Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Neon Wonderlands: Thailand's Magical Night Markets Forget shopping malls. Thailand's night markets transform ordinary evenings into sensory adventures where the real Thailand comes alive after sunset. While Western countries might host weekend farmers' markets or seasonal fairs, Thailand embraces the night market as a daily institution, with hundreds operating across the country seven days a week, 365 days a year. This constant presence makes them integral to Thai life rather than special occasions. As temperatures cool, streets across the country metamorphose into bustling bazaars filled with tantalizing aromas, kaleidoscopic sights, and the melodic chaos of vendors hawking their wares. Unlike Western shopping districts that shut down by early evening, Thailand's commercial pulse often strengthens as darkness falls. Bangkok's Rot Fai Market Ratchada sits under a canopy of neon lights, where hipsters and tourists alike hunt for vintage Vespa parts, retro clothing, a...

Lost in Mae Sot: A First-Timer's Misadventures in Thailand's Border Boomtown Ever heard of Mae Sot? No? Well, you're missing out on one of Thailand's most fascinating border towns! Nestled against the Myanmar border in Tak Province, Mae Sot is like Thailand's wild west. It's a cultural melting pot where Thai, Burmese, Karen, and international NGO workers create a uniquely vibrant atmosphere that's nothing like the Thailand of tourist brochures.  But it is more than that. It's also a safe haven for refugees from Myanmar escaping the armed conflict over there. Actually, many Burmese work in local factories to earn a living. The sad truth is that many of them are technically illegal, and so they're often underpaid and don't enjoy benefits such as public health care. However, if you're just passing through as a tourist, you'll hardly see anything of that. Getting There (Or Trying To) Getting to Mae Sot requires commitment and possibly quest...

Thai Music: From Pop Stars to Tractor Beats Thai music is a glorious, glittery buffet of genres, emotions, and musical decisions that may or may not involve synthesizers from 1992. Whether you're sipping bubble tea in Bangkok or riding a songthaew in Ubon Ratchathani, you're going to hear something catchy, confusing, or heartbreakingly beautiful blasting from a speaker somewhere nearby. Thai Pop (T-Pop): The Glitter & The Groove Thai pop is what happens when K-pop and karaoke have a baby and raise it in Siam Paragon. It’s catchy, clean, often choreographed, and full of lyrics about love, breakups, and mysterious metaphors involving seasons. Groups like 4EVE, BNK48, and Three Man Down dominate playlists, and their music videos feature more lens flares than a J.J. Abrams film. If you want to see high-energy dancing, fashion that breaks physics, and singers who look like they just stepped out of a skincare commercial then you’re in the right genre. Mor Lam: The Fu...