A Slow Travel Adventure Through Thailand

The old jostles with the new in Thailand’s dynamic capital city. Bangkok is a place where gilded palaces and temples share space with gleaming skyscrapers and futuristic hotels. Modern shopping malls mix with street markets selling produce, textiles and fragrant blooms. And upscale restaurants and rooftop bars rise above streets loud with street food vendors and open-air bars.

Beneath its chaotic charms, you can always find moments of tranquility. Your Bangkok itinerary will whisk you off on a tuk tuk tour of Rattanakosin, the Old Town, and to temples where monks gather for morning chants. You’ll visit floating markets and cruise through the city’s klongs, or canals, on a traditional longtail boat, or pedal through backroads, stopping at tucked-away temples along the route.

You’ll travel northwest for the next part of your Thailand adventure: three days exploring the River Kwai, or Khwae Noi. This area, around Kanchanaburi, combines jungle scenery with a complex, difficult history. The Bridge on the River Kwai was famously built by Allied prisoners of war as part of the ‘Death Railway’, which you can learn more about at the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Museum and Hellfire Pass Museum, dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives. 

Kanchanaburi’s natural beauty adds to the poignancy. The railway tracks disappear into the thick jungle of Erawan National Park, famed for its seven-tiered waterfalls and emerald pools, which you’ll visit during your stay. Paddle down the river in a canoe or take a guided bike tour, heading a little deeper into the rural landscapes.

A city within a city, Ayutthaya Historical Park is like a time capsule surrounded by modern life. This was the capital of the Kingdom of Siam from 1350 until the 18th century, when it was destroyed by the Burmese. Today, the ruins – on an island surrounded by three rivers – form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take in the astounding archaeological sites during your time here, delving deeper into history with tours led by knowledgeable guides. Travelling on foot, by bike and by boat, take in temples including Wat Phra Sri Sanphet, the largest monument, and Wat Mahathat – where a Buddha likeness appears entangled by a tree. 

You’ll also spend time in the modern city. Wander through the local market and the Muslim Quarter, and taste local specialities like giant river prawns and kuay tiao ruea or boat noodles – noodle soup made with a rich, meaty broth, typically ladled out from boats.

You’ll spend the final few days in Hua Hin, on the Gulf of Thailand in Prachup Khiri Khan. This southern beach resort was a fishing village until the 1920s, when the Thai royal family chose it as their summer residence. Now, life centres around Hua Hin Beach, lined with resorts and wellness retreats. The broad sweep of pale golden sand has seafood shacks, open-air bars and watersports rentals.

Beyond the beach, tour Maruekkhathaiyawan Palace, the summer residence of King Rama VI. At Pranburi Forest Park, follow a boardwalk trail over protected mangroves and saltwater pools. Here, you can ride along the Pranburi River on a longtail boat, looking for crab-eating macaques and birds including kingfishers and mangrove whistlers.

Hua Hin also has several vibrant markets. Browse stalls heaving with fresh fruits, vegetables and prepared meals. After sundown, graze on street food at Hua Hin Night Market, or shop for artisan crafts and artwork at the evening Cicada Market.