I spent four incredible weeks in Thailand this past Spring. It was a long, but unforgettable journey through the country. We started off with six days in Bangkok. From there we took a 15-day road trip through Central and Northern Thailand starting with Ayutthaya before going to Khai Yai National Park, Lopburi, Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, and finally Chiang Rai.
We then flew from Chiang Rai to Phuket island, where we spent four nights before stopping in the beautiful island of Koh Lanta for another four nights.
The trip included plenty of culture, nature, gastronomy, and sightseeing, and I think it was the perfect introduction to Southeast Asia. During my trip I snapped several hundred images on my i-Phone. Here are my top 100 Instagram photos! I hope they give you a “taste” of how amazing Thailand is.
There’s always a traffic jam in Bangkok
My first shrimp noodle bowl!
Grand Palace, Bangkok
Reclining Golden Buddha in Wat Pho
Wat Arun Temple, Bangkok
Mini crab crepes at Wang Lang Market, Bangkok
View of the Grand Palace complex from the top of Wat Arun
Guardian statue at the Grand Palace, Bangkok
The largest golden Buddha in the world in Bangkok’s Chinatown
Delicious pork noodle bowl in Chinatown, Bangkok ($3)
Typical street scene in Chinatown
Our tuk-tuk driver whizzing through traffic
Eating to my heart’s content in Bangkok’s famous Boat Noodle Alley (30¢ each)
Independence Square Traffic Circle
Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Vendors at the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Too many food options in Chatuchak weekend market, Bangkok
A dozen delicious oysters at the amazing Ku De Ta Bangkok
More delicious seafood pairings at Ku De Ta Bangkok
The ruins of ancient Ayutthaya
Overgrown Buddha head behind Mahathat Temple in the Ayutthaya complex
Huge reclining Buddha in Ayutthaya
Me and Buddha, Ayutthaya
Tempting pool at the Samanea Resort at Khao Yai National Park
Chicken and bamboo stir-fry at a local restaurant near Khao Yai National Park
A wild gibbon flying through the trees in Khao Yai National Park
Panorama of Khao Yai National Park
The waterfall where a scene from the movie “The Beach” was filmed in Khao Yai National Park
A free roaming bull elephant in Khao Yai National Park
Soup, soup and more soup in the cafeteria of Khao Yai National Park
Pig-tailed macaque relaxing in Khao Yai National Park
The ruins of Lopburi
The bandits of Lopburi
Ruins in one of Lopburi’s temples
They are everywhere!
Incredible ruins in Sukhothai
Sunset in Sukhothai
The White Buddha of Wat Si Chum Temple in Sukhothai
Sukhothai ruins
Ruins in Si Satchanalai near Sukothai
Typical Thai coconut dessert wrapped in banana leaves
The colonial-style pool and breakfast area of the Ping Nakara in Chiang Mai
Flaming hot papaya salad in Chiang Mai
Just chilling with my tiger friend at the Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai
An energetic 42-day-old baby tiger at Tiger Kingdom, Chiang Mai
18-month-old tiger
Old city walls of Chiang Mai
The ruins of Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai
Getting a much-needed foot massage on Loi Khro Road, Chiang Mai ($5)
Sunday Night Market, Chiang Mai
Making new friends at the Sunday Night Market
Doi Suthep Temple, Chiang Mai
Pork dumplings, noodles and veggies! Chiang Mai ($1)
Chiang Mai is famous for its smoked pork sausage
It looks like an ancient temple but it’s actually the lobby of the Dhara Dhevi hotel in Chiang Mai
At an umbrella manufacturer in the Bo Sang Craft Village
Watching how bamboo umbrellas are made at a local factory in the Bo Sang Craft Village
Feeding rescue elephants at the Elephant Nature Park
Elephant Nature Park is paradise for sick, injured, and retired Asian elephants
Bath time! 🙂
Morning serenade at the Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai
The White Temple in Chiang Rai
The dragon staircase at the White Temple, Chiang Rai
Karen Long-Neck tribe, Chiang Rai
Akha tribe, Chiang Rai
Karen Long-Neck tribe, Chiang Rai
Shopping for colorful handwoven scarves
Chiang Rai’s vibrant Night Market
Tasting some creepy crawlers in Chiang Rai’s Night Market
At the border of Myanmar in the town of Mae Sai
Thousands gather to eat and dance at the Saturday Night Walking Street in Chiang Rai
Khao Soi chicken curry noodle bowl at the Saturday Night Walking Street ($2)
Hindu shrine at the Golden Triangle
Spicy noodle bowl at the Golden Triangle ($1)
Flying from Chiang Rai to Phuket
Happy Chinese New Year!
Seafood noodle bowl for two in Phuket Island ($6)
The giant white Buddha of Phuket Island
Colonial buildings in Phuket Town
Chalong Bay Beach outside of Davina Beach Homes, Phuket Island
Our badass ride in Phuket Island, thanks to Thai Rent a Car
Wat Chalong Temple, Phuket Island
Another secluded beach on Phuket Island
The crowds at Patong Beach, Phuket Island
Crystal clear waters of Surin Beach, Phuket Island
Bang Tao Beach, Phuket Island
Heading out with Phuket Sail Tours to explore Phang Nga Bay
The top photographed image in Thailand
James Bond island, Phang Nga Bay
Surreal rock formations in Phang Nga Bay
Arriving to Koh Lanta Island
Our view at La Laanta Hideaway, southern coast of Koh Lanta Island
Bamboo Beach, our #1 beach pick in Koh Lanta
Typical Thai island cuisine (total cost $10)
Stilt houses in Lanta Town, Koh Lanta Island
Koh Lanta National Park’s Rocky Beach
Sunset and a bottle of French wine at Noon Restaurant in Koh Lanta
One of the more crowded beaches on Koh Lanta Island
Koh Lanta – a beach bum’s paradise!
Our last super spicy papaya salad in Thailand with some delicious Vietnamese spring rolls on the side
What did you think about this post? We would love to learn about your favorite places and experiences in Thailand, or just know what you think about the pics! Leave us a comment below. You can always follow along with us as we travel on Instagram.
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Marvin Scheeff says:
WOW! So cool! One day i hope i finally sort my pictures and release a album like this
Meanwhile you can find some cool pics and articles (in German) here: http://flashpacking4life.de
Lon Thongsanthia says:
I’m so happy to see you went to Elephant Nature Park. It’s the only place I recommend people see elephants in Thailand. The work they do there is amazing!
davidsbeenhere says:
Yes it was an incredible experience. We will be releasing a video soon from the Elephant Nature Park. Thank you Lon for the comment!