Planning a Trip to Thailand - How to Divide Your Time Between the North, South, and Bangkok

As a manager of a tour operator in Thailand,With at least 10 days or more you could explore
many travellers ask me how they should dividethe north and south, (although in this short time it
their time between the north of Thailand, southmay still feel a bit of a whirlwind travel so
and Bangkokconsider 2 weeks or more if you can) dividing
For beach lovers who want more of a lazy kindyour time equally between the two or dedicating
of resort holiday, who love the sea and watermore time to whichever you have a preference
sports the south of Thailand and the islands arefor (beaches or mountains), then allocate a day or
the place to go, and you may want to spendso in Bangkok either upon arrival or departure.
your entire vacation/holiday there. Or you mayThis is where it pays to work backwards -
want to spend it in the North -a place for thoseresearch the destination first then figure out how
seeking a more cultural and authentic Thailand, andmuch time you will need for that, then split your
who like the mountains and rugged countryside.time accordingly.
The North is significantly less commercialized andThose with only a few days in Thailand its best to
touristic than Bangkok and the South and so isstick to Bangkok, taking day trips to Ayutthaya
also suitable for those who like to getand Kanchanaburi
off-the-beaten-path. It;s also a great place forThe problem with travel information on the
soft adventure activities such as trekking,internet and travel guides is that whilst they are
elephant riding, whitewater rafting, cycling etc.very good at telling you about places and
If you have less than 10 days concentrate on oneattractions they don't tell you how long it takes to
region - the north, south or central Thailand whichcover areas and distances, or in what order to do
allows you to fully experience one area instead ofthem in.
losing time traveling between different places