Destination Guide: Thailand

In case you hadn’t already heard, Thailand is paradise. It’s exotic, tropical, rich with history, a radiant getaway location with soft white sands, aqua-blue waters, lush green forests, wild and exciting metropolises unlike anywhere else. It really is incomparable for travellers, whether you’re backpacking, cruising, or even motor-biking your way across the fascinating Far East. And the food! Tantalising your taste buds like no other food, after just one mouthful you’ll want to try everything. The country is a paradise that offers so much variety, whether you’re deep-sea diving in the Gulf of Thailand, enjoying the nightlife in Ko Phi Phi, relaxing in a Thai spa in Ko Samui, or dining in a restaurant in the heart of Bangkok. Every minute is a new adventure, and so much of your exploration will feel like you’re the first person to discover the islands.

PHUKET

Thailand’s Phuket is renowned for its beaches. For its flip-flop-clad sun-seekers, and its selfie-shooting sand worshippers. But long before all of that, the island (attached only by the Thep Krasettree Causeway) was awash with cash-hungry merchants from China, India, Portugal, and the Middle East. This delightful blend of cultures is washed through the island’s streets, leaving behind alternative Portuguese architecture, Chinese Taoist shrines, the Indian surge of shop fronts and marketplaces, and the Middle East’s affluent style. What remains, after several hundred years, is a style-conscious hub producing new music, arts, and taste, all in all a culturally refreshing break after your relaxing spell in the Far East sun.

For those glorious and infamous white sand beaches, azure Thai waters lapping at the shores, with incredible marine life (best discovered whilst diving), you’ll have to head to the south of Phuket. Nai Harn Beach, Rawai, is one of the most popular, located in a natural bay, complete with palm trees and Thai restaurants looking out over the calm sea. The other favourites are Kata Noi and Karon Beach (both in Karon), Kata Beach (not far from Kata Village), Bang Tao Beach (on the west coast of Phuket), and the incredible Freedom Beach described as “heaven on Earth” (in Patong).

For a cultural experience, away from those beautiful beaches, your first stop has to be Phuket’s Big Buddha, in Chalong. It’s atop the Nakkerd Hills (one of the best viewpoints of the island), and standing proudly at 45m, the Buddha can be seen from more than half the island! Coated in Burmese alabaster, it cost just shy of £2.5 million (100 million baht in the local currency). In Phuket Town, Wat Chalong temple and gardens is just as impressive, ornate and fascinating as an active Buddhist temple. Phuket Town’s Old Town is worth the visit if you’re nearby, giving you a great excuse to soak up the culture, mingle with the people and pick up a souvenir. In Karon, the Temple Market is another opportunity to do the same. Make the most of how affordable everything is in Thailand!

For those perfect picture moments, that show you just how incredible the world around you is, sunsets, sunrises, and almost every second in between are incomparable from these points; Phromthep Cape (Rawai), Karon Viewpoint (out over the west coast), and tranquil Windmill Viewpoint (between Phromthep Cape and Nai Harn Beach).

And finally, if you’re keen to get in touch with Phuket’s wild side, don’t miss the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project (at Bang Pae Waterfall), run by volunteers in the small national park. If that isn’t enough monkey for you, Monkey Hill, in the heart of Phuket Town, is perfect for getting a little closer to the wildlife. Bring some bananas (sold at the bottom of the hill) and you’ll be surrounded by the friendliest (and hungriest) monkeys you’ll ever meet! On a larger scale, discover the Elephant Conservation Project of Siam Safari, Chalong. Not only has this project won awards, but allows you to get close to the majestic animals, teaching about them at the same time.

KO SAMUI

Once just a small fishing location with a side-business in coconut farming, Thailand’s third-largest island was happened-upon by a group of backpackers in the 80s, and word quickly spread about the island’s natural beauty. What once were beach huts and hammocks became budget hostels, which quickly became the resorts you see today! Cruise ships tend to dock at Na Thon, and Ko Samui offers amazing spas, the world’s best beaches, the finest cuisine, and so much more. And if you’re after the old Ko Samui, it’s still there, with backpack shacks nestled down peaceful stretches of sand, fascinating secret Buddhist temples, original merchant stores owned by Chinese settlers, and family-run Samui restaurants.

So you know Samui has some of the world’s best beaches, but you don’t know where to find them? Here’s what you need to know! Chaweng is the island’s most popular beach, the longest and most attractive, with powder-soft sand, and surprisingly clear water (considering the number of bathers and boats). Also on the east coast, popular beaches include Lamai Beach and Silver Beach (just across the bay from each other), as well as Choeng Mon Beach (further north and much quieter). In the north, Maenam Beach is ideal for a quiet escape as most of those sun-seekers are on the east coast. Perfect!

