Six of the things you should experience in Thailand, that aren’t sunbathing on the beach!
Thailand is an incredible country with scenic beaches and idyllic islands. Although it is the picture-perfect place to relax, it’s also an opportunity to experience a unique city scene and culture deeply influenced by the belief system and values of Buddhism, with additional emphasis on family, respect, self-control, and a “mai bpen rai” or, “no worries,” attitude.
Eating is meant to be a dynamic experience in Thailand, which is why you’ll often find amazing food in a communal and lively setting. Even the street food is scrumptious if you know what to look for:
- Pad Thai or Pad See Eiw, another version with wider rice noodles, chicken, pork, or beef, and either Chinese broccoli or cabbage
- Spring rolls are often served with a variety of meat or veggies, but not deep fried
- Roti is a crepe-like dough surrounding a filling, often bananas or chocolate sauce
- Moo ping are grilled pork skewers often sold with little plastic bags of sticky rice
- Kai Jeow is a Thai omelet served over rice cooked with fish sauce and chilies
- For dessert, try the deep-fried bananas or the sticky rice with fresh mango slices, and coconut cream syrup
- Fried insects like silkworms and grasshoppers are a common snack with locals. But then there are the vendors targeting thrill-seeking tourists. Where else will you have the opportunity to eat a fried scorpion on a stick? Don’t do it for the flavor, do it for the memories.
There’s nothing quite like a Thai market with locals and tourists bustling to get by, fresh fruits, spices and grilled street food wafting between the stalls, vibrant colors and unique gifts, and the sound of laughter, catching up and haggling is all part of the experience. If it seems overwhelming, there are companies that offer tours to the bigger markets with food and shopping highlights.
Treat yourself to daily massages! As an example, the Golden Beach Resort in Ao Nang offered a one-hour Thai massage for 200 Baht, an oil massage for 300 Baht and a coconut oil or aloe vera massage for 450 Baht. This comes out to $6-$14, and most of the smaller places can be haggled down in price. It may not be a private setting or with any frills, but the massages are glorious.
Charter or experience a longtail boat ride. Although you can find bigger boats or catamaran tours, a longtail boat is the traditional mode of water transportation in Thailand and should be experienced as least once via a floating market or exploring islands off the coast of Krabi! The longtail boats are made of a biodegradable bamboo and a recycled tractor or truck motor, with a propeller and a pole used for stirring attached to the stern of the boat. Besides being economical, there’s also the added benefit that the boats can access shallow waters, caves and beaches.
There are over 40,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand so there’s no excuse not to visit at least a couple. The temples are designed to inspire inner and outer peace and symbolize five elements: Fire, Air, Earth, Water, and Wisdom. These places of worship are often unique and elaborate structures positioned in breathtaking locations.
If you time it right, or as astrological luck would have it, check out a Full Moon Party! Occurring monthly during the full moon, revelers gather at Koh Pha Ngan (Koh Phangan) island in Thailand for an all-night dancing extravaganza.
