A Nomad's Diary - travel tales

A 10-Day Itinerary for an Amazing Family Trip Through Bangkok, Rayong & Pattaya!

They say, “Memories are the BEST souvenirs one can take back from a trip.” True that isn’t it? … and talking about pursuing memories from a trip then why not do it in FAMILY SIZE! After all family travels are all the more fun with our set of best people as fellow travellers! 

Here’s a 10-day itinerary you got to cover in its entirety to get a wholesome feel of the air, water, culture, people, shopping, entertainment & more.

Thailand offers Visa-on-Arrival to many countries including India. The most common exit points from India for Thailand are Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata & Chennai. The Delhi & Mumbai flights both take around 4.5 hrs. to reach the main international airport of Thailand which is Suvarnabhumi International airport, Bangkok. While from Chennai it takes an hour less and from Kolkata, Thailand is mere two hours and forty minutes far away.

List of Contents

Day 1, 2 & 3: Explore Bangkok

Things to do in Bangkok:

Bangkok is a city that is ready to unveil a new shade of itself on every visit of yours. Exploring the primary landmarks of Bangkok city is what everyone does.

But legends cannot miss the breath-taking view of the Chao Phraya riverfront with a backdrop of illuminated sky-touching buildings. Plus a stunning giant wheel, several eateries and more to go with it make Asiatique – The Riverfront a must-visit place.

Similarly visiting Damnoen Saduak – the most popular floating market in Thailand, Art in Paradise – an exceptional 3D art museum are also some of the absolutely must-visit places when in Bangkok.

Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World (formerly known as Siam Ocean World) & Safari World, Bangkok either both or one as per the interest can be taken forward with. However, going for both would mean a really hectic schedule. As shopping again is a must-do when in Bangkok so plan the other activities accordingly in order to save time.

Day 4, 5 & 6: Open New Shades – Discover Rayong

Things to do in Rayong:

After exploring the city life of Bangkok to the fullest, on day 4th of the trip head to Rayong a city on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand.

Suan Lamai Fruit Orchard is nestled in a picturesque scenery-like area of Wang Chan district and is a great place to begin sightseeing in the Rayong area.

It is actually a kingdom of fruit on the mountain with fruits like Durian, Rambutan, Mangosteen, Mango, Strawberry etc. and flowers like Cosmos, Orchids & more growing. The drastic change in the air and natural views are sure to mesmerize one’s soul. Indulging in an elaborate fruit buffet are must dos’ here.

From the natural landscapes transferred into a museum that is a work of passion called Kru Kung Museum.

Mr. Alexander Graham Bell would love to see this collection of his Invention.
Timepieces aren’t just mere timekeepers, they act as Memory tellers as well..

Rewind and refresh memory lane by seeing the amazing collection of Telephones, Hair salon accessories, Grand Father Clocks, Jewellery, Cameras and more.

This exclusive BMW beauty & not posing here is a sin!

For those people wanting to travel back in time and experience Thailand as it was centuries earlier, visiting the old town at Chanthaboon Waterfront, in Chantaburi province can serve the purpose.

Witness the old world charm of Thailand of a time around 300 years ago when this area was a key trade point for commodities like gemstones and more with neighbouring countries like Vietnam & Cambodia.

A great place to interact with the Thai local riverside people and enjoy the street food! Must see here are the Church Of Immaculate Conception (Statue of mother Mary decorated with innumerable gemstones) & Chinese temple.

Chinese Temple at Chantaboon Waterfront area
Chinese Temple at Chantaboon Waterfront area

Another must-do activity before bidding adieu to Rayong is Island Hopping. Rayong has a number of beautiful islands in close proximity like Koh Samet, Koh Man Nai (a Royal project for Turtle happening on this island) and more.

Koh Samet - Source
Koh Samet – Source

Be allured by the clear blue waters in vivid shades with corals to beautify them even more. Indulge in water sports and experience the Turtle Conservation project like none other.

Day 7, 8 & 9: Re-invent Pattaya  

Things to do in Pattaya:

Water activities in Pattaya
Water activities in Pattaya

Pattaya has some fantastic water sports activities mostly throughout the day. So visiting Pattaya and not indulging in the activities like Parasailing, Paragliding, Banana boat, snorkelling and more is a sin. In Coral island (Koh Larn), one can indulge in underwater sea walks (costing around 1500 THB.) and more adventure activities.

