ISSUE 116, OCTOBER 2023
You don’t need to have visited Thailand to know its allure — the spectacular beaches, limestone rock formations, jungle-clad mountains and clamour of Bangkok. Its food, ubiquitous across the UK, needs little introduction.
While visitor numbers have grown enormously over the past 20 years — with a slight pause due to the pandemic — the country still retains much of the appeal that first drew travellers to this Southeast Asian kingdom.
Whether it’s hiking through rainforest, kayaking into sea caves and cliff-backed lagoons, diving or snorkelling among fish-filled coral reefs or simply escaping to a wellness retreat for a traditional massage, Thailand is rich in experiences.
This issue, we seek out some of the more unusual and intriguing journeys to be taken in the ‘Land of Smiles’. In the south, explore the low-carbon initiatives changing the island of Koh Mak, or pick an active adventure on one of Thailand’s lesser-known islands, such as Koh Adang or Koh Hae. In Bangkok, discover ancient Thai recipes being reinterpreted for modern diners, and head to the north to find revived textile and artisan crafts in Chiang Mai, or try your hand at organic coffee farming with hill tribes.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Thailand or an old hand, it’s a destination that offers much more than you might expect.
Pat Riddell, editor EDITOR OF THE YEAR – TRAVEL (BSME AWARDS 2022) NATGEOTRAVELUK
AWARD-WINNING NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER
BSME Talent Awards 2023: Best Art Team • BSME Talent Awards 2023: Best Picture Editor • TravMedia Awards 2023: Travel Magazine of the Year • AITO Travel Writer of the Year 2022 • VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022: Travel Content Award (Gold) • AITO Young Travel Writer of the Year 2021 • LATA Media Awards 2020: Online Consumer Feature of the Year Award • Travel Media Awards 2020
