Discover Thailand (from home)

The Beach & Beyond: Holiday inspired ideas to brighten your day [View online here]( | Pause emails for [1 month]( | [2 months]( [Travelscoop] This week, we're celebrating the Land of Smiles! Welcoming faces might be the first thing to strike you about Thailand, but there's so much more to this diverse country. From Buddist temples and world-class street food to the pristine beaches and jewel-like islands, there's something for everyone. Although the country has always been a favourite of gap year back-packers, it's also perfect for intrepid families who can satisfy a passion for cultural discovery while staying in affordable luxury. In this email, we'll attempt to unpack Thailand in time for your 2021 bucket list holiday. Please note that we are not promoting any travel deals at the moment, but simply providing some inspiration until you're ready to explore the world again. Travelscoop team member Paul travelled to Thailand a few years ago, staying in Bangkok and Phuket and travelling widely through the small islands of the Andaman sea. We've been sharing his holiday highlights and photos on our Facebook page. If you have a special Thailand memory or are thinking of going, [head over to Facebook]( and share your stories, photos and questions. Remember to Like our page while you're there 🙏🏼 ~ Stuart In this issue Where To Go in Thailand • 20 Things To Do In Thailand • Local Thai Cuisine • 9 Books About Thailand [---] Where To Go in Thailand From the frenetic city of Bangkok to the endless beaches of Krabi province and the mixture of party and chill in Phuket, Thailand has it all. Here we explore the top places to stay. [Bangkok]( TUI Holidays to Bangkok are spent touring gold-tinted temples, rummaging your way around the night markets, and tucking into sizzling street food. An inland city, Bangkok doesn't have beaches, but Pattaya, 95 miles southeast, has a sprawling 3km stretch of snow-white sand that softly dissolves into tranquil turquoise waters. Backed by tropical greenery and a tree-lined promenade, this coast is popular for snorkelling and watersports and is laced with restaurants, bars and shops. [Read more]( [Phuket]( TUI Phuket offers everything from sleepy beaches to wired party resorts, and it’s this little-bit-of-everything approach that makes the island one of Thailand’s most popular destinations. As Thailand’s biggest island, Phuket has around 90 miles of coastline to its name. The sea has nibbled coves and bays out of every stretch of it. Not every strand of sand can be tarred with the same brush, though. Some beaches, like Patong, are really lively, while others, like Kamala, take things to a much lower gear. [Read more]( [Chiang Mai]( Lonely Planet The former seat of the Lanna kingdom is a blissfully calm and laid-back place to relax and recharge your batteries. Participate in a vast array of activities on offer, or just stroll around the backstreets, and discover a city that is still firmly Thai in its atmosphere and attitude. If you drive in a straight line in any direction, you'll soon find yourself in the lush green countryside and pristine rainforests dotted with churning waterfalls, serene wát and peaceful country villages – as well as a host of markets and elephant sanctuaries. [Read more]( [Krabi]( TUI Thanks to the fang-shaped limestone cliffs that line the shore and the deserted islands that lily-pad their way through the sea, Krabi is one of those destinations that can help but always stick in your mind. Krabi’s beaches are cut from a different cloth to those in the rest of the world. The stretches of sand here are characterised by the limestone cliffs that back them, and the huge boulders of karst that spear out of the sea not far from their shores. Krabi’s most accessible beaches are on the mainland. But, if you’re willing to take a boat ride, there are 200 islands worth of bays and coves to stake a claim on, too. [Read more]( [Kanchanaburi]( Lonely Planet Beyond its hectic modern centre and river views, Kanchanaburi has a dark history. War cemeteries, museums and the ability to ride a section of the so-called 'Death Railway' draw numerous visitors to Kanchanaburi every year. Kanchanaburi is also an ideal gateway to Thailand's wild west. There are some excellent national parks and an array of lush riverside resorts to the north, and many of them are accessibly by public transport. [Read more]( [Koh Tao]( Lonely Planet The baby of the Samui–Pha-Ngan–Tao trio, Ko Tao may still be the smallest in size but in many other ways, it's all grown up. The island is consistently gaining in popularity and going more upscale, but for the time being, this jungle-topped cutie has the busy vibe of Samui mixed with the laid-back nature of Pha-Ngan. Even though the island is synonymous with diving, there is so much more to the place. Hikers and hermits can re-enact an episode from Lost in the dripping coastal jungles, and when you’re Robinson Crusoe-ed out, hit the pumpin’ bar scene that rages