Six Months in Thailand

In September of 2024, I embarked on what I thought was going to be a 4 or 5 month trip that I ended up stretching out to 9 months. Over these 9 months, I visited a total of 9 countries, and somehow managing to spend 6 of these months in Thailand alone, and this is how that experience went. 

I spent so much time in the land of smiles, and I never would've left if I didn't have to. From the food, to the culture, to the people. I started my trip there like everyone else, in Bangkok. Seeing the temples, the Grand Palace, and everything gilded in gold. The idea that these magnificent buildings were not once surrounded by skyscrapers but by low rise buildings with fields around them is astounding when you view it in its present context.

To start my Thailand trip, I made a stop at Chatuchak weekend market to add to my slowly growing collection of accessories and souvenirs. I explored the worlds oldest Chinatown which showed me cuisine I'd never seen before and lights that are reminiscent of photos you'd see of Hong Kong in the 90's. After my time spent roaming Bangkok, I headed north to Chiang Mai. My trip north was done on the overnight train, mistakenly booking a 2nd class seat in the wrong train that gave me a night of bright blue lights, no AC, and a face full of bugs from the open windows. This train ride, however, also gave me some of the most beautiful and serene views from the train window at 4 am with the sunrise. 

I planned this trip in time for the Lantern festivals, Yi Peng and Loy Krathong. While they both take place on the same days, they are two separate festivals. Yi Peng is famous for the lanterns that get released into the sky that people are most familiar with. The other festival is Loy Krathong, where you make Krathongs, little water lanterns, and let them alight down the canal and river surrounding Chiang Mai. The festivities of the night are accompanied with fireworks and food stalls, with people and groups of all ages walking around, enjoying the scene, and part taking by setting fireworks off in every direction.

Out of everywhere in Thailand, Chiang Mai became a second home. After the lantern festival, I embarked on a two week Muay Thai camp that introduced me to a sport I had only seen with a group of other tourists while visiting a stadium pushed at me from my accommodation. And despite how unprepared I was for it physically, I had an amazing time learning a new sport, interacting with the Thai trainers and the other Thais that trained at the gym as well, and was the place I formed some of the deepest friendships of my trip. I later came back to this gym for 3 months at the end of my trip and built a lifetime of memories.

Pai, a little hippy town more north of Chiang Mai followed my two weeks of Muay Thai. Known for it's beauty and quaintness, it is a popular destination for backpackers. The ride to Pai is notoriously windy, with every bus company offering anti nausea pills for the trip, but the views are gorgeous, with the hikes and walks in the town itself being just as breathtaking. Chiang Rai, famous for the White Temple, juxtaposed Pai beautifully. Coming from a few days of activities, nature, and everything Pai had to offer, Chiang Rai was more local, less parties, and with more culture to appreciate. And while the Blue Temple, White Temple, and Black house were all a distance apart, the travel between each made you appreciate the craftsmanship and cultural distinction even more.

After being in the north for a few months, it was time to head south, starting in Krabi. Krabi gives you the beauty you would expect from one of the islands, while still being on the mainland. Surrounded by beautiful limestone cliffs, sandy beaches, and delicious food. Ao Nang offers everything you'd imagine from a little family oriented beach town, with things to do for everyone, while also having the nightlife you would want if there were no children around. To get a bit more of the island life, I headed to the tiny island of Koh Tao for two nights to get a bit of beach in me. The tiny island had amazing snorkling, beautiful and quiet beaches, and was a great break before heading to Koh Samui where my time was spent waterfall searching, snorkling, and doing hikes over the island. My last island stop was the famous Koh Phi Phi. Koh Phi Phi was definitely the most crowded island I visited, but it was also my favorite. With the same limestone cliffs I saw in Krabi, surrounded by turquoise waters, and so much to do, I loved every minute being on the island. Koh Phi Phi had relaxing activities to do during the day, the highlight being a boat tour where I saw the bio luminescent plankton and visited the famous island from the movie "The Beach", night time had parties all over the beach, and the famous Reggae Bar where tourists can fight each other for a bucket. 

Phi Phi wrapped up my trip before heading out and flying out of Bangkok, looking forward to returning again 2 months later to start my Muay Thai journey.