A calmer Thailand
Diving at the Similans, Muay Thai in Phuket, beaches in Krabi and Koh Lanta. Fewer stops than the usual two-week loop, and more time at each one.
30 Oct - 22 Nov 2026/2, one Italian citizen and one Spanish citizen
When
30 Oct - 22 Nov
24 days, 22 nights
Route
Andaman coast
Not the Gulf islands, see why below
Flight
Zurich nonstop
~900-1000 CHF round trip
Budget
€2,400-3,600
Per person, all-in estimate
Andaman coast, not the Gulf islands
The reference tour (huakai.es, 12-25 Sept) runs Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Khao Sok, Koh Samui, Koh Tao: a new place every 1-2 nights, built for September. This trip runs 24 days instead of 14, for two people instead of a group, and trades the Gulf islands for the Andaman coast.
- Bangkokarrival
- Khao Lakdiving
- Krabibeach
- Koh Lantabeach
- Phuketmuay thai
- Bangkokdeparture
The coasts have opposite rainy seasons
In November the Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao) is still in its wetter monsoon period. The Andaman coast (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta, Khao Lak) is entering its dry high season instead: improving seas, less rain.
Similan Islands reopen right on time
The best beginner-diving area on this coast is closed 15 May to 15 Oct every year and reopens roughly mid-October, with visibility improving through late November, right through this trip.
Koh Tao is past its best window by November
Its strongest months are Feb-May and late Aug-early Nov. November brings more rain, rougher seas, and cancelled offshore boat trips there.
3-4 nights per stop is the "not rushed" baseline across independent Thailand itinerary guides. This plan gives every stop 3-5 nights, with two buffer days built in.
Six stops, twenty-two nights
Every stop gets three nights or more, with two buffer days built in on purpose.
Bangkok
31 Oct - 3 Nov · 3 nightsSettle in, city, food, jet-lag buffer
- Sat 31 OctArrive Bangkok. Check in, rest, easy dinner.
- Sun 1 NovGrand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, riverside dinner.
- Mon 2 NovFree day: gym, food market, or a half-day buffer.
Khao Lak
3 - 7 Nov · 4 nightsSimilan Islands diving base
- Tue 3 NovFly Bangkok to Phuket, transfer to Khao Lak (~1-1.5h road).
- Wed 4 NovSimilan Islands day trip: snorkel or intro dive.
- Thu 5 Nov2nd Similan day trip (dive), or rest/beach day.
- Fri 6 NovBeach, gym, recovery day.
Krabi
7 - 12 Nov · 5 nightsSnorkel boat trips, beach, climbing (optional)
- Sat 7 NovTransfer Khao Lak to Krabi/Ao Nang (road, ~4-5h).
- Sun 8 NovRailay Beach day: beach, optional rock climbing.
- Mon 9 NovPhi Phi Islands or Hong Islands snorkel boat trip.
- Tue 10 Nov4 Islands tour, or gym and rest day.
- Wed 11 NovBuffer/rest day, flexible.
Koh Lanta
12 - 16 Nov · 4 nightsQuiet beach island, snorkeling
- Thu 12 NovFerry Krabi to Koh Lanta (~2h, seasonal).
- Fri 13 NovBeach day, snorkeling near shore.
- Sat 14 NovKoh Rok or Koh Ha snorkel trip.
- Sun 15 NovBeach, gym, relax.
Phuket
16 - 20 Nov · 4 nightsMuay Thai taster, gym, Racha Islands day trip
- Mon 16 NovFerry/road transfer Koh Lanta to Phuket (~4h, seasonal).
- Tue 17 NovMuay Thai taster session (Tiger Muay Thai).
- Wed 18 Nov2nd Muay Thai session, or Racha Islands dive/snorkel day trip.
- Thu 19 NovOld Phuket Town, beach, gym, easy day.
Bangkok
20 - 22 Nov · 2 nightsBuffer, shopping, departure
- Fri 20 NovFly Phuket to Bangkok, evening arrival.
- Sat 21 NovFinal shopping, optional Muay Thai stadium night, gym.
- Sun 22 NovDepart Bangkok, nonstop to Zurich.
First-timers, all four
No prior experience assumed for diving, Muay Thai, or surfing: taster level, not certification.
Diving
Discover Scuba Diving, Similan Islands
No certification needed. A certified dive master leads 1-2 shallow dives after a short briefing; snorkelers can join the same boat.
Sea Bees Diving, Khao Lak
SSI-affiliated, based at Thap Lamu pier, over 30 years running Similan trips. Verify the exact date and price before booking.
