Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Nakhon Pathom: A Chill Day Trip (or Mini Adventure) Just Outside Bangkok Thailand’s oldest city and home to the world’s tallest stupa Where is it? Nakhon Pathom is about 55–60 km west of Bangkok, making it one of the easiest and most worthwhile day trips from the capital. It’s calm, historic, and famously home to a giant golden stupa that dominates the skyline. Why Go? See Phra Pathom Chedi, the tallest stupa in the world (120 meters!) Explore Sanam Chandra Palace , a charming European-Thai royal residence Enjoy great street food and local produce (hello, bamboo sticky rice and giant guavas) Experience a slower, more traditional Thai town just outside the city Getting There By Train : From Bangkok’s Thon Buri Station to Nakhon Pathom. About 1 hr 10 min. Tickets from 45 baht. Fun, scenic, old-school vibe. By Car/Taxi : Around 50 mins via Route 4. Taxis cost approx. 650–800 baht. Great if you want flexibility. By Bus : Slower and less convenient, only recommended if you're alrea...

Samut Prakan: Bangkok's Weird Neighbor Who's Actually Cooler Than You Think Let me introduce you to Samut Prakan, Bangkok's neglected neighbor that everyone drives through on the way to somewhere else. It's like that friend-of-a-friend who seems boring until you discover they have a secret life as a competitive fire dancer. Samut Prakan province sits at the mouth of the Chao Phraya River, whose name you'll mispronounce no matter how hard you try. The locals call it " Pak Nam ," which literally means "mouth of water," which is both poetically simple and geographically accurate. Unlike most tourist descriptions in Thailand, this one actually makes sense. Paknam: Where the River Meets the Sea (and History Gets Weird) Paknam is the historic heart of Samut Prakan, and it comes with its own bizarre backstory. Back in 1893, France and Siam (old-timey Thailand) had a little disagreement called the " Paknam Incident ." French warships tried sa...