Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Trat: The Gateway to Paradise (That You’ll Probably Skip) So you’re heading to Koh Chang , Koh Mak , or Koh Kood  but wait, what’s this " Trat " place you keep driving through? Oh, just the most overlooked province in Eastern Thailand, that’s all. This is where backpackers speed through on their way to islands, where road-trippers stop for a quick coffee, and where absolutely nobody plans to stay. Which is exactly why you should.   ——————— Why Trat? (Because You’re Not a Basic Traveler) - It’s the last real Thai town before the islands. Once you hit those fancy resorts, prices triple and authenticity disappears.   - Insanely good fruit: This is durian and mangosteen heaven. Your taste buds will throw a party.   - Zero crowds: No tour groups, no influencers, just markets, temples, and locals who don’t care that you’re there.   ——————— What to Do (Besides Wondering Why You’re Not on a Beach Yet) 1. Trat Town – The Quirky Pit Stop You Didn’t Kno...

Rayong: The Beach Escape Where Nobody Bothers You Let’s be honest. When you say “Rayong,” most people go, “Wait, where?” And that’s exactly why you should go. This is the quiet, slightly rough-around-the-edges cousin of Pattaya, minus the chaos, minus the tourists, and minus the regretful life choices. If you want beaches without the circus, seafood without the scams, and a real slice of Thai coastal life without any  hansum man  catcalls, then Rayong is your spot.   Why Rayong? (Because You’re Over Basic Beach Towns) - It’s close but feels far – Just 2.5-3.5 hours from Bangkok, but a world away from the madness.   - Seafood so fresh it might still be moving (it is).  This is where Bangkok’s top restaurants secretly get their fish.   - Zero pretentiousness – No Instagram influencers, no overpriced beach clubs, just saltwater, sand, and serious relaxation.   What to Do (Besides Doing Absolutely Nothing) 1. Mae Ramphueng Beach – T...

Where to Stay on Koh Chang (If You Want a Bed, Not Just Hammock Dreams) Koh Chang, where the beaches are beautiful, the hills are vertical, and the monkeys are 100% judging your life choices. Picking where to stay can feel overwhelming, kind of like trying to choose your favorite flavor at a Thai smoothie stand. So here’s a no-nonsense (okay, some nonsense) guide to the island’s main areas, with pros, cons, and some gentle sarcasm to help you decide. 1. White Sand Beach – “Party by night, pad Thai by day” Vibe : Koh Chang’s most developed beach. Think of it as the Bangkok of the island, but with fewer tuk-tuks and more sand in your shoes. Pros : Lots of bars, restaurants, and ATMs (which you’ll need after two nights out). Great beach with sunset views. Close to the ferry, so perfect for lazy arrival and panicked departures. Cons : Can be noisy, especially if you're next to a fire-dancing bar or if the occupants of the bungalow next door are inconsiderate ( insert your personal p...

Koh Kood (Koh Kut): Thailand’s Best-Kept Secret, Unless You’ve Talked to Literally Any Travel Blogger Ever Welcome to Koh Kood (aka Koh Kut, because spelling is a suggestion in Thailand). This island is so untouched, so stupidly gorgeous, and so blissfully quiet, you’ll start to question your own existence. “Why don’t more people come here?” you’ll ask, while sipping fresh coconut juice under a palm tree that somehow hasn’t been monetized yet. Spoiler: it’s because it’s annoying to get to. But if you're willing to brave the trek, you’re rewarded with crystal-clear water, empty beaches, no 7-Elevens, and the kind of serenity that makes you wonder if you accidentally joined a cult of inner peace. --------------- Beaches: Where the Sand is Soft and the Tourists Are on Koh Samui Instead Ao Tapao Beach – Long, clean, and quiet. There’s a literal palace nearby (no big deal), and a few laid-back resorts where the most exciting event is “reading.” Ao Prao – Secluded, stunning, and might ...

Visiting Koh Chang: Thailand’s Tropical Playground for the Mildly Functional Human Ah, Koh Chang. Thailand’s oversized jungle island that somehow manages to be both a tropical paradise and the backdrop to every mosquito’s honeymoon. If you’re looking for white sand beaches, adventurous jungle treks, and the chance to scream at your scooter rental while going downhill with questionable brakes, this is the place for you. --------------- Beaches That Will Ruin Most Other Beaches Let’s start with the beaches, because that’s the only reason 90% of you Googled "Is Koh Chang worth visiting?" (Yes. But also, kind of no. Read on.) White Sand Beach – This is the Koh Chang equivalent of Times Square, except with less neon and more people in flip-flops who haven’t applied sunscreen properly. It’s the busiest, most developed beach, so you’ll find everything from fancy resorts to bars blasting Bob Marley remixes like it’s still 2005. Lonely Beach – Ironically, not lonely. This i...