10 reasons to spend the rest of the cold in Thailand

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

If you are tired of drifts or slush, you can escape into the warmth. Thailand is good at any time of the year, and besides the beach holiday, there are many more interesting things to do.

Thailand is one of the few countries on the planet that is open to tourism. Tropical islands also accept travelers, but a trip to the Maldives will cost much more. And in countries with more moderate prices, like Turkey and Egypt, it is still cool during the winter and spring months. Thailand, on the other hand, combines low cost and all the delights of a tropical climate.

This year's trips have one peculiarity: tourists need to spend the first two weeks in one of the quarantine hotels in Bangkok. This measure is caused by a pandemic - it may seem difficult, but it makes the situation in the country safer and reduces the risk of getting sick while traveling. In addition, the quarantine takes place in very comfortable conditions: the package includes an airport transfer, three meals a day, Wi-Fi, coronavirus tests and daily walks.

But after quarantine and negative tests, you will receive complete freedom of movement. Here's what you should do in Thailand.

1. Try hot stone massage

Unlike traditional Thai massage, where they walk on you, actively slap you on your arms, legs and back, and sometimes even pull on your hair, stones will not hurt. If you like the feeling of warmth and lightness in the body, you will love this procedure. The secret of this massage is that preheated stones are placed on the active points of your body using a special technique. This releases the clamps and provides deep muscle relaxation.

One of the best places to visit is the village of Bophut on Koh Samui. A special pleasure is available here - admiring the view of Phangan Bay during the procedure. But in any case, it is better to book a session in the spa center: the level of beach masseurs is much lower, and the procedure is several times shorter.

2. Meditate in silence on a white beach

(translated from Thai "Beach of Silence") on the island of Ko Samet in Rayong province - perhaps one of the quietest places in Thailand. It is forbidden to make noise, drink and smoke here, because monks are meditating nearby. You, too, can immerse yourself in meditation on the Beach of Silence and look inside yourself.

Another Mecca for meditation in Thailand is the center in the province of Surat Thani. 10-day silent retreats are regularly held here. It is believed that if you stop communicating with other people and spend whole days meditating, you can get to know yourself better, reboot and find strength for new achievements.

The nature on the coasts and islands of Thailand is close to the climate of the Maldives: the same white beaches, secluded bungalows and coral reefs. But the prices here are much lower. The tour operator, together with a partner, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, will help you find a comfortable accommodation option, buy cheap plane tickets and book interesting excursions. In general, TUI will take over the entire travel arrangement for a couple, family or group of friends for a period of two weeks or more. And you will be able to get vivid impressions and recuperate on vacation without prior fuss and waste of time.

3. Taste mango with rice and love durian

Thai cuisine is influenced by India, China and Europe, but at the same time it is completely authentic. The local chefs know how to make unusual combinations of products: coconut milk and ginger, aromatic lemongrass and spicy galangal, sugar and fish sauce, peanuts and chili peppers.

Acquaintance with Thai cuisine usually begins with tom yama - a sour-spicy broth with shrimp, chicken, pork or fish. Also try juicy mango with rice and other desserts with exotic fruits. Attention is the coconut milk soup tom kha, pad thai rice noodles with bright sauces and vegetables, green, yellow or red curry.

A separate topic is durian. The aroma of this fruit is specific: to some it resembles the smell of stale meat or sweat. But remember, when you first ate olives or blue cheese - it may have taken you a while to taste them too. The taste of durian is somewhat similar to strawberries and nuts, but brighter and juicier. It is better to eat the fruit with a spoon so that the smell does not remain on your hands. But if the aroma of durian still scares you off, pay attention to other fruits - rambutan and mangosteen.

4. Visit the Thai market

At 90 km from Bangkok, there is a town in which a traditional market is combined with a floating one. Here you can choose fresh fish or seafood, and they will be cooked for you on the oven installed right on the boat. The market also sells exotic fruits, clothing and local crafts. Amfava is a picturesque but not a tourist place. There are no large crowds of people and the same souvenir shops with extra charges for foreigners.

The largest floating market in Thailand is Damnoen Saduak. It is also located in the vicinity of Bangkok. But in quarantine this market is empty and looks a little sad - it is better to check right before the trip if it works. For example, see photos from geolocation in social networks or recent reviews from travelers.