on until dawn. [Read more]( [Pattaya]( Lonely Planet Even if you know exactly what to expect of Pattaya, it still comes as an eye-popping sensory explosion. Multicultural, hyper-touristy Pattaya boasts some excellent places to stay and eat, and the area is also a family-friendly resort coast. The city itself is no tropical paradise; its reputation as a 'red-light' capital is totally deserved, with hundreds of beer bars, go-go clubs and massage parlours. Much of the rest is dedicated to mass-market, sun-seeking tourism. For a relaxing stay in Pattaya, base yourself outside the central area. [Read more]( [Ko Pha-Ngan]( Lonely Planet In the late 1970s, Ko Pha-Ngan was a pristine paradise that beckoned the intrepid. Its innocent days may be long gone, but don’t let that deter you: this gulf isle offers much more than the Full Moon parties that made it famous. Choose quieter days in the lunar calendar or the smaller but still-raucous half-moon party periods and the island’s charms are really brought to the fore. Even Hat Rin – party central when the moon is round – is quiet and relaxing during other periods, and the beaches are kept clean. The quietest months are April to June when the island is in low gear. [Read more]( [Khao Lak]( TUI Khao Lak shines a light on Thailand’s native side. This part of the country is characterised by unspoilt beaches, virgin forests and world-class scuba diving spots. Twenty-twenty vision isn’t enough to see from one end of the Khao Lak coastal region to the next. This stretch of shore is 20 kilometres long and one beach blends into the next. The Khao Lak seaside faces west, too, which means the beaches here are in prime positions for sunsets. [Read more]( [Koh Samui]( TUI Koh Samui showcases the Thai island way at its very best – think glossy jungles and beaches made for picture-perfect postcard shots. The island of Koh Samui is famed for soft, white sand, picture-perfect, turquoise sea and, of course, moonlit beach parties. Lines of coconut palms back these sandy stretches, while the waves of the Gulf of Thailand lap the shores. If there’s such thing as paradise, it’d probably look something like Koh Samui’s coastline. There are quiet, secluded beaches that are almost entirely deserted, and buzzing sandy spots that host nightly parties, so whatever beach vibe you’re after, you’re sure to find it on Koh Samui. [Read more]( [---] 20 Things To Do In Thailand Thailand has so much to offer travellers: abundant nature, island-hopping, floating markets and ancient Khmer castles. Here are some of the top things to do in this vibrant South-East Asian nation. Note: There are certain things to steer clear of. For the sake of clarity, our recommendation to visit an elephant sanctuary comes with a stark warning! Many of these "sanctuaries" are not above board, they don't care for the animals and in some cases can be cruel. Do your research if planning to visit one of these and stay well away from any that advertise elephant rides. [Go Island Hopping]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Ride a Tuk Tuk]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Watch a Muay Thai Fight]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Visit The Grand Palace]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Take a Street Food Tour]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Go Diving in Koh Tao]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Visit an Ethical Elephant Sanctuary]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Visit the Temples in Chiang Mai]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Take a Thai Cooking Class]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Visit Wat Rong Khun (The White Temple) in Chiang Rai]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Relax in Koh Lipe]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Hike up to the Koh Phi Phi Viewpoint]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Visit Kanchanaburi & the Bridge over the River Kwai]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Visit the Maeklong Railway Market]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Explore the Khao Sok Lake National Park]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Rock Climb at Railay Beach]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Visit Sukhothai]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Get Soaked at Songkran]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [Visit Erewan Falls]( Lonely Planet [Read more]( [---] Local Thai Cuisine We've covered a pretty comprehensive selection of activities to experience when venturing across Thailand, but what about the cuisine? Let's take a closer look at some of regions best produce and wonderful local delicacies. From Pad Thai and Gaeng Keow Wan Gai to the more adventurous Malang Tod, Larb Mote Daeng and the often outlawed (owing to it's 'special'aroma) Tu-Rian (or Durian Fruit), here's everything you need to know about the incredible (and sometimes facinating) Thai