Thailand - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Trekking in Chiang Mai: Paying to Suffer (and Loving It) So, you’ve come to Chiang Mai. You’ve eaten your body weight in mango sticky rice, taken a selfie with a temple dragon, and now you’re thinking, “You know what I need? A guided nature walk that slowly destroys me.” Enter: the Northern Thailand trek. This magical experience typically starts when a man with a pickup truck and zero suspension picks you up at 8 a.m. He tells you it’s a “short drive” to the jungle. Two hours later, your organs are in new positions, and you’re ready to hike. Day one is a cheerful uphill death march through banana trees, leech-filled undergrowth, and humidity levels typically reserved for saunas and existential breakdowns. Your guide moves like a mountain goat. You move like someone deeply regretting their life choices. He’ll point out plants that cure everything from headaches to heartbreak. You pretend to understand while quietly checking if your left foot is still attached. Eventually, you reach a hi...

Same Same But More Expensive: The Magical World of Dual Pricing in Thailand Ah, Thailand. The Land of Smiles, spicy food, and, surprise, dual pricing that hits harder than a Muay Thai kick to your nuts and travel budget. Picture this: you're standing in front of a waterfall that promises “natural beauty” and “healing vibes,” and you're ready to pay your way in. You spot the sign: "Foreigners – 400 baht." Next to it, there's another line in Thai script with what looks like noodle doodles and the number ๔ ๐. Now unless you’re fluent in Thai numerals (spoiler: you’re not), you’d never guess that those squiggles mean Thai people are paying 40 baht. Yes. Forty. That’s not a typo. That’s lunch money. Meanwhile, you're forking over a sum that could buy you a decent haircut in Bangkok (or two bad ones on Khao San Road). They don’t even try to hide it with fake “international maintenance fees” or “foreigner surcharges.” No, no. They just sneakily slap it on the sign in...

The Maeklong Railway Market: Where Vendors Play Chicken with an Actual Train Welcome to the Maeklong Railway Market, known in Thai as " Talad Rom Hup " or "the market that closes its umbrella." Situated in Samut Songkhram province just south of Bangkok, this market should be renamed "The Market Where Tourists Almost Die for Instagram." Picture this: a normal market selling fruits, vegetables, seafood, and the usual Thai market stuff. Nothing special, right? WRONG. This market just happens to be built directly ON active train tracks. Not next to, not near, but ON. As in, the train runs THROUGH the market multiple times a day. It's like someone looked at a busy market and a functioning railway and thought, "These two things should definitely occupy the exact same physical space. What could go wrong?" The Main Attraction: Narrowly Avoiding Death The star of the show here isn't the produce or merchandise – it's the train that passes throu...

7-Eleven: Thailand's True Tourist Attraction Let me tell you about the real cultural landmark you need to visit in Thailand. Forget the temples, forget the beaches, forget the elephants. I'm talking about 7-Eleven. Yes, the convenience store. Thailand has over 13,000 7-Elevens. That's not a typo. For context, that's more than the entire United States, despite Thailand being roughly the size of Texas. You literally cannot throw a pad Thai without hitting one. They're like the McDonald's of Thailand, if McDonald's was actually good and sold everything you've ever needed in your life. As a tourist, your relationship with Thai 7-Eleven evolves through distinct phases: Phase 1: Curiosity "Oh look, they have 7-Elevens here too. Neat." Phase 2: Surprise "Wait, why does this 7-Eleven have better food than most restaurants back home?" Phase 3: Dependence "I need my daily toastie sandwich and iced coffee or I will literally die." Phas...

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.  ...

Beach Thrills in Thailand: Parasailing, Banana Boats & Other Ways to Scream on Water You came to Thailand for the beaches: turquoise water, soft sand, and coconut shakes the size of your head. But after your third nap and 27th mango sticky rice, you start to think: “Maybe I should do something.” Enter: Water activities. Also known as: Ways to almost lose your sunglasses while having the time of your life. Here’s the lowdown on the splashiest fun you can have from Phuket to Pattaya and everywhere in between. 1. Parasailing – Human Kite, Powered by Screams This one’s for the folks who think, “You know what would make the beach better? Dangling 50 feet above it.” Strapped into a harness and clipped to a parachute, you’re whisked into the sky by a speedboat, flailing your legs like a panicked jellyfish. The view? Unreal. The wind in your face? Refreshing. The landing? Somewhere between graceful and “did I just belly-flop onto sand?” Where: Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui Price: ~800–1500 TH...

