The Route: Bangkok → Koh Samui → Koh Phangan → Chiang Mai

If you want the perfect padel holiday in Thailand, you want a route that gives you serious court time, world-class beaches, jungle and culture — without bouncing around the country chasing logistics. After running this trip more times than we can count, we have settled on a flagship route that does all of the above.

It is a 14–21 day tour, ideally three weeks, designed for padel players of any level who want to play almost daily while still experiencing the very best of Thailand. Below is exactly how we run it, why we run it this way, and what to expect at every stop.

Why This Route Works

You play padel almost every day — each stop has strong padel infrastructure, so you never need to skip a session. The travel is linear: Bangkok to Samui to Phangan is a short ferry hop, Samui to Chiang Mai is a single direct flight, and there is no backtracking. You get four very different versions of Thailand — megacity, polished island, party island, mountain culture — all in one trip. And you finish in the cool air of the north, which gives your body a break from tropical heat after two weeks on the islands.

If padel is the point of your holiday, this is the trip we’d recommend ahead of any other. Read on for the leg-by-leg breakdown, then scroll to the bottom for how to plan it.

Leg 1 · Bangkok · Days 1–5

Start in Bangkok. It has the deepest padel scene in the region, the best coaching, and enough clubs that you can mix indoor day sessions with floodlit evening matches. We base players in the Thonglor or Sukhumvit area, where the best clubs and the best food are within easy reach.

Padel. Daily court time at premium indoor clubs (air-conditioned, glass-walled, tournament spec). 1-on-1 or group coaching with experienced Thai and European pros. Friendly social mixers — you will leave Bangkok with a WhatsApp group of new playing partners.

What else. Sunday at Chatuchak Market and a long-tail boat through the khlongs. Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the Grand Palace at sunrise to beat the heat and the crowds. Rooftop bars in Silom and a proper Thonglor night-market dinner.

Stay. 4–5 star hotels in Thonglor or Sukhumvit, with gyms and good breakfast for active travellers.

Leg 2 · Koh Samui · Days 6–10

Fly direct from Bangkok to Koh Samui. Samui is the polished, grown-up island: long beaches, beach clubs, wellness, and a small but excellent padel scene that is growing fast. We base players around Bophut or Chaweng Noi, so courts, beach and food are all within fifteen minutes.

Padel. Morning sessions on shaded outdoor courts before the heat builds. Coaching sessions geared towards game-shape players want to take home. Social doubles afternoons with the small but tight Samui padel community.

What else. Boat day to Ang Thong Marine Park (snorkelling, lagoons, kayaks). Fisherman’s Village in Bophut for the Friday walking street. A Thai massage and a slow sunset dinner at a Lamai beach club.

Stay. A boutique beachfront resort — ideally with a pool you can actually swim laps in.

Leg 3 · Koh Phangan · Days 11–14

A 30-minute ferry from Koh Samui delivers you to Koh Phangan: wilder, younger, and more spiritual than its bigger neighbour. Padel here is newer but the courts are excellent, and the lifestyle is built for recovery between sessions — ice baths, yoga, smoothie bowls, and long beach swims. We base players around Srithanu, the wellness side of the island.

Padel. Early-morning sessions before yoga, or late-afternoon sessions before sunset. Smaller groups, more intensive coaching blocks — this is where game habits really lock in. Mixed-format social play with the international community living on the island.

What else. Sunset at Amsterdam Bar followed by dinner in Haad Yao. Bottle Beach by long-tail boat — one of the best beaches in Thailand. If timing lines up: an optional Full Moon Party on Haad Rin (or a Half Moon, for the saner version).

Stay. Boutique jungle villas or a wellness-led resort within fifteen minutes of the courts.

Leg 4 · Chiang Mai · Days 15–21

Ferry back to Samui and fly direct to Chiang Mai. Northern Thailand is everything the south is not — mountains, temples, cool mornings and a deep cultural soul. Chiang Mai also has a small but serious padel scene with covered outdoor courts that are a joy to play on in the morning chill. We base players inside or just outside the Old City, with day trips into the surrounding hills.

Padel. Daily morning court time before temples and cafes. Final coaching blocks to consolidate everything from Bangkok, Samui and Phangan. An optional in-house mini-tournament to send everyone home with a trophy — or a story.

What else. Doi Suthep at sunrise for one of the great views in Asia. An ethical elephant sanctuary day in the hills outside the city. Sunday Walking Street and a slow dinner in the Old City. Optional cooking class — a perfect last-week activity.

Stay. A boutique Lanna-style hotel inside the moat, or a design hotel in Nimman.

How to Plan It

Time of year. November to March is the sweet spot — dry, breezy, and ideal for outdoor courts. Group size. 4–12 players works best. You always have doubles partners and you can fill courts comfortably. Level. Mixed-level groups are great — coaching is split, social play is mixed.

Logistics. One internal flight (Bangkok to Samui), one ferry (Samui to Phangan), one return ferry and one flight (Samui to Chiang Mai). That is the whole route. Kit. Bring your own racket if you have one. We supply premium loan rackets, balls and shoes for anyone who needs them.

Three weeks, four destinations, one sport, and the best version of Thailand we know how to put together. Drop us a line when you’re ready to plan yours.