"Hi, I’m Peem, part of the Travel Counsellors support team. As I grew up in Thailand myself I'd like to share some unique and unseen activities or places that aren't nearly as famous as they should be in the tourism sphere! I hope you find this insightful and perhaps they inspire your future itineraries for Thailand.”
This is an annual celebration held every October for nine days. For tourists, the big appeal is the absolute abundance of vegetarian and vegan food that adorns the whole country during the week of the festival. This is a Taoist celebration that propagates around Thailand from Chinese migrants hundreds of years ago with the belief that to stopping consuming animal products (which are perceived as negative stimulants) will cleanse your body and lead to better heath.
The festival itself, apart from food, includes parades of masked dancers and decorations around Chinese communities like Chinatown Bangkok. Another famous one is in Phuket but I wouldn’t recommend it as this involves fire walkers and brutal bodily piercings (for those extremists), all designed to cleanse the soul.
This is an annual festival in the Laos-bordering city of Ubon in the North-East. Although the city itself isn't particularly well-kempt, the food is a big departure from the Thai classics and would be a great way to branch out for any foodies. The festival involves huge structures of wax being paraded around the city.
I wouldn’t list this as 'unseen' but it’s a trending night market in Bangkok at the moment, and it’s a great alternative to the famous Chatuchak Market with loads of good foods, souvenir and clothes. Located in central Bangkok, it’s easily reachable from anywhere in the city.
Up in the cooler Northern region of Thailand, close to Myanmar, this is a stunning spot to camp out under the stars and wake up to a misty, ethereal forest the next morning. There are a number of hill tribe communities in the region also, offering locally-sourced activities, classes and products.
The eastern region of Thailand is famous for exotic fruits. You’ll find a truly Thai experience just outside of Rayong province, a couple of hours from Bangkok, is to enjoy an exotic buffet of fruits that you would never find at home. Thais think of fruits like most people think of candies and chocolate, the variety of fresh, sweet produce is like nowhere else in the world. Try juicy rambutan, savoury mango salad, light and spongey cloud-fruit and the infamous smelly durian!
This is one of my personal Thailand bucket list items. Located 150 miles west of the famous Death Railway along the River Kwai, this little village is not being overtly represented in the mainstream tourism. The village sits in the westernmost part of the country, bordering Myanmar, so there’s a cultural mix between Thai and Mon (one of Myanmar's ethnic groups). I would recommend visiting to explore the Mon village, Mon Bridge, Songkalia Bridge, Sunken Temple, Three Pagodas, water reservoir, waterfalls and more.
The perfect pit stop for a road trip from Bangkok to the south of Thailand (just an hour’s drive from Hua Hin). The Phraya Nakhon Cave is a definite highlight, as is the opportunity to spot plentiful wildlife.
Exploring the often-forgotten province of Nan among the native Hill Tribes; white-water rafting, untouched nature and indigenous food and culture - not to be missed!
This tiny, peaceful island off the country’s eastern coast near Koh Chang is still private compared to most, but its beauty is incomparable. Great for a peaceful break if you’re travelling the region, and also for those who are seeking for a more sustainable travel experience as the island has been certified the first low carbon destination in Thailand.
To book your off-the-beaten-track Thai getaway, call your Travel Counsellor today and they’ll be happy to put together a package that includes everything you could want.
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