3 Must-See Cities When You Visit Thailand For 10 Days!

Planning to visit Thailand for the first time? Forget everything you’ve read or watched about Thailand from Western backpackers. It’s NOTHING like it. We spent 10 days exploring 3 cities in Thailand and loved it. Unlike most Western tourists on a tight budget, we weren’t restricted. Applying for a visa was a hassle, so we planned to spend more (within reason) to make it worthwhile.

Is it worth visiting Bangkok?

Bangkok was a whirlwind of experiences, from the Coldplay concert and temple visits to street markets and delicious street food. There were no 7/11 toasties for me, thank you very much (EUGH).

The enticing aroma of chicken satays and the vibrant colours of ripe mangoes filled our senses everywhere we went. As a foodie, I (over)indulged in every delicious morsel of local cuisine during my short stay in the city.

Bangkok, like most main cities, was crowded but lovely. Tourists often overlook major cities, chasing the “undiscovered.” But beauty lies in the familiar too. Cities hold stories of everyone and everything.

Add Bangkok to your list – it’s worth it!

A day trip to Ayutthaya

A day’s journey from Bangkok, Ayutthaya was once the capital of Thailand. Now left in tatters and ruins, the city is a complex of red-bricked stupas, walls, shrines and mausoleums. This UNESCO World Heritage Site deserves a day or three longer to fully appreciate its historic intricacies. Bangkok and Koh Lanta soaked up most of our time, leaving us strapped when we reached Ayutthaya.

We booked a one-way ride via Grab. Our driver even offered to stay with us until we were done with our tour and take us back to the city. The day was hot and the walks were long. Exploring the ancient city takes it out of you, especially as you try to see everything in a few hours. So, stay a while and do it at a slower pace.

The only thing I didn’t like about Ayutthaya was the elephant rides. Tons of uneducated, unaware tourists ride these magnificent beasts in the scorching sun, back and forth on the main road. It was heartbreaking that even in 2024 people still choose to abuse them. The caretakers kept the elephants in deplorable conditions in the “parking lot. Ayutthaya’s elephant rides were awful. Tourists rode them in harsh sun, oblivious to the abuse. Baby elephants desperately searched for food and were met with harsh treatment. We skipped it. Thailand: stop elephant rides! Tourists: avoid animal exploitation! We couldn’t watch any longer – Thailand needs to stop elephant rides, and people need to know better. Remember, if you visit Thailand, stay away from any place that displays or uses animals.

Is Koh Lanta worth visiting?

The dive centre was incredible and handled everything from equipment care to delicious post-dive lunches and diving debriefs. Read more about diving in Koh Lanta, Krabi Thailand here if you need more details.

Koh Lanta’s local street market was my second favourite place in town. After diving, it was market time! Light shopping, Aunty Joy’s mango-sticky rice (a must!), chicken satays, and maybe even dinner and a beer if I lingered longer.

Thai food stole the show. I would go back, purely to indulge in its delicious cuisine that begs you to have seconds and thirds. And I just can’t wait to visit Thailand again.

Yours truly,

Imperfect Traveller

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