Clear immigration and baggage, buy a Thai SIM and grab coffee; early arrival gives plenty of time to transfer to Pattaya. DMK airport shops and counters open early for morning flights.
Take a scheduled airport coach or shared minivan to Pattaya (buses/minivans run frequently in the morning); book at the counter or online to secure seats. Journey typically 1h30m–2h depending on traffic.
Enjoy fresh grilled seafood and seaside views at Mum Aroi or a relaxed beachfront set-menu at The Glass House; most beachfront restaurants serve from 11:00am onwards.
Visit the intricately carved all-wood Sanctuary of Truth by the bay (open ~8:00am–6:00pm) — late afternoon light is especially photogenic and crowds thin out near closing.
For lively atmosphere choose Walking Street’s seafood and street-food vendors, or pick The Glass House for a quieter beachfront dinner; most dining venues operate into the late evening.
Catch a ferry (30–45 minutes) or speedboat (15–20 minutes) to Koh Larn for clear water, snorkelling and white-sand beaches; boat services run from early morning until late afternoon.
Head back to Pattaya to relax at your hotel or enjoy water-sports at Jomtien; afternoons are good for a quieter beach experience after the island rush.
Choose a beachfront grill for sunset dining or a lively teppanyaki restaurant for cooked-to-order entertainment; many places stay open until 10:00–11:00pm.
Visit the viewpoint for panoramic coastal photos and the nearby Big Buddha Shrine; sites are accessible in the cooler morning hours (open all day, best in morning).
Choose Ripley’s for oddities or Art in Paradise for interactive 3D art photos — both indoor attractions are open mid-morning to evening and are good if the weather is hot.
Choose parasailing, jet-skiing or relax by the hotel pool; water-sport operators run through the afternoon, but confirm safety and pricing before booking.
Travel to central Bangkok (approx 1h30m–2h). Private transfers are more comfortable while minivans are cheaper; plan drop-off near the Old City or riverside for temple access.
Enjoy a retro-café breakfast/lunch at On Lok Yun or choose a calm riverside café; On Lok Yun opens early and riverside spots typically serve lunch from late morning.
Visit the Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha (open 8:30am–3:30pm). Dress respectfully (no shorts or sleeveless tops) and aim to arrive early in the afternoon to allow time before closing.
Take a short ferry to Wat Arun for riverside sunset photos (Wat Arun open ~8:00am–5:30pm); early evening ambience along the Chao Phraya is very pleasant.
Explore Ayutthaya’s iconic ruins including the famous Buddha head in tree roots at Wat Mahathat; most temple sites are open 8:00am–6:00pm and are best visited in the morning.
Dine by the river at Asiatique (shops open 4:00pm–midnight) or choose a quieter neighbourhood restaurant near your hotel after a full day of sightseeing.
Leave early to reach DMK with time for domestic check-in and security; allow at least 90 minutes before your scheduled flight to Chiang Mai to avoid stress with traffic.
Fly to Chiang Mai (flight ~1h10m) and proceed to pick-up for an ethical elephant sanctuary or early city activity; flights vary so confirm the sanctuary pick-up time when booking.
Spend the day at an accredited rescue sanctuary learning about elephant care, feeding and bathing; most full-day programmes run from about 9:00am–4:30pm and require advance booking.
Depart early for Chiang Mai Airport to catch a domestic flight back to Don Mueang; be at the airport 60–90 minutes before domestic departure to allow for check-in.
Flight time is about 1h10m. Arrive DMK and prepare for your onward international check-in or connecting transport; allow extra time if you need to change terminals or transfer into central Bangkok.
Have a final Thai breakfast at the airport or a nearby café — many outlets at DMK open early for morning flights and this is a convenient time to sort baggage and documents.
Proceed through check-in, security and immigration as required for your departure; for international flights allow 2–3 hours before scheduled departure if applicable.