Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Khao Sok National Park: Jurassic Park Vibes Without the Velociraptors Looking for the kind of nature that makes you question whether you’ve wandered into a National Geographic documentary? Welcome to Khao Sok National Park, Thailand’s wildest wonderland. It’s got ancient rainforests, floating bungalows, dramatic cliffs, caves full of questionable puddles, and absolutely zero traffic lights. It’s peaceful. It’s prehistoric. It’s probably what dinosaurs dreamed about before going extinct. Where Exactly Is Khao Sok? Southern Thailand, in Surat Thani province, tucked between the coasts. It’s far enough from touristy beach towns to feel like an escape, but not so far that you need to bring survival rations. How to Get There (AKA: Choose Your Adventure) Khao Sok is surprisingly accessible, assuming you're okay with a combination of planes, vans, and a little prayer. Option A : From Phuket (3–4 hours) Minivan or private car from your hotel or the airport Gorgeous drive, slightly terri...

Nakhon Si Thammarat: Thailand's Spiritual Powerhouse That Nobody Can Pronounce Welcome to Nakhon Si Thammarat, a name so long that tourists often give up halfway through saying it and just point at the map instead. Located on Thailand's southern peninsula, this province is what happens when religious significance meets complete tourism obscurity. Nakhon Si Thammarat (let's call it " Tammy " to save our collective typing fingers) is one of Thailand's oldest cities and most important historical centers. It's a bit like Thailand's Rome, if Rome were humid, rarely visited by foreigners, and had significantly more spicy food. Getting There: Either Easy Peasy or Devilishly Bone-Crushing  Getting to Nakhon Si Thammarat doesn't require the kind of determination usually reserved for people climbing Everest or trying to cancel gym memberships. By Air: 1. Fly to Bangkok (as is tradition) 2. Discover there are actually direct flights to Nakhon Si Thammarat Air...