Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Where to Stay in Kanchanaburi: For History Buffs, Nature Nerds & People Who Love a Good Floating Bungalow Kanchanaburi is Thailand’s ultimate combo deal: waterfalls, history, jungles, and riverside chill, all for less than the price of a Bangkok cocktail. But where you stay can make the difference between “peaceful riverside bliss” and “accidentally slept in a museum gift shop.” Let’s explore the main areas to stay in, complete with pros, cons, and occasional snark. (Click here for the basic tourist guide) 1. Kanchanaburi Town – “Bridge, beer, and budget beds” Vibe : The main town. Not quite a city, not quite the jungle, but the epicenter of most things with a price tag. Pros : Close to the famous Bridge on the River Kwai, museums, and 7-Elevens (a sacred Thai trinity). Great for history lovers, day-trippers, and people who want food now. Loads of accommodation: hostels, riverside guesthouses, and even “retro” hotels (i.e., old). Cons : Town is functional, not magical. Can feel ...

Where to Stay on Koh Chang (If You Want a Bed, Not Just Hammock Dreams) Koh Chang, where the beaches are beautiful, the hills are vertical, and the monkeys are 100% judging your life choices. Picking where to stay can feel overwhelming, kind of like trying to choose your favorite flavor at a Thai smoothie stand. So here’s a no-nonsense (okay, some nonsense) guide to the island’s main areas, with pros, cons, and some gentle sarcasm to help you decide. 1. White Sand Beach – “Party by night, pad Thai by day” Vibe : Koh Chang’s most developed beach. Think of it as the Bangkok of the island, but with fewer tuk-tuks and more sand in your shoes. Pros : Lots of bars, restaurants, and ATMs (which you’ll need after two nights out). Great beach with sunset views. Close to the ferry, so perfect for lazy arrival and panicked departures. Cons : Can be noisy, especially if you're next to a fire-dancing bar or if the occupants of the bungalow next door are inconsiderate ( insert your personal p...

Where to Stay on Koh Samui: A Beach-by-Beach Guide to Paradise (or at Least a Really Good Smoothie) Koh Samui: Thailand’s coconut-scented answer to “I need a vacation, but I also might want to do yoga on a paddleboard.” It’s an island with something for everyone, from backpackers who sleep through sunsets to honeymooners who cry at them. But which beach should you call home? Let’s break it down, vibe by vibe, beach by beach. 1. Chaweng Beach For : Party people, sunburned extroverts, and folks who think sleep is a scam Chaweng is Samui’s biggest and busiest beach, where flip-flops meet full moon party flashbacks, even when there’s no moon. Pros : Lively beach scene, endless bars, and nightlife Tons of restaurants, shops, massages Close to the airport (15 min max, hangover pending) Cons : Crowded, loud, and more neon than natural Not ideal for serenity or introspection Might accidentally end up in a fire-dancing competition 2. Lamai Beach For : Chill partiers, digital nomads, and peo...

Where to Stay in Chiang Mai: A Guide for Hipsters, Hikers, and People Who Confuse Temples for Cafes Chiang Mai, the land of temples, monks, jungle hikes, and enough cafés to keep even the most fragile freelancer buzzed for eternity. It’s where people come to “find themselves,” then get distracted by night markets and $6 massages. But choosing where to stay in Chiang Mai? That’s a whole different spiritual journey. From ancient city walls to jungle bungalows, here’s your mildly accurate guide to the main areas, with pros, cons, and gentle mockery for all. 1. Old City – “Temples, tuk-tuks, and tourists with temple fatigue” Vibe : The historic heart of Chiang Mai. If you haven’t taken a photo with a crumbling brick wall here, were you even in Thailand? Pros : Walkable AF. Temples, cafés, and street food every 5 steps. Perfect base for sightseeing and pretending to understand Thai history. Every third building is a temple or a massage place, and we support that lifestyle. Cons : Full of ...

Where to Stay in Phuket: A Guide for Beach Bums, Party Animals & People Who Regret Packing Jeans Phuket is Thailand’s largest island and unofficial headquarters for people who thought Bali was just too quiet. Whether you’re here to party, relax, detox, or re-tox , there’s a Phuket neighborhood with your name (probably misspelled) on it. But choosing where to stay in Phuket is tricky. Each area is basically its own personality. So, here’s a completely subjective, totally unscientific breakdown of the main places to stay, complete with pros, cons, and enough sarcasm to fill a beach bucket. 1. Patong Beach – “Vegas with coconuts” Vibe : Party central. Loud, chaotic, and somehow still running even after five power outages. Pros : Bangla Road: the street where sleep goes to die. Tons of restaurants, bars, and activities. You can buy a suit, ride a jet ski, and get a questionable massage all before lunch. Cons : Loud. Very loud. Louder than your ex arguing about astrology. Traffic and ...

Where to Stay in Bangkok: A Guide for the Confused, the Curious & the Chronically Lost Bangkok is big. Bangkok is busy. Bangkok is also a little chaotic, a lot charming, and very sweaty. But choosing where to stay? That’s where things get really spicy. Each neighborhood has its own personality, from “I came to find myself” to “I came to find cocktails.” Here's your guide to the most popular areas and what kind of traveler they’re secretly judging you to be. 1. Khao San Road & Banglamphu For : Backpackers, budget-lovers, party people, and banana pancake philosophers Ah, Khao San Road, land of $5 hostels, tattoo regrets, and 24/7 pad Thai . It's loud, it's fun, it's a little grimy, and it smells like beer and dreams. Pros : Cheap accommodation and street food Bars, live music, and buckets of mystery alcohol Walking distance to the Grand Palace and temples Easy to meet new people and have fun  Cons : Sleep? What sleep? Can feel like a chaotic gap-year festival Qu...