Phuket, Krabi and Bangkok
So, my fellow travellers… 😊
I recently got back from Thailand, and while unpacking my bags, I found myself reliving the little moments that made the trip so memorable. Over the years, I’ve realised that some of the most useful travel advice doesn’t come from polished itineraries or guidebooks, but from fellow travellers sharing what actually worked for them.
This isn’t a guide or a checklist. It’s simply a collection of experiences, small discoveries, a few mistakes we avoided, and some things that genuinely made our trip smoother. If you are planning a trip to Thailand, I hope this helps in some small way.
The trip started with booking our flights. One thing we consciously did was book directly with the airlines. IndiGo from Mumbai to Phuket, Bangkok Airways from Krabi to Bangkok, and Air India for our return to Mumbai.
One thing that stood out while booking the Krabi to Bangkok sector was how misleading some of the cheaper fares on travel portals can be. They look attractive at first, but once you read the details, many of them do not include check-in baggage. By the time you add baggage, the price difference almost disappears. Reading the fine print saved us from a small but avoidable mistake.
Hotels were another interesting part of the planning. We booked multiple options with free cancellation on Agoda, Ixigo and MMT, and only finalised everything about a week before travelling. Prices kept changing, and having that flexibility helped us choose better options without pressure.
Forex has become almost a ritual before international travel. We used BookMyForex again, just like on our previous trips. One small thing that helped was calling and negotiating instead of simply accepting the online rate. We also carried some INR and exchanged it locally after comparing rates across multiple exchange counters in tourist areas. A little patience made a noticeable difference.
One decision I don’t regret at all was skipping international roaming. I bought an eSIM through Klook before flying. The entire process was smooth. I received OTPs on email, WhatsApp worked perfectly for calls, and I didn’t have to waste time buying a physical SIM or sharing passport details at a local shop.
Klook quietly became one of our most useful apps during the trip. We used it for airport transfers, spa bookings, eSIM, and even a few local experiences.
There was one interesting moment with a spa booking. I messaged them on WhatsApp to check availability and casually mentioned I was booking via Klook. They replied saying I could simply walk in and get the same price directly. After the session, they even offered an additional discount. It was a reminder that sometimes just asking politely changes the outcome.
The same approach carried into island tours. Instead of pre-booking everything online, we often walked around local markets in the evenings, spoke to a few tour operators, compared prices, and asked for their best offer. More often than not, that simple conversation led to better deals or small add-ons.
Phuket
Phuket felt like a mix of energy and ease.
We stayed at Baumanburi Hotel, which had spacious rooms, a good pool, and a very convenient location. The only tip I would share is to avoid standard rooms if possible, as upgrading at check-in often becomes unavoidable.
For food, one of our most memorable finds was P.S. Restaurant, just across Bangla Street, a short walk from Jungceylon Mall. It was simple, authentic, and felt far removed from overly commercial tourist spots.
Another evening that stood out was at Zuri Restaurant at Patong Beach. We reached around sunset, and everything just aligned perfectly. Live music, a drummer and dancer performance, great food, and the sky slowly changing colours over the sea. It was one of those evenings you don’t plan for, but remember long after.
Krabi
Krabi surprised us in more ways than one. While most people visit for the island tours, some of our best memories actually came from the mainland.
The Emerald Pool felt almost unreal when we first saw it. Hidden inside a forest, the water has a natural emerald-green clarity that looks almost surreal in person. The walk through the shaded trail is part of the experience itself.
The Hot Springs offered a completely different pace. After days of walking and sightseeing, soaking in naturally warm mineral water felt incredibly calming and restorative.
The ATV ride added a fun and adventurous layer to the day. Riding through muddy paths, plantations, and uneven terrain made it one of those experiences where you don’t realise how much you are smiling until it ends.
One of the most peaceful evenings in Krabi was completely unplanned. We spent some quiet time at the beach at Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa Krabi. The resort sits right on the shoreline, and the beach opens directly in front of it, forming a calm stretch with fewer crowds than expected.
We walked through the main entrance and then found a small parallel alley that leads directly to the beach. It almost feels like a hidden passage.
