Southern Thailand is the best destination for awesome white sandy beaches, temples, amazing street food, and a strong cultural heritage. This huge country is just full of attractions. If you are getting overwhelmed planning your trip. Then this post will help you plan your Southern Thailand itinerary.
The Best Time to Plan Your Southern Thailand itinerary
In southern Thailand, the climate is really different between the eastern and western coasts. The west coast is considered more favorable from November to February, as diving and snorkeling will be at their best.
Meanwhile, the weather on the east coast is stable and usually good for most of the year. The driest months are January and February. November is the wettest one.
On the other hand, April and May, November and December are the busiest months. Those months combine holidays and a comfortable climate which encourages travelers to visit southern Thailand.
To avoid temples and beaches packed with tourists and backpackers, go in January or February. Cities and beaches that you will see during your southern Thailand itinerary are much less crowded with people and still offer sunny, bearably hot weather.
Generally, flights and accommodation will be cheaper during the low season between March and October. For example, worldwide, the cheapest flights to Bangkok and Phuket are in September and April.
We visited Thailand on a 500€ flight in September, and the weather was just great.
The Ultimate Southern Thailand Itinerary
Day 1: Explore the Neighborhood in Phuket
The island is around 40 km long. You can get around either on a Tuk Tuk or Grab (or the usual Taxi – See my recommendations about transportation further below in the post). The airport to downtown is around 32 km and takes about 50 minutes, depending on traffic.
Phuket is the most famous island in Southern Thailand itinerary, and it is almost all year long packed with tourists. That is why I don’t recommend spending more than 2 days on this island. Nevertheless, there are many things to see in Phuket, the most interesting ones are:
Take a Walk in Phuket Old Town
Phuket Old Town is the provincial capital of Phuket. The town is vibrant with temples, beautiful shophouses, and small printing shops. While spending a night in Phuket’s old town, you will feel the Thai vibes everywhere.
Day 2: Visit Phang Nga Bay
There are many day trips from Phuket to Phang Nga Bay with speedboats. You can check the offers at the property where you are staying or in the old town. The way up there takes a couple of hours. This bay is home to more than 40 small islands that emerge straight out of the sea. The area is also full of lagoons and caves. Although they are all worth seeing, seeing everything in one day could be a real challenge.
Day 3-4: Go to Koh Yao Yai
This is where you will have a break from the crowds and enjoy authentic Thai nature. Koh Yao Yai is famous for its calm atmosphere and untouched beaches.
You can get there from Bangrong Pier with a speed boat or the public ferry. The speed boat departs every hour from 6:30 to 16:30. However, the public ferry departs less often. The boats will take you straight to Klong Hia Pier on Koh Yao Yai. Check the ferry schedule link I added in the transportation paragraph.
Offer Yourself a Night in Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort
My beloved wife discovered this hotel when we were planning our honeymoon trip as it had just opened back in 2014. It was by far the best experience in our Southern Thailand itinerary. By the time, it was not as famous as today. Nevertheless, at least a one-night stay there is really worth it.
The hotel has awesome wood architecture, and the rooms are situated on a neighboring mountain to enjoy the scenic view. The service there is unique, including the free Tuk Tuk’s that drive you all the way up and down to your room at any time.
Check here to check the rates on booking and make sure to spend a night there. We really recommend it.
In Koh Yao Yai, take the time to walk at the beach and visit the local restaurants in the neighborhood. The people there are really welcoming, and it one of the best islands to visit in Thailand.
You can also do several activities, from visiting coconut plantations to getting to Koh Yao Yai viewpoint: Khun Coco, Yao Yai Mangroves.
Day 5-7: Head to Krabi
Krabi is another famous tourist destination in Thailand. It is just 30 minutes away from Koh Yao Yai with a speedboat. Yet it has some hidden gems worth visiting which are not really crowded.
Book one night at Railay Beach
It is a popular spot there. Actually, it’s a beach that is framed by huge karts cliffs and very beautiful to see.
On the day after, it is time to go to Koh Lanta. It’s calm, relaxed, with fewer tourists. You can easily find transfer options in Krabi town or at the hotel where you are staying at Railay Beach.
