A tried and true vacation destination, Thailand is both safe and exotic, with wonderful people and a diverse range of activities for all ages and interests. There’s plenty to love about this Southeast Asian nation of 70 million; here are five (of many!) epic reasons to journey to the “land of smiles”, or go back for another visit:
Sensational Food
Trying out new dishes is one of the perks of travel, and Thailand has some of the most flavorful cuisine around. Whether from a street cart vendor, a shopping mall food court (which are not at all like American food courts, trust me!), a traditional restaurant, or even an overnight train, Thai food never disappoints. It’s spicy, fresh, cheap, and delicious.
A couple of tips . . . if you’re not partial to spicy foods you can say “mai chawp phet” (pronounced “my chorp pet”) which means “I don’t like it spicy.” Of course, if you can handle the bite, I say go for it!
Also, don’t expect to enjoy your meal with a nice glass of wine, especially outside of the more expensive restaurants. Good wine is tough to come by in Thailand, probably because the weather is so hot and humid, and many places lack proper storage. Instead, pair your Pad Thai with a refreshing local beer for a fraction of the cost. Singha, Leo, and Chang are the most popular brands among locals, tourists, and expats alike.
World-Class Beaches
The perfect counterpoint to Thailand’s hot and hectic cities is its tropical beaches, famed for clear waters, luxurious sand, and iconic long-tailed boats dotting the shoreline.
Thai beaches are both a hub of activity and a source of relaxation, with the busiest ones on the more touristed islands like Koh Samui and Phuket. Walk along any swath of sand, and you’ll find massages for less than $10, grilled corn for practically nothing, strands of restaurants almost touching the water, and vendors peddling souvenirs, snacks, and cold beers.
For relative peace and quiet, you’ll need to venture a bit further off the beaten path, to the smaller, more isolated islands. Fortunately, it’s easy and not too expensive to hire a boat to take you to more secluded destinations, like Koh Poda off the much busier Ao Nang (Chicken Island) in Krabi, or Koh May off the coast of southeast Thailand’s Trat province.
Amazing Elephants
It’s hard to imagine a trip to Thailand without elephants somewhere in the mix, and yet the country has a complicated relationship with this majestic and highly intelligent animal. For centuries, Asian elephants were used in the logging industry, but when logging was banned in 1989, “unemployed” elephants found themselves in a new, no less arduous line of work – tourism – usually enduring cruel treatment to provide entertainment for tourists.
Fortunately, times are changing, and while abuse still happens for the sake of tourist dollars, there has also been a massive shift in public awareness. As a result, more and more opportunities are emerging for tourists to experience these incredible animals ethically and in more natural settings.
By all means, see elephants when you’re in Thailand, but first do your homework. Start with the Save Elephant Foundation website to learn about different programs, including multi-day volunteer opportunities. I have personally visited and volunteered at the Foundation’s flagship project, Elephant Nature Park, in Chiang Mai, and I’ve also volunteered at Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, which is an independent sanctuary that got its start with the support of the Foundation.
Avoid visiting places where elephants are engaged in unnatural activities for human entertainment and that encourage a lot of visitor-animal interactions or any interactions that are not supervised by staff.
Magnificent Temples
Much like the great cathedrals and castles of Europe, the temples of Thailand are something to behold and not to be missed. In this predominantly Buddhist country, temples, or wats in Thai, are everywhere; at last count around 40,000!
Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash
Some wats, like the most sacred Wat Phra Kew on the ground of the Grand Palace in Bangkok, are large and glitzy, while others are tucked into the middle of busy neighborhoods. All are uniquely beautiful and hold great cultural and spiritual significance for the Thai people.
I enjoyed entering the wats as a refuge from the hot sun and as a place to surround myself in peace. When I visited with my kids, they took pleasure in lighting incense and also seeing the stray “temple dogs”, who are generally cared for and fed by the monks. Speaking of monks, don’t miss the opportunity to be blessed by one. It’s very spiritual, and as part of the ritual, they tie a bracelet around your wrist as a memento of the experience.
Be sure to be respectful when you visit a temple. Dress modestly (no sleeveless shirts, shorts, or short skirts), remove your shoes, and turn off your phone. Do not speak loudly, touch any of the Buddha statues, or photograph monks. In other words don’t be an obnoxious tourist!
Lively Street Markets
I love shopping in Thailand and always hit the street markets when I’m there. The best markets in my opinion are in Chiang Mai, and the Night Bazaar is not to be missed.
Over the years traveling to Thailand, I’ve come home with many relatively inexpensive, beautiful, and easy-to-pack souvenirs that provide constant reminders of my visits – silk and teak wall hangings, pillow covers, a table runner and place mats, hand-embroidered purses, handcrafted silver jewelry, and of course, the famous “elephant pants” that everyone who visits Asia wears. I buy a bag full of those pants every time I go back to give to family and friends and wear myself around the house!
Half the fun of the markets though is simply walking around, taking in the sights and sounds, and of course, eating sensational food!
When to Go to Thailand
Ready to go? Peak season in most parts of Thailand is November through February, when rain is infrequent, the sun shines, and humidity is low. While the weather may be ideal, the crowds are overwhelming and hotel prices are high. March through May is dry and very hot. The monsoon season starts in June and extends through November, with the worst rain (and possible flooding) being in September and October. This period is also marked by stifling heat and humidity.
Keep in mind that Thailand has distinct climate zones, and it’s important to check the weather for your specific destination during your travel dates. For example, on my family’s first trip to Thailand, we chose the island of Koh Samui over the many other wonderful Thai islands because its location in the eastern coast in the Gulf of Thailand is more or less protected from the monsoon during the summer months.
1 comment
Well written! Very informative as all your blogs are!
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