Bangkok’s Shopping Malls: The Ultimate Guide for Shopaholics, Foodies, and Air-Con Addicts Bangkok’s shopping malls aren’t just places to spend money, they’re self-contained universes where you can eat, drink, get a massage, watch a movie, and maybe even buy a gold-plated rice cooker if you’re feeling fancy. Whether you’re downtown dodging selfie sticks or venturing into the suburban sprawl, Bangkok’s malls have something for everyone. Here’s the ultimate breakdown, from the iconic to the underrated.   The Downtown Powerhouses (Where Tourists and Luxury Collide)  1. Siam Paragon – The Mall That Has Everything (Including Your Future Debt)  This is where you go to feel poor. Siam Paragon is a glittering palace of luxury, complete with a Lamborghini showroom, an overpriced aquarium full of confused fish, and a food court so fancy it makes street vendors weep. If you’re not here to drop a month’s salary on a handbag, stick to the basics—Kinokuniya bookstore and Gourmet M...

The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Tailored Suit in Thailand Thinking about getting a tailored suit in Thailand? You're in for a treat! Thailand is renowned for its tailoring services, offering a blend of affordability, quality, and a rich cultural experience. Here's what you need to know before you dive in: Why Thailand for a Tailored Suit? Thailand, particularly cities like Bangkok and Phuket, is a hotspot for custom tailoring. The country boasts a vast number of tailors, ranging from high-end artisans to more affordable options. The allure of getting a suit tailored in Thailand lies in the combination of skilled craftsmanship, quick turnaround times, and the use of high-quality fabrics, all at a fraction of the cost you'd pay elsewhere. Where to Get Your Suit Tailored - Bangkok: The capital city is brimming with tailors, from the bustling streets to high-end boutiques. Areas like Sukhumvit and Silom are known for their tailoring services. Be cautious of street tailors, as th...

Siam Square: The Hilariously Misnamed "Square" Let's talk about Siam Square, Bangkok's famous shopping district that is neither a square nor particularly Siamese in the traditional sense. It's like calling Times Square a square or Piccadilly Circus a circus, a complete misnomer that everyone just rolled with. When you hear "Siam Square," you might imagine a charming open plaza with a fountain in the middle, perhaps some old-world charm, maybe even a few elders playing chess. Nope! What you get instead is a labyrinthine maze of narrow streets, alleys, and corridors packed with shops, cafes, and enough teenagers to make you question if school is optional in Thailand. What Actually Is Siam Square? Siam Square is essentially several blocks of retail chaos sandwiched between big malls and universities. It's where Bangkok's youth come to spend money they don't have on clothes they don't need to impress people they might not even like. It's ...

Chachoengsao: The Most Random Day Trip You’ll Ever Take So you’ve heard of Chachoengsao. No? Exactly, although it's just next to Bangkok. This is the Thai province so underrated that even locals forget it exists. But guess what? It’s actually a weirdly fun little escape from Bangkok, especially if your idea of adventure involves golden toilets, giant ducks, and a temple so shiny it could blind you.   Why Chachoengsao? (Because Why Not?) This place is like Thailand’s version of that one quiet kid in class who suddenly reveals they’re secretly fascinating. It’s not Pattaya (thank God), it’s not Ayutthaya (no ruins here), it’s just… Chachoengsao . A mix of random attractions, bizarre local culture, and enough fried snacks to make your cardiologist cry.   What to Do (Because You Can’t Just Sit Around) 1. Wat Sothon Wararam Worawihan – The main event. This temple houses a famous Buddha image that people pray to for lottery numbers (because spirituality in Thailand is...

The Ancient City: Thailand's Best-Kept Secret That's Not Actually A Secret Looking for the perfect day trip from Bangkok that doesn't involve negotiating with tuk-tuk drivers or accidentally joining a ping-pong show? Let me introduce you to The Ancient City ( Muang Boran ) in Samut Prakan (basically Greater Bangkok), the theme park your history teacher wishes they could have taken you to. Imagine if someone said, "You know what would be cool? Taking all of Thailand's important historical buildings, shrinking some of them down, and putting them in one convenient location." That's The Ancient City, a giant outdoor museum shaped like Thailand itself. It's 320 acres of "I don't have time to travel the whole country, so I'll just see the greatest hits in one day." The Ancient City is where you can visit 116 replicas and reconstructions of Thailand's most significant historical sites without having to endure 116 different bus rides. Wan...

