There’s no doubt in our minds that Thailand is on your “must see” list – but in such a big, beautiful world it can be hard to pick where to go to next. That’s where we come in (you’re welcome)! Here are 5 compelling reasons to book a trip to Thailand right meow!
1. Price
Let’s be honest, this alone is reason enough to get out your credit card! Visiting Thailand is pretty dang cheap and even without a lot of moolah you can live like the inner queen or king you’ve always kept at bay. The baht to dollar ratio is amazing and most meals will only run you a few bucks. Lodging is also extremely affordable, with options like a hostel ranging from a few US dollars a night to a hotel or air bnb for less than $100USD per night. Many of the famous sites are free (our favorite price) or just a few baht. Even luxuries like a massage are cheap cheap cheap – a 30 minute foot and leg massage is only about $3!!!
2. Food
Thailand is famous for it’s cuisine…. and with good reason! Pad thai, papaya salad and mango sticky rice are just the tip of the culinary iceberg! Street food has been elevated to a whole new level in Thailand. There are food vendors everywhere and you can find almost anything on a stick and it’s all delicious! We are still dreaming of juicy chicken satay and rich curries. And you can’t forget to try the stinky durian fruit. They make it into ice creams, blend it with smoothies and more!
3. People
The citizens of Thailand are very traditional but oh so welcoming. We didn’t have any issues with cabs or tuk tuks (agree on a price before you get in though!) and found everyone to be really sweet and helpful. Just rememeber to be respectful – especially at temples! Many people spoke at least some English and most menus had English versions. They call Thailand the Land of Smiles and once you go, you will see why! People are so sweet and seem genuinely happy!
4. Temples
WOW! The temples in Thailand are incredible! There are new ones and old ones and reeeeeally old ones! Some are covered in gold or silver or made out of bottles! They are in city centers and even built into the sides of mountains! Most of them are still used as places of worship, but are free for you to explore. There are a few larger temple complexes that charge a fee (Doi Suthep in Chaing Mai and the White Temple in Chaing Mai for example) but most of them are free (which you may recall is our favorite price)!
5. Markets
There are so many markets in Thailand they will make your head spin! There are night markets and food markets and tons of floating markets! Some of the biggest ones are only on the weekends, but you can bet that no matter where you are in Thailand there is a market close by! Most of the markets center around food, but also have clothing, jewelry, handicrafts and other trinkets. Our favorites were the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and the Damnoen Floating Market.
So between the price (cheap), the food (great), the people (so nice), the temples (beautiful) and the markets (so so many markets) have we convinced you to go to Thailand? We know it’s most likely a really far trek from where you are, but we promise the reward is so worth the flying time! And that’s coming from a few of us who struggle to sleep on planes and hate flying! Have you booked your ticket yet? No? Why not? Did we miss a compelling reason? Let us know below!