5. Feel all the colors of the tropics

In Thailand, you can find islets of unspoiled nature and man-made oases. For example, where the ninth Bond film was filmed - "The Man with the Golden Gun". This is a national park that includes over a hundred tropical islands, beaches, caves and giant rocks with islands of exotic plants.

And if you want to see what masterpieces talented landscape designers can create from tropical plants, visit. This is an original and vibrant botanical garden with original floral landscapes against the backdrop of mountains.

6. Ride the wave

When you float in the ocean just like that, you can have one of the water sports. Windsurfing, diving and water skiing in Thailand are very popular. The Gulf of Thailand is more suitable for beginners and amateurs, because there are almost no high waves here. Experienced extreme lovers choose the Andaman Sea. Surfers usually go to Phuket, windsurfers to Krabi, kiters to Pattaya. The best time for water sports is from April to October.

Another interesting leisure activity is SUP yoga. Asanas and stances should be done directly on the boards in the water. It is possible that at first you will constantly fall into the water, but with practice everything will work out. Due to the fact that you need to constantly maintain balance, SUP yoga helps to work out all the muscles in the body.

7. See Bangkok from a bird's eye view

Some of the most interesting viewing platforms in Bangkok are located in the skyscrapers "Mahanakhon" (77 floors, 314, 2 m) and "Baiyoke Sky Tower" (88 floors, 309 m). Climbing them means looking at Thailand from a completely new angle. The most beautiful views are, of course, at sunset.

You will recognize the Mahanakhon skyscraper by its unusual pixelated facade - it looks like it was assembled from Lego or blocks in Minecraft. The roof is a platform with a partially transparent floor and a bar. Another observation area - closed, but with huge panoramic windows - is located on the 74th floor.

Bayoke Sky Tower is a classic Asian skyscraper from the 90s. The upper observation deck rotates 360 degrees, so an experience is guaranteed. An elevator with panoramic glazing moves along the end of the skyscraper, and it can be considered a separate attraction.

8. Find yourself in the center of the Golden Triangle

Travel to Chiang Rai, the heart of the Golden Triangle, which includes the mountainous regions of Thailand, Myanmar (Burma) and Laos. In the middle of the last century, opium production was actively developing here, and powerful criminal syndicates were involved in the sale of drugs around the world. The Opium Museum will tell you about the history of the place and the fight against drug dealers.

Other attractions include the White Temple (Rong Kun) and the Chiang Rai City Clock Tower. If you want to spend a few days in the area, plan a walk to Mount Doi Mae Salong - you will see unspoiled nature and mountain landscapes with tea plantations. In the village of Mae Salong at the foot of the mountain, you can taste various types of tea and Chinese dishes, take pictures at the pagoda or look at the statue of Buddha falling into nirvana.

9. Get acquainted with representatives of exotic tribes

Not far from Chiang Rai is the village of Karen. Since childhood, local women wear special hoops made of heavy brass wire around their necks, adding a new ring every year. They try to preserve the language, traditions and culture, so they live in huts on stilts, make souvenirs and conduct excursions for visitors.

And near Pattaya, they organized Chon Pao - a village inhabited by representatives of various tribes. Here you can get acquainted not only with long-necked Karen women, but also with lahu, akha, fox, kayau, dara-angi and other peoples of Thailand, learn about their culture, customs, traditional entertainment and crafts.

10. Look at ancient Thailand

Royal residences, Buddhist temples and ancient cities of the country make it possible to compose a rich cultural program. Start by visiting Chingmai, the largest city in northern Thailand. Walk along the streets of the Old City surrounded by ancient walls and a moat, look into the Buddhist temples of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, immerse yourself in Thai culture and traditions of Buddhism.

To see the ancient wealth of the country, you can go to the winter royal residence of Bhubing and the Doi Inthanon National Park, where the highest point of the country and the Wachiratan waterfall are located. And on excursions to the region of folk crafts, you can buy souvenirs made of silk, silver, teak furniture, handmade shoes, umbrellas and fans.

Traveling to Thailand will provide an opportunity to move to the ocean - where it is warm, delicious food, white sand beaches, Buddhist temples and ancient culture. In order not to miss anything in preparing your trip, contact the tour operator. An individual tour will be selected for you from 15 days for any convenient period. In a comfortable room, the quarantine will fly by unnoticed - you can finally get some sleep. But after that you will be able to travel freely around the country. And together with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, he will help plan a trip to any part of the country - from exotic beaches in the south to routes through the mysterious jungle and mountains in the north.