Two weeks in Thailand alone works as two regions. Which two depends entirely on the month, because the coasts have opposite rainy seasons.
The seasonal decision first
| Coast | Islands | Wettest |
|---|---|---|
| Andaman (west) | Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta | May–Oct |
| Gulf (east) | Koh Samui, Phangan, Koh Tao | Oct–Dec |
Travelling in June to September, go to the Gulf. In November, go to the Andaman. January to March, both work.
Also note burning season in the north, roughly February to April, when air quality in Chiang Mai can become genuinely poor.
The route
Bangkok, 3 nights. Temples in one early morning, the river, Chinatown after dark, and a mall food court in the hot hours. Stay near a BTS or MRT station.
Chiang Mai, 5 nights. Fly up — an hour, and cheap. The old city's temples inside the moat, a cooking class, a day trip to Doi Inthanon or an ethical elephant sanctuary, and the night markets.
Chiang Mai is the most established solo city in Asia, with hostels, co-working and a constant flow of other solo travellers.
Islands, 5 nights. Fly south. Choose the coast by season.
Koh Tao if you want the diving course, which is the most socially reliable thing on the trip.
One internal flight each way, no backtracking.
Why the diving course works
Four days with the same small group, learning something together, in the water and then in the evening.
Koh Tao is among the cheapest places in the world to certify, at 9,000–12,000 baht for an open water qualification including accommodation at many schools.
Choose on instructor-to-student ratio and equipment condition rather than price. And do not fly for 18–24 hours after diving — build it into the itinerary.
What it costs
| Item | Two weeks |
|---|---|
| Guesthouse private rooms | $180–280 |
| Food | $120–180 |
| Two internal flights | $80–140 |
| Local transport | $40–70 |
| Activities | $80–200 |
| Total, excl. flights | ~$500–700 |
Dorms and street food exclusively brings it closer to $350.
Practical
Book tours locally, the day before, for roughly half the online price. Check group size and whether national park fees are included.
Scooters require the correct licence category on an international permit for insurance to be valid, and are the most common cause of serious injury to visitors.
Never leave a passport as a rental deposit.
Temple dress code — shoulders and knees covered — and never point your feet at a Buddha image.
Visa exemption periods vary by nationality and have changed; check the current position.