Thai Trip
This trip was different from all our previous international travels.
For the first time, it was just the two of us.
The kids stayed with my parents —because we felt Thailand isn’t really a kids-focused destination the way Bali, Europe or Japan were for us.
Travel dates were fixed: September 27 – October 3, 2025.
After quite a bit of discussion and research, we finalised a relaxed island-style plan:
- 3 days in Pattaya
- 2 days in Phi Phi Islands
- 1 day in Phuket
This trip wasn’t about ticking landmarks.
It was about slowing down, beaches, nightlife, and travelling as a couple again after a long gap.
Thailand visa & arrival
Thailand is currently visa-free for Indian passport holders for short tourist stays (typically up to 30 days, subject to government updates).
This makes Thailand one of the easiest international trips to plan from India.
The process is simple but still requires preparation.
Before travelling, you must complete the TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card) online and generate the QR code. This must be done within 3 days before travel and shown at immigration.
At immigration you are expected to carry:
- Return flight tickets
- Proof of stay
- Cash of at least 10,000 Thai Baht per person
In our case, immigration was extremely smooth. We landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport around 6:00 a.m., walked to the counters, and were stamped through without any questions.
But this should not be taken lightly — rules can be enforced randomly, and it’s always safer to carry the required documents and cash.
One important tip:
There will be no currency exchange counters before immigration, so it’s best to carry Thai Baht from India itself.
I carried 25,000 Thai Baht (~₹70,000 INR) before departure, which made the arrival completely stress-free.
Thailand had already started the trip the way travellers like best — simple and frictionless
Day 1: Pattaya arrival, Ocean Sky and Walking Street
After landing in Bangkok, we took a pre-booked Klook taxi to Pattaya and checked into Jomitien Palm Beach Hotel.
The official check-in time was 2:00 p.m., but we paid 1000 Thai Baht for early check-in and rested for a few hours — the early morning flight made that decision easy.
Evening: Ocean Sky dinner cruise
In the evening, we headed to Ocean Sky Pattaya, a dinner cruise that felt more like a floating party.
Dinner, music, lights, and sea breeze — a relaxed way to begin the trip.
Walking Street & club experience
Later that night, we visited the famous Walking Street and went into a club.
The atmosphere was loud, energetic, and intense — very different from our usual travel style. The music was so loud that holding a conversation was nearly impossible.
As an introvert, I wasn’t fully comfortable, but it was still a completely new experience and part of understanding Pattaya’s nightlife culture.
After some snacks at the club, we returned to the hotel and called it a night.
Thailand had started very differently from our previous family trips — faster, louder, and more spontaneous.
Day 2: Temples, ice worlds and floating markets
We planned a packed sightseeing day and booked four attractions via Klook.
For local transport we used the Bolt app, and taxis were available within minutes throughout the day.
Sanctuary of Truth
Our first stop was the Sanctuary of Truth Museum — a massive wooden temple built entirely from carved wood. We also did a horse ride here and took a framed photograph — a nice souvenir from the visit.
Frost Magical Ice of Siam
Next, we visited Frost Magical Ice of Siam, an indoor ice park filled with ice sculptures.
Winter jackets and gloves are provided at the entrance since the temperature inside is extremely low. Walking through ice carvings in tropical Thailand felt surreal and fun.
We had lunch here before moving to the next stop.
Pattaya Floating Market
The Pattaya Floating Market was lively and colourful. Almost everything sold here is freshly cooked street food.
We tried:
- Mango sticky rice (our favourite)
- Some adventurous snacks — including crocodile meat
- There were even insect dishes for those willing to try!
It was chaotic, busy and very local in feel.
Floating cafe dinner
Our last stop of the day was a floating cafe, set like a ferry in the middle of the sea, where we had dinner and relaxed.
Night: Walking Street again
At night we returned to Walking Street, but this time chose a quieter club where conversations were actually possible.
