Temples, Beaches & 7-Elevens: Thailand in 5 Days for Under ₹50K

By afternoon, we were ready to explore! We hopped on a local train from Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Station to Ayutthaya. The ride itself was an experience, giving us a glimpse of rural Thailand along the way. Once we reached Ayutthaya, we rented a scooter for the day to make the most of our time exploring the ancient ruins and temples. Ayutthaya, once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, is now a UNESCO World Heritage site brimming with historical significance.

We spent hours exploring the Ayutthaya Historical Park, marveling at the towering temples and intricate architecture. One of the highlights was the iconic Wat Mahathat, where a Buddha head is beautifully entwined in the roots of a banyan tree. After soaking in the history, we returned by night and stopped at a local eatery where I enjoyed a delicious mixed seafood platter (because, when in Thailand, eat like the locals). SK prefers sticking to fried chicken joints and the ever-present 7-Eleven stores. If there’s one thing we learned on this trip, it’s that Bangkok has a 7-Eleven every 500 meters. Then we headed back to our hotel for a well-deserved rest.

• Stay: Nice Palace Hotel - Cost: ₹1,406

The next morning, we made our way to the Grand Palace. Getting there was easy—just a BTS ride to Sanamluang and a short walk. But here’s a tip: There’s a strict dress code—sleeved tops (no tank tops), long pants, and covered feet (no flip-flops). SK, being SK, showed up in his usual shorts and had to buy some funny elephant-print pants from a nearby shop before they’d let him in!

The palace itself? Absolutely stunning. If Ayutthaya was all about ancient ruins, the Grand Palace was a dazzling contrast. Think gold-covered stupas, intricate murals, and the stunning Emerald Buddha inside Wat Phra Kaew. We spent hours wandering through the palace grounds, trying to take in all the grandeur (and simultaneously trying to dodge the intense heat).

By afternoon, we headed back to our hotel, packed up, and made our way to Don Mueang Airport for our flight to Phuket! A short 1 hour 20-minute flight later, we landed in paradise. Phuket greeted us with warm ocean air and the promise of stunning beaches. We hopped on a local bus from the airport and made our way to PKL Residence, our cozy stay near Patong Beach. After a quick dinner, we crashed early, knowing we had a big adventure planned for the next day.

Phuket is a paradise, and we wanted to see it all! We started with a visit to an elephant sanctuary, where we fed rescued elephants (no unethical rides here!). Next up was the Tiger Park, which had mixed reviews, but we chose to simply observe from a distance. We also stopped by a bee farm, a cashew nut factory, and some of Phuket’s most beautiful temples, including Wat Chalong and the Big Buddha.

By evening, we wandered into Old Phuket Town, a charming area with colorful Sino-Portuguese buildings, street art, and cute cafés. The best part? Phuket’s Night Market, where I tried everything from mango sticky rice to crispy Thai pancakes. If you’re a foodie, this is a must!

This was the day I had been waiting for—scuba diving in the stunning waters of Phi Phi Islands!

Fun fact: we initially booked the diving session just for me because SK was hesitant. But after seeing me all geared up and excited, he decided to join in at the last minute! (I totally think it was FOMO.)

Turns out, I was a natural at it. Once underwater, though, it was a whole new world—vibrant coral reefs, colorful fish, and the feeling of floating weightlessly in the deep blue. Seeing the marine life up close was magical and definitely one of the best experiences of my life.

After diving, we relaxed on the stunning Maya Bay, made famous by The Beach movie. The entire day was pure magic, and we ended it by watching a gorgeous sunset by the shore.