On the very first day started my day with VoA process at Bangkok swarnabhumi airport as there were less passengers due to corona virus we got it done in 15 min, bought AIS network SIM for 8 days unlimited data pack for 450 baht and then headed for next flight to phuket n reached phuket in afternoon. We checked in hotel at patong from where patong beach was at walking distance of 300m. First day we enjoyed swimming pool in hotel itself and went to explore patong beach and book tickets for 4 island full day tour for next day.
We started our day with 4 island tour n visit to the famous James Bond island the tour package costed around 1050 baht per person. The tour started with pick up from hotel at 0815 am and ended at 6 pm in evening.The 4 island includes Bat cave ( we had to go by canoe) , lana island, James Bond island with lunch on boat. And ended our day with dinner at patong beach
This day we did city tour by renting a bike from near the hotel for 200 baht per day. We went around big buddha, wat chalong temple, karon view point, karon beach, kata beach.. All these location easily accessible with google Maps.. The ride through the road was awesome.. U must try when u r here n u don't need international license.. Indian licence will work. In the evening we booked our one way ticket for transfer to phi phi island for next day and open ticket from phi phi to Krabi it costed 700 baht per person pick up and drop included at all locations
We checked out from hotel and went to Rasada pier to take boat to phi phi island.. When u r planning u must stay at phi phi since everyone recommended I did the same.... Though u get one day tour option from phuket and Krabi also.. But u must stay here. We reached phi phi island in afternoon and since it was March month the sun was in full bloom.. We had option to go to view point in the evening but we relaxed the day in hotel (cobble beach resort - bit away from pier but excellent view). We booked 4 island half day tour for next day for 350 baht per person in the evening and explored loh dalum beach for nightlife.. Amazing beach parties with pubs like stones,Apache, sling all in a row.. We watched fireshow and free shot challenge. Phi phi does not have roads so u have to walk around the island..
We went to phi phi view point in the first half of the day ( entry ticket 30 baht per person - include 2 viewpoint). Since it was day time we got drained out when we reached view point... It's a bit steep walk trough stairs but the view was worth and then we went for our half day tour by long tail boat with lunch on boat.. May bay, philey lagoon, viking cave, monkey beach. . Tips - If u don't have water proof camera u must buy those waterproof mobile bags since u have to swim to go to monkey beach where u find friendly monkies. We did snorkelling, swimming and saw sunset from boat and at end we saw planktons in the night.. N then ended our day wwith dinner at loh dalum beach. Snorkelling kit is provided but u can carry own.
We went to the pier in the morning to get transfered to Krabi (Ao nang to be precise since there are two pier) we reached Ao nang in afternoon.. Checked into hotel near to Ao nang beach We rented a bike for the day for 200 baht per person and went straight to emerald pool and hot spring.. It was 72 km from our hotel and emerald pool gets closed in evening by 0430 pm. While coming back we explores night market in Krabi town and booked our next day - half day island tour. If you want to stay at beach u must book in railey beach which is acessible by boat only.
After relaxing in hotel in afternoon we went for half day tour to 7 island which costed 800 baht per person after bargaining.. We visited poda island, Tup island,chicken island, snorkelling,dinner and sunset at phranang cave and came back after watching planktons... We ended the day with dinner at Ao nang beach....
We boarded our flight to Bangkok we could have gone by bus also since it takes 12 hours to reach and buses are also comfortable... My advice to go by night bus it wud be economical since Thai domestic aircraft only allows 7 kg cabin luggage and we had to pre book our check in luggage.. We reached Bangkok in morning 11. Checked into room in rachadaphisek... Bangkok is well connected by metro so we chose to reach hotel by metro from airport.. I wud suggest to book hotel near sukhumbit metro since all places of tourist attraction are well connected by metro from this location.. We reached Bangkok on Sunday and being a weekend we cud not miss the famous chatuchak weekend market which was two station away..
This day we totally relaxed and we avoided not to go out in day time due to sun... And in the evening we went to asiatique river front for dinner
We reserved this day for local sight seeing of temples along chao praya river , ocean world aquarium (700 baht per person - should be booked online), River cruise dinner ( 2 hours on chao praya river.. Must for couple and family - costed 800 baht per person but worth of everything) and finally took flight to kolkata at 3 am next morning.
Tips :
Rent a bike for local sight seeing... Gasoline is cheap
Must include breakfast while booking and don't miss - main meal of the day
Stay at phi phi island ...if planning
Use metro and public transport in Bangkok... Convinient.. Try to stay at sukhumvit.. Centrally located..
Don't book island tour ticket online... U can bargain and book a day before.. Lots of shops available..
Buy a local sim with unlimited data..
Convert currency before going....and if u wish to carry then carry US dollar.. Don't get it exchanged at airport..