Spectacular is an understatement for Kaan Show, Pattaya..
Spectacular is an understatement for Kaan Show, Pattaya..

A fairly new addition to the family attractions of Pattaya is a show called ‘Kaan Show’. It is the story of a young boy who gets lost in the stories of a Thai book. The show is truly an impeccable 75 minutes of cinematic grandeur.

Further, take your pick between Ramayana Water Park & Cartoon Network Amazone for reliving childhood memories and making some snazzy adventure-filled brand new memories.

At Ramayana Water Park
At Ramayana Water Park

‘Ramayana’ is the biggest water park in the whole of Thailand while Cartoon Network Amazone is the first Cartoon Network venture of this kind in the whole world! Both waterparks have their own set of specially designed slides and water activities to give one the chill & drill. Brave hearts try the Boomerang at Ramayana & get flushed in Cartoon Network!

No need to take a shower.. momma.. they have fixed the bucket there..!! :) at Cartoon Network Amazone, Pattaya
No need to take a shower.. momma.. they have fixed the bucket there..!! 🙂 at Cartoon Network Amazone, Pattaya
Aspire to learn Surfing then be here at Cartoon Network Amazone, Pattaya
Aspire to learn Surfing then be here at Cartoon Network Amazone, Pattaya

Apart from the must-do things in Pattaya, one can also take a casual stroll on Jomtien or any of the popular beaches of Pattaya. Not to forget shopping and a relaxing foot massage in Pattaya too is inevitable!

Day 10: Head back but not before visiting ‘Ammata Lanta’

I got the Golden Pegasus - at Ammata Lanta
I got the Golden Pegasus – at Ammata Lanta

Ammata Lanta Resort near the Bangkok International airport is an absolutely must-visit resort. Visit here in the daytime maybe for the last lunch in Thailand and be bowled over by the exquisiteness of its exteriors & interiors plus be ready for the gastronomical extravaganza at this resort!

Don’t miss the view of a flight taking off from Suvarnabhumi Airport with the heritage-inspired architecture of Ammata Lanta Resort.

Where to Stay:

Hotels in Bangkok are plentiful that come in all shapes, stars & prices changing with varying levels of luxury.  But for a trip with family pre-booking hotels is a good idea. Also while travelling with family safety & comfort should be given a priority.

Find a hotel in Thailand here.

We stayed & loved the following:

A typical room of Montien Riverside Hotel, Bangkok
A typical room of Montien Riverside Hotel, Bangkok

♦ Montien Riverside Hotel, Bangkok: It is a beautiful property with rooms with an enthralling view of the Chao Phraya River from the window. The lobby and the poolside give wide panoramic views of Bangkok city.

Early morning view of Chao Phraya River from room window at Montien RIverside Hotel, Bangkok
Early morning view of Chao Phraya River from room window at Montien Riverside Hotel, Bangkok

♦ Rayong Mariott Resort & Spa, Rayong: Living in this resort is an experience in itself. It has lots to add to luxury quotient of your stay in Thailand. Beautiful rooms, a private beach and stunning pools with elaborate gourmet food buffets & more.

No words to explain this manmade excellence, "Just wow.." - at Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa
No words to explain this man-made excellence, “Just wow..” – at Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa
Pool Number 2 which is equally mesmerizing - at Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa
Pool Number 2 which is equally mesmerizing – at Rayong Marriott Resort & Spa

For kids, they have a kids club which keeps children engaged ad they totally love it. Apart from this, the bigger pool has two slides for older kids while the toddlers can enjoy the splash pool near the second pool.

AVANI Pattaya Resort & Spa: Located in the heart of Pattaya, this hotel offers a luxury stay while being located in an area that is a shopper’s paradise. Streetside shopping markets and malls are just a stone’s throw away distance. The hotel has two entry and exit points one at the front & the other at the backside. One entry/exit point connects you to the market while the other one lands you opposite the Pattaya beach area.

