Thrilling Thailand: Highlights and lowlights of a trip to Thailand

Is a trip to Thailand on your travel bucket list? Well, it should be. From fast-paced cities to breathtaking natural wonders, Thailand is the perfect place to explore and rest. 

I visited two very different sides of Thailand when I went in 2023. Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, near the thinnest part of the country, and Bangkok, the bustling capital city. Seeing these two very different sides of the country demonstrated that there is something for everyone here. It goes to show that you can pack two very different types of vacation into the same trip. We spent the first leg of our journey at a spa resort where we soaked in unfettered relaxation. The second half of the trip involved traversing the city by boat taxi and learning about the country’s fascinating culture. With two very different places to consider, this trip was filled with countless highlights. However, there were also some parts that I wasn’t so keen on. To help you decide whether or not to visit Thailand, here are my three biggest pros and cons of the trip.  

Highlights

1. Spa resort
2. Monkey trip
3. The Grand Palace and temples

Spa resort

When I was growing up, family holidays were usually to rainy hills in Scotland and Wales. I’d never experienced a resort holiday in a hot, sunny climate. That was until I went to The Beach Village Resort in Khao Sam Roi Yot. This location was stunning and the resort made me feel like an absolute backpacking princess. With a large room opening onto a swimming pool, the long mornings and evenings could be spent idly chatting in the sunlight. In between these moments of relaxation, the resort also offered affordable excursions. They arranged taxis, boats and even bikes for us so that we could explore the surrounding areas to their fullest. Making the most of these opportunities, we were able to eat lotus seeds while watching the sunrise behind the flowering marshes and stop off at numerous Buddhist temples in the area. We jam-packed every day with activities. Finally, when we had a spare moment, we arranged a massage in our rooms to relieve any stress we’d brought with us from our working lives.

All of these magical moments culminated with the literal cherry on top – the food. The restaurant near our room offered delicious dishes and even more delicious cocktails. For lunch, we could refresh ourselves with a Som tam salad and a screwdriver. For dinner, we gorged on a Pad Thai curry along with a Pina Colada. The convenience of the resort, plus the natural beauty of the national park made this leg of the trip my favourite (and possibly one of the most magical holidays I’ve had). If big cities aren’t your passion but you still want to visit Thailand, I would definitely recommend checking out a resort in this part of the country. 

Monkey trip

As part of the services run by the resort, we were able to secure a trip to Phraya Nakhon Cave. This natural wonder, hiding an ornate pavilion inside, was spectacular in itself. Yet what made this experience stand out was the unexpected encounter with wildlife. The cave is best viewed mid-morning when the sun can illuminate the pavilion through a hole in the cave’s roof. With this timing in mind, we’d set off on the hike to the cave early and reached its exterior in good time. Our good speed had afforded us some time to chill on the nearby beach. And I’m glad we had this time before seeing the awesome cave because we met some unlikely friends (or enemies depending on who you ask) along the path. Tons of sassy monkeys sat near the cave’s entrance, some with adorable young ones. And I should reiterate that they had babies, making them quite protective. They quickly became feisty and chased my friends away. This moment coupled with the unexpectedness of the situation made it a magical trip to a fascinating site.

I’d never experienced the beauty and power of nature in so many different forms until that moment. Wildlife, caves and the sea in one location. After evading the monkeys and basking in the wonderment of the green cave, my friends and I enjoyed cooling off in the sea. Then, a boat carried us back to our taxi. Putting it bluntly, this is one of the best places in Thailand. If you want to see something truly unique, this is a wonderful place to pack into your Thailand itinerary.  

The Grand Palace and temples

Okay, I’ve gone on a bit about how much I enjoyed the national park. How could I resist when each excursion was unreal. However, I also loved Bangkok. When you’re visiting this capital city, don’t be surprised if you have to catch a boat to explore the various attractions. And if you’re going to visit any attraction, make it The Grand Palace. The architecture of this site is like nothing I’ve ever seen, with intricate statues lining every edifice. Golds, greens, and reds dazzle as you walk through this palace and explore the numerous buildings located inside the complex. Touring the grounds, you’ll soon find the temple of the Emerald Buddha, a stunning statue housed in the palace. You can feel the cultural significance of the Emerald Buddha and its importance to Thailand while sitting quietly in the room. This image fitted in gold makes The Grand Palace a beautiful place of both historical and present beauty.

Another reason visiting The Grand Palace is a wonderful experience is its proximity to other amazing sites around the city. Nearby is Wat Arun, a Buddhist temple characterised by its towering mosaiced architecture. You can climb up this structure and appreciate the view at both a distance and up close. Also nearby to The Grand Palace is the Reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. The sheer size of this image of Buddha is awe-inspiring as it fills the room completely and glistens in gold. During this part of our day, we were also guided by a cute elementary schooler. She took it upon herself to whizz us through the temple, adding a touch of sentimentality to this experience. In Bangkok, seeing The Grand Palace, along with other surrounding temples helps you to appreciate the culture of Thailand. These locations show the importance of Buddhism to the country. The Grand Palace and surrounding temples are must-do activities while you’re in the country.