Time to Check Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is a must for your Southern Thailand itinerary. On the island, the best thing is island hopping with a longtail boat. Our advice is to have your own boat and customize the tour according to the driver’s experience to avoid the crowds.
Krabi area is full of such tours, and most agencies follow the same path. So if you want to relax on empty beaches and enjoy nature without the crowds. Get your own guide.
If you manage to find a group of 3-4 people, then each one of you would pay exactly the same price as on an organized tour.
Day 8-10 are Koh Phi Phi Time!
From Koh Lanta, you will find many boat operators transferring to Koh Phi Phi. You can check the ferry schedules and prices here while keeping an eye on the prices onsite. In fact, they are usually cheaper.
Koh Phi Phi is a very famous backpacker destination in the Southern Thailand itinerary. Arriving at the pier, we felt a little overwhelmed about how busy and active the small island is. The nightlife here is also well-known. So don’t be surprised when you find people partying at the beach the whole night long.
On Koh Phi Phi, we recommend booking your stay away from the main area. Phi Phi is a small island with no cars, and everything can be reached within a 20-minute walk.
We stayed at Phi Phi Sea Sky Resort, a 17-minute walk from the beach and not very noisy.
In Koh Phi Phi, the famous thing you can do is island hopping and visiting James Bond Island. You will find many agencies on-site which provide good service at reasonable prices.
Day 11 Back to Phuket
Just take the speed boat back to Phuket, many ones depart each day, and the journey takes a couple of hours. Book your ticket on-site, and don’t book it online. Online prices are more expensive.
What you should know before visiting Southern Thailand
Before visiting a country, it is always helpful to know a couple of things in advance:
Thailand is the Country of Smiling Faces
Thailand is all about smiling faces, and it is one of the engines of the tourism industry. However, in the main tourist hubs, you might meet some not-very-smiling Thai people. That’s because they are dealing with annoying tourists the whole day, kinda understandable.
Nevertheless, this does not mean we generalize a whole country. On the contrary, Thailand is among the friendliest nations around the world. Thai people are always willing to help out a stranger.
Thailand is a Very Popular Tourist Destination
The north is full of French, and the islands in the South of Russians. Of course, the Chinese, American, British, Australians, and other westerners are everywhere. But don’t worry, we are detailing some off-the-beaten-path spots in Thailand in this article if you don’t like touristy places like us.
What to Expect on Thailand Islands
Generally, the islands in Thailand are all about drinking and wild partying. However, on each one of them, you can find calm corners where you can enjoy nature and the beach really in a good way.
It’s all About Service
In Thailand (also in Laos and Cambodia), every hostel is a travel agency and a restaurant. So once you stay at one, you will have no problems planning your day trips and your next stops while enjoying the good food.
Don’t Trust the Monkeys
They sometimes look cute. Be careful. They are not. Monkeys in Thailand are so used to the kindness of tourists that they learned how to take advantage of that. They became rude and fearless.
Monkeys are famous for funny scenes, though. They will climb up to people and steal sunglasses, hats, cameras, or bottles. So be careful. Don’t let a monkey ruin your Thailand holiday.
Practical things to remember on your Southern Thailand itinerary
Don’t Be Afraid of Improvising!
Thailand is a rich country. Don’t book and plan everything in advance, as it will be challenging to change plans later. If you like a place more than the other, then you can decide to stay longer there.
Don’t worry about transportation. You will find many options and other alternatives onsite. Local people know very well and are always keen to help.
The Rainy Season is Relative
The rainy season is not the same time everywhere. In Southern Thailand alone, it could be rainy season on the east coast but not on the west coast. On a long trip, you could move around the whole region to enjoy the best weather and avoid monsoons.
Rent Motorbikes!
While you can get to most tourist spots using tuk-tuks, renting a scooter (motorbike) is totally worth it in terms of flexibility and budget-saving. As a matter of fact, scooters are by far the most popular form of transportation in Southeast Asia. They usually cost about $5 ~ $10 a day. It’s convenient and allows you to get off the usual trail and travel at your own pace.
Go local
Whether you are on a budget or not, go for local food and transportation. This will help you get to know the country better and have more contact with locals. In addition, it is a better way of exploring a country than staying at western-like cafés and restaurants and taking private tours.
