Thailand is a haven for backpackers, a Mecca for budget travelers, the starting point on any faraway journey and a safe haven for experienced travelers. Thailand is everything. It’s a country you have to experience, to celebrate! So… what are you waiting for? Book your ticket, pack your bag and GO!
1. Nature
Thailand is beautiful, insanely beautiful. Dense jungles, vast rice fields, crystal clear lakes, white sandy beaches, whirling rivers, clear blue seas, wildlife… I could go on and on! You will have to share all these gorgeous spots with others as well, though; Thailand isn’t much of a secret anymore these days. Still, there’s always some remote beach or spring to find if you go off the beaten track. Try it yourself – rent a motorbike and explore!
2. The beaches
The beaches in Thailand are blissful and among the most beautiful in the world! Strips of bright white sand, palm trees, the warm sea filled with colorful fish… Our favorite beaches are the ones on Koh Lanta, Koh Chang and at Railay. We’ll be going back to south Thailand in January to find out, once and for all, which beach really is Thailand’s most beautiful (update – we’ve done it: check out the list of the 25 most beautiful beaches here). What a horrible job!
The lovely Plaay Laem Beach on Koh Phangan.
3. Gorgeous food
Thailand is food heaven. Seriously. Curries, sticky rice, exotic fruit, meat off the barbecue… We just can’t get enough of it – and I’m sure you won’t either! Everywhere you go, amazing food is whipped up from sizzling hot woks in a matter of minutes! Incredibly tasty and cheap as well: you can have a meal on the street for one dollar. For five to ten dollars, you can have an entire dinner table full of plates of piping hot food. Enjoy!
Try out Khao Soi when you’re in Chiang Mai. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
4. Bangkok is amazing
Bangkok is a city of extremes and a mix of modern life and ancient cultures. There are so many things to do and see that it’s almost impossible to get bored: temples, Chinatown, markets, rooftop bars… Though it can be quite overwhelming at first glance (the crowds, the people, the smells), after a while you’ll become more familiar with the city and will start to appreciate it more as well!
Khao San Road in Bangkok
5. Ancient culture
Thailand is full of culture: Buddhist temples on every street corner, monks taking the bus, Thai cuisine… About 95% of the Thai population are Buddhists. Rather than a religion, Buddhism is more of a way of life here. Thai people are warm, kind, hospitable and modest. Everywhere you go, you’re received with broad smiles. You feel at home!
Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi” width=”980″ height=”600″ class=”size-full wp-image-5703″ /> Shrine of the Tiger Cave Temple in Krabi
6. The climate
Leave your coat and those jeans at home. In Thailand, every day is a short sleeve day! It has a tropical climate, which means, all year round, it’s sunny with temperatures of around 28 degrees Celsius. Even during the rainy season, the weather is quite pleasant and you’ll have ample opportunity for fun activities, as it seldom rains the whole day.
Catching the sunset at Sunset Beach on Koh Lipe
7. It’s cheap
For just one dollar you can have an amazing Pad Thai. For 5 dollars you can sleep in a nice hostel and meet travelers from all over the world. For 25 dollars you can sleep in excellent mid-range hotels with a swimming pool. And for 35 dollars, you can roll in the mud with a herd of elephants. Yes, Thailand is cheap. Our daily expenses here are about 35 dollars per person. Which is great; it allows you to do more, for less.
Lazy Days is an amazing beach resort on Koh Samui
8. Traveling is easy
Thailand is the number one backpackers’ destination. It receives more than 26 million (!) travelers from all over the world annually. That makes everything a lot easier! Transport, accommodation, restaurants… Thailand’s entire infrastructure was designed with travelers in mind, which is pleasant – especially if you’re a first-time traveler. They thought of everything. The only thing that’s left for you to do is just sit back and enjoy!
On a longtailboat
9. You’ll make lots of new friends
You’re never alone in Thailand. Along the way, you’ll meet a lot of cool people from all over the world, with whom you’ll become friends in no time! It seems strange, but it’s almost as if traveling makes you unconsciously aware of the fact that your time together is limited, meaning you bond more quickly with the people around you. After a week it feels like you’ve known each other for years. Very cool.
Exploring Pai Canyon with friends
10. It’s for everybody
Whether you want to go on a multiple day hike in the jungle or just relax on the beach, you can do it all in Thailand. The country’s incredibly diverse and there’s something for everybody. Cheap hostels, but five-star accommodations as well. Eating stands across the road from fancy restaurants. Adventure on land and in the water. You can relax by getting a massage or by lying in your hammock and drinking from a cold coconut. Go crazy at awesome parties or look for somewhere quiet in the middle of nature. What will you choose? We’d love to invite you!
Dancing at the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan
