Why Thailand Will Always Feel Like Home

Thailand has been part of my life from the very beginning. In many ways, it was my version of what Spain is for many families in the UK - a place we returned to regularly and that always felt familiar.

When I was younger, I never thought much about it. Thailand simply felt comfortable - like a second home.

It’s only as I’ve got older that I’ve truly realised how lucky I’ve been to experience both sides of my heritage. Growing up surrounded by both English and Thai culture meant I had the best of both worlds.

Music in our house was just as mixed. One minute we’d have The Cure, The Stone Roses or The Jam blasting out, and the next it would be Mor Lam music playing instead. I imagine the neighbours must have been slightly confused at times, but I absolutely loved it.

Food was no different either. One day it might be bangers and mash for tea, and the next it would be yam woon sen (spicy glass noodle salad). Life was never boring!

My mum is from Isaan in the north-east of Thailand, and many of my childhood memories come from visiting family there. I remember watching my auntie making silk from silkworms, chickens wandering around the farm (one of which even pecked my nose when I was little), and houses built on stilts - one of which I rather clumsily fell through as a teenager. This isn’t a running theme in my life, I promise.

My mum also had plenty of stories from her childhood, including the fact she once had a pet buffalo - something that felt worlds away from the life my friends and I knew growing up in England.

Looking back now, I realise how different my experiences were compared with most of my friends growing up. At the time though, I never thought much about it. To many people Thailand is a tropical paradise and a dream destination - but to me, it was simply my second home.

One thing I’ve always found quite amusing when visiting Thailand is that many people assume I’m fully Thai - until I start speaking with a broad Lancashire accent. As a luk khrueng (the Thai term for someone who is half Thai), that usually causes a bit of confusion!

The Little Things That Make Thailand Feel Like Thailand

Another thing that instantly brings back memories is the smell of street food. Street food has always been one of my favourite parts of Thailand. When I was younger, my mum and I would often grab food from street stalls in the evenings - dried squid (which I absolutely love), and all sorts of other things served on sticks.

Thai food was always part of everyday life growing up. We always had Thai noodles in the house, and Mama noodles in tom yum flavour are still one of my favourites. Sometimes my friends would come round for tea and be introduced to Thai food for the first time. None of us realised back then just how popular Thai food would eventually become in the UK. You can now find it everywhere - although I still don’t think it ever quite tastes the same as it does in Thailand. And nothing beats my mum’s home-cooked Thai food.

The sound of motorbikes is another thing that instantly takes me back. It’s a sound you hear everywhere in Thailand, and something I even joined in with myself when I was older and learned to ride one.

Another familiar sound in Thailand is hearing the local bus assistants calling out “Laew, laew!” (“quick, quick!”) as they try to get people onto the buses. Anyone who’s spent time in Thailand knows that despite the shouting, nothing is actually going anywhere particularly quickly!

That relaxed pace of life is something I’ve always loved about Thailand. You might wander into a small local shop and find the shopkeeper fast asleep on the floor behind the counter. You almost feel bad waking them up just so you can pay for something.

It’s all part of that wonderfully laid-back atmosphere that makes Thailand feel so different from the pace of life back home.

There are also certain cultural moments that always stand out. Across Thailand, the national anthem is played at 8am and again at 6pm. Wherever you are - in a market, park, or train station - people stop what they’re doing and stand still while it plays. The first time you witness it, it’s quite a powerful moment.

You’ll experience something similar in the cinema too. Before the film starts, everyone stands to pay respect during the royal anthem. It’s one of those traditions that really shows the deep respect for the monarchy and the culture of the country.

The Food I Grew Up Loving

Food has always been a huge part of Thai culture, and it was certainly a big part of my life growing up.

Some of my personal favourites include Pad Kee Mao (drunken noodles), Pad Kra Pao, Som Tam (a fresh papaya salad from the Isaan region and one of the most iconic Thai dishes), Pad Pak Boong - also known as morning glory, a delicious stir-fried water spinach - and Tom Yum Goong (pronounced “tom yam”) with prawns, which has to be one of the most flavourful soups you’ll ever try.

Pad Thai is probably the most internationally recognised Thai dish, but many other dishes reflect Thai cuisine more authentically.

What I’ve always loved most about Thai food is the boldness of the flavours - spicy, sour, salty, and sweet - all perfectly balanced.

I’ll happily admit that I also enjoy some of the snacks that make people raise their eyebrows a little… things like chicken feet, which I used to snack on quite often with work colleagues when I lived there.

In Thailand, food is everywhere - from street stalls and local markets to small family-run restaurants and bustling night markets. It’s one of the best ways to experience the culture. If you’re unsure what board basis to choose, I’d usually suggest room only or B&B at most. The all-inclusive model doesn’t quite fit a destination like Thailand - and it may not be what you expect if you’re comparing it with all-inclusives in places like the Caribbean or Europe. Some of the best meals are found just outside your door. Don't miss out!

Why I Love Helping People Discover Thailand

Thailand is an incredible place, and helping people organise trips there always feels a little more personal for me.

I’ve been visiting Thailand since the mid-1980s, tailoring trips there for nearly 25 years, and even lived there for four years myself - although that period alone could probably fill a few books.

Because of that connection to the country, I always want people to experience the very best of it.

One place I will always recommend to anyone visiting Thailand is Bangkok.

Bangkok is the heart of the country. It’s where the history, culture, street food, temples, markets, and modern city life all come together in one place.

If someone tells me they want to visit Thailand but don’t want to go to Bangkok, I’ll usually ask why. For me, it’s such an important part of the country and a place that really helps you understand Thailand, especially if you’re only visiting for a short trip.

It’s chaotic, vibrant, fascinating and unforgettable - and for many travellers, it’s where their love for Thailand really begins.

Thailand is a country full of incredible experiences, beautiful places, and unforgettable food. But for me, it will always be something more than just a destination.

For me, Thailand will always feel like home.