Know your Scams
Don’t listen to a tuk-tuk driver’s advice. They’ll often advise you to go to crappy tourist traps or some random guesthouse where they get a commission for bringing you there. Figure out your own plan first, then tell them where to drive.
What to Pack for your Southern Thailand trip
Pack light (seriously!)
I know that, while planning for your Southern Thailand itinerary, it’s kinda scary to sail off to some totally different part of the world, but you don’t have to pack like you’re moving out from your home. Relax… You’re gonna be fine.
Rain Poncho
A rain poncho is one of those items you must pack for Thailand. It actually takes very little space in your bag and is big enough to fit over a daypack in case of unexpected rain.
Travel adapter
Thailand mostly uses an American-style plug. In commonplaces, they even use generic sockets. So regardless of where you are coming from, I advise you to pack a travel adapter for your Thailand trip. I always carry an international one with me. It plugs into every socket around the world, very handy!
A Hoodie-Sweatshirt
The weather in Thailand is indeed warm all year long. Nevertheless, it can get cold at night in high-altitude places. No matter if you are on a hike in the mountains or sitting on an overnight plane, you will need a hoodie-sweatshirt to keep yourself warm.
Beach shoes
Although sand beaches are almost everywhere in Thailand, you might find yourself snorkeling in some rocky water. So naturally, there comes the need for beach shoes. You will also need them if you are jumping in some waterfalls or kayaking around.
A lightweight travel backpack is easier to carry. It also keeps you agile and makes it way more difficult to lose things. Besides, it saves you money and time on airline baggage allowance and check-in.
Thai food you have to try on your Southern Thailand itinerary
Thai people don’t eat bread. Even in supermarkets, there’s little choice, and it’s expensive.
On the other hand, juices and fruit shakes are a must! Those fruit shakes (mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, banana, coconut…) are always good, and some were just beyond delicious!
Tom Yum Goong
This one is Thailand’s most popular soup. It is spicy and sour, with galangal roots, kaffir lime leaf, and lemongrass for extra flavor. Apart from its great flavor, the soup also has herbs and medicinal properties that are great for your health.
Tom Kha Gai
It’s the famous Chicken Coconut Soup. It is made mainly from coconut milk. As the name suggests, this spicy dish primarily has chicken. Other key ingredients include fish sauce, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and lemongrass.
Vaccination for Southern Thailand
Thailand is an awesome travel destination. To make sure you enjoy it to the fullest, take a few sensible precautions to ensure your trip is trouble-free. It is also worth it to don’t bring home a vile disease to your loved ones.
Here is what vaccinations you might need for Southern Thailand:
| Vaccine/shot | Recommended For… | Reason |
| Typhoid | Most travelers | Contaminated food or water can carry typhoid in Thailand |
| Hepatitis A | Most travelers | Contaminated food or water can carry Hepatitis A in Thailand |
| Japanese Encephalitis | Some travelers visiting Chiang Mai Valley, resort areas in coastal southern regions | This can be found year-round in the south. Strongly suggested if you stay for over a month. |
| Hepatitis B | Some travelers who may be exposed to needles or blood | Consider it if you plan to undergo a medical procedure, |
| Malaria | Those who like sleeping outside or spending a lot of time outdoors | Malaria pills aren’t usually required for Thailand but avoid mosquitoes to lower the risk |
| Yellow Fever | Some travelers who are coming from places vulnerable to yellow fever | Thailand does not have a risk of yellow fever, but the government requires proof of vaccination if you’re coming from a country with a yellow fever risk |
Ethical Tourism in Southern Thailand
As visitors in Thailand, we are contributing to some issues the population is suffering from. Whether you are aware or not. We, too, are guilty and have made such mistakes.
Respect the Environment
Thailand is an awesome travel destination. However, many animals in this country are exploited for the benefit of tourists. Several pristine environments have been compromised. Some communities have been taken advantage of. And that is in the name of tourism. The whole nation also faces water and air pollution.
Avoid Elephant Riding
It has recently become more well-known that riding elephants is incredibly harmful to animals. Actually, fewer and fewer people are participating in this practice in Thailand. Instead, many people choose now to visit elephant sanctuaries while in Thailand.
The problem is that some businessmen and women have taken note of this demand. That’s why they have transitioned their elephant camps to “sanctuaries” in pursuit of money without really changing how the animals are treated.
