Lee Abbamonte

Exploring Thailand's Beaches, Culture and Cuisine

Wednesday, August 21, 2019
By Azamara

adv-abroad-lee-abbamonteThailand brings out the imagination in people. If you’ve never been, then you imagine going and what it’s like. If you’ve been, then you imagine going back as soon as possible because it is that great a place! Thailand is one of a handful of places that would be in the running for the best place in the world. Thailand is diverse, tasty, raunchy, gorgeous, and has some of the best beaches on Earth. Thailand has something for everyone which is why most people love Thailand and can’t wait to get back - including me!

All roads in Southeast Asia lead to Bangkok, the ancient and awesome capital of Siam. Bangkok has the connotation of many different things but really it depends on who you are and whom you ask. You can do anything in Bangkok - literally. 

Bangkok_ChinaTown_09_JennaChinatown, Bangkok, Thailand

Some people love Bangkok and some people hate Bangkok, but all I know is it is memorable one way or the other. You can find some of the nicest urban luxury hotels on the planet in Bangkok and also some of the worlds best food and most impressive temples. You can also find the seedy underworld of Bangkok; which has been the topic of so many movies and jokes and to be honest - they’re all true!

Bangkok_Monks_Temple_01_JennaBangkok, Thailand

Outside of the capital, Thailand is your oyster. If you head up north to the jungle and towns like Chiang Mai, you can find some ultra luxury resorts and some of the most basic budget accommodation. Many people actually move to Thailand and Chiang Mai specifically because it can be so cheap.

You can also head out to do some cool eco tours or do things like riding elephants or visiting tigers where you literally lay on them. I’ll let you decide if that’s your thing depending where you stand on animal rights and captivity etc. but it is there for you if you want to do it.

Bangkok_ElephantRide_04_JennaAn Azamara Azamara Shore Excursions tour in Thailand

In the south is the pearl of Thailand, the beaches. There are so many islands in Thailand that it would take forever to cover them all but I will say that there is an island and a resort for everyone in Thailand.

My personal favorites are Ko Tao, Ko Samui and Ko Phangan. You can spend weeks on these places and never want to leave. Epic movies from James Bond with Roger Moore to The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio have been filmed in the Thai islands and few are left disappointed. 

Phang Nga Bay (2)Phang Nga Bay, Thailand

The only thing I preface with the Thai islands and Thailand in general is to be careful. There is a reason Thailand and Bangkok has a perceived danger and satirical connotation to them. Not everything in Thailand is what it seems so just be careful, especially at night - I’ll leave it at that. 

Thailand, for all its good and bad, is one of my favorite countries and I cannot wait to go back again and again. Azamara has several voyages calling in Thailand including:


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