🇹🇭 Thailand Travel Blog: A Soulful Escape (March 26 – April 9, 2025)

✈️ Day 0: 26th March – Train to Mumbai & Midnight Airport Adventures

I logged off work early, heart racing with excitement. My friend and I caught the Shatabdi Express to Mumbai, filled with laughter, deep spiritual conversations, and the thrill of travel. Originally, we were supposed to get down at Mumbai Central, but at the last minute, we realized Borivali was equidistant to the airport. We hopped off and cabbed it to T2 Mumbai International Airport.

🕑 Time: Around 11:30 PM
🎒 Activity: Check-in opened early—we got lucky!

We tried getting into airport lounges with our cards, but no access. My friend got in using his pass, while I roamed the terminal. It was freezing and all sleeping pods were full. I grabbed a black Americano at Third Wave Coffee at 2 AM and waited out the cold.

🛬 Day 1: 27th March – Arrival in Phuket + Patong Vibes

Flight: Thai VietJet (BOM → HKT)
Arrival Time: 10:05 AM

We landed in Phuket, and the flight was… memorable. Mosquitoes were flying inside the cabin, and air hostesses were literally chasing them with racquets. Immigration was smooth. We exchanged a few USD to THB and boarded a shared minivan to Patong Poshtel.

🛏️ Stay: Patong Poshtel
🍽️ Lunch: Sweet mangoes (juiciest I’ve ever had—even better than Gujarat’s!)

By afternoon, we headed to Patong Beach. The sun was intense—felt like being baked alive. We cooled off with a beach swim and clicked a few photos.

At night, we explored the infamous Bangla Road. It was shocking to see massage parlors everywhere, with women inviting tourists on the streets. I kept away—felt uncomfortable and not my vibe. My friends partied a bit. I skipped dinner, not feeling great due to the heat and lack of sleep, and hit the bed early.

🐬 Day 2: 28th March – Dolphin Show, Karon Viewpoint & Cultural Insights

We rented a van for local sightseeing. First stop was the Karon Viewpoint, with stunning panoramic views of the blue coastlines.

We passed by peaceful areas like Kata—felt calmer than Patong. Our next stop was the Dolphin Show. Watching dolphins dance, splash, and play was surreal. We even clicked a group photo with one.

🎫 Ticket: Dolphin Bay Show, Phuket

Later, we visited a Buddhist temple (name forgotten, but it had peaceful vibes and red-robed monks walking around). We also heard news about a massive earthquake (8+ magnitude) in Bangkok—felt grateful we started our trip from Phuket.

At night, we explored a few adult clubs, but walked out quickly. Didn’t sit well with my personal values.

🏴‍☠️ Day 3: 29th March – Pirate Boat at Phi Phi Islands

We checked out from our hostel and took an early ferry to Phi Phi. The boat to the island itself was beautiful—limestone cliffs rising from turquoise waters.

Activity: Pirate Boat Tour from Phi Phi
Inclusions: Snorkeling, kayaking, cliff jumping (we skipped), monkey beach

The boat’s theme was pirate-inspired, with flags, barrels, and ropes. We cruised past Maya Bay, Viking Cave, and Pileh Lagoon. I snorkeled for the first time—saw fish darting through coral, and struggled a bit but loved the view.

We ended with sunset on the boat, standing at the deck, wind in our face—it was one of the most profoundly peaceful moments of the trip.

🌅 Day 4: 30th March – Ferry to Krabi, Diamond Caves & Night Boat Ride

Scuba diving got skipped today as we didn’t want to miss our last ferry to Krabi.

Stay: Seava House Villa, Ao Nang

The villa was a hidden gem—nestled in greenery. We explored Railay Beach, hiked into Diamond Cave (natural crystals glowing inside), and then Phra Nang Cave, where people worshipped statues shaped like… well, phalluses.

Dinner was at a lively Indian restaurant, and we took a long-tail boat back in the dark—the moonlight on ocean waves was eerie and calming at the same time.

⛩️ Day 5: 31st March – Temple Trek & Self-Driving!

Today, I drove for the first time on a highway! We visited a mall for a new iPhone, then drove to Emerald Pool for a swim in turquoise waters. Crowded but worth a splash.

Later, we hiked Tiger Cave Temple—1,209 steps to reach a massive golden Buddha.

Sunset View: One of the best—temple on a hill, sky painted in fire-orange shades.

We ended with a relaxing Thai massage and some good food.

🐚 Day 6: 1st April – Island Hopping & Planktons

Joined a 7-Island Sunset Tour:

• Chicken Island
• Tup Island
• Poda Island (BBQ dinner)
• Snorkeling
• Night swim with glowing bioluminescent planktons

I panicked a bit while snorkeling at night due to high tides, but saw tiny glowing specs under water. It was magical. The day ended with yet another peaceful massage.

🌳 Day 7: 2nd April – Into the Jungle: Khao Sok

We drove to Khao Sok, deep inside Thailand’s rainforest region. Our resort (Riverside Cottages) was surrounded by jungle.

Activity: Canoeing in jungle river
Special moment: Jungle-made coffee + chocolate in bamboo cups (kept the cup!)

🛶 Day 8: 3rd April – Floating on Cheow Lan Lake

We transferred to lake boats. Stayed in floating cabins—rivers on all sides. Rained a bit during boat ride, adding to the mystic mood.

Did kayaking, swimming, and went for an evening jungle hike.

Highlight: Dinner with Swedish travelers. Had deep conversations about India, culture, and life.

🌊 Day 9: 4th April – Long Travel Day to Koh Phangan

Early sunrise boat safari in Cheow Lan Lake—fog-covered cliffs, wild sounds, and glass-like water.

Then a long travel: van → Surat Thani → Seatran ferry → Koh Phangan. A group on our ferry told us about a bus crash their friends had—felt lucky we were safe.

Had Indian food (paneer + bhakhri) and called it a night.

🐟 Day 10: 5th April – Scuba Dive + Amsterdam Bar

Did Scuba diving at 2 different spots—first was scary, second was surreal. Saw blue corals and rainbow fish. Nearly panicked in the middle but finished both dives successfully.

Evening: sunset from Amsterdam Bar—insane view, great music, chill breeze.

🧳 Day 11: 6th April – Travel to Pattaya

Woke at 4:30 AM, ferry to Surat Thani, flight to Bangkok, cab to Pattaya.

Too tired to move. Freshened up and enjoyed live music dinner at Pattaya night market.

🌸 Day 12: 7th April – Nong Nooch + Sanctuary of Truth

Started with Nong Nooch Garden—huge bonsai collection, animal-themed sculptures, cultural & elephant show.

Then visited Sanctuary of Truth—a museum carved fully from wood, telling stories of religion, morals, and humanity. It connected me back to Jainism and Stoicism—felt deeply philosophical.

Dinner at Peshawar (Maharashtrian thali), final walk on beachside.

🛍️ Day 13: 8th April – Shopping in Bangkok & Farewell

We checked out and headed to MBK Mall in Bangkok for shopping. Bought:

• Elephant shirts
• Thai inhalers
• Bags
• Dried fruits (which were a scam—700 THB for 4 pieces 😅)

Had final Pad Thai and then took our flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport at 23:50 back to Mumbai.

🎯 Conclusion: Thailand Was More Than a Vacation

From underwater fear to philosophical awe, this trip had it all—adventure, nature, culture, self-reflection.

Total Budget: ₹1.5L per person
Souvenirs: Lifelong memories 🌏