diet. Let's kick things off with some of my all-time favourite Thai dishes: Tom Yum Goong - a spicy shrimp soup Pad Thai - stir-fried noodles and the ultimate street food Gaeng Keow Wan Gai - Thai green chicken curry Gaeng Daeng - Thai red curry Tom Kha Gai - Chicken in coconut soup Pad Pak Boong - Stir-fried Morning Glory in a Thai marinade Khao Niew Mamuang - Mango sticky rice (for the dessert lovers) Fancy being a little more adventurous: Leb Mue Nang - The skin of chicken feet is a delicacy that’s often used in spicy salad dishes. Malang Tod - In Bangkok, bugs are fried, seasoned and sold throughout the streets of the city for everyone to enjoy. Larb Mote Daeng - This dish is a combination of both ants and ant eggs, and is very popular in Thailand! Tu-Rian - Durian fruit is most notable for its smell, it's so bad, it is even illegal in many public buildings in Thailand! Pla Chon Pao - Stuffed full of lemongrass and covered in salt before roasting, grilled Snakehead fish is a culinary treat. [---] 9 Books About Thailand ...to read before you visit There's no better way to prepare for a trip than to read a good book. We've chosen a range of reads to transport you to the far east, from classics like The Beach to a dystopian future Thai kingdom in The Windup Girl. Take your pick. If you've got any suggestions, let everyone know on our [Icelandic books Facebook post here]( [All About Thailand: Stories, Songs and Crafts for Kids]( £6.99 Elaine Russell; Patcharee Meesukhon A great book for young travellers to learn all about Thailand. The reader explores everything about the country with a girl from the countryside and a boy from the city. Great for 8 to 11 year olds. [Thai Phrasebook & Dictionary]( £4.49 Lonely Planet The perfect little book to help you master the basics of the Thai language. Great for preparing for future trips, this is your passport to the most relevant Thai phrases and vocabulary for all your travel needs. [The Damage Done]( £4.99 Warren Fellows Think about the most wretched day you've ever had. Maybe it was when someone you loved died, or when you were badly hurt in an accident, or a day when you were so terrified you could scarcely bear it. Ok, imagine 4,000 of those days in one big chunk. Not for the faint of heart, but a stark warning to anyone planning a trip to Thailand. [Baan: Recipes and Stories from my Thai Home]( £4.29 Kay Plunkett-Hogge Baan means the home, the community, the place where you come from - and this book gives an essence of all that and more. A wonderful cookery book in its own right, it also delivers a bit of Thai soul and understanding along with its brilliantly simple recipes. The only Thai cookbook you'll need. [Sightseeing]( £3.79 Rattawut Lapcharoensap A brilliantly-written collection of short stories set in Thailand and by a Thai author. Gritty, hard-hitting reality against the backdrop of a Thailand and Indian Ocean that we don't often read about. [The Windup Girl]( £5.99 Paolo Bacigalupi Inventive and engaging dystopian novel set in a near-future Bangkok after the impact of climate change and the end of fossil fuels. Brilliantly written, it paints an unnervingly believable future and flavour of the city. [The Beach]( £4.99 Alex Garland Probably the most well-known novel about Thailand. This is the book that will make you want to travel, discover those elusive private experiences - and maybe your own paradise. A perfect "rite-of-passage" read about growing up, hope, adventure and discovering yourself. Perfect for anyone with a travellers' heart. Much better than the movie! [Killed at the Whim of a Hat]( £3.99 Colin Cotterill Crime reporter Jimm Juree is forced to follow her family from Chiang Mai to Southern Thailand when her mother sells the family business for an investment in a beach resort. But bodies start turning up and it's soon back to what she knows best. Hilariously readable first book in the series. [Bangkok Days]( £3.99 Lawrence Osborne A visit to Bangkok for its affordable dentistry becomes an extended stay when the author realises he can live on just a few dollars a day. A humorous insight into the Thai capital, digging beneath the surface of its hidden depths and contradictions and revealing it in all its glorious quirkiness. My recommendation would be that you read these books on a Kindle. I'm a complete convert and think you should consider one as part of your #StayAtHome survival kit. My main worry was that it would just be another screen to stare at. But the liquid ink screens read like printed paper, even in sunlight. And of course, you can download books instantly, so no waiting for delivery. I cannot recommend the switch more highly. Plus, the entry-level Kindle at £69.99 is an excellent bit of kit to get you started. Go on, you know you want to... [View Kindle deal]( [Photo of Stuart] [Stuart] Stuart Lewis Travel Editor [Facebook]([Twitter]( How Travelscoop works You might be wondering how Travelscoop works. 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