shophouses, local restaurants, artisan shops
• Walk around, eat fresh seafood, browse shops
• 30 minutes from Chaweng

Ang Thong Marine Park Day Trip (snorkeling)

• 1200–1500B per person, full day
• Speedboat or longtail boat takes you to islands
• Snorkel 2–3 sites (great visibility, tropical fish)
• Lunch on beach
• Return by 5pm
• Ideal for families who want snorkeling without diving

Chaloem Phrakiat Park (waterfall)

• 30km from Chaweng, waterfall in jungle
• Less touristy than Erawan Falls
• Entrance 50B
• 2–3 hour half-day trip
• Kids love playing in the pool below the waterfall

Relax

• Days at the beach, swim, read, rest
• Get Thai massage (150–250B/hour)
• Eat fresh seafood for dinner

Accommodation: 700–1500B/night (mid-range beach hotels)

Food: 100–400B per meal (beach area higher than local)

Day 12–13: Return to Bangkok

Flight or overnight transport. Sleep.

Safety and Comfort (Family-Focused)

• Stay in established hotels, not random guesthouses
• Keep kids hydrated—dehydration is real
• Sunscreen every day (equator sun)
• Avoid street food at first, stick to established restaurants until your stomach adjusts
• Taxis/Grab better than tuk-tuks with kids and luggage
• Tap water isn't safe to drink—buy bottled water

Total Budget (14 days, Family Track)

• Accommodation: ~11,000B (better hotels)
• Food: ~7000B
• Activities: ~6000B (Elephant park, Marine Park, safari, cooking)
• Transport: ~2500B
• Total: ~26,500B (~USD 740), or ~1900B per day

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How to Choose Your Track

• Diving? Go Track 1.
• Beaches? Track 2.
• Temples and history? Track 3.
• Clubs and parties? Track 4.
• Comfort and variety? Track 5.

Mix and match: If you want 70% diving and 30% beach, take Track 1 but add 2–3 beach days at the end. If you want culture but also party, combine Track 3 (Bangkok and Chiang Mai) with 3 days in Phuket Patong.

The point: Pick a framework, adjust to your interests, and go.