Is Thailand’s Water Trying to Kill You? A Totally Chill Guide to H2O (and Ice) in the Land of Smiles   So, you’ve landed in Thailand, ready to stuff your face with pad thai, slurp down coconut water like it’s your job, and maybe, just maybe, enjoy a cocktail or ten. But wait! What’s that mysterious liquid coming out of the tap? Can you drink it? Will it turn your stomach into a war zone? And what about the ice? Is it secretly plotting against you? Let’s break it down, because nobody wants to spend their vacation in a passionate relationship with their hotel toilet.   Here’s the deal: Do. Not. Drink. The. Tap. Water. I mean, you could, but then you’d basically be volunteering for a science experiment titled "How Fast Can a Human Become a Fountain?" Thailand’s tap water isn’t necessarily toxic, but it’s like a surprise loot box: you might get lucky, or you might get a bacterial party in your intestines. And trust me, Salmonella rave is not the kind of nightlife you wa...

How I Accidentally Became a Walking Ethical Dilemma in Northern Thailand So you’re in Northern Thailand, full of pad Thai and vague spiritual energy, and someone tells you, “You should visit a Longneck Karen village!” And because you’re a culturally curious traveler with a camera and a vague guilt complex, you say, “Absolutely, take my money and my soul.” The journey begins with another one of those legendary pickup truck rides that your spine will remember forever. After several hours of bouncing, swerving, and possibly time-traveling, you arrive at what looks like a quiet village tucked into the hills with souvenir stalls. Lots of them. And then you see them: the women with impossibly long necks, stacked with brass rings like they’re wearing golden slinkies of tradition and spinal commitment. You’re stunned. You try not to stare. You stare. The guide says, “They do this from a young age, it's part of their culture,” and you nod like you totally knew that already, even though te...

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...

Suphan Buri: Where Time Slows Down and Buffalo Might Outnumber People Tired of beaches? Big cities? Basic itineraries? Then boy, do I have a slow-moving, rice-paddy-filled adventure for you. Suphan Buri is where Bangkokians send their kids for fresh air and life lessons, and where you go to experience “real Thailand”, whether you’re ready for it or not. Suphan Buri is the Thai province that nobody can quite place on a map. It's a land of rice fields, dragons, and absolutely zero sense of urgency. It's one of Thailand’s most gloriously charming rural escapes. How to Get There By Van or Bus From Bangkok’s Northern or Southern Bus Terminal (Mochit or Sai Tai Mai) Vans: around 200 THB Buses: around 120 THB Travel time: 2–2.5 hours, unless there’s a mysterious roadside watermelon sale that delays everything or the van crashes due to speeding or driving like Max Verstappen . By Car Roughly a 2-hour drive if you avoid rush hour, traffic jams, and the occasional parade of ducks cross...

Nong Khai: Lao Vibes, Naga Statues, and That Big-A River Welcome to Nong Khai, the land of riverfront sunsets, unexplained serpent statues, and the kind of weird-cool energy that makes you wonder, “Why don’t more people come here?” Spoiler: it’s because they don’t know what’s up. But now you will. Here’s a down-to-earth guide to Nong Khai, Thailand’s most laid-back border town.  If Chiang Mai is a hipster backpacker, and Bangkok is your overcaffeinated tech bro cousin, then Nong Khai is your mystical aunt who lives by the river, burns incense, and casually talks to snakes. Located along the Mekong River just a stone’s throw (or dramatic bridge walk) from Laos, Nong Khai is part riverside chill-out, part spiritual mystery, and part "Wait, is that a dinosaur statue?" How to Get There By Train Yes, it has a station. Yes, it's glorious, especially after having taken a few hits of Purple Haze . Overnight sleeper train from Bangkok: 700–1,000+ THB depending on class Arrival =...

Udon Thani: Where the Rice Fields Meet the Road Less Traveled (and You’re Glad It Does) Okay, so you’ve been to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and the islands. Big deal. But have you been to Udon Thani? Thought not. You won’t find it in many travel guides, but that’s what makes it perfect. Udon Thani is for the traveler who wants authenticity, quiet adventure, and a genuine slice of Thai life. It’s just chilling out, minding its own business, and offering you an authentic slice of Thailand that’s so real, even your grandma would approve. So if you’re ready to ditch the tourist traps, throw on your adventure pants (or elephant pants, no one’s judging), and hit a town that won’t bombard you with “What’s your Instagram handle?” Udon Thani is calling your name. How to Get There (Because You’re Definitely Not Going to 'Accidentally' End Up Here) First, let’s establish one thing: getting to Udon Thani is a choice. You’re not just wandering around and poof, suddenly you're there. Oh no. I...