When we reached the shore, it was extremely peaceful. A few resort guests were scattered along the beach, but for most of the time it felt like our own quiet corner of the coastline.
There were outdoor seating areas placed by the resort and a simple beach swing near the shore. We spent a long time just sitting there, gently swinging, watching the waves, and seeing the sky slowly change colour. No plan, no rush, just a quiet memory that stayed with us.
Bangkok
Bangkok had its own rhythm.
We stayed at Citrus Sukhumvit 11, which struck a great balance. Close enough to restaurants, nightlife, and live music, but still quiet enough at night. BTS Nana station was a short walk away, which made exploring easy.
Breakfast here was also noticeably better than our other stays, and the location made it easy to step out without planning too much.
Food discoveries in Bangkok and Phuket
Some of the best meals we had were not planned at all. They were simple places we stumbled upon while walking around.
In Phuket, P.S. Restaurant became one of those surprise finds that we kept going back to.
In Bangkok, Krua Khun Puk, located near BTS Nana under Sukhumvit 11, was another favourite. No frills, just honest Thai food at reasonable prices.
One of the most interesting discoveries was Don’t Open The Fridge on Sukhumvit 11. From outside, it looks like part of Soho Pizza, and you would never guess the entrance is through a refrigerator door. Inside is a cosy bar with live music or a DJ depending on the night, chilled beer, masala peanuts, and a very welcoming vibe. It quickly became one of our favourite evenings in Bangkok.
Looking back, Thailand was not just about beaches, island tours, or nightlife. It was about the small in-between moments. Comparing rates at one more exchange counter, chatting with spa owners on WhatsApp, walking into restaurants that simply looked interesting, discovering hidden bars, and watching sunsets without rushing anywhere.
If there is one thing this trip reinforced for me, it is that planning helps, but leaving space for spontaneity often creates the best memories.
I hope a few of these experiences help someone planning their own Thailand trip. If you have any questions, I am happy to help.
Happy travelling! 🇹🇭✈️
u/koloursoflife — 8 days ago
▲ 45 r/desitravellers
Thailand (Phuket, Krabi and Bangkok)
So, my fellow travellers… 😊
I recently got back from Thailand, and while unpacking my bags, I found myself reliving the little moments that made the trip so memorable. Over the years, I’ve realised that some of the most useful travel advice doesn’t come from polished itineraries or guidebooks, but from fellow travellers sharing what actually worked for them.
This isn’t a guide or a checklist. It’s simply a collection of experiences, small discoveries, a few mistakes we avoided, and some things that genuinely made our trip smoother. If you are planning a trip to Thailand, I hope this helps in some small way.
The trip started with booking our flights. One thing we consciously did was book directly with the airlines. IndiGo from Mumbai to Phuket, Bangkok Airways from Krabi to Bangkok, and Air India for our return to Mumbai.
One thing that stood out while booking the Krabi to Bangkok sector was how misleading some of the cheaper fares on travel portals can be. They look attractive at first, but once you read the details, many of them do not include check-in baggage. By the time you add baggage, the price difference almost disappears. Reading the fine print saved us from a small but avoidable mistake.
Hotels were another interesting part of the planning. We booked multiple options with free cancellation on Agoda, Ixigo and MMT, and only finalised everything about a week before travelling. Prices kept changing, and having that flexibility helped us choose better options without pressure.
Forex has become almost a ritual before international travel. We used BookMyForex again, just like on our previous trips. One small thing that helped was calling and negotiating instead of simply accepting the online rate. We also carried some INR and exchanged it locally after comparing rates across multiple exchange counters in tourist areas. A little patience made a noticeable difference.
One decision I don’t regret at all was skipping international roaming. I bought an eSIM through Klook before flying. The entire process was smooth. I received OTPs on email, WhatsApp worked perfectly for calls, and I didn’t have to waste time buying a physical SIM or sharing passport details at a local shop.
Klook quietly became one of our most useful apps during the trip. We used it for airport transfers, spa bookings, eSIM, and even a few local experiences.
