Thailand with Christine

May 2024

I recently had the opportunity to visit the beautiful and diverse country of Thailand. A welcoming country built on tourism, it offers travellers a multitude of varying destinations. Whether you’re looking for beach, city, or cultural experiences surrounding the various towns and cities within the countryside, Thailand has something of interest for every traveller. Or perhaps take advantage and enjoy all three different aspects of this amazing country.  

A country known for its kind, welcoming people, it is also well known for wellness retreats and spas. Experiencing a local Thai massage is a must.  You will have no trouble finding a spa, you can literally find one every 50 feet in every city, town or village. 

My visit began in Koh Samui, Thailand’s second largest island, located in the gulf of Thailand. Beyond the various island and cultural attractions available to visitors, Koh Samui is known for its beautiful beaches, mountainous rain forests and as a great destination for snorkelers and divers. 

Speedboat tours from Koh Nang Yuan, a group of three islands inter-connected by a long sandy beach, offer travellers the opportunity to enjoy sandy beaches, swimming, relaxing and the option to climb up to the viewpoint of Nang Yuan (approximately 90 metres) to enjoy a panoramic view.  

Koh Tao (Turtle Island) is composed of 21km of rock and coconut trees. Its coastline provides a breathtaking panorama when sailing around the island. On Koh Tao’s west coast, you will find the main town where most of the local population lives.  Koh Tao Island is considered amongst the best snorkeling and diving locations in Thailand. A stop here will find various local shops and restaurants to enjoy a relaxing lunch while taking in the scenic shoreline.  

Back on the main island of Koh Samui, you can enjoy various sightseeing options whether by private driver, joint group tours or being adventurous and exploring the area by rented motorbike. The fisherman’s market is a recommended site. A great way to spend an evening is by enjoying dinner at a beachside restaurant and ending the evening walking through the shops and browsing the various vendors in the street side markets.  

Bangkok was my next stop. A bustling city notorious for its traffic jams (our tour guide made this clear) it is also known for beautiful cultural sights that, for anyone visiting Bangkok for the first time, should certainly be on the itinerary. It is here you find the Grand Palace, Bangkok’s most famous landmark, the former Royal Residence and the current home of the Sacred Emerald Buddha. Wat Pho, Bangkok’s oldest and largest Buddhist temple complex is located in the Rattanakosin Island area. Here you will find the world-famous reclining Buddha (45 metres long).  

A klong (canal) tour on the Chao Phraya River is also recommended. Bangkok is a city that was criss-crossed with man-made canals, hence Bangkok’s historical nickname ‘Venice of the East’. A long-tail boat ride will give you an authentic experience while enjoying the sights. You will pass neighborhoods that show the very old mixed with the new, allowing you a glimpse of how locals live along these rivers.

For those who want to shop, the ICON Siam, a stylish mall and one of Bangkok’s newer landmarks located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, offers hundreds of locally made, artisan handicrafts to high-end shopping and dining options including the SookSiam, a food court made to resemble a floating market.  

While my time was limited, there is so much more to see, to do, to experience in Bangkok some of which include the Maeklong Railway Market, Floating Market, Flower Market, tours by tuk-tuk, or enjoying a tropical drink on a rooftop bar at night overlooking some of the city’s magnificent landmarks as you watch the never-ending dinner cruises cruise along the river. 

My next stop was Chiang Mai, located in the northern part of Thailand, the country’s second largest city famous for its historical temples and picturesque mountains. It was here I visited The Patara Elephant Conservation. A visit with these gentle giants is an experience you will never forget. It is here they offer a special program that allows you to learn about these sacred animals by sharing with you the work they are doing to ensure the longevity of the elephant population in Thailand, because ‘extinction is forever’. Visitors can interact with the elephants by feeding them fruits provided by the conservation. No visitor leaves without a new elephant friend, not to mention a renewed appreciation for these beautiful, gentle animals. Another recommended visit is to the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, located approximately 11km outside of Chiangmai Mai city center. An evening visit is recommended to not only enjoy the cooler temperatures, but to listen to the Buddhist monks chant while enjoying this glittering mountainside temple at sunset.  

There is something for every traveller in Thailand given its great diversity. Whether you want to learn the history and culture, focus on a wellness retreat or partake in a culinary journey and learn how to make incredible Thai dishes at a Cooking School, there is more to Thailand than just their spectacular beaches and resorts. For me? I would go back in a heartbeat ‘just’ for their iced coconut drinks.