Thai Experiences
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THE BEST OF THAILAND 1 rom the temples of Wat Pho and The Grand Palace through to Thailand’s Khao Yai and Doi Inthanon national parks and FKo Hong rock, to scuba diving in Ko Pha Ngan and the white, sandy beaches of Hua Hin, Thailand is a land of variety. The country has plenty to satisfy single travelers, couples, or families, from Bangkok’s shopping and nightlife to adventure sports in the northern hills or a pam- pering spa at a beach resort. All topped off with the famous Thai hospital- ity; their smiles and irresistible, laid-back attitude. CITIES & TOWNS Begin in Bangkok, with its chaotic mix of ancient temples and modern glass towers, street markets and stylish shopping malls, tuk-tuks, and river taxis. Then head north to the venerable, walled city of Chiang Mai for a peek at the capital of the region once known as “the Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields,” but leave at least a few days to sprawl on a beach on Ko Samui or Phuket. COUNTRYSIDE Go trekking or white-water rafting in the northern hills that are home to brightly dressed hill-tribes, cycle round the ancient cities of Ayutthaya and Sukhothai in the Central Plains, pick from over a hundred national parks to explore, or cruise along the Andaman or Gulf coast in search of stunning dive sites. EATING & DRINKING Thai cuisine is enough reason to visit the country in itself, and whether you crave the brow-mopping challenge of a fiery tom yam or an aromatic bowl of noodles in broth, you’ll find it all here. Learn to eat like the Thais, squatting on low stools at street-side food stalls, but treat yourself at least once to a gourmet feast served on starched tablecloths by waiters in traditional dress. THE COAST Thailand’s long coastline is peppered with beautiful beaches, and presents some tough choices for visitors. Do you head for one of the mainstream beaches, like Patong Beach on Phuket, where you’ll find aCOPYRIGHTED huge choice of hotels, restaurants, shopping, MATERIAL and nightlife, or do you look for somewhere quiet that’s off the tourist radar, like Prach- uap Khiri Khan on the Gulf coast or Ko Kradan near Trang? The deci- sion rests with you. 004_9781118119983-ch01.indd4_9781118119983-ch01.indd 1 33/23/12/23/12 11:57:57 PMPM 1 THE most unforgettable THAI EXPERIENCES W Speaking Thai for the first time: You’ll probably feel like an idiot, and your hosts will probably roll around laughing as you splutter out your first “sawasdee” (hello) or “khop khun” (thank you). Yet you’ll notice how much your effort is appreciated, and you’ll be encouraged to try it again. See p. 390. W Seeing the sun rise over a sea of mist: It’s only possible in the north and during the cool season, but it’s a sight to remember—the sun emerging from a sea of mist in the valley below. Spectacular sights include the Mae Hong Son loop (p. 331) and from the summit of Doi Luang Chiang Dao (p. 324). W Going eye to eye with a parrotfish: Diving is one of the most popular activities in Thailand, but even snorkelers will be blown away by the colorful wonderland that lies just below the surface of the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Best place to learn to dive? Ko Tao (p. 206). Best spot for snorkeling? Ko Surin (p. 248). W Riding an elephant: The Most Unforgettable Thai Experiences The Most Unforgettable It may be corny, but there’s an inescapable thrill at being transported by such a huge creature, and any time spent with elephants will con- firm all you’ve heard—they’re gentle, sensitive, and intelligent animals. Rides are available in tourist areas countrywide; check out the Thai Elephant Conservation Center near Lampang. See p. 322. W Chatting with monks: Thai temples rank high on most people’s hit list, but few expect to have a meaningful conversation with the resident monks. Fortunately the Thais’ outgoing, friendly nature means many monks are eager to practice their English, and some temples even have set times when visitors can visit for a “monk chat.” See p. 309. W Watching a bout of Thai boxing (muay thai): If you’d like to see Thais acting pas- THE BEST OF THAILAND sionately about something, attend any Thai boxing contest. You’ll probably watch the audience more than the boxers themselves, as they flail their fists in the air and scream encouragement for their chosen fighter. See p. 117. THE best