Arrive Suvarnabhumi/Don Mueang, take the airport rail or shuttle to central Bangkok and check into a budget guesthouse/2-star hotel; drop luggage and freshen up. Budget rooms in central areas (Khao San/Silom/Pratunam) are typically affordable and convenient for transport.
Try papaya salad, fried chicken and other Isaan dishes at Som Tam Nua (open ~10:30am–9:30pm) or nearby food court stalls for cheap, tasty Thai lunch — great introduction to local flavors.
Visit Bangkok’s most famous complex — the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha. Note dress code (no shorts/sleeveless). Open approx 8:30am–3:30pm; arrive early afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds.
Head to Chinatown for an evening of street-food tasting — seafood stalls, grilled skewers and desserts. Chinatown comes alive after dusk and is open late nightly.
Experience the backpacker vibe with cheap drinks, street snacks and lively bars — good low-cost evening entertainment and people-watching (area open late).
Visit the Jim Thompson House museum to learn about Thai silk and traditional teak architecture. Museum open ~9:00am–6:00pm and provides a guided-tour format.
Take the Chao Phraya public boat (very cheap) and head to Asiatique by early evening for riverside shops, stalls and sunset views; Asiatique is open ~5:00pm–11:00pm.
Take an early local or rapid train from Bangkok (Hua Lamphong or Rangsit) to Ayutthaya to maximize time; trains leave early morning and the journey is ~1.5–2 hours by ordinary train.
Cycle between Wat Mahathat, Wat Phra Si Sanphet and other ruins within the historical park (open ~8:00am–6:00pm); the compact site is best by bike and full of UNESCO-history sights.
If open and nearby, Thip Samai or a reputable evening pad thai spot is a delicious budget choice; many famed pad thai places operate in the evening (check local opening times).
Grab an early breakfast and head to Don Mueang or Suvarnabhumi for a low-cost domestic flight to Chiang Mai (flight time ~1h15m). Early flights maximize your day in the north.
Check into a budget guesthouse in the Old City (typical THB600–900/night) then enjoy khao soi (Northern curry noodle soup) at a local shop like Khao Soi Nimman or a similar small eatery (open midday onwards).
Take a songthaew or share-taxi to Doi Suthep for sunset views and the hilltop temple (open ~6:00am–5:00pm). Travel time is ~30–45 minutes each way, allow 2–3 hours total.
Take a shared minivan or rent a scooter to the Bua Thong 'sticky' waterfalls (open ~8:00am–5:00pm) where limestone allows you to climb the falls — a refreshing and inexpensive natural outing.
If you prefer wildlife, book a reputable ethical half-day or full-day sanctuary (many require pre-booking and run ~8:00am–4:00pm); note this is pricier but supports rescued elephants.
Return to the Night Bazaar or a walking street (if your visit aligns with Sunday Walking Street, that’s a highlight) for dinner and cheap souvenirs; markets open evenings (Night Bazaar nightly).
Check back into your Bangkok guesthouse; try famous cheap boat noodles near Victory Monument or another local food court for an inexpensive lunch (boat-noodle shops open daytime).
If time allows, pick up last-minute souvenirs at a nearby market or relax in a cafe before transferring to the airport; airports are 45–60 minutes from central Bangkok depending on traffic.
Head to Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang with ample time for your international flight back to Kolkata. Budget carriers and full-service airlines operate this route several times daily.