A fun highlight: we watched the Asia Cup cricket final, where India defeated Pakistan. Watching that match together while travelling abroad made the evening unexpectedly memorable.
We returned to the hotel after a long but enjoyable day.
Day 3: Tigers, elephants and a quiet beach ending
Our final day in Pattaya began with a visit to the Tiger Park Pattaya.
Here we had the chance to spend a few minutes with young tigers, including a six-month-old and a one-month-old cub. It was a special moment, and we even video-called the kids back home so they could see the tigers live — they loved it.
After returning briefly to the hotel, we headed out again for the Elephant Sanctuary.
Thankfully, the weather was cloudy and pleasant. My wife especially enjoyed this experience — feeding the elephants, interacting with them, and spending time in a more natural setting. Lunch was included and turned out to be very good.
By evening we were dropped back at the hotel.
To close our Pattaya stay, we took a walk along Jomitien Beach, slow and relaxed.
And just like that, we were done with Pattaya — a mix of nightlife, unique attractions, and beach time.
Day 4: From city flights to island life
We took an early morning domestic flight to Phuket.
As usual, we pre-booked a Klook taxi to the airport — this time for domestic travel.
After landing in Phuket, another pre-booked taxi took us directly to the Phuket Pier, where we had to board a speedboat to the Phi Phi Islands.
We arrived early and were lucky — the operator allowed us to board an earlier speedboat at 2:00 p.m., even though our original booking was for 3:30 p.m.
The ride was slightly bumpy, but overall comfortable. The sea was relatively calm and pleasant.
Arrival at Phi Phi Islands
At the island pier, a staff member from our hotel — Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort — was waiting with a placard. He helped load our luggage onto a cart and guided us to the resort.
The hotel is about a 15-minute walk from the pier. Walking is easy without luggage, but with bags the assistance makes a big difference.
Our room was a beachside cottage, and after checking in we spent the evening walking along the beach.
At night, we watched the famous Phi Phi fire shows — energetic, vibrant, and very entertaining.
One important note about Phi Phi:
There are no cars.
You move around either on foot or by bicycle.
After Pattaya’s energy, the island immediately felt slower and calmer.
Day 5: Maya Bay before the crowds
One of the main reasons we stayed overnight in Phi Phi was to do the early morning island tour and avoid the crowds.
We booked a 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. speedboat tour covering:
- Maya Bay
- Monkey Island
- A few nearby snorkeling/view points
We didn’t have time for the hotel breakfast, but the boat operator provided light snacks at the waiting area before departure.
Maya Bay — the real highlight
Reaching Maya Bay early made all the difference.
There were no crowds, the water colour was unreal, and the beach felt peaceful and open. By the time we were leaving, tour boats had started arriving and the crowd was building — confirming that the early tour was absolutely worth it.
Monkey Island and nearby stops
We then visited Monkey Island, where you need to stay alert — the monkeys can be curious and bold.
The rest of the tour was relaxed and scenic.
This early tour is exactly why staying in Phi Phi for at least one night is important.
Day trips from Phuket usually arrive after 9:00 a.m., by which time the beaches are already crowded.
By 11:00 a.m., we were back at the hotel and spent the afternoon relaxing.
In the evening, we went kayaking, keeping the rest of the day slow and peaceful.
The next day, we would head to Phuket — marking the final part of the trip.
Day 6: Back to Phuket and Bangla Street
We took the speedboat back to Phuket in the morning. This time the ride was crowded and bumpy, very different from our earlier trip to Phi Phi.
From the pier, we booked a taxi using the Bolt app and headed to our hotel, Hilton Garden Inn Phuket, where we relaxed for a while before stepping out n the evening.
Patong Beach & Bangla Street
In the evening, we visited Patong Beach and the famous Bangla Street — another energetic nightlife area.
We had dinner at Phuket Indian Restaurant, where the biryani was excellent. After dinner, we walked through the streets, tried some street food, and explored the lively night atmosphere.
It was a relaxed final evening before heading home.
