If you were only able to visit one country in Southeast Asia, where would you go? A short post detailing why Thailand is at the top of my list.
With only a couple more days left in Thailand, I must reiterate that I love it here! It’s my top pick if you only have the opportunity to visit one place in Southeast Asia. My reasons for saying so:
1) It’s super diverse physically and culturally: the country has everything from beautiful beaches to lush jungle to majestic historic sights.
2) Most major airlines fly direct to Bangkok, so it’s easy and relatively cost effective to get to.
3) It’s quite developed in terms of infrastructure — so for wary travellers, no worries about blackouts, shortages, etc.
3) It is a HIGH VALUE destination: it’s probably one of the few places of its calibre that is still cheap! Whether you’re a backpacker, glampacker, luxury traveller, or somewhere in between, you will get great value for the money you spend, particularly on food and accommodation (more on this in a future blog post).
4) The food is AMAZING. I have eaten extremely well (too well, I’ve definitely put on some weight this trip!) — the quality of the food is stellar and it is dirt cheap.
5) It’s super easy to get from city to city via bus, minivan, taxi, private car etc.
6) 60 minute massages for $8 USD. ‘Nuff said.
6) Thai people are extraordinarily nice and welcoming. Everywhere we’ve been locals have been ridiculously helpful and friendly. Love it!
This is my 2nd time visiting Thailand… and for the reasons above, it DEFINITELY will NOT be my last. Have you ever been?
58 Comments
Mmm Thai food…I actually put this factor pretty high up on the list when I was looking into teaching English somewhere. Eating amazing food literally every single meal for every day for weeks or months is just so darn great.
Great reasons, Oneika! Thailand is a really great place to travel & live <3
I agree with you list, yet I have only visited Bangkok. I always thought of Thailand as such a cliché destination, I avoided going there for years. But so many people rave about Thailand, there must be a magical element that I’m missing! Now that I live in Asia, I’m making a point of it to visit the rest of Thailand soon!
I’m making it over to HK to visit my friend who’s teaching English there, we’re hoping to do a little bit of exploring somewhere in SE Asia. It looks like Thailand is a top contender!
Have not been, but I will definitely go one day. I feel like I’m being called to Asia more and more lately…
Completely agree with everything you’ve said (though I have to admit, I only braved one Thai massage and found it more painful than pleasant!). Given its popularity, Thailand is still remarkably affordable and—more importantly—good value. I think there are certainly other countries in Asia where you can travel for cheaper, but generally you will not receive the same quality or standard as what you get in Thailand. I was a bit concerned that I would find Thailand a bit too touristy for my taste, but it didn’t take me very long to realize that there’s good reason why it’s one of the most popular travel destinations in the world!
Checking flight prices now…
I’ve wanted to go to Thailand for ages, and then the last two years I’ve been a bit put off my it not sure why. I think I’d like to go to the Philippines more now. I’m considering side trips when I visit you and that is tops at the moment.
I agree that Thailand can be great, but I think you are a little bit off on some of your points here. Especially when it comes to value and cost, Thailand is actually one of the more expensive of the SE Asian countries and not at all the most diverse when you think about culture and physical landscape. For that I would put both Indonesia and Malaysia and probably even the Philippines far ahead of Thailand. The thing about Thailand is that it is the MOST familiar to a western traveller, some might argue that it is TOO easy and especially in the main area offers little insight into Thai life and more of a false smiley money centered tourism base. Places like Phuket, Phi Phi, Samui etc, are really just hotel traps with overpriced shopping, overpriced food and overpriced hotels. That said, get out of those areas, go into towns far away from the tourist dollar, where the menus are not in English or German and you will find great food, interesting people and cheap digs.
I’ve been wanting to visit Thailand for the longest time for exactly all of the reasons you mentioned. I have yet to make it to Asia, but Japan, Vietnam, and Thailand are very high on my list!
I have only been to Bangkok so far, but I’d love to visit the north and some of the islands as well. And I agree, the food is amazeballs in Thailand!
Definitely a great list, and it only gets cheaper as you head north…massages for $5! We have been in Chiang Mai for the better half of a year and love it. Good luck!
I’ve been thinking about visiting Thailand for a long time. Now I know that I should do it as soon as possible 🙂
yeah been there twice!! Love it there!! Also the Philippines, but i think Thailand is cheaper!! lol
Where did you travel to specifically in Thailand and what’s the resort (great bathing suit pic ) you stayed at? Thank you! Planning for Christmas/NYE 2014
Thailand really is just the best, isn’t it? You nailed it 🙂 Let’s also give a shout out to Thai Airways which on my frequent flyer mile ticket recently gave me the most lush international travel experience of my entire life. Phuket is phenomenal, I made so many friends in such a short time. Hope to be back soon. Thanks for sharing, and you look fantastic in these photos 🙂
So excited to finally head to Thailand myself in just a couple of months!!
Great post! I totally agree with you, Thailand is such a stunning destination and it is perfect for the first time independent traveller! It was my first destination on my first backpacking trip, I’ve been back a few times since and have absolutely no doubt I will go again!
I will be traveling May 2014 to Bangkok and hardly have an itinerary or even know here I am staying. Just got a ticket and said oh my now I’ve to do some research. only going for 10 days. Any advise?
I was just telling a friend that I wanted to research Thailand for a summer trip. Now you make me want to visit even more. Great blog btw.
I hear ya! Thailand is an excellent destination especially for first-timers! I’ve been twice but sort of good stuck in Bangkok and it’s environs… so much to do, you see!
Next summer, we’re being good and heading for “The North.”
Oneika,
I can see why you LOVE thailand SO MUCH. Just did a week there and I KNOW I’ll be returning soon! Thanks for the tip.
Loved Thailand as well, funny experiences but great ones too! The people are quite friendly, transportation is great as well..beaches awesome!
It’s definitely at the top of my list! Cannot wait…
Such a cool place!
Also don’t forgot about Thailand’s festivals. They are simply amazing! Especially Songkran when all the roads becomes an open water wars (the fun kind of course). There’s also Loy Kratong. The best time to visit Thailand are actually during these festivities 🙂
Great post! We have been travelling to Thailand annually for over 20 years and agree with all your points. The locals, their smiles, the food….. What more could you ask for in a holiday destination!
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