Enchanting AVANI Pattaya Resort
Enchanting AVANI Pattaya Resort
The beautiful pool with a small bar for drinks & Munch-ons - at Avani, Pattaya
The beautiful pool with a small bar for drinks & Munch-on – at Avani, Pattaya

Food is very good, especially people who have pure vegetarian food preferences also can look forward to a hearty meal courtesy of a hospitable Indian chef at this hotel.  Event the bakery assortment during all meals is phenomenally good. The pool is tastefully designed with a drink & snack bar near it. 

Good to Know Points When in Thailand:

Cultural Etiquettes in Thailand:

  • Bow down to greet people with a ‘Sawadhee’ – that’s like a Namaste in India. For girls, add ‘Kha’ making it Sawadhee Kha and Sawadhee Khrup for men.
  • Say Thank you in the Thai language, to men as Khop Khun Khrup while for ladies it is Khop Khun Kha.
  • Add Khun before the name as a mark of respect while addressing Thai people.
  • While in many parts of the world touching the head is considered a sign of blessing given to the person. However, in Thailand even with children, it is not thought to be cool at all unless you are very familiar with the person.

Communication:

Not all locals in Thailand know English very well. So while speaking in English to locals speak slowly for their better understanding.

Itinerary Planning:

  • Many hotels in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and other major cities of Thailand have day-long excursion tours planned. So for activities like Island hopping or indulging in water sports and more one can ask for their pricing and plan accordingly.
  • On weekends heavy traffic in major cities is usually a common phenomenon expected so plan the itinerary accordingly.

Shopping:

  • If you are shopping in a mall for 2000 THB. and getting a receipt for the same, do not forget to claim the VAT amount on the bill while going back to the Thailand airport itself.
  • In street markets thefts can happen so it is advisable to be vigilant about the same.

Did this article help you for planning your family trip to Thailand better, then do write in!

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Disclaimer: We were invited for a press familiarity trip by Thailand Tourism. But the opinions and words are purely based on the first 
hand experience of the writer. All photographs have been taken by the writer and permission to use any of the photographs
may be asked by contacting us through email (otherbraininc@gmail.com).
This blog has been verified by Rise: R5b4e75171bc8c0131b6e442ca5e13afd
 

(44) Comments

  1. Everything else is secondary.. the greenery and beauty of the place.. the natural beauty is so capturing ? i loved the shots.. they make me want to visit Bangkok ASAP! ❤

    1. Sure thing dear do plan soon. Thailand is my favorite too!

  2. Lisa says:

    This post brings back some great memories of Thailand for me. I never did see Rayong however, and from the looks of your photos, I’d love to visit there, it’s so green and very Thai! I avoided Pattaya for all the sex tourism that it’s known for, so it’s good you managed to enjoy your time there!

    1. Yes Rayong is beautiful. Pattaya actually you could have covered cause it is absolutely safe for women and family trips. I went street shopping alone at 12.30 AM or so and nobody bothered me.

  3. marciem cheung says:

    That 3D art museum looks incredible! We missed that when we were in Bangkok! Last time we were in Thailand was with a 6mo. Now this makes me want to get back there with our 2 kids to explore!

    1. Both your kids and both parents will love this 3D art museum.

  4. loisaltermark says:

    Ooh, my family and I are going to Thailand later this year and there’s so much here I want to do now. Going to share this with everyone so we can start planning. I love all that gorgeous art in Bangkok.

    1. Hi thanks for stopping by. DO let me know once you are back from Thailand if you loved these destinations. 🙂

  5. Thailand in general, and Bangkok and Pattaya in particular are not places people usually associate with family vacations. However, reading through your itinerary, it is easy to see that Thailand can offer quite a few charms for family travelers as well.

    1. True that. Even though I have visited Thailand before, I wasn’t aware of so many family friendly attraction in Thailand. Rayong and Chantaboon are still hidden gems.

  6. Such a lovely place and so much to do. Thanks to you for sorting out everything,now it’s easier for people to know what they want!

    1. Thanks for stopping by and having a patient read.. 🙂

  7. Wow! Such awesome pictures. I plan to visit there soon 😀

    1. Thank you 🙂

  8. Jhilmil says:

    This is a great itinerary to consider before going to Thailand. Noted all the places mentioned here to plan my travel

    1. Thanks for liking the itinerary. DO let me know when you go and which all places you liked.. 🙂

  9. Indeed memories are the best souvenirs and we have been planning Bangkok Pattaya trip this year, this post has showcased a perfect itinerary.

