Thailand Travel: Bangkok, Phuket and a Few Experiences We Won't Forget
From Bangkok’s buzzing streets to Phuket’s tropical coastline, our Thailand trip was the perfect mix of culture, adventure, incredible food and a little bit of luxury.
Thailand has a bit of everything, which is exactly why we wanted to experience it for ourselves. We spent our trip exploring Bangkok and Phuket, mixing the must-see sights with local food, exciting excursions and some much-needed time to relax.
And honestly? Some of the best moments were the ones we hadn’t necessarily planned around.
Bangkok: Temples, Tuk-Tuks and Incredible Food
Our journey started at London Heathrow, flying with Lufthansa via Munich before arriving in Bangkok. After checking into the Radisson Chateau Hotel Bangkok, we headed straight out to explore.
One thing we’ve always been pleased with when staying at Radisson is that familiar feeling when you arrive. Wherever we are, there’s something reassuring about checking in, settling into your room and knowing you can start enjoying the trip. Bangkok was no exception, and it was a great base for our first few days.
We kicked things off at Terminal 21 before visiting an Oktoberfest-themed street market for food and a bit of shopping. It was a fun introduction to the city, but the following day was all about seeing more of Thailand’s culture.
We visited Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, two absolute must-sees if it’s your first time in Bangkok. The architecture, detail and history make them well worth adding to your itinerary.
We also squeezed in some suit shopping, because Bangkok is a brilliant place to look into having something tailored. After grabbing some local food with a tuk-tuk driver, we headed off for what turned out to be one of the biggest highlights of our trip.
Khaan: An 11-Course Tasting Menu We Won’t Forget
If there’s one experience from Bangkok that deserves its own mention, it’s dinner at Khaan.
We went for the 11-course tasting menu, and this was so much more than just going out for dinner. It was a chance to experience Thai cuisine in a completely different way, with a menu built around some fascinating ingredients and flavour combinations.
The menu included dishes featuring crab, pumpkin, pla tu and rose; scallop and caviar; squid with nam prik pao; and a choice of crocodile tongue or beef tongue. Later courses included halibut with Thai curry, followed by a dessert course offering durian or corn with tapioca sago and salted coconut.
Even reading through the menu gives you an idea of how adventurous the experience is. It takes familiar Thai flavours and ingredients and presents them in a much more creative, fine-dining setting.
At 3,850 THB for the 11-course menu, before the listed service charge and VAT, it’s certainly a more special-occasion meal than your average street-food stop. But if you love food and want to experience a different side of Thai cooking, Khaan is one to look into.
Of course, we couldn’t spend our time in Bangkok without enjoying plenty of street food too. In fact, one of our favourite little rituals became grabbing a roti pancake from a street vendor. Our advice? Try one at least once a day. You won’t regret it!
We also visited MBK Centre, stopped by Corgi in the Garden, explored Khao San Road and finished one evening with a Thai massage at Sarin Thai Massage. Khao San Road was another favourite, with its lively atmosphere, food stalls and endless things to see.
Phuket: Adventure, Island Hopping and Time to Unwind
After Bangkok, we flew to Phuket with Bangkok Airways and checked into the Radisson Blu Resort Mai Khao.
Once again, Radisson delivered that familiar welcome we appreciate when arriving somewhere new. We love being able to explore different destinations while still enjoying the reassurance of a hotel brand we know.
Phuket was where we shifted gears, with a mix of adventure-filled days and time to enjoy the resort.
White-Water Rafting and Jungle Adventures
We spent one full day exploring with Hiphuket Travel, taking on 7km of white-water rafting alongside a visit to Monkey Cave and a zip-lining experience.
It was a completely different side of Thailand from the temples and shopping malls of Bangkok, and a great option for anyone who wants to add some adventure to their holiday.
Our Favourite Day: James Bond Island by Catamaran
The highlight of the entire trip was our full-day boat excursion with Seven Plus Travel to James Bond Island.
The trip included a catamaran adventure and a cooking class, with food and drinks provided. Exploring the spectacular limestone scenery around Phang Nga Bay was one of those experiences that makes you glad you travelled in the first place.
If you’re visiting Phuket, I’d definitely look into a boat trip like this. It was one of our favourite days, and the combination of being out on the water and enjoying an organised experience made it a real standout.
A Slower Day in Phuket
After all that activity, we made sure to leave some time to enjoy the resort facilities at Radisson Blu Resort Mai Khao.
Later, we headed into Phuket Old Town, enjoyed a massage and scrub, and finished the day with dinner at Suzifin.
It was the perfect reminder that a great holiday doesn’t have to be packed from morning until night. Sometimes, a slower day is exactly what you need.
We rounded off the trip by flying home to London with Virgin Atlantic, during the airline’s inaugural week on the Phuket route.
Our Top Tips for Visiting Thailand
If you’re planning your own trip, here are three things we’d recommend:
Carry cash. It’s handy for street food, markets and smaller local businesses.
Learn a few Thai phrases. Even a simple hello or thank you is worth knowing.
Embrace everything. Try the food, explore beyond the obvious attractions and leave room for spontaneous plans.
And seriously, don’t forget the roti pancakes!
Ready to Plan Your Own Thailand Adventure?
For us, Thailand was the perfect combination of culture, adventure, food and relaxation. From exploring Bangkok’s famous landmarks to cruising around James Bond Island, every part of the trip offered something different.
At Journey Bespoke, we believe the best trips are the ones that bring together the experiences you love, without the stress of organising every detail yourself.
Whether you’re dreaming of Thailand, planning a multi-stop adventure or simply looking for your next escape, our team can help you bring it all together — from flights and hotels to transfers and experiences.
Your journey starts here. Visit the Journey Bespoke website and let’s start planning your next adventure.
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