How does one described Thailand? In a word, I would say colorful. From the people, to the landscape, to the food, everything about this fantastic country has serious flair. But, as a whole, Thailand can’t be considered a monolith as every city, region, and ethnic group are vastly different. Let’s stick to where I went, probably the 2 most well known destinations for first time and repeat travelers to this wonderful place: Bangkok & Phuket.
Bangkok; a bustling city full of people, traffic, and food. Likely one of the biggest draws - apart from the iconic cultural touchstones - is the night time market scene. There’s the Yaowarat Road Market which is China Town for the foodies, Pak Khlong Talat which is the Flower and Fruit Market for more of a culture experience, and of course the infamous Khaosan Road, which if you’ve done your research, is for the late night revelers. Adult beverages are cold and copious and you’re likely having more than one.
Getting outside of the city will give you perspective. The juxtaposition of city life vs country life is is vastly different. Visiting the floating market in Damnoen Saduak is an experience. Hop into a long-tail boat, also known as a Ruea Hang Yao and float through what seems like a never-ending maze where you can eat, drink, and shop until your heart’s content. Not too far away are the Salt Fields in Mueang Samut Sakhon where you will find farmers who harness the power of windmills to pump seawater into their fields. The salt is harvested from the flats, taken to drying shacks, cleaned and taken to market. The “charm of the salt fields” is real. For a real rural treat, when leaving the salt fields, board the train and head to Maeklong Station. What awaits you is a ride with one way in and one way out so be sure you’re on time, otherwise you’ll be waiting a while. Upon arrival there is a market that has built itself along the rails of the train. As you arrive, the crowd of tourists and vendors start to congregate and what awaits you is a sea of colors, smells, and sounds that words can’t adequately describe. Go, just go.
Phuket: a beach lovers paradise that you will no doubt fall head over heels for. There are so many different places to stay based on what you want to do but I opted for a quiet but central locale. Kamala Beach is a small alcove with a lot of charm. Within walking distance to shopping, restaurants, and activities, it proved to be a great place to land for a week. In trying to mix things up, there was a trip to the Green Elephant Sanctuary, a full day cruise out to Phang Nga Bay National Park with a very important stop at James Bond Island and then finally, taking it all in at the Weekend Night Market. Fear not, at the market you will find everything you need and even some things you probably don’t. As you walk, the smell of grilled seafood and meat, fresh herbs, and so much more will have you eating your dinner on the go, all washed down by a couple of cold ones to temper that tropical heat.
Having only scratched the surface exploring these 2 destinations, there is so much more to discover and enjoy. Next stop when returning to Thailand is Chang Mai in the north of the country, what I’m sure will feel like a world away from it’s southern charm.
EXPLORE MORE: Wat Phra Kaew (Temple Of The Emerald Buddah), Wat Saket (Temple Of The Golden Mount), Wat Arun (Temple Of Dawn), the Giant Swing at Wat Suthat, Siam Square, MBK Center, Victory Monument, The National Museum, The Big Buddah, Phi Phi Islands, Bangla Road, Wat Chalong, Old Town Phuket, and Tsunami National Park.