“Sawadee krap (hello)!” No adventure in Thailand starts off without this greeting. With approximately 25 million visitors a year, it is no surprise that Thailand is on a World Traveler’s bucket list.
Literally the “Land of Smiles”, the Thais are known to be incredibly warm and friendly. There’s no need to worry about language barriers as a significant number of locals are capable of very basic English due to the rapid rise in tourism in the last decade. The first thing you should embrace the moment you set foot in Thailand is the sophisticated Thai cuisine. You may find Michelin starred Thai restaurants in other parts of the world, but nothing beats the sitting on the side the street, with Tuk-Tuks whizzing by and digging into authentic Tom Yum whipped up by the ‘Gordon Ramseys’ from Bangkok’s famous street stalls.
From resplendent Buddhist temples with golden hues to floating river markets and traditional performances, the rich and flavorful culture in Thailand’s culture is undoubtedly fascinating. Be intrigued by the ruins in Ayutthaya (the ancient capital of Siam), take an enriching and soothing ride down the famous floating market Damnoen Saduak in Bangkok or ride an elephant in an ethical elephant camp in Chang Mai. A visit to a rice plantations is also a highly recommended family activity, where both adults and children can spend a day getting hands on experience in real Thai farming. Spiritual travelers may also enroll in meditation retreats in Chang Mai, which have been gaining popularity in the recent years.
Renown for having one of the most pristine beaches, Thailand is a dream destination for scuba divers, snorkelers and watersport enthusiasts worldwide. The idea of digging your toes into the powdery white sand at Krabi, dipping yourselves in the cerulean waters of Ko Samui and taking instagram-worthy photos of glorious sunsets in Phuket while sipping a cocktail should be more than enough reason to fly over for your next vacation. The mountainous landscape and lush tropical jungles in the North is yet another favourite destination for the adventurous ones.
Above all, Bangkok being the capital of Thailand is still the main attraction for tourists. Featuring prestigious rooftop bars and robust nightlife, partying in Bangkok starts in the afternoon. With street stalls, bazaars and state of the art skyscrapers standing side by side, Bangkok has one of the best fusions between the old and the new. For the shopaholics, nothing beats the famous Chatuchak weekend market (remember to grab yourself a classic coconut ice cream over there to beat the heat) and affordable fashion in Platinum mall.
Affordability is another reason why many travellers place Thailand on the top of their bucket lists. Everything from food to transport and accommodation is almost one-third or less of the cost of the same thing in countries such as United States or Australia. One good example is the cheap Thai massages from legitimate parlors. An hour-long session hardly exceed $10. A contrary to common belief, Thailand is also mostly safe to travel solo or in small groups.
Finally, Thailand is the main doorway to start an epic journey around Asia. With top destinations such as Singapore and Hong Kong situated just 2-4 hours away, Thailand is definitely a good place to start from.
To keep up with Claudine Bhatti and her world travels, follow her on:
Claudine Bhatti Twitter
Claudine Bhatti PinterestClaudine Bhatti Facebook
Image courtesy of Ninety East.
Claudine Bhatti PinterestClaudine Bhatti Facebook
Image courtesy of Ninety East.
