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#ThrowbackThailand Campaign
Share your memories of Amazing Thailand.
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Limestone karts rising from the cerulean sea, chill beaches and balmy breezes hidden in secluded cloves you can only access by long-tail boat: there’s a lot to love in Railay. Look beyond the perfect landscapes and you’ll find another more adventurous draw: Thailand’s biggest climbing mecca.
One of the most exciting aspects of travelling for me is experiencing different cuisines, discovering new foods and flavours. If you are a foodie like me with a passion for trying authentic local dishes, then Thailand is one of the best destinations to visit.
It's nearly 21 years since Leonardo DiCaprio showed the highlights of Thailand in the movie The Beach. Along with the odd murder and plot device, of course. But what was it like to travel through southeast Asia's most popular nation before Hollywood caught on and the internet followed after?
Koh Wai will capture your heart.
Think about an island in Thailand and few names will come to mind: Phuket, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and even Koh Chang are usually tourists’ favorites, and have been catering to tourist for decades now. Sure, they are beautiful places to relax at the end of a trip – or where to spend an entire holiday, indeed.
When people ask me about special trips I’ve been on, there’s one in particular that brings back absolutely amazing memories: our trip to Thailand in April 2018. It’s special for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was a holiday. One of those well-earned getaways after a really hectic period of work. I was knackered and ready for a really good rest!
Kanchanaburi Province in western Thailand is a four hour train ride from Bangkok. When you step off that train, you’re welcomed — with open arms — into an entirely different world.
More than seven years ago, when I was still a fresh-faced student, I spent three months backpacking in New Zealand, Australia and South East Asia. It was a trip I’d worked hard for, bartending alongside my degree in order to fund the fun.
It was also the trip that changed the course of my life.
Thailand was one of the very first countries I travelled to when I was 18, and fresh-faced out of sixth form ready to see the world. It was one of my favourites countries then, and still is to this day. Backpacking in Thailand is one of my most fond memories!
You guys know I love to chase adventures, I’ve spent the last seven years chasing them around the globe. But let’s go back to the country where it all began – the place that truly stole my heart. Thailand remains one of my absolute favourite places in the world and I’m lucky enough to have returned several times. Each time I go back, it’s a whole new experience that I’ll never forget.
Thailand often features as one of the most popular destinations in the world, and it attracts both first time visitors as well as those who return over and over again. I have to admit that I’m one of the latter. It is one of my favourite countries, and I don’t think I could ever tire of finding new places to discover, or even returning to those I already know.
Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in Southeast Asia known for its magnificent wild beauty, white sandy beaches, impressive palaces and interesting culture with amazing local street food.
On the eastern coast of Thailand, a short distance from the hustle and bustle of it’s capital metropolis, Bangkok, lies the country’s original beach resort of Hua Hin. It’s a cool mix of cityscape and beaches, peppered with local markets, a cosmopolitan café culture, many traditional temples, a national park as well as great hotels, golf courses and a hip ambience.
I remember it like yesterday. Between my days of working from 8 am to 1 am, slowly selling off everything I owned, and drinking lots of coffee, I was plotting my escape to Thailand to teach English and travel for a year.
We know travel right now can be tricky for some of you, it is for us too. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best ways to travel to Thailand without leaving home.
Keep reading below to pretend you are in Thailand and grasp a slice of the country’s tropical vibes, stunning landscapes, warm locals, vibrant cities, and delicious food.
I remember my first time in Bangkok vividly. Not only was it my first destination on my first time travelling to Thailand, but it was also my first time in South East Asia – and my first time visiting Asia beyond the Middle East.
Finding a classic cocktail in Bangkok couldn’t be that hard, could it? Well, it depends when you were asking. In the past, most tourists were stopping off in Bangkok on their way to enjoy Ko Samui island getaways, Koh Phangan full moon parties, or Chiang Mai mountain trekking.
Thailand attracts people from around the globe, from solo traveling backpackers to honeymooners and everyone else in between. With miles upon miles of soft, sandy beaches, gorgeous jungles, friendly locals, and vibrant cities, it is no wonder that people fall in love with this beautiful country so easily.
We visited Thailand for the first time in 2010, during a 10-month trip across Southeast Asia and India. Even over a decade ago, Thailand was already a vary popular tourist destination – and after a week exploring the southern islands, plus a week in Bangkok, we were both yearning for some peace and quiet.
A couple of years ago, we spent three weeks in Thailand, escaping a dark, cold and wet London winter for the colour, sunshine and excitement of a holiday in Thailand. Although few of us are travelling right now, I know I’m not alone in dreaming about future holidays, and reminiscing about fantastic trips in the past.
We’re big fans of Thailand at Ladies What Travel; the majority of us have visited several times and are keen to return when we can!
Some of us are already planning trips for later this year, Covid-19 permitting, but what’s been keeping us going in the meantime has been chatting about the adventures we’ve had there in the past.
I’m a huge fan of Thailand and everything it has to offer. Even though things have changed recently there, I look forward to getting back as soon as I can. In the meanwhile, I’m sitting in Edinburgh going through my old photographs and gorging myself on as much Thai food as I can afford. If you manage to make it to northern Thailand before I do, these are the trips from Chiang Mai I’d recommend.
We might not be able to travel right now but we can certainly look back on fond memories of travelling and also plan for future travels. Finding unique views of Bangkok are amongst my top adventures that I hold close to my heart. I don’t know about you but one of my favourite parts of travelling is the planning part. I love nothing more than ordering a guidebook, reading travel blogs and buying a new notebook to jot down all my travel plans for my upcoming destination.
