6 Ultimate Experiences to Have in Thailand

From buzzy urban streets lined with flavour-packed eats to idyllic tropical beaches, Thailand has it all. Start your trip in Bangkok to be immersed in the capital city’s great food, art and fashion, then head south to the pristine coastal destination of Khao Lak, where relaxation and adventure await. Here’s our guide to the best experiences to have during your next visit. 

Day One - Bangkok

12pm: Settle in for a meal spiced with history

Enjoy a taste of Thailand’s rich culinary traditions with lunch at the Michelin-starred Paste Bangkok in the heart of the city and a 35-minute drive west from Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Chef Bongkoch ‘Bee’ Satongun’s culinary talents pair heirloom recipes with contemporary flair – think watermelon rind and fish roe soup with sea bass and jicama dumplings – and have earned her the title of Asia’s Best Female Chef in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards. Linger in the light-filled dining room while indulging in the innovative 12-course tasting menu paired with a standout collection of international wine. 

“We work directly with local farmers and producers, sourcing rare ingredients including river weed from Nan and heirloom herbs from the north,” explains Chanya Sathongaun, Paste Bangkok’s director. “Every dish is based on traditional recipes, layered with technique and memory.” She also suggests making the most of the restaurant’s prime location within the high-end Gaysorn Amarin shopping centre, where an après-lunch shopping spree at boutiques including Comme des Garçons, Maison Margiela and Louis Vuitton is the ideal way to wrap up the afternoon. If you have more time to spend in the Thai capital, she also recommends exploring Bang Krachao, a lush urban jungle on an island on the Chao Phraya River. Hire a bike to cycle along shaded paths or visit its bustling weekend markets.

3pm: Enter an artistic metaverse

To gain an insight into Bangkok’s cutting-edge digital art scene, head 15 kilometres west of Gaysorn Amarin to Seacon Bangkae Mall where you’ll find the Space & Time Cube gallery. Opened in January 2025, it offers 27 themed rooms of interactive installations and 3D illusions. Wander through a mirror maze, have close-up encounters with life-like dinosaurs and drift among technicolour fish in the virtual aquarium. The 720-degree projections, holograms, interactive games and VR experiences are ideal for visitors of all ages.

TIP: Whether you’re eating, drinking, shopping or soaking up Thailand’s natural wonders, tap your way closer to your next trip with your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. You’ll earn up to 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases¹ so you can continue to grow your points balance. You'll also enjoy uncapped Qantas Points earning potential for every dollar you spend on your Card.

6pm: Check into a hip riverside address

A 30-minute taxi ride north-east of Seacon Bangkae Mall will bring you to The StandardX Bangkok Phra Arthit, a sleek retreat overlooking the Chao Phraya River. Inside, the walls are daubed with street art and the hotel’s own gallery showcases the work of local and international creatives. Have dinner at lively in-house restaurant BANG, where the menu of classic Thai flavours and ingredients is given a contemporary twist. Order the deep-fried papaya salad for a punchy take on the local favourite or warm up with the fragrant green beef curry. Afterwards, head to the sixth floor and pull up a perch at The Roof open-air bar for a spicy margarita and 360-degree views of the river.

TIP: Moments of relaxation can start at the airport. With the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, you’ll receive two complimentary Qantas Club Lounge Invitations each year after your first Card spend on selected Qantas products and services² and two passes to The Centurion® Lounge to use at Sydney or Melbourne International Airports³. Lounge access entitles you to complimentary food and beverages, plus enjoy free and fast Wi-Fi and more.

Day two: Khao Lak

12pm: Escape to an island paradise

Switch gears at Khao Lak, a relaxed coastal escape in Phang Nga province south of Bangkok. Take a 90-minute flight to Phuket airport before an hour-long road transfer to arrive at Avani+ Khao Lak Resort, an oceanfront property nestled on the white sand shores of Bangsak Beach. Sink into the slow rhythm of island time at the day spa and discover why Thai massage is known as “passive yoga”, or relax with an aromatherapy oil treatment. If you’re travelling with children, there’s even a dedicated kids spa menu offering mini-manicures and papaya and mango body scrubs following a day of action-packed adventure at the resort's waterpark. Afterwards, take to the calm waters of the Andaman Sea on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. At night, retire to your two-bedroom Royal Beachfront Pool Villa – you’ll wake up just footsteps from the sand and have your own jacuzzi, pool and deck to unwind on.

TIP: If wine is your drink of choice with a great dinner, take advantage of a fantastic offer when you return home. With your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, you’ll get a complimentary Qantas Wine Premium Membership where you’ll earn 3 Qantas Points per dollar spent on all Qantas Wine purchases.⁴

3pm: Step back in time at a traditional Thai village

The beautifully preserved architecture of Takua Pa Old Town, 25-minutes by car from the resort, belies the fact that it remains a vibrant local village. Here, the streets are lined with ornate Chinese and Sino-Portuguese-style shophouses, shrines and temples, creating a dramatic background to everyday life. Stop by the fresh food market close to the centre of town for a taste of the country’s fragrant tropical produce and local specialties, including spicy fried fish cakes and fermented pork sausage. Grab refreshments at nearby Kopi Kuapa, a rustic laneway café with a serene courtyard where you can order local-style coffee, refreshing mango frappes and Chinese mooncakes. 

TIP: Book your flights with the help of the annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit⁵ that comes with your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Each year, you’ll receive a $450 Qantas Travel Credit to use on eligible domestic or international Qantas flights when booked through American Express Travel.

Day three: Khao Lak

10am: Glide down a river in a tropical rainforest

Go bamboo rafting down the Wang Kiang Khu River through the lush Khao Lak-Lam Ru National Park, a stunning rainforest preserve in southern Thailand. Bookable through the Avani+ Khao Lak Resort or via Klook, a shuttle bus will whisk you 25 kilometres south of your stay to the departure point. Drift three kilometres downstream on a traditional raft led by a local guide, passing beneath stately century-old banyan trees and around dense mangroves during the 40-minute journey. Look out for chittering monkeys, monitor lizards and soaring eagles. The sparkling river winds past Wang Kiang Khu Waterfall where you can pause for a refreshing swim. Explore more of the region and extend your trip with a visit to nearby sacred temples in Phang Nga and elephant conservation centres. 

TIP: When exploring the natural beauty of Thailand, help ensure you have added coverage. The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card's Complimentary Travel Insurance⁶ offers domestic and international insurance for you, your partner and your dependent children when you pay for your return trip on your Card. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). Please check your Travel Insurance terms for the full coverage details for specific activities.

Have fun getting there

Fly Sydney to Bangkok return using Classic Flight Rewards, Classic Plus or Points Plus Pay via our one world alliance member airlines.^

Make your way around Thailand with the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card. Earn up to 90,000 bonus Qantas Points* - that’s 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 13 January 2026, are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months. Plus, an additional 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend min $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card fee. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only. 

You’ll also receive:

• An annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit⁵ to use on eligible domestic and international Qantas flights booked through American Express Travel.
• The potential to earn more Qantas Points with up to four Additional Cards for family or friends, at no extra fee⁷.
• Two Qantas Club Lounge Invitations each year after purchasing eligible Qantas products and services², plus two complimentary entries to The Centurion® Lounge³ at Sydney and Melbourne International Airports.
• Complimentary Qantas Wine Premium Membership⁴, allowing you to enjoy exceptional wines while earning 3 Qantas Points per $1 spent.
• Complimentary domestic and international Travel Insurance⁶ (for you, your partner and dependent children) when you pay for the return trip with your Card. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).

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