It's beautiful here : THAILAND
“The notion that before you even set out to go to Thailand, you say, 'I'm not interested,' or you're unwilling to try things that people take so personally and are so proud of and so generous with, I don't understand that, and I think it's rude. You're at Grandma's house, you eat what Grandma serves you.”
Hi friends,
Seems fitting that I do a five fave things on Thailand now as it’s five years since my Dad passed away on the beautiful island of Koh Samui.
I’ll be spreading my five across Bangkok, Koh Samui + Chiang Mai as these are the cities I’m familiar with. Please do feel free to share your own favourite Thai tips in the comments, as I’m always looking to try new things with every trip.
1. Sleep
i. Bangkok
The Cabochon Hotel in Bangkok is perfect for me as it’s in the centre and has the most incredible rooftop pool. Rooms feel a little colonial but modern + clean and the service, (as it is in all of Thailand) is incredible.
ii. Koh Samui
I have a few favourites in Koh Samui and they tend to be on the Lamai Beach side of the island as that’s close to where my Dad lived. Rocky’s Boutique Resort has a great beach, two pools, two restaurants and the BEST pad thai I have ever eaten. I hate resorts and it doesn’t feel like one at all which is a big win.
iii. Chiang Mai
The Puripunn Hotel in central Chiang Mai should be on your list just based on their dramatic bathroom sinks and enormous breakfasts. Also colonial in design (those white people got everywhere man) with a fantastic free tuk-tuk service into the old town.
The Aforementioned Dramatic Sink.
2. Eat
i. Bangkok
She’s become famous since I was last in Bangkok but try the tom yum soup and crab omelettes at Jai Fai’s Michelin starred street food stall. Be prepared to queue but it’s worth it!
ii. Koh Samui
This delicious organic café & shop run by two sisters - aptly named Sweet Sisters Cafe. Close to Na Muang at the Baan Bang Kao 4-way intersection. (directions on Koh Samui kill me)
The café garden.
3. Downward Dog
i. Chiang Mai
Hidden House Yoga is down a side street in the Old Town in the most exquisite studio. I did a night class class and they lit the studio up with fairy lights which pretty much means that all other yoga studios are ruined for me.
4. Elephant Nature Park
Be very careful choosing an elephant sanctuary in Thailand as a lot of them are not genuinely helping/saving elephants. I did extensive research before I chose Elephant Nature Park and I am so glad I did. This was my entire reason for visiting Chiang Mai and I got to spend a whole day with two rescued elephants. Best day of my life so far. Not going to lie, I spent most of the day sobbing about how beautiful these animals are and sickened by how alarmingly cruel humans can be.
I got to bathe with them in the river and feed them special organic fruit which was the most incredible experience ever.
5. Thai Massage
EVERYWHERE. Literally everywhere. And with it costing £8 an hour v £50 in the UK, you can afford to (and should) get yourself a thai massage every damn day. Just don’t be gross about it. You know exactly what I mean.