    1. Thanks girl..:)

  10. I have been to the country and it’s amazing. Your article is great help who are planning for vacation in Thailand.

    1. Thanks for liking this post. Well I am trying to explore new places and pen about them.

  11. Big bang itiernary I mean I have been to Thailand but never knew this many things exist ,but thanks to u who bought this big itiernary for us

    1. Yes I also loved exploring new attractions in these two major cities.

  12. Sheetal says:

    Really very helpful itinerary and thank you so much for providing each and every detail over here.

    1. Thanks dear..:)

  13. Papri Ganguly says:

    I really want to visit Ramayana Water Park in Bangkok. Heard so much about it. Lovely captures

    1. Woaah good choice Papri.. Ramayana is so cool. Do try Boomerang.. 😀

  14. Such a breathtaking shots. After reading your post, i added Bangkok in my wishlist ! ?

  15. Paula G. says:

    For long time already I have wanted to visit Thailand. Especially island hopping seems so interesting, but I would also like to visit Bangkok. I think the etiquette guide is great. It is always good to know some local customs. Beautiful pictures!

  16. Such a well-put 10 day itinerary this is. Loved the vintage clocks and the telephones. Ocean world is exciting.

  17. preety85 says:

    The scenic beauty is truly awesome, after reading this article me too want to visit Thailand

  18. Ha says:

    I LOVE this itinerary! I plan to visit Thailand this year so was searching some places in Bangkok and Chiangmai, and now I know to add some more places. I need to visit Bangkok & Pattaya soon!

  19. I may never plan to spend 10 days in Bangkok, Pattaya? But this looks like a good itinerary. The 3D art of the canal looks so real!!!
    I might just be more interested in Rayong than Bangkok. The vintage and natural beauty of the place is totally my kinda place to go.

  20. Omg these are so cool, glad you had a great time in Pattaya. I want to visit Thailand again. Foods are amazing as well.

  21. I probably would not allocate 10 days to Bangkok as I’d probably head out to other regions such as Ayutthaya and Kanchanaburi where there’s much more culture and heritage to check out. Nevertheless, the scenery you’ve captured here is really beautiful, especially the landscapes in Rayong which look so inviting.

  22. Bangkok is in my wishlist since long . Beautiful pictures by the way.

  23. Great Blog! Its really helpful Blogging is an amazing skill with which you can share your thoughts online.Love your ideas keep up the good work!

  24. Your blog helped me to plan my recent trip to Bangkok and Pattaya, thank you! Made a video itinerary out of it, please watch and give your feedback.

    https://youtu.be/tok17yOR1W8

  25. […] Looking for budget International Trip then do check this 10-Day Itinerary for an Amazing Family Trip To East Thailand! […]

  26. […] Rayong is a relatively tranquil province in eastern Thailand and is very easily accessible by road from both Bangkok & Pattaya cities. From Bangkok, it is can be reached by road in approximately 2.5-3 hrs. While from Pattaya it is just 62 kms. away. It is literally located facing the Gulf of Thailand with a vast coastline and some mesmerizing islands on one side and hills on the other side in close vicinity. Read more about Rayong and activities to do here ->A 10-Day Itinerary for an Amazing Family Trip Through Bangkok, Rayong & Pattaya! […]

  27. Perfect post. I liked how you have described every detail with some stunning pictures. Knowing some common local words always helps.

  28. Very nice and informative. There is much to see and experience in Thailand. We have visited Bangkok and Pattaya but missed Rayong on our last visit to Thailand.

  29. Shreemayee Chattoppadhyay says:

    What attracts me the most is the greenery you’ve captured. Since long, Bangkok is on my wishlist. Your description only heightened that desire.

  30. Wow. Loved your this journey. A planned one is always good. Going to Bangkok is always in my bucket list. Your blog reminded me the last time we went there.

  31. This brought back so many fond memories from our fam to Bangkok. We had such a great time exploring all these quirky places. The water park was so much fun! I’d love to visit Thailand again.

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