Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Thailand's Vaporizing Hypocrisy: Where Ciggies Get Rights But Vapes Don't Let me take you on a journey through Thailand's bizarre tobacco landscape, where logic goes to die and your lungs, well, they're confused too. In the Land of Smiles, cigarettes and vapes are locked in an absurd regulatory death match. Cigarettes, aka cancer sticks or cowboy killers, are perfectly legal to buy, sell, and puff away on. Meanwhile, their potentially less-harmful cousin, the electronic vape, is treated like it's a threat to national security. Here's the hilarious part: in Thailand, you can legally VAPE. Yes, you read that right! The act of inhaling vapor from an electronic device is technically legal. What's illegal? Selling vapes. Importing vapes. Basically, possessing the very thing you need to do the legal activity. It's like Thailand saying, "Swimming is totally allowed! But water? Absolutely forbidden." The Thai government has doubled down on this nonsens...

Muay Thai: Where Violence Meets Culture (and Tourists Meet Confusion) So, you want to watch Muay Thai in Thailand? Excellent choice! Nothing says "cultural immersion" like watching two humans savagely attempt to hit and kick each other into unconsciousness while you sip overpriced beer and pretend to understand the scoring system. Muay Thai (literally "Thai boxing") is Thailand's national sport, an ancient martial art known as " the art of eight limbs " because fighters use fists, elbows, knees, and shins. It's basically a full-contact game of human chess, if chess pieces could knee each other in the liver. Where to Watch: A Hierarchy of Authenticity and Comfort Your Muay Thai viewing experience will vary dramatically depending on where you watch. Here's the breakdown: Lumpinee Stadium (Bangkok) The holy grail of Muay Thai. Recently relocated to a shiny new facility that purists complain lacks the "authentic smell of liniment and desperati...

A funny guide to Lopburi, Thailand, home of monkeys, ruins, and questionable life choices involving both. Lopburi: Thailand’s Monkey Kingdom (Yes, That’s a Warning) If you’ve ever thought, “Hey, I’d love to visit ancient ruins while being harassed by furry anarchists,” then Lopburi is your place. Located just a couple hours north of Bangkok, it’s a historic city filled with Khmer temples, royal palaces, and one of the most aggressively confident monkey populations on Earth. How to Get There By Train Trains from Bangkok's Hua Lamphong or Bang Sue stations cost 50–150 THB, depending on whether you want A/C or prefer the "authentic" open-window, sweat-based experience. The ride takes about 2.5–4 hours, which is just enough time to question your life decisions. By Minivan From Bangkok's Mo Chit terminal, you can catch a minivan for around 150-220 THB. Slightly faster, slightly more chaotic, infinitely more dangerous and likely involves being yelled at in Thai at least o...

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,...

Visakha Bucha Day in Thailand: Buddha's Birthday, Enlightenment, and Death. Also, No Alcohol?! So, you're in Thailand, ready to party, and suddenly bars refuse to serve cocktails, 7-Eleven won't sell you a Singha, and everyone's walking in circles around temples holding candles like it's some kind of spiritual conga line. Welcome to Visakha Bucha Day , the holiest of holy Buddhist holidays where the Buddha did his greatest hits: born, enlightened, and peace'd out, all on the same full moon day. Efficiency!   What Even Is Visakha Bucha Day?   Picture this: 2,600 years ago, Prince Siddhartha (future Buddha) was born, then 35 years later, while sitting under a tree had the ultimate "aha!" moment (enlightenment), and 45 years after that, he left this mortal coil (but in a chill, Nirvana way). All three events happened on the same lunar calendar date, which is either the universe's best scheduling or the biggest cosmic coincidence. Either way, Buddhist...