Return to India
The next day, we took a direct Air India Express flight back to Hyderabad, bringing the Thailand trip to a close.
A crazy trip, very different from our family travels — and a nice change of pace.
Thailand trip cost (for two people)
Thailand turned out to be one of our more affordable international trips.
We booked flights and hotels via Trip.com, and most tours through Klook, including speedboat transfers.
Here’s the approximate breakdown:
- Flights: ~₹70,000
- Hotels: ~₹40,000
- Tours & activities: ~₹35,000
- Food, taxis & other expenses: ~₹45,000
👉 Total ≈ ₹1.9 lakh INR (for 2 people)
Compared to our other trips, Thailand felt relatively cheaper, especially considering the mix of islands, activities, and nightlife experiences.
Thailand takeaways, alerts & good-to-know tips
This trip taught us many small things that are worth knowing before visiting Thailand.
Visa-free entry confusion at the airport
Thailand was visa-free for Indians at the time of travel (always re-check latest rules).
At Bangkok airport, you may see Visa-on-Arrival counters — ignore them if visa-free entry applies to you.
- Follow the signs to Immigration (a long walk ~600–700m)
- Keep ready:
- Passport
- TDAC QR code
- Return tickets
- 10,000 Thai Baht per person
We weren’t asked for documents, but carrying them makes the probability of issues almost zero.
Airport taxi pickup process
Taxi Drivers cannot enter the terminal directly.
After exiting the airport:
- Go to the designated pickup zone
- There designated offices will be there who will go through the booking details and inform the driver.
- Wait for them to arrive
This process is normal in Bangkok and Phuket airports.
Bolt taxi tip (important)
Use Bolt app (Uber is not available)
You’ll see two options:
- Normal ride
- Express ride (can be 2–3× cost)
The time difference is usually just a few minutes, so booking normal rides early saves money.
Record your hotel room on arrival
This is a useful precaution:
When entering your hotel room, take a quick video of:
- TV
- Towels
- Bathroom
- Furniture
- Any provided equipment
This protects you from accidental damage charges or misunderstandings.
Also prefer hotels that do not demand large security deposits.
Nightlife areas — be street-smart
Pattaya Walking Street and Phuket Bangla Street are energetic nightlife zones.
Some practical tips:
- Avoid making eye contact with people inviting you into clubs, bars, or shows. If you don’t engage, they usually won’t bother you.
- Choose clubs that don’t look overly desperate for customers
- Extremely loud clubs may lead to ordering misunderstandings and billing confusion
- Quieter venues are usually safer and more comfortable
Bangla Street felt even more intense than Pattaya Walking Street.
Check equipment before using it
At Patayya floating cafe,we were given fishing rods and later charged for damage. It wasn’t clear whether it was already broken or happened during use.
Lesson:
- Always check rented or provided items first
- This applies to sports gear, hotel items, etc.
Stay overnight in Phi Phi Islands
Highly recommended.
Day trips from Phuket arrive late and the islands become crowded.
Staying overnight allows early morning tours and a much better experience.
Weather awareness
Check seasonal weather carefully.
Soon after we returned, Thailand experienced heavy storms and rain. Weather can change quickly in island destinations.
Codeshare flight confusion at check-in (important)
Our return flight booked via Trip.com was an Air India Express codeshare flight.
At the airport check-in counter, when the staff searched using the PNR, our booking didn’t show up. Earlier when i tried to do online check in also it failed..
For a few minutes it was stressful 😅
After ~20 minutes, they realized the ticket had to be searched using the E-ticket number, not the PNR.
Once they did that, everything appeared normally and we got the boarding passes.
Lesson learned:
If you book codeshare flights (especially Air India / Air India Express):
- Always keep your E-ticket number handy
- If your booking isn’t found via PNR, ask staff to search using the E-ticket number
- This seems to be a common situation with codeshare bookings
Final Thailand takeaway
Thailand is easy, fun, and accessible —
but like any popular destination, a little awareness makes the trip smoother.