Are you looking to travel to a country with amazing food, fantastic beaches, warm and friendly people, and a range of accommodation options to suit every taste? Well, you have pretty much described Thailand.
In this guide, I’m going to share with you a detailed 10 day Thailand itinerary. I’ve spent months travelling in Thailand, and I’ve been lucky enough to visit many parts of this wonderful country.
Visiting Koh Phangan, the lovely little sister island to Koh Samui, is a diverse sensory experience. You can see, see, hear, smell, taste, touch and even feel what it’s like once you set your foot on the magical land.
Experience Koh Phangan through the five senses and let it get under your skin. This indeed happened to me when I lived on the island for 6 months. Even though my day-to-day routine was not too exciting (I worked a lot), the sensory encounters made my work-cation extraordinary.
Thailand stole a piece of our hearts with its warm people, spiritual temples and stunning beaches. However, our favorite part about traveling to Thailand is eating Thai food at the source. Food in Thailand is everywhere and it’s almost always good. This is a country with a seemingly never-ending supply of food available at all hours of the day and night. Sure, you can eat Thai food all over the world, but there’s nothing like slurping down a bowl of Khao Soi in the Land of Smiles.
I’m saying this right now and getting it out the way early. The Songkran water festival is without a doubt one of the best festivals in the world. It’s a big claim, right? Well, I’m about to tell you everything about this festival and why you have to do Songkran at least once in your lifetime.
A destination wedding has always been my dream. As a teenage girl, I was dreaming of a beach wedding, dancing on the sand, vows under the palm trees… Lucky for me, it seems like I actually got what I wanted.
Why did I choose Thailand?
Well, to begin with, the Land of Smiles was the first exotic country I ever visited. I still remember the first WOW-effect and how excited I was!
Thailand, ‘the land of smiles’ is the place where many backpackers, independent travellers and digital nomads get their first taste of freedom and adventure and for good reason – Thailand is the perfect country for your first solo backpacking trip and is also one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads in the world!
If you’re finding yourself with a lot of time on your hands (like me) then this could be the perfect time to research your next trip. So I’ve adapted one of my most popular articles about the 3 best backpacker islands in Thailand.
If you travel to Thailand, you have to see an elephant; it's a must-do and an experience of a lifetime. Thailand has made the elephant its national symbol and is home to about 3,500 domesticated and 3,340 wild elephants. But here is a problem: not all elephant encounters that are offered to tourists are ethical.
I am a big fan of southeast Asia, having been there three times now as a family. I remember the first time that I planned to go to Thailand, I had a three year old and a 15-month old and everyone just asked WHY?! Why did we want to take children there?! My response, why not?!
Are you considering a holiday to Koh Samui Thailand? My advice would quite simply be – DO IT!! From experience, I can guarantee you that you will not be disappointed with a vacation to this island paradise. I was lucky enough to celebrate my 30th birthday in Koh Samui a few years ago and it is still one of my favourite holidays to date. From the smiling, happy people to the breathtaking beaches – this stunning Thai island is a destination you absolutely must add to your travel bucket list.
Are you considering a holiday to Koh Samui Thailand? My advice would quite simply be – DO IT!! From experience, I can guarantee you that you will not be disappointed with a vacation to this island paradise. I was lucky enough to celebrate my 30th birthday in Koh Samui a few years ago and it is still one of my favourite holidays to date. From the smiling, happy people to the breathtaking beaches – this stunning Thai island is a destination you absolutely must add to your travel bucket list.
I’d seen alot of Thailand but it took me till my 4th visit to visit the island of Koh Phangan. To be honest, I’d kind of been avoiding it on previous trips as I imagined it just to be an island full of gap year backpackers getting trashed at the Full Moon Party but I discovered that there is so, so much more to Koh Phangan than the Full Moon Party and I really feel in love with the magical island and even ended up moving here for a while!
If you’ve read my blog before or follow me on social media, you may already know that I adore Thailand. Since I know many of you do too, I’m sharing my fun facts about Thailand, as well as several ways to experience Thailand from home (and a few ways to experience it when we can finally get back there!).
We’re itching to get back to Asia when travel finally returns so, when the Tourism Authority of Thailand asked us to share memories of our time in the Land of Smiles as part of their #ThrowbackThailand campaign, we were happy to oblige. With that in mind, here’s a look back at our experiences volunteering in Thailand and projects we’d love to volunteer with in the future.
Looking back at my past trips to Thailand, it’s always my first workcation to Chiang Mai that stands out amongst the rest.
I will never forget that first buzz of excitement I felt whilst travelling to Chiang Mai, Thailand; it was a real adventure that I was craving for.
The cast-iron bridge over the River Kwai and its accompanying two-hour cliff winding, countryside-strewn train journey are what remains of Thailand’s Death Railway. Stark reminders of a devastating history that soberly looms in the tropical jungle swaths of Kanchanaburi – considered by locals as one of the most beautiful areas of the country.
Which island is that? Koh Lipe answered our dive guide. Oh, that’s the island we are staying on. What beach is that? Sunrise beach he retorted. Oh, that’s where we are staying. We didn’t know about that part of the beach. Our dive guide looked at us as if we were a bit mad. Welcome to Koh Lipe Thailand, the small island that is full of surprises.
Bangkok, Thailand, lovingly known the “City of Angels”, is a fast paced vibrant urban metropolis packed with a whole host of things to do and an array of wonderful places to see. This bustling city is definitely a fantastic destination for foodies and has a superb gastronomy scene. So good that I actually visited twice, once on a solo trip.
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