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Visiting the Ayutthaya Temples as a Day Trip
Ayutthaya was once Thailand’s primary hub of tourism and trade. The island capital of Siam, it prospered as one of the world’s largest and richest cities during its heyday. From the 14th century until its conquest by the Burmese in 1767, Ayutthaya had over 1 million inhabitants—with merchants and dignitaries from all over the world calling the cosmopolitan capital home. In recent history, however, Bangkok has emerged as Thailand’s economic and political center. Meanwhile, Ayutthaya has all but faded into the background. But enigmatic ruins still lie scattered across the…
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Visiting Chiang Mai during the Loi Krathong Festival
Chiang Mai has long been the heart of Thailand’s backpacker culture–a sanctuary of sorts that captures the hearts of travelers with its rich cultural heritage and laid-back vibe. Chiang Mai is northern Thailand’s largest city, as well as its most culturally and architecturally significant. The sheer number of temples and shrines packed into a tiny radius is simply astounding and it became immediately apparent to me why so many people in my hostel had come to Chiang Mai for a few days and ended up staying weeks. The city sits…
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Ran Tong Elephant Sanctuary near Chiang Mai
For most travelers to Thailand, riding an elephant is a top priority. There is something about the notion of lumbering through the rolling tropical hills atop a five ton gentle giant, that elicits imagery of exotic and faraway lands. I’m not going to lie. Like many others, I’ve thought about it too. Riding elephants has been marketed as a uniquely “Thai” experience. And elephant rides remain top bucket list priorities for many. But the ethics around elephant riding are murky at best. Thailand’s elephant tourism industry is mired in animal…
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Pooh Eco-Trekking: Off-the-Beaten Path in Thailand
Chiang Mai is the cultural capital of Thailand and a place that many travelers visit in order to discover the country’s rich heritage. The region is chalk-full of dazzling temples, breathtaking scenery and tantalizing cuisine. An ever-popular destination for backpackers and culture-lovers, Chiang Mai is a popular staple on itineraries to Thailand. I spent nearly a week in Chiang Mai–visiting temples, escaping into nature and reveling in the city’s incredible yearly lantern festival. Like many travelers to Chiang Mai, I wanted to join an overnight hiking tour in the mountains…
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Three Day Krabi Itinerary: Beaches, Temples, and Paradise Islands
When travelers talk dreamily about the amazing Thai islands, they’re often referring to the string of white sand beaches near Krabi. With towering karst formations that shelter idyllic sandy shores, the islands of southern Thailand are some of the prettiest in the world. They are the feature of glossy travel brochures, the backdrop to Hollywood films, and the first place that many travelers think of visiting when they begin planning a trip to Southeast Asia. Travelers heading to the islands of southern Thailand have no shortage of choices. From the…
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Day Trip to Koh Phi Phi
I have never seen the movie The Beach, but I have heard people refer to it thousands of times. I know the premise goes something like this: a young man (Leonardo DiCaprio) escapes to Southeast Asia on a life-defining journey. Along the way, he meets someone who tells him myths about a secluded and beautiful beach that lies on a secret paradise island. I never heard much about the plot of the movie, though. For nearly all discussions of the travel book turned hit drama focuses on the beauty of…