View operator ↗
Muay Thai
Taster sessions, Phuket
Beginner classes with real pad-holding supervision, at a resort-style gym with its own accommodation and full weight room on site.
Tiger Muay Thai, Chalong
Also the accommodation pick for the Phuket stop, see Stay below. Confirm current class schedule and pricing directly.
View operator ↗
Snorkeling
Phi Phi / Hong Islands, and Koh Rok / Koh Ha
Full-day boat trips run daily from Ao Nang (Phi Phi / Hong Islands) and from Koh Lanta (Koh Rok / Koh Ha). No specific operator picked yet: any reputable tour desk in either town runs this circuit. Book locally or through GetYourGuide once dates are locked.
TBD: book locally or via GetYourGuide
A well-established circuit, not a niche booking.
Surf
Opportunistic only
The real Andaman surf season runs roughly April/May to October. By November swell is marginal, so this is left flexible: an SUP session if the water is flat, a surf lesson only if a good day actually shows up.
No fixed booking
Not a planned itinerary item on purpose.
Where to stay
Good value over cheapest or luxury, a real gym wherever one exists. Photos below are the destination, not the property: each name links out to the actual listing and its real photos.
Bangkok, Sukhumvit
Alt Hotel Nana by UHG ↗
~$40/night
On-site gym and outdoor pool
Budget pick with a real gym, walking distance to BTS.
Khao Lak, Khao Lak beach road
SENTIDO Khao Lak ↗
TBD, verify
Fitness centre and outdoor pool
15 minutes from Thap Lamu Pier: the shortest early-morning transfer on dive days.
Koh Lanta, Klong Dao / Long Beach area
The Houben (Adult Only)
TBD, verify
Gym on site, plus parking
Closest to target budget among the candidates found; Layana and Avani+ are real alternatives but likely luxury-tier.
Phuket, Chalong
Tiger Muay Thai, on-site accommodation ↗
TBD, check tigermuaythai.com/prices
Full camp gym, included
Combines lodging, gym, and Muay Thai training in one booking. Nam Naka Boutique Hotel (~$19/night, walk to the same gym) is the fallback if the camp package runs over budget.
What it costs
Flights and accommodation rows are sourced from real listings. Activities, food, local transport and insurance are unsourced planning estimates pending live booking. Excludes vaccines/travel clinic and shopping.
Per person
€2,400–3,600
Per couple
€4,800–7,200
International flight, Zurich to Bangkok, nonstop
€945–1050
Domestic flights, Bangkok to Phuket, 2 legs
€55–110
Ground transfers, 3 legs
€30–50est.
Accommodation, 22 nights, per person share
€506–708
Activities: diving, Muay Thai, snorkel trips
€190–275est.
Food, 22 days
€330–660est.
Gym day-passes
€30–60est.
Local transport
€65–130est.
Travel insurance, with diving and Muay Thai cover
€40–90est.
Visa
€0
est. marks an unsourced planning estimate, not a search result.
Before you go
Thailand sits at "Exercise Normal Precautions," comparable to a major Western European capital for petty crime, with violent crime against tourists rare.
Visa
30-day visa exemption, 6 days of margin
Thailand cut its EU visa exemption from 60 to 30 days, effective 15 Sept 2026, which applies to this trip. Both Italian and Spanish passports get 30 days visa-free. This trip runs 24 days: it fits, but there is no slack to extend once in-country without a formal application. Passports need 6+ months validity beyond arrival, and the Thailand Digital Arrival Card is mandatory, submitted online within 3 days before arrival.
Events
Loy Krathong falls 2 days after the return flight
Thailand's lantern festival, Loy Krathong, is Tuesday 24 November 2026: floating offerings released on rivers and the sea nationwide after dark, celebrated in both Phuket and Krabi on this route. The current return flight is Sunday 22 Nov, two days early. Extending by 2-3 days would still fit inside the 30-day visa window. Flagged here as a decision, not changed automatically.
Common scams
Taxi/tuk-tuk meter overcharging, the "palace is closed" redirect, jet-ski damage claims on the islands. Agree prices upfront, film a walkaround video before renting a jet ski.
Tourist Police: 1155
English-speaking, nationwide, the right first call for scams or feeling unsafe.
Book verified operators only
PADI or SSI affiliation for diving, visible supervision for Muay Thai beginner classes.
Check the insurance policy
Standard travel insurance commonly excludes Muay Thai and dives not led by a certified dive master. Verify before buying.