Visiting Koh Tao: Come for the Diving, Stay Because You Lost Your Passport at a Bar Called “The Bucket List” Ah, Koh Tao, the little Thai island that somehow manages to be a diving mecca, a party hotspot, a hippie hideaway, and a sunburn factory all at once. It’s like if Ibiza, Bali, and your local CrossFit club all had a baby, and that baby lived off mango smoothies and bar crawls. People come here to get scuba certified, find themselves, lose themselves, and occasionally wake up next to a Canadian with a sea turtle tattoo. Let’s dive in (pun 100% intended). Beaches: Yes, There’s More Than One, And Yes, They’re Ridiculously Pretty Sairee Beach – The main strip. This is where the action is. Sunsets, parties, regret, and sand in places sand shouldn’t be. Also the best people-watching spot on the island: expect half-naked tourists pretending they’re not checking their ex’s stories. Ao Leuk – Clear water, good snorkeling, and far fewer tourists. A good beach for when you want to feel ...

Sukothai: Where Ancient Ruins and Your Patience Both Crumble Beautifully So, you’ve decided to trade Bangkok’s chaotic charm for the serene, temple-dotted plains of Sukothai, Thailand’s original capital (before everyone realized it was too hot and moved south). Congratulations! You’re about to step into a UNESCO World Heritage Site where history whispers (or screams, depending on how many tourists are around) from every crumbling brick.   Why Sukothai? Because You’re Cultured (Or Pretending To Be)  Let’s be real: You could be sipping a cocktail on a tropical beach right now, but no, you chose ancient ruins, sweaty walks, and the existential dread of realizing you know nothing about Thai history. Good for you. Sukothai Historical Park is basically Thailand’s way of saying, "Hey, remember that time we invented Thai script and also had really cool Buddha statues? Yeah, that was us." And now you get to wander around like a confused archaeologist, squinting at restored stupa...

Lampang: The Chill City That Bangkok Hipsters Haven’t Found Yet If Chiang Mai is your trendy cousin who’s into yoga and artisanal coffee, then Lampang is the older sibling who actually has a job, reads books, and doesn’t scream for attention. It’s got temples, horses, no traffic, and most importantly, no monkeys. Honestly, Lampang deserves more love (from genuine travelers, not from annoying influencers doing a TikTok dance in front of a confused horse). How to Get There By Train Slow but scenic. Trains from Chiang Mai or Bangkok roll in at various levels of comfort. From Chiang Mai: 2.5 hours, 40–250 THB, depending on if you want to sit on a wooden bench or feel like royalty. A great way to experience some scenic views without overdoing it. From Bangkok: 9–12 hours of self-inflicted eternity, 300–1,000+ THB, including options to sleep in a bunk while listening to the soothing rattle of Thai rail infrastructure. Bring earplugs or Blue Dream edibles. By Bus Buses from Chiang Mai are ...

What's This Blog About? This blog features a large collections of posts about traveling in Thailand and Thai customs. There are dozens of destination guides with lots of travel information and useful tips as well as a number of itinerary suggestions. The posts are written in a rather funny and sometimes sarcastic way, so not everything should be interpreted as gospel (e.g. if a post recommends you to drink seven or more beers, no need to do so if you pass out after three). What if I Don't See the Information I Need? Don't panic, buttercup. There's a Search bar at the top of your screen (if you're on a smartphone). Just type in some key words, click the magnifying glass and Bob's your uncle! If you're a dinosaur or a gamer lugging a ten pound laptop around, open your browser, surf to this site and you'll hopefully figure it out. And don't even get me started about the folks still looking for an internet café  with clunky desktops in 2025. Can I Sue Or...

Visiting Koh Lanta: Thailand’s Chill Island for People Who Are Over It (But In a Good Way) Koh Lanta is the island equivalent of that cool older friend who’s done with the party scene, drinks wine instead of vodka Red Bulls, and owns a hammock. It doesn’t scream for attention like Phuket or set itself on fire like Koh Phi Phi; it just sits there being effortlessly beautiful and quietly judging your hangover. Located off Thailand’s Andaman coast, Koh Lanta is big enough to breathe, small enough to scooter around, and chill enough that you’ll seriously consider quitting your job and becoming a dive instructor named “Bamboo Dave.” Beaches: So Many, So Pretty, So... Empty? The beaches here are long, peaceful, and wildly underpopulated. You might even look around and ask, “Am I on the wrong island?” No, you’re just on an island that hasn’t been completely overrun by drunk Australians yet. Klong Dao Beach – Family-friendly, close to the port, and full of beach bars that close by midnight ...