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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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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…
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Exploring Bangkok: An Introduction to Solo Travel in Thailand
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the forward boarding door is now closed….” I heard the lead flight attendant call out over the PA. I let the reality of his words sink in. The door was closed, the plane was about to push back and I had no choice now but to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. I was going to Thailand. I’ve traveled a lot in my life. Studying abroad in the Middle East, living in Africa and now working for the airlines has given me a window to the…