There was one interesting moment with a spa booking. I messaged them on WhatsApp to check availability and casually mentioned I was booking via Klook. They replied saying I could simply walk in and get the same price directly. After the session, they even offered an additional discount. It was a reminder that sometimes just asking politely changes the outcome.
The same approach carried into island tours. Instead of pre-booking everything online, we often walked around local markets in the evenings, spoke to a few tour operators, compared prices, and asked for their best offer. More often than not, that simple conversation led to better deals or small add-ons.
Phuket
Phuket felt like a mix of energy and ease.
We stayed at Baumanburi Hotel, which had spacious rooms, a good pool, and a very convenient location. The only tip I would share is to avoid standard rooms if possible, as upgrading at check-in often becomes unavoidable.
For food, one of our most memorable finds was P.S. Restaurant, just across Bangla Street, a short walk from Jungceylon Mall. It was simple, authentic, and felt far removed from overly commercial tourist spots.
Another evening that stood out was at Zuri Restaurant at Patong Beach. We reached around sunset, and everything just aligned perfectly. Live music, a drummer and dancer performance, great food, and the sky slowly changing colours over the sea. It was one of those evenings you don’t plan for, but remember long after.
Krabi
Krabi surprised us in more ways than one. While most people visit for the island tours, some of our best memories actually came from the mainland.
The Emerald Pool felt almost unreal when we first saw it. Hidden inside a forest, the water has a natural emerald-green clarity that looks almost surreal in person. The walk through the shaded trail is part of the experience itself.
The Hot Springs offered a completely different pace. After days of walking and sightseeing, soaking in naturally warm mineral water felt incredibly calming and restorative.
The ATV ride added a fun and adventurous layer to the day. Riding through muddy paths, plantations, and uneven terrain made it one of those experiences where you don’t realise how much you are smiling until it ends.
One of the most peaceful evenings in Krabi was completely unplanned. We spent some quiet time at the beach at Centara Ao Nang Beach Resort & Spa Krabi. The resort sits right on the shoreline, and the beach opens directly in front of it, forming a calm stretch with fewer crowds than expected.
We walked through the main entrance and then found a small parallel alley that leads directly to the beach. It almost feels like a hidden passage.
When we reached the shore, it was extremely peaceful. A few resort guests were scattered along the beach, but for most of the time it felt like our own quiet corner of the coastline.
There were outdoor seating areas placed by the resort and a simple beach swing near the shore. We spent a long time just sitting there, gently swinging, watching the waves, and seeing the sky slowly change colour. No plan, no rush, just a quiet memory that stayed with us.
Bangkok
Bangkok had its own rhythm.
We stayed at Citrus Sukhumvit 11, which struck a great balance. Close enough to restaurants, nightlife, and live music, but still quiet enough at night. BTS Nana station was a short walk away, which made exploring easy.
Breakfast here was also noticeably better than our other stays, and the location made it easy to step out without planning too much.
Food discoveries in Bangkok and Phuket
Some of the best meals we had were not planned at all. They were simple places we stumbled upon while walking around.
In Phuket, P.S. Restaurant became one of those surprise finds that we kept going back to.
In Bangkok, Krua Khun Puk, located near BTS Nana under Sukhumvit 11, was another favourite. No frills, just honest Thai food at reasonable prices.
One of the most interesting discoveries was Don’t Open The Fridge on Sukhumvit 11. From outside, it looks like part of Soho Pizza, and you would never guess the entrance is through a refrigerator door. Inside is a cosy bar with live music or a DJ depending on the night, chilled beer, masala peanuts, and a very welcoming vibe. It quickly became one of our favourite evenings in Bangkok.
Looking back, Thailand was not just about beaches, island tours, or nightlife. It was about the small in-between moments. Comparing rates at one more exchange counter, chatting with spa owners on WhatsApp, walking into restaurants that simply looked interesting, discovering hidden bars, and watching sunsets without rushing anywhere.
If there is one thing this trip reinforced for me, it is that planning helps, but leaving space for spontaneity often creates the best memories.
I hope a few of these experiences help someone planning their own Thailand trip. If you have any questions, I am happy to help.
Happy travelling! 🇹🇭✈️
u/koloursoflife — 8 days ago