I’ve traveled to a lot of countries, but Thailand has always been one of my favorites. I’ve spent roughly three months there, more time than I’ve spent in almost any other country, and a big reason I kept enjoying it was the people. Thais were some of the friendliest and most outgoing people I’d met anywhere. I can remember wandering down an alley at three in the morning, probably not the smartest thing to do, only to have a group of strangers approach me with smiles and offer me a drink. Experiences like that made Thailand memorable long before I even considered its ancient temples, jungles, incredible food, and beaches. Having several months to explore also meant I could spend time in places that most tourists never visit.
Bangkok and the Grand Palace
Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is a densely populated and energetic city in the middle of the country. Many travelers spend most of their time in Bangkok or the beach areas. There is a lot to do and see in the city, but sadly I only brought back a few pictures from the capital. Above is the famous floating market, where shops and vendors line the waterways and small boats move through the canals. It reminded me of an Asian-style miniature Venice.
These photos show the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The palace served as the official residence of the Kings of Siam and later Thailand beginning in the late 18th century. The complex is filled with elaborate temples, halls, statues, and incredibly detailed architecture.
Ancient Temples and Life Outside Bangkok
I spent most of my time in Korat and Udon Thani. Bangkok felt very different from the rest of Thailand, and personally I’d rather spend my time in places like Korat or Udon Thani. The smaller cities felt more relaxed and personal, while in Bangkok I often felt like just another tourist. There are ancient temples throughout Thailand, including the ones photographed here near the Cambodian border.
Buddhist Temples and Staying with Forest Monks
Northern Thailand is more remote than the southern part, especially where I traveled near the border with Laos. The most popular destination in northern Thailand is Chiang Mai in the northwest. I didn’t make it there on this trip, instead spending time around the northeastern city of Udon Thani.
Thailand is also famous for its Buddhist temples and monks. Above is a Thai Buddhist temple with a rainbow behind it, followed by a photo of me at a forest temple where I was able to stay for a few days. Life there was interesting because we ate only once each day, at 7:30 in the morning, and we ate only what was given to us. Each morning local Thais would arrive bringing food, with even more people coming on the weekends.
Cockfighting in Thailand
While in Thailand I also went to a cockfighting event where people placed bets on the matches. I’m not sure how popular the fights were throughout the country, but I had heard about them enough that I eventually decided to see one for myself. Above are spectators betting on the fights and a Thai man proudly holding his rooster before a match.
The Bridge over the River Kwai
Above is the famous Bridge over the River Kwai, part of the railway constructed during World War II using forced Asian laborers and Allied prisoners of war. Tens of thousands of people died during construction from disease, starvation, exhaustion, abuse, and the brutal working conditions.
Everyday Life and Thailand’s History
These are a couple of random scenes from around Thailand. Above are some modest homes I passed in Korat, followed by a reconstruction showing a much earlier style of dwelling. One of the things I enjoyed most about spending so much time in Thailand was getting away from the major tourist destinations and seeing ordinary neighborhoods and everyday life.
Jungles, Wildlife, and Bats
Above is an incredible stream of bats emerging from a cave at dusk. The next photo shows one of the interesting trees I came across while hiking through the Thai jungle. Thailand’s natural areas were always one of my favorite parts of traveling around the country.
During this trip I also rode an elephant through creeks and jungle. It was a memorable experience from my early years of traveling, although today I would be much more selective about any wildlife attraction and how its animals are treated.
Giant Buddha Statues and an Unexpected Park
These photos show several of the enormous statues I came across in a park. The statues themselves were only a few decades old when I visited, but their enormous scale made the park memorable. Combined with Thai music playing throughout the grounds, it was another one of those unexpected places I stumbled across while spending several months exploring Thailand.