Visit Small Villages Differently
If you want to experience life in small villages, don’t get on an organized tour. Instead, consider hiking or driving a motorbike through the countryside. Don’t worry, it is totally safe. Think about stopping in a village and supporting the locals by getting lunch, coffee, or buying a handicraft.
Transportation in Southern Thailand
To get from one place to another in southern Thailand, you usually have 3 options:
First, take the Bus between the cities. Here are the most affordable bus routes.
Although Thailand is a huge country, the bus network between the cities is well-developed and offers many options. You can basically find any bus driving from A to B at a reasonable price.
I also use 12GoAsia to book my trips. They have a reliable service and are affordable.
Rent a Scooter or get a Tuk Tuk while in town
As mentioned above, renting a scooter in Thailand will save you a lot of time and money. Furthermore, driving a scooter is not that dangerous (as long as you are not in Bangkok 🙂 ). However, you should always pay attention to some western backpackers who sometimes drive at an insane speed.
Renting a scooter is perfect for 2 people will cost you something between 5 and 10$ a day.
Use Grab
If you are not a fan of scooters, think about using the app Grab. It’s actually the Uber of Southeast Asia. The app provides reasonable prices, and you can choose between a car or a scooter.
Take Ferries Between the Islands
While in Thailand, we tried to avoid speedboats at all costs. The reason was: we wanted to go local and have more contact with the locals.
You can check any ferry schedule on this great website. However, if you don’t find any (for example, when you want to go to Koh Phi Phi), you should go for the speedboats.
Don’t forget that you will find fewer ferries during the low season, from April to November, because of fewer crowds.
Visa Requirements for Thailand
We as Tunisian citizens need a visa for traveling to Thailand as a tourist. The visa is usually valid for 90 days. The applicant is not required to be present when applying for a visa, and a total of 5 documents are required. They are the visa form, a biometric photo, the flight reservation, and proof of funds (credit card or something similar).
The good thing is that you will get your visa on the same day! You can also find useful tips from fellow travelers.
Thailand provides a 1-month visa on arrival for most of the world’s countries. If you plan to stay longer, you can apply for a 2-month tourist visa at the Thai embassy in your country. If you are entering Thailand overland, be aware that you can only do that twice a year.
Thai Words you Should Know for your Southern Thailand Itinerary
Speaking of the land of smiles, travelers who can say these words are almost guaranteed to receive a smile in return. Actually, the effort it takes from visitors to memorize basic expressions goes a long way in the eyes of the locals in Thailand, and it is appreciated so much.
Remember the first rule: If you are a guy, you end sentences with the word (khrup/krap). If you are a girl, you end your sentences with the word (ka/kap). This is used to make your sentence or question polite and respectful.
- Hello – Sawadee khrup/ka
- Yes – Chai (khrup/ka)
- No – Mai (khrup/ka)
- Thank you – khop khun (khrup/ka)
- Excuse me – Khor thoad khrup/ka
- Goodbye! – La gorn khrup/ka
- That’s too expensive! – Paeng mak khrup/ka!
Currency in Thailand
The official currency, as you might already know, is Baht. So while 1$ equals around 40 Baht, 1€ is around 48 Baht.
Usual and standard tip: never exchange your money at airports as they use there too high exchange rates.
ATMs also charge 3% fess or 200 Baht (around 5€ or 6$) per withdrawal. So try to use them as little as possible.
Here are the best ways to save your money and avoid fees in Thailand:
Exchange money directly at a cashier at the bank if you have a Mastercard. It is the only way to escape ATM charges.
Do you have a Revolut card? Revolut offers free current accounts that come with a good banking app. At the time of writing. It allows cash withdrawals and transactions of up to €200 a month without fees.
I use Revolut as well. It is reliable and practical. You just should create an account and top it up with money from your main bank account. It takes just a few minutes.
Revolut gives you the option to open several accounts with a different currency. That will help you escape the high exchange rates. Use this link to get a Revolut account and a bank card for free.
Well, I could have written more about Thailand and southern Thailand! As a matter of fact, I cannot just cover everything. If you are looking for more travel inspiration, look at On A voyagé Pour Vous on Instagram. If you have any questions, leave us a comment, and we will reply in a short time 🙂
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