Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Kalasin: Thailand’s Dino-Obsessed, Rice-Loving, Middle-of-Nowhere Province  Kalasin is so off the radar, even Claude might shrug and say, “Kalasin who?” Tucked in the heart of Isaan, this place is like that one friend who’s super into niche hobbies, like collecting fossilized T-Rex toenails or weaving silk so fancy it’s dubbed the “Queen of Silk.” If you’re here, you’re either lost, a dinosaur nerd, just really bad at picking vacation spots, or your teerak calls it home. Let’s dive into the chaos of Kalasin with a smirk and a side of sarcasm. Why Kalasin? Why Not? Kalasin’s got roots deeper than a sauropod’s tail, stretching back to prehistoric times when dinos roamed and left their footprints for you to gawk at. Fast-forward to the Khmer Empire, it was a hotbed of temples and monuments, and by 1907, King Chulalongkorn made it an official province, probably because someone had to claim this patch of rice fields. Today, it’s a mashup of ancient vibes, ethnic  Phu Thai cul...

Yasothon: Thailand's Party Animal You've Never Heard Of Ever wondered where Thai people go when they want to completely lose their minds for a weekend? Forget the Full Moon Party. The real action is in Yasothon, a dusty province in Northeastern Thailand that transforms once a year from "where?" to "WOOHOO!" faster than you can say "fire the homemade rocket into the sky for good luck." What Even Is Yasothon? Yasothon is essentially what happens when you take one of Thailand's poorest provinces, add scorching heat, subtract tourism, and then randomly insert one of the country's wildest festivals. Located in the heart of Isaan (Thailand's northeastern region), Yasothon spends 364 days a year being overlooked before suddenly becoming the center of attention during the annual Rocket Festival. The landscape consists primarily of rice fields, more rice fields, and the occasional water buffalo looking as confused about being there as you will...

Why Loei Should Be Your Next “Wait, This Place Exists?” Adventure Let’s be real. When someone says “Thailand,” you think beaches, Bangkok chaos, or Chiang Mai’s temples. But have you ever heard of Loei? And how do you even pronounce that? No? Perfect. That means you’re about to discover Thailand’s most underrated province before the rest of the world ruins it with selfie sticks.   What Even Is Loei? Loei ( pronounced  “ Loeiy ” lol), is a rugged, beautiful province in Northeast Thailand ( Isaan ) that somehow mashes up Alpine vibes, Jurassic Park scenery, and small-town charm. It’s the only place in Thailand where it gets actually quite cold in winter (we’re talking 10°C, when Thais wear parkas and the government declares a cold snap emergency ).   Myth Alert : "Loei is just another boring farming town." Reality : It’s got waterfalls, canyons, and a wine region (yes, Thai wine, don’t judge till you try it - spoiler: it won't win any international wine competi...

The Ultimate Isaan Road Trip: Northeast Thailand's Hidden Treasure Thailand's northeastern region, known as Isaan, remains one of the country's most underrated destinations. Far from the beaches and tourist crowds, Isaan offers authentic culture, spectacular temples, prehistoric sites, and some of Thailand's most distinctive (and spiciest) cuisine. This 24-day road trip circuit will take you through the heart of Isaan, hitting all the major cities while creating a logical route that minimizes backtracking.  Important Note : This road trip can be customized by shortening or lengthening the trip, adding or leaving out destinations, changing the starting and/or finishing point, and by using public transport (think a mix of buses, trains, taxis/, tuk-tuks, vans, songthaews etc.) instead of doing it by car.  This is the prefect trip for those who've seen most of the central, northern and southern destinations but have hardly ever set foot in Isaan (northeastern Thailand)...

Why Sakhon Nakhon Should Be Your Next WTF (Wow That’s Fantastic) Destination Guest Contributor: The Soi Dog Whisperer   So, you’ve heard of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket. Yawn. But have you ever considered Sakhon Nakhon? No? Perfect, because that means you’re about to discover Thailand’s best-kept secret before the Instagram crowd ruins it.   What the Heck is Sakhon Nakhon? Sakhon Nakhon is a sleepy, charming province in Northeast Thailand ( Isaan ). It’s got lakes, temples, weirdly delicious food, and exactly zero pushy tuk-tuk drivers harassing you to see a " ping pong show ." Oh, and before you ask, no, people don’t eat dog meat here. That’s a myth (mostly). While dog meat consumption has been reported in some parts of Southeast Asia, it’s not a common thing in Sakhon Nakhon. So relax, Fido is safe (probably). How to Get There (Without Getting Lost) - By Plane : Fly into Sakhon Nakhon Airport (SNO) from Bangkok (1-hour flight, around 1,500-3,000 THB). ...

Kamphaeng Phet: Ruins, Rice, and the Slowest Vibe You’ve Ever Felt You know Ayutthaya? Yeah, this is her introverted cousin who lives up north, doesn’t care about popularity, and still somehow looks amazing in the golden hour. Kamphaeng Phet has UNESCO-level ruins, chill riverfront scenes, and almost zero tourists , which is great for your peace of mind and terrible for your TikTok numbers. How to Get There By Bus From Bangkok’s Mo Chit Terminal. Duration: 5–6 hours Fare: 250–400 THB depending on whether your bus has a working toilet or just hopes and dreams. By Car About 4.5–5 hours from Bangkok if you don’t stop for every noodle shop and gas station snack along the way. Flat highways, decent roads, and occasional buffalo crossings. Classic Thai road trip. By Train Spoiler: there’s no station in Kamphaeng Phet itself. Closest train station: Nakhon Sawan or Phitsanulok, then a bus or van to KP. This route is for people who enjoy puzzles and unnecessary detours. Or those who are on an...

Thailand Travel Itinerary: The Grand Two-Month Adventure (With a Dash of Chaos and Mild Sunburn) Start: Bangkok (5 Days)   Your gateway into Thailand! Start strong with temples, tuk-tuks (or Grabs ), and an excessive amount of street food. Brave the floating markets, attempt to navigate Chatuchak Market without getting lost (impossible), and sweat profusely while pretending it's all part of the charm.   Moving on: Ayutthaya (2 Days) → Lopburi (2 Days) → Sukhothai (2 Days)   Train to Ayutthaya , where history oozes from every ancient ruin (along with humidity). Move on to Lopburi by train, home of the legendary monkeys who WILL steal your food (and possibly your dignity). Then, take a bus to Sukhothai for more stunning ruins, imagine Angkor Wat’s smaller, underrated sibling.   The north: Phrae (2 Days) → Lampang (2 Days) → Chiang Mai (7 Days)   Roll into Phrae by bus, a town so peaceful that even your travel stress takes a break. Then,...