Thailand

Located off coast of Krabi in southwest Thailand, one of Thailand’s more beautiful islands…equally beautiful as Phuket or Koh Phi Phi but without the tourists. Actually peaceful and remote. Easy to get around, easy to relax, easy to actually enjoy nature.

This island is good if you want quiet, to live on a beach island with cheap accommodation, or scuba diving. But all else, it pails in comparison. Very little to do, food not as good or as authentic as other places. There’s a big divide between local areas and foreigner areas, with very little mixing. All the foreigner have only restaurants that cater to westerners, and the flavor is very watered down. Prices for food and massages are also more expensive…again, because these areas cater only to foreigners.

Take 3 days rest or however long you need to recharge, and move on.

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Big city Thailand, many areas, many vibes, restaurants, shops, nightlife, locals and foreigners living in harmony. From old town and riverside local life areas spread across temples and night markets, to modern skyrises with rooftop bars and panoramic views overlooking fancy shopping areas. Speed through the city by modern elevated skytrain or lane-split through traffic on a Grab motorcycle.

Bangkok has many versions to experience. For typical tourist, it’s the noisy old town area. Lots of street food, outdoor restaurants and bars, many tiny commercial establishments all crammed together. Tours and weed shops every 5m. Lots of running around to temples and markets. And it’s funny how many visitors think it’s just a developing country with old buildings and nothing else.

For expats, it’s the modern city life. Modern skyrise apartments with city skyline view. Nice restaurants, nice bars, everything nice and air conditioning, no walking around in sweaty hot swamp weather. You can find everything and anything. So much to appreciate aside from usual historical tourist things.

Most travelers arrive in Bangkok, and stay only 3-4 days to rest before running north to Chiang Mai (elephant/jungle) or south to tropical beach/islands. Bangkok itself is big with so much to do. 4-5 days to feel like you got a proper taste, stay 1-2 weeks to know you could live here for a month, stay a month to know you could be here a year and still not run out of things to do. Bangkok is so much more than just Grand Palace and Khao San Road (crazy party area).

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Popular southwest coast of Thailand…beautiful beaches, developed commercial areas, nightlife, boat tours…like other Thai destinations, but cleaner air and lower cost. Considered less touristy alternative to Phuket.

Krabi region (with its capital Krabi town), has diverse coastline and numerous islands nearby…with wide range of beach-stay experiences. On the popular of beach of Ao Nang, you get a less-touristy version of Phuket (famous spot) with its vibrant beach city life, well-developed commercial establishments with food, shops, bars, and NIGHTLIFE! But go farther out or cross onto an island and you’ll find a more peaceful remote experience.

With so much nearby, you can choose to stay in places of different vibes. And then at night, travel to another town of a different vibe. During the day…you can stay in and chill in the AC, wander around in town, or do one of the many tours and outdoor activities.

In all honesty, Krabi is just ok. I don’t like it. Even though it’s not as touristy as Phuket and others, it’s still over touristy. Not enough accommodation options to get you everything. You’re stuck between choosing overly noisy party place or inconveniently remote spot. Beaches have long tide schedules so it looks ugly a lot of the day (when water is out). Many tour boats means noise and crowds during the nicest hours. This is if you’re even staying near the beach. Cuz if not, then you ARE the annoying crowd that comes to the beach. So you don’t really get to enjoy the thing you came for. But yes, it’s pretty and you’ll have nice photos and see nice things. But your day is sandwiched between running to crowded place, then running away from crowded place.

3-5 days is general recommendation. You can understand Krabi and do a comprehensive tour in just 2 days. But a couple more days would be nice to enjoy the vibe. Stay longer and you’ll realize it’s impossible to explore all of Krabi.

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Mountain jungle town in northern Thailand with temples, elephants, and sticky waterfalls.

Anybody visiting Thailand has heard many praises of Chiang Mai. That it’s a MUST SEE. Laidback dirt-road town built in nature, many accommodations with big yards and gardens/greenspaces. Lots of temples (almost every corner). Lots of nature jungle activities…elephant sanctuaries being the most popular but also sticky waterfalls, hiking, rafting, ziplines, visiting the long-neck tribe, farther out palaces/temples, national parks and safaris, and more.

But the real beauty of Chiang Mai is its smooth balance between jungle nature and human city, old culture and new lifestyle, peaceful vibe and lively town-life, low prices but many high-quality food options. It’s a lovely place to entertain or rejuvenate any kind of person.

Timing for Chiang Mai is key. Definitely avoid monsoon season May-Oct (low season) as lots of sudden rain can ruin your dayplans. Aalso recommended to avoid burning season late-Feb to Apr, as the air is extremely polluted. However, I came during burning season in mid-Mar and things seemed fine to me.

You can see the main things (temples and nature, elephants) within 3 days…but to do all the nearby activities could easily stretch out to 10 days. Some people just love the vibe and keep extending. It’s that kind of place. Where you stay for accommodation will also add greatly to your experience.

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Low-cost Asian country with well-developed tourism spread across vibrant cities, tropical beach paradises, and peaceful nature.

Thailand is well-known nowadays thanks to its tourism being developed since the 1970’s, ahead of many other Asian countries. And it’s no surprise…nice people, amazing food, and plenty of familiar things already known to foreigners…thai food, muay thai boxing, marijuana-friendly, jungles and elephants, tropical beaches and islands, and yes X-rated debauchery and prostitution (yuck*).

Thailand has somehow managed to sustain its high tourism without losing too much of its authentic culture. Many locals speak some degree of English (even older ones). Reliable internet and mobile data throughout, accommodations with western-comfort, easy motorbike rentals or cheap Grab rideshare. All added together to make Thailand fun and adventurous, but also comfortable and easy.

Most people put a month in Thailand because there’s so much to see, but also offers many places to chill and do nothing. You could certainly see 3 or 4 key spots in 2 weeks, but travelers usually spend around 3-5 days for each place. It’s hard to rush your days through vibrant cities, adventure-filled jungles, and picturesque beach islands. So many places are worth staying longer in.

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