Wat Phra Yai, Wat Plai Laem, and Wat Khunaram are the “temple trio” for a taste of Buddhist and Hindu culture in Thailand. A 24 metre gold Buddha statue sits watching as you climb the steps up to Wat Phra Yai temple. Not far from there is Wat Plai Laem, home to the 18-armed Buddha, an incredibly ornate temple, and hungry fish. Wat Khunaram is home to several interesting temples, though most people visit to see the mummified monks inside.

Nearby to Wat Khunaram is Nam Tok Na Muang, Samui’s tallest waterfall at over 30m high. The pool at its base is great fun to swim in, and in the rainy season the experience is surreal, watching torrents of water cascade over purple rocks. Its competitor is on the opposite side of the island, Nam Tok Hin Lat, also with a pool for swimming, it’s a good hike to get to which makes the swim at the end all the more worthwhile!

As with Phuket, there’s great opportunity to get in touch with nature, and you can choose your animal at the Samui Monkey Theater, Tiger Zoo, Snake Farm, Samui Butterfly Garden, or Samui Aquarium. Of course, if you’re keen to explore what lives in the oceans, diving is even more fun, and you can take that opportunity at many different points all over the island.

In the year 2000, Leonardo DiCaprio discovered a beach that was the ultimate tropical paradise. It made Danny Boyle’s career as a film director (alongside Trainspotting), and set Thailand’s Ko Mae Ko as one of the hottest destinations in the world. Ang Thong National Marine Park, including Ko Mae Ko, Ko Pae Yat, Ko Phi, and up to 40 small islands, all epitomise the wild beauty and wonder of Thailand, and it’s the perfect location to lose yourself and have an adventure unlike any other.

BANGOK (LAEM CHABANG)

Bangkok was founded in the 18th century, though the Kingdom of Thailand has its roots as far back as the 10th century. The city is known as the Venice of the East, because of the many canals that form a web through its streets. It’s a place teeming with fantastical palaces, glittering temples, bustling marketplaces, malls, skyscrapers, museums, and beautiful open spaces. Even better…wherever you go you’ll be greeted with genuine smiles and respectful wais (a traditional Thai greeting). Laem Chabang is the cruise port, a two-hour journey from Bangkok (but definitely worth the journey)! There is so much to do and see across the city, that there’s no way it will all fit in this guide, so here is just a delicious taste of what Thailand’s capital has to offer…

Your adventure begins in the heart of the city, picking your way through the gloriously busy streets of Bangkok, on the walkways and thoroughfares, or in a pre-negotiated tuk-tuk or cab. Prepare to be amazed by the host of awe-inspiring temples and palaces starting with the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho). This is the largest temple in Thailand, as well as being one of the oldest, and every corner of this temple is a wonder, fascinating and worth exploring. Next stops are the Temples of the Emerald Buddha, and Golden Buddha. Both temples are wonders of luxury, in gold and in emerald, so prepare to be seriously impressed. The Emerald Temple is actually on the grounds of Bangkok’s Grand Palace (built soon after the city was founded) and each unique part is rich with Thai culture and heritage.

Other fascinating and amazing places to explore include the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) – a magnificent structure, just as impressive lit-up at night, Wat Bowonniwet Vihara (north of the Grand Palace) – housing a breath-taking gold Buddha, and Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, commissioned by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) and now functions as a museum.

If you’d like to pick up some reasonably priced souvenirs, take the chance to explore some of Thailand’s biggest malls with Siam Paragon and Central World Plaza. Siam Paragon houses 10 floors of speciality stores and restaurants as well as Sea Life Ocean World (the largest aquarium in South East Asia), a vast cinema, Thai art gallery, and opera house. Central World Plaza is the 6th largest shopping centre in the world, with nearly 500 stores. It also has its own avenue, hotel, public square, and two shrines (one to Trimurti, and one to Ganesh).

To escape the rush of the city, and the bustle of the malls, wander through the public parks nearby, soaking in the culture, and watching the day-to-day activities of the people of Thailand. King Rama XI Park is the largest public park in Bangkok, spanning over 200 acres, with a lake, and fascinating spired-building marking the parks centre. Lumpini Park is pitched as an inner city haven, home to water monitor lizards, city residents craving a breath of fresh air, and plenty of people taking to the park to exercise. There’s plenty more to discover, including museums, art galleries, temples, parks, zoos, aquariums, theatres, palaces, and the list goes on!

Thailand is a place of wonder. Of natural beauty, of adventure, of exquisite beaches, and tropical jungles. You’ll discover delicious Thai cuisine (you have to try an authentic pad thai), wildlife like nowhere else in the world, and a culture fantastically unique. Click here to discover more, and make Thailand your next adventure!