thailand guide
I get asked frequently for recommendations and tips for travelling Thailand. I’ve only been a few times but my girlfriend is a native Thai (is well traveled). Her parents are constantly also travelling and doing weekenders/camping trips around rural Thailand, so there’s a bit knowledge floating around…
Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon - Doi Suthep - Samut Songkhram (Amphawa & surrounds - we’ve gone three times) - Khao Yai National Park (this far) are our highlights.
Bangkok is pretty cool too.
Learnings:
You’ll never go hungry.
Cafes are open well into the afternoon/sometimes evening.
Ao Nang/Phi Phi, not for me. Tourist trap central and too many pushy and rowdy farangs (white foreigners).
Private tours all the way, you’ll be making the day of the captain of the boat/driver, getting a curated experience and it’s far more ethical and not to mention, safer. Plus, you don’t get old mate crossing into your picture frames.
Bangkok region: (it’s pretty massive)
Temples around bkk: (make sure you pack a long pair of pants/elephant pants for cultural protocol)
Grand palace
Wat Paknam - big golden Buddha.
Wat Samphran
Learn how to make merit and alms give in the mornings to monks.
Wat Pho.
Wat Arun (golden hour is magic)
Temple of the reclining Buddha at Wat Pho
The golden mount
China town bkk, touristy but allows for some good photos at night with the neon signs.
Many wine and jazz bars near Wat Arun (bkk).
Chatuchak (bkk) weekend markets.
Special/fancy occasions = rooftop views, Michelin star, nice cocktails and uses all Thai produce: Le Du Kaan https://www.instagram.com/ledukaan
Day trips from bkk: (app called grab - you may be able to find someone who will drive you around for the day or book private tours on Viator, would recommend just to stay in smaller groups as they’re inexpensive and you skip the annoying tourists)
Amphawa floating markets
Ayutthaya area (reclining Buddha, Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Mahathat)
Khao Yai national park (may want to stay a night) so many nature walks/waterfalls/exotic wild animals.
Hellfire pass (a lot of sad history and a chance to learn more about the input of Aussie prisoners of war)- also may want to stay a night somewhere in the Kanchanaburi region.
Muay Thai at Rajadamnern (you gotta - I found it fascinating learning the history of the sport, I had a new outlook on the sport from this visit. I love the dance prior to the fight the most).
Kunsthalle
The artist house - Baan Silapin + market along the river.
Iconic longtail boat ride.
The Erawan museum.
Song wat road.
Coffee and matcha scene in bkk is so good!! It’s not hard to find really aesthetically pleasing spaces and delicious drinks!
Wondering around Talat Noi, cafes and street art
Explore Michelin rated spots.
Vintage shopping at Wintage - plenty of vinyl and cameras, second hand clothes, dress shoes and doc martens.
Space bar zine.
Photo club bkk - cool store.
BKK darkroom - by appointment so message their IG. Nice selection of films. Aesthetic space and very high tech facilities for printing.
The vibe up in Chiang Mai/Northern Thailand is a heap different to what you’ll find in Bangkok and even more south.
The temples feel more magical and with less farangs running around in them. Chiang Mai is very chill, very artsy and the coffee scene is unmatched. [Felix Coffee, Salt and Light, Lazy Man Coffee - standouts].
It’s slow, less frantic, less party oriented.
Favourite things to do in the north:
Hire a motorcycle.
Explore the old town.
Artist village & markets. (Truffle pizza was to die for).
Day tour Doi Inthanon or ride your motorcycle up if you have enough power & witts.
Food was unbelievable everywhere. We ate mostly at roadside stalls/night markets.
We stayed in Pa Daet, just out of main city. Chada Cafe & restaurant was a standout.
Salt & Light CNX had the best coffee.
Night markets. Gotta go to night markets. Venture out.
So many temples visited and again, I think temples are subjective - but I liked the more rural/mountainous ones. Wat Pa Daet. Wat Doi Suthep. Wat Saen Muang Ma Luang. Wat Rajamontean (lots of details & the large sitting Buddha).
We are planning an Isaan trip up next and will update this post with the favourites of this region then.