Lowlights

1. Shady accommodation
2. Heat
3. Nightlife

Shady accommodation

Times have changed and the laws regarding accommodation in Thailand have changed too. However, when I visited in early 2023, some shady transactions definitely went down. Although the accommodation in Bangkok was lovely – in a well-located room with soaring views of the city – the whole ordeal of entering the room seemed sketchy. After arriving in the city, we located our tall apartment building and waited outside. This instruction was suspicious. After all, why would we not just enter through the front door? Why did the owners not give us a room card? Peeping into the entryway we could see signs warning against the use of illegal hotels for foreigners. If we planned to stay for less than a month in a room (which we did) and the room was not registered as a hotel, it was listed as an illegal hotel. Very quickly it became clear that this description matched our accommodation.

A young man met us outside and led us around the back of the building to a service elevator. He instructed us to use for the duration of our trip. While entering and exiting the building multiple times, we saw many other travellers who’d clearly been instructed to do the same. The actual room we were taken to was clean and well-furnished. However, the illegality of the situation put us on edge. If we had a problem with the place, we would struggle to make any complaints via legal channels. A year on, the government has amended the Hotel Act (2008) to be slightly more flexible. Now, you’re unlikely to have the same problem when you choose to visit Thailand. Nonetheless, always be wary of the places you book and ask yourself how you’ve managed to get such a steal of a deal.

Heat

I shouldn’t complain when I quite clearly knew what I was signing up for. But I’m really not built for the heat. At the spa resort this heat didn’t feel quite so intense, with a sea breeze to cool you down and a pool or ocean to jump into if your temperature was building. In Bangkok, the heat was unbearable. Any walking was near-impossible as the busy roads afforded little to no shelter. The location of our accommodation left us with a long strip of pavement to compete with before we could find any form of shade. Unfortunately, my sensitive skin did not appreciate this sun exposure in the slightest. If you can reach a department store you’re in luck. Otherwise you’re going to have to deal with the heat or avoid peak daylight hours. For my favourite attractions in Bangkok, like The Grand Palace and surrounding temples, avoiding the heat was even more difficult as many of these sites are largely outside and can only be appreciated during the daytime.

It’s important to note that I visited this country in January, which is one of the colder months and I’m still complaining about the heat. I dread to think about how people survive the hotter months between March and May. Also, I should note that I’m British. I really only knew a temperate, rainy climate before I began jetting around all over the place. Stock up on water, bring your hat and sunglasses, and factor in times for food and breaks, and you should be able to survive the weather in this big city. Otherwise, you should consider avoiding the sweltering streets of Bangkok altogether and escaping to the seaside for more pleasant weather. 

Nightlife

The nightlife was a bust for me. Ask my best friend, however, and she’ll tell you a different story about her Bangkok clubbing experience. For a good night out, I need space to spread my arms and dance. I was inhibited from doing this by the layout of the club, which involved tables positioned throughout the room. This arrangement left the party-goers unable to dance together, forcing everyone to watch the DJ and do little more than sway from side to side. This is not how I party. There was no interaction with other tables. Plus the music, although fairly well-known, wasn’t my favourite (although don’t let this put you off as I’ve got quite a niche music taste).

While we were in Bangkok, we only tried out one club, based on reviews of other travellers. Unfortunately, it was a miss for me. Yet given more time in the city I think we would have found a party scene that we could enjoy more. There is definitely nightlife in this city and the way the city glows is a testament to its vibrancy at night. With the nightlife being one of my lowlights, it’s up to you to rectify this impression and scout out the best places to party while in Bangkok. 

Thailand’s to-do list

While all my friends clamour over our trip to Vietnam (read about the trip here), which immediately followed our stint in Thailand, I can’t stop thinking about how I fell in love with the latter. If I were to redo this trip I’d recommend visiting Bangkok first. Then, you can explore the resorts and retreats that this country has to offer. This way you can enjoy the chaos and heat of the city, before truly relaxing in the beauty of Thailand’s nature. The highlights of this trip largely outweigh any lowlights, which are unlikely to be a problem during your visit. After all, the accommodation rules have now been charged (although you should still check the country’s guidelines before any trip) and I’m sure you’ll easily find the best nightlife in the city with a couple of extra days to explore. Also if you think carefully about the time of year that you visit and stock up on water, I’m sure you can beat the heat. Go enjoy the landscape, wildlife and cultural gems in Thailand, which are truly unmissable.