If the Pranburi and Prachuap coast is quiet, the beaches to the south are simply, in the best possible way, deserted. Abandon the main highway and instead drive along the patchwork of asphalt strips that form the Royal Coast Road; it is some of the finest coastal driving in the country. If you missed the first installment […]
Gems of the Royal Coast: Bang Saphan, Koh Talu, and the Stunning Red Cliffs Read More »
We’ve visited dozens of waterfalls across Thailand over the years, but none are as dramatic or spectacular as Thi Lor Su. The Klotho Creek spills over a ridge extending 400 meters, with dozens of individual falls forming a curtain of braided cascades. When we visited at the end of the rainy season, the falls shrouded themselves in
Viewing Thi Lo Su Waterfall and rafting the Mae Khlong River are among the most extraordinary natural wonders Thailand has to offer. If you’re thinking of going, you already know the reason more people haven’t: the 1,219 curves of the ominously named “Death Highway.” Even if you survive, someone’s probably going to vomit. While proper
Driving the Umphang Highway: How to Survive the 1,219 Curves Read More »
Easily one of Thailand’s most atmospheric locations, it also has the added advantage of being especially well suited to children. The core of the historical park is closed to motorized traffic, making it an excellent place for even the smallest cyclists to pedal around. Jump Ahead The Founding and the Fall of Sukhothai In 1238
Biking Sukhothai: Three Must-Visit Temples in the Historical Park Read More »
Our visit to Hup Pa Tat was part of a larger 9-day roadtrip across Northern Thailand. To see the full itinerary, visit Sukhothai Ruins to Thi Lor Su in 9 Days. In 1979, a monk from the local Buddhist monastery scaled the limestone cliffs of the Kao Huai Sok mountains in western Uthai Thani province.
Wat Chantharam was only the first stop of a much bigger trip, see how it all fits together in our comprehensive 9-Day Northern Thailand Road Trip Itinerary. The Uphill Battle of Another Wat “They’re going to take us to a temple,” one of them says with a mix despair and resignation. “It’s probably on top of a
How to Make Merit in the Crystal Halls of Wat Chantharam Read More »
From Chumphon, we drive south along the Isthmus of Kra. We cut east across the river flats of Surat Thani, and climb into the coastal mountains of Nakhon Si Thammarat. The final stretch into Khanom is a rewarding detour: a quiet, well-paved road flanked by karst hills which leads to a secluded coast. It feels like you are
Shadow Puppets & Silver Seas: A Guide to Nakhon Si Thammarat Read More »
The air gets warmer and the water clearer the further down the coast we travel. By the time we reach Chumphon, universally known as the “Gateway of the South,” we’ve left Central Thailand behind and crossed into a new and distinctly different part of the Kingdom. The food is spicier, the Southern Thai dialect is (for
There’s an idealized version of coastal Thailand where sleepy fishing villages back onto broad, curved bays. The only sound: the gentle lapping of turquoise waters and the rustling needles of casuarina trees. For miles on end, the only footprints are your own. You’ll hear that the authentic Thailand vanished decades ago, swallowed up by resorts and beachside
Seeing an elephant in Thailand is easy. Seeing one ethically is a different story. An estimated 250-300 elephant camps are dotted along the country’s tourist trails, and many packages offer opportunities to engage with the animals. I certainly don’t want to shame anyone for joining these: the reality is that more than 3,500 former working elephants require
Kui Buri: See Thailand’s Wild Elephants in Their Natural Habitat Read More »