CITY EXPERIENCES W Riding the Skytrain in Bangkok: It was built as an attempt to alleviate Bangkok’s traffic problems, but it could just as easily have been designed to help visitors get to know Bangkok. Grab a window seat and watch the city sail by from 20m (65 ft.) above ground. See p. 64. W Getting lost in Chiang Mai’s Old City: Not all experiences need an itinerary, and it’s fun to take an improvized stroll through Chiang Mai’s Old City. Start at any corner and wander along narrow lanes, through peaceful temple compounds and squares, until you reach the moat on the other side. Then get a tuk-tuk to take you back to your hotel. See p. 288. W Watching a cabaret in Pattaya: Thailand is famous for its lady-boys (transsexuals), and Pattaya has a reputation as the country’s sex capital, so why not see what all the fuss is about by attending one of the cabaret shows in town? Don’t forget the camera—you’ll be faced with a clutch of sumptuously dressed, over-eager models who pose on stage and after the show. See p. 145. 2 004_9781118119983-ch01.indd4_9781118119983-ch01.indd 2 33/23/12/23/12 11:57:57 PMPM W Imagining how Ayutthaya used to be: The former capital of Siam, Ayutthaya was razed by the Burmese in the 17th century and was never rebuilt. Fortunately, 1 enough remains of the ruins to imagine how it looked to early European emissar- ies, who reported the city more beautiful than Paris or London in its heyday. THE BEST OF THAILAND See p. 133. W Exploring Lampang in a horse and carriage: Put on your best Stetson and hop aboard for a canter round town in one of Lampang’s colorful horse and carriages. An hour’s tour of the main temples costs around $10 and you might just feel like the Lone Ranger as there are rarely any other tourists in town. See p. 321. THE best FOOD & DRINK EXPERIENCES W Eating at a food stall for the first time: Many Westerners are reluctant to squat to Experience Thailand Like a Local The Best Ways on a low stool and eat at a street-side food stall, but once you’ve done it, you’ll find this is one of the tastiest (and cheapest) ways to enjoy Thai food. Don’t worry about language problems—just point to an appealing dish, settle down, and dig in. See p. 27. W Discovering noodle dishes: Thai cuisine is lauded for its stir-fries and curries, generally eaten with rice, but there are hundreds of exquisite noodle dishes, too. Try a phad thai (literally “Thai fry”), a delicious combination of rice noodles, beansprouts, peanuts, egg, and shrimp, or rat na, a plate of flat noodles topped with vegetables, meat of your choice, and a thick gravy. See p. 24. W Eating in food courts: For a crash course in Thai cuisine head to one of the food courts that are found in every department store and shopping mall. Buy a fistful of coupons (200B should be plenty) and choose something tasty from one of the many stalls that specialize in different dishes. See p. 24. W Tasting durian for the first time: The range of tropical fruits in Thailand is enor- mous, but don’t miss the chance of tasting durian, which to most Thais is simply “the king of fruits.” It might smell like a pair of old socks, but the creamy taste and smooth texture is nothing short of heavenly. See p. 24. W Joining a cookery class: Once you’ve got a taste for Thai food, you’ll probably want to learn how to prepare it yourself, and fortunately there are hundreds of places throughout the country where you can try your hand and taste the results. In Bangkok, head for the Blue Elephant (p. 93), or in Chiang Mai, the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School (p. 310). THE best WAYS TO EXPERIENCE THAILAND LIKE A LOCAL W Respecting elders: Though Thais are very easy-going people in general, they abide by a fairly rigid social code that affords great respect to seniority, and you will accrue much merit with the locals by showing respect to anyone older than you. Give them a wai (bow), open a door for them, let them go first, and be rewarded with a broad grin of thanks. See p. 20. 3 004_9781118119983-ch01.indd4_9781118119983-ch01.indd 3 33/23/12/23/12 11:57:57 PMPM W Shopping in local markets: Early morning is the best time to visit local markets, 1 when there’s a bustle in the air and all the produce is fresh. As a visitor, you may be more interested in taking photos than actually shopping, but keep your eyes open for a bunch of bananas for a snack or some fresh-cut flowers.