7 days in Thailand: Why the rainy season is the perfect time to visit

With its palm tree studded beaches, jaw-dropping temples, elephants and delicious food, Thailand is one of those exotic destinations that practically every one of us dreams of visiting. But there are two problems: It’s far away (we’re talking a 14-hour flight) and mighty expensive. By the time you’ve booked your flight and hotel, you’ll probably have dropped nearly a grand on your trip.

But, while there’s no getting around the long flight, there is a way to ensure you save a good chunk of cash on your trip – while still having an incredible time.

The trick is to head to Thailand in the rainy season. Don’t let the thunderstorm-ridden weather forecasts deter you; the country is spectacular during the autumn months. Downpours are few and far between and the temperature is still a glorious 30°C. Trust us, you will come back tanned. Probably burnt.

And because of the threat of rain, both the county’s main cities and popular beaches are almost completely devoid of tourists. Therefore, it’s highly likely that you’ll have an empty seat beside you on the plane to stretch out on – those 14+ hours will whizz by.

Hotels are also considerably more affordable than during peak season. You’ll be able to stay in a four star hotel for the price of a three – or even two – star.

Deciding where to go in Thailand is the tough part. You’ve got bustling Bangkok with all its temples and markets, Chiang Mai in the north of the country and the much-talked about island of Phuket in addition to a whole host of smaller islands.

So, if you’ve only got seven days in Thailand to see as much as possible, here’s our tried and tested itinerary:

Day one: Bangkok

You’ll most likely be jetlagged (jumping forward six hours after a long haul flight is a killer), and the humidity in Thailand’s capital takes some getting used to, so take your first day easy. Hop aboard the city’s easy-to-navigate and wonderfully air conditioned Sky Train and make your way to the former home of US silk merchant Jim Thompson. Surrounded by leafy palms and packed with historical artifacts and lavish furnishings, it’s a great place to start your cultural initiation. Once the sun sets, jump on the underground train and head to the buzzing night train market for a couple of Chang beers, a spot of shopping and some street food with the city’s younger generation.

Day two: Bangkok

Take a local boat down the city’s canals (seeing the city from the water is a must) towards the older part of the city and spend a few hours visiting Wat Pho, the reclining Buddha temple, and the Grand Palace. After, head to Siam Square for a wander around the array of shopping centres and some food. After dinner, soak up the city’s remarkable skyline at a sky bar. Hotel Muse’s Speakeasy rooftop bar, which isn’t quite as pricey as some and has a great atmosphere – not to mention a prohibition era theme.

Day three and four: North Phuket

Catch a domestic flight down to Thailand’s largest island for a couple of days of R+R. Book two nights in the dreamy Maikhao Dream Villa Resort and Spa and escape from it all. Each of the hotel’s 22 villas comes with it’s own pool or you can catch some rays on the hotel’s private beach. You can eat in the hotel’s restaurant or order to your room for some serious downtime.

Day five and six: South Phuket

Take a taxi down to the south of the island and check into Sri Panwa: a sprawling resort right on the southernmost tip that you’ll be hard pressed to leave. From here, you can catch a boat over to one of Phuket’s surrounding islands, pay a visit to the giant Buddha statue or head into town for the afternoon – or you can simply chill out at one of the resort’s numerous pools, treat yourself to a spa treatment and watch the sun set from the wow-factor Baba Nest bar.

Day seven: Bangkok

Head back to Bangkok for one last night before you embark on your journey home. If you’re there at the weekend, don’t miss the legendary, and sprawling, Chatuchak Market, which you can easily access via the Sky Train. Another must-see is the Wat Aran (the temple of dawn), which you can get to via a picturesque boat trip on the city’s main river. If you find yourself with any spare time, try and get to one of Bangkok’s infamous floating markets, where locals sell fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers and other wares on boats. Make sure you take a tuk tuk at some point to complete your Bangkok experience – but settle the price before you get in.

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