I just went on my first trip to Thailand which was very impressive and filled with plenty of experiences.
Thailand has something for everyone. You can explore the bustling nightlife in Bangkok one night and walk through the Grand Palace the next, to satisfy your cultural thirst. You can sail the crystal clear waters between beautiful islands like Koh Samui and Koh Tao, enjoy endless street foods and street markets or simply take a traditional long-tail boat up a river to remote jungle accommodations with no electricity. Thailand does it all.
With so many possibilities, trip-planning can definitely feel overwhelming. But I’ve got you covered with a list of the must sees and must dos in Thailand for first timers.
Pack light
How much should I pack? This is always an important question for any journey. My suggestion for Thailand would be to pack as little as possible, especially if you travel during the hot seasons which usually last from March to May. In case you forget to pack something, just hit up a street market where you can buy anything you need for cheap. Leave room in your suitcase for all the items you pick up throughout your travels.
Ride a Tuk Tuk
If you live on the edge, I dare you to take a ride in a Tuk Tuk, one of the main transports available in Thailand. The drivers will get you to your destination in no time flat, which means not always obeying traffic laws. It can get quite entertaining when you have a few Tuk Tuks racing each other through two way traffic. Anything to keep the adrenaline pumping, right?
Taste the food (ALL OF IT)
Fresh spices and fresh produce can be found on every street corner. Try the classic but truly authentic pad thai off a street cart, slurp on a coconut while you wander, eat a dragon fruit or be a little more adventurous and grab a handful of maggots, crickets or crunchy bugs slowly fried to perfection. They’re a bit crunchy and actually really tasty when seasoned. Finally, do not be afraid that the food will be too spicy. Unless you request your food to be spicy, you won’t have any trouble eating it.
Get blessed by monks
I happened to visit Bangkok towards the end of their New Year, when the Songkran Festival takes place. Besides facing an onslaught of water guns everywhere you go, you will come across buddhist monks at temples throughout the city. You can see the second largest reclining golden buddha statue (80m long) at the Wat Pho temple and also get blessed by a monk who will strike you with sticks that have been dunked in freezing water. This is a satisfying experience despite what you might think, as the average temperature is a stifling 40°C outside. This ritual is intended to symbolize a new beginning and purification.
Ride the Bridge of River Kwai and the Death Railway
This bridge in Kanchanaburi became famous after it was featured in a few movies. Although, the bridge is a great attraction and a beautiful old landmark is has a dark history associated with it. The tracks over the bridge are part of the Death Railway. The railway was meant to provide the Japanese with daily cargo to supply their war with India in the 1940s. The Japanese used asian slaves laborers and POWs (Prisoners of War) to construct the railway. The conditions were horrible and many people lost their lives. The history about the Death Railway can be discovered in the nearby Death Railway Museum with an adjacent memorial cemetery honoring all the victims who lost their lives. If time allows, consider buying a ticket for the serene train ride.
Head into the jungle
If you want to escape the busy city life of Bangkok, make sure to take a trip further inland into the jungle. In Kanchanaburi you have the chance to step into a long-tail boat, head upstream the river Kwai and spend a few days on jungle rafts. This is simple living at it’s finest, in the middle of the jungle with no electricity. Sip on some cold drinks in a hammock, or put on a life vest and float down the river. For the adventure seeker, I suggest to strap on some good hiking shoes and wander through the jungle, off the beaten track. The wildlife is mesmerizing and includes exotic birds and wild monkeys. After a satisfying dinner and a good night’s sleep, make sure to get up early to watch the elephants from the local farmers’ village taking a bath in the river.
See the islands
Thailand’s islands are pure paradise. White sand beaches, low-hanging palm trees and calm waters that have so many beautiful shades of blue that they don’t even look real sometimes. If you don’t feel like chilling at the beach, go inland to visit waterfalls, go ziplining through the jungle or take an off-road adventure with a 4x4w. I got to experience Koh Samui and Koh Phangan and I recommend both for their variety of relaxing beach sites, adventure packages and plenty of opportunities to go out for dinner, drinks and to party.
Enjoy sunset drinks
Koh Samui and Koh Phangan both have amazing sunsets, so make sure you get to experience at least one with a cool drink in hand at one of the many comfortable beach side bars. In order to get the best seat make sure to arrive early so no other tourists are blocking your picture perfect view. Sit back, relax and enjoy a never-ending array of colors across the sky. This can be a perfect beginning for every night before continuing to a more lively bar with DJs and fire dancers.
Experience the Full Moon Party, or Half Moon Party, or Dark Moon Party
Once a month on the southern side of Koh Phangan, on Haad Rin, is the epic Full Moon Party. It is an amazing experience and you can expect up to 20,000 people in attendance with that number tripling during special events like New Years. Fire-rope-jumping, multiple DJs, dance floors, waterslides and more make this a CAN’T MISS event. This party is for everyone. To fit in (and have the best time possible) make sure to wear brightly coloured clothes and body paint.
Marc travelled around Thailand in 2016 with Topdeck.