Lost in Limbo: A First-Timer's Misadventures in Thai Massage PSA : If you're looking for naughty massages, skip straight to the end. Ever thought about getting a traditional Thai massage? Well, prepare yourself for an experience that will leave you questioning your flexibility, pain threshold, and possibly your understanding of the word "relaxation." Thai massage is where tourists go to discover that what they thought was a spa treatment is actually a full-body wrestling match you never agreed to participate in. Different Options Finding a massage in Thailand offers several approaches, each with their own unique flavor of confusion: Option 1: Street-Front Massage Shops Every Thai street features massage parlors approximately every seven steps. For 200-400 baht ($5.50-11) per hour, you'll get a traditional Thai massage from therapists who wave you in with promises of "very good massage, you relax" while you pretend not to notice the previous customer l...

Nan: The Place Where Time Doesn’t Exist, and Your Wi-Fi Isn’t Strong Enough to Fight It If Chiang Mai is the big, flashy cousin who loves yoga retreats, then Nan is the cool, quiet one who doesn’t even need to try. Peace, temples, mountains, and the occasional wild boar; this place is basically the Thailand your soul has been craving but didn’t know it. How to Get There By Bus From Bangkok’s Mo Chit Terminal Duration: 10–12 hours (this is where your soul learns patience) Fare: 350–500 THB depending on your bus’s idea of comfort Pro tip: You’ll get there eventually, but not without a few dreams of meat buns and better legroom. By Car If you want to own the open road and live your best "Thailand is mine" life. Duration: 8–9 hours from Bangkok Can get real scenic, real fast. Or frustratingly slow if you’re stuck behind a bus full of schoolchildren and their pet chickens. By Plane If you're the impatient type and can’t handle the long, slow journey (we get it). Flights from...

Koh Lipe: Thailand’s Southernmost Paradise (With Just the Right Amount of Chaos) Ahhh, Koh Lipe, the tiny island in Thailand’s deep south that whispers “Maldives” but occasionally yells “Backpackers Gone Wild.” It's where turquoise waters meet beach bars, and where people come for three days and somehow stay for three weeks, losing all sense of time, direction, and underwear. It’s often dubbed the "Maldives of Thailand", but with less pretension, cheaper massages, and a slight chance someone’s playing reggaeton at 8 a.m. Beaches: One Island, Three Beaches, Endless Debates About Which Is Best Pattaya Beach – No, not that Pattaya. This one’s way better. It’s where the ferries arrive, where the beach bars live, and where your sandals will be stolen within 15 minutes (not maliciously, someone will just “accidentally borrow them”). Great swimming and sunsets. Very social. Sunrise Beach (Hat Chao Ley) – Long, breezy, and slightly more chill. The “I came to do yoga and drink ...

The Thai Royal Family and the Lèse-Majesté Law: A Black Mirror scenario  Welcome to the Land of Smiles, where the sun shines bright, the beaches are pristine, and the monarchy is, well, let's just say, highly revered. In Thailand, the royal family isn't just a symbol of national unity; they're practically demigods, and woe betide anyone who dares to suggest otherwise. The Lèse-Majesté Law: Because Free Speech is Overrated Thailand's lèse-majesté law, also known as Section 112 of the Criminal Code, is a gem of legislative overreach. It states that anyone who "defames, insults, or threatens the king, the queen, the heir-apparent, or the regent" can face a cozy prison stay of three to fifteen years. Yes, you read that right, up to fifteen years for daring to utter a word against the royal family. It's like the ultimate game of "Who's the Boss?" but with much higher stakes. The law is so broadly interpreted that even the slightest hint of critic...

Bangkok’s Rooftop Bars: Because Drinking on the Ground is for Peasants So, you’ve decided to visit Bangkok, land of spicy food, chaotic traffic, and enough humidity to make you question your life choices. Naturally, you want to escape the sweaty masses and ascend to the heavens, where the air is (slightly) cooler, the drinks are overpriced, and the Instagram opportunities are endless. Welcome to Bangkok’s rooftop bars, where the views are stunning, the cocktails cost as much as your hotel room, and the dress code is "pretend you’re fancy." Here’s your dubious guide to the best sky-high sipping spots in the city.   1. Sky Bar at Lebua (The Hangover Bar) Where: State Tower (you know, that tall one from The Hangover 2 )   Price: Selling a kidney might help. Cocktails start at ฿800 (yes, for one drink).   Drinks: The "Hangovertini" is a thing. It’s expensive, but hey, at least you can re-enact the movie scene where Bradley Cooper looks confused.   F...