Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Bang Saen: The Beach Getaway Where Bangkokians Go to Pretend They’re on Vacation Let’s be real. When you think of Thai beaches, Bang Saen doesn’t exactly come to mind. It’s not as pretty as Phuket, not as wild as Pattaya, and definitely not as Instagrammable as Krabi. But that’s exactly why it’s perfect. This is where tired Bangkok office workers, university students on a budget, and couples who can’t afford a real romantic getaway come to pretend  they’re at the seaside. And guess what? It’s actually kind of awesome.   Why Bang Saen? (Because You’re Cheap and Lazy) - It’s only 90 minutes from Bangkok – No flights, no overnight buses, just hop in a bus or van and boom, you’re "at the beach."   - It’s gloriously unpretentious – No influencer wannabes doing yoga poses at sunrise, just regular people eating grilled squid and getting mildly sunburned.   - The food is stupidly good – This is a seafood lover’s paradise, minus the tourist markups.  ...

Pattaya with Kids: Yes, Really. So you’re thinking about taking the family to Pattaya. Bold move. This place is basically the world’s biggest adult playground: a neon-lit, beer-soaked, ladyboy-filled wonderland where the party never stops (or at least not until the sun comes up and everyone remembers they have responsibilities). But here’s the twist: Pattaya is also weirdly popular with families. Thais, Russians, and Indians all flock here with their kids in tow, proving that either a) they know something you don’t, or b) they’ve given up on shielding their children from reality.   But Why, Though? Because despite its reputation , Pattaya has a surprising amount of stuff to do that doesn’t involve questionable life choices. The beaches? Not winning any beauty contests (think: brownish sand, murky water, and enough jet skis to make you question marine safety laws). But hey, kids don’t care! Throw them in the ocean with some floaties ( water wings for the poms), and they’re ...

H ua Hin: Thailand’s Classy Beach Town (If “Classy” Means Retired Expats and Golf Carts) If you’ve ever wanted to go to the beach but thought, “What if it were also kind of posh, extremely chill, and vaguely British?” Congratulations, Hua Hin is calling your name. Once a royal vacation spot, now a hybrid of beachfront condos, seafood markets, and golf courses as far as the eye can squint. How to Get There By Train From Bangkok, it’s scenic, slow, and only mildly uncomfortable. 2nd-class train: 40–250 THB, depending on how much legroom you desire Takes about 4–5 hours unless time stops entirely, which is possible. By Van or Bus From Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal or Ekkamai. Fare: 160–250 THB, travel time: 3–4 hours Bonus: your knees will become one with the seat in front of you. Just kidding, unless you're a basketball player. By Car It’s a 2.5–3 hour drive on a straight highway. Easy if you like honking at people driving 40 km/h in the fast lane. Where to Stay Budget Guesthou...