Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Surviving a Day Trip to Koh Kret: An Adventure in Sweat and Snacks Ah, Koh Kret, the tiny island in the Chao Phraya River where Bangkokians go when they want to pretend they're escaping the city without actually leaving it. If you've ever thought, “I really want to feel like a tourist in my own country while also sweating profusely,” then congratulations, Koh Kret is the day trip for you! Step One: The Journey Begins Getting to Koh Kret is an experience in itself. First, take a Skytrain or boat, a a van, a bus or a tuk-tuk, and possibly hitch a ride on the back of a tricycle powered by a elderly man who actually rides more slowly than you could walk. Alternatively, just take a taxi or Grab to the pier in Pak Kret where ferries cross the river to Koh Kret. Once you arrive at the pier, you’ll be greeted by a charmingly rickety wooden boat that looks just stable enough to make you question your life choices. Hold on tight as the river water isn't the kind you'd want to go ...

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...

Chachoengsao: The Most Random Day Trip You’ll Ever Take So you’ve heard of Chachoengsao. No? Exactly, although it's just next to Bangkok. This is the Thai province so underrated that even locals forget it exists. But guess what? It’s actually a weirdly fun little escape from Bangkok, especially if your idea of adventure involves golden toilets, giant ducks, and a temple so shiny it could blind you.   Why Chachoengsao? (Because Why Not?) This place is like Thailand’s version of that one quiet kid in class who suddenly reveals they’re secretly fascinating. It’s not Pattaya (thank God), it’s not Ayutthaya (no ruins here), it’s just… Chachoengsao . A mix of random attractions, bizarre local culture, and enough fried snacks to make your cardiologist cry.   What to Do (Because You Can’t Just Sit Around) 1. Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan – The main event. This temple houses a famous Buddha image that people pray to for lottery numbers (because spirituality in Thailand is...

The Ancient City: Thailand's Best-Kept Secret That's Not Actually A Secret Looking for the perfect day trip from Bangkok that doesn't involve negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers or accidentally joining a ping-pong show? Let me introduce you to The Ancient City ( Muang Boran ) in Samut Prakan (basically Greater Bangkok), the theme park your history teacher wishes they could have taken you to. Imagine if someone said, "You know what would be cool? Taking all of Thailand's important historical buildings, shrinking some of them down, and putting them in one convenient location." That's The Ancient City, a giant outdoor museum shaped like Thailand itself. It's 320 acres of "I don't have time to travel the whole country, so I'll just see the greatest hits in one day." The Ancient City is where you can visit 116 replicas and reconstructions of Thailand's most significant historical sites without having to endure 116 different bus rides. Wan...