Thailand. Winter Reboot

Every season is a good season to visit Thailand, but the months between November and March are generally considered the best of all, making this the perfect time to book some sunshine in the middle of winter.

Your next choice comes down to islands or mainland? Sightseeing or beaches? No problem – you will have time for everything.

Bangkok and Pattaya

Your journey will start with your arrival in Bangkok. This is a city that goes its own way. It’s bustling and sultry, and at the same time astonishing and beautiful. I adore this city with all its eccentricities. Next to the luxurious restaurants and hotels, elegant streets with boutiques offering the finest international brands and high-tech skyscrapers, are cheap hotels and night markets selling everything you can think of, with noise and colour and food sold from handcarts.

The city’s most well-known landmark, which has probably the longest name in the world, is the palace and temple complex known more simply as the Grand Palace. It’s an impressive sight. When it was built in the 1780s, the palace was mostly made of wood, but in the course of time new administrative buildings rose around it so that now it is as imposing a space as the Kremlin in Moscow.

Inside the Grand Palace is the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, one of the most sacred sites in the country. The temple houses a beautiful jade Buddha, and every season the monks dress the statue in new clothes. Local residents assure us that prayers addressed to the Emerald Buddha are heard and wishes can come true.

There are so many temples in Bangkok that a short trip won’t give you time to visit even the most famous, but that’s just one more reason to come back.

The Khao San Road district is where the backpackers head. You can find cheap accommodation, hang out with hippies, buy counterfeit documents of any nationality, go to bars that hang signs saying ‘we do not ask your age’ or get caught up in someone’s bachelor or hen party as they celebrate their farewell to the single life in Khao San. This is where parts of the Hollywood hit The Hangover Part II were filmed and any passerby can show you the hotel where the main characters stayed.

The hippy atmosphere and anything-goes attitude on show in Khao San Road are comparable with the famous Walking Street in Pattaya. After dark, the small pedestrian streets leading off the main route are famous for being the haunt of pretty girls, some of whom might not turn out to be the gender you expect.

Islands

No travel to Thailand is complete without spending at least some time relaxing on the beach. The most popular islands are Phuket and Samui, but they are not the only ones. Samet, Phangan, Phi Phi, Krabi, Chang, Tao and Yao Yai are just a few of the many others. It does cost more to stay on the islands than in the coastal resorts, but they are beautiful. You can choose between small guest houses and large hotel chains, or rent a family-sized bungalow. Some prefer not to stay in the same place but to move on every couple of days to explore a new resort. What better way to get a golden tan than relaxing on snow-white sand under emerald palm trees or bathing in the flawlessly clear water? Though take care, the tropical sun is merciless and sunbathing should be kept to morning or evening, and during the day you should dress like the locals and cover

yourself from top to toe. However, not all local advice is worth following, as slathering yourself in coconut oil before sunbathing is likely to burn your skin and rather spoil your evening.

Visitors to Thailand have a variety of ambitions. While some plan pilgrimages to ancient Buddhist temples, others want to shop, and with good reason. The huge shopping centres in Bangkok offer everything from clothing, household appliances, professional photographic and video equipment to make-up and jewellery, all excellent quality and reasonably priced. However, it is always better to decide in advance what you want and where best to buy it.

The third group dream of lying on idyllic beaches eating fresh fruit. Choose the island you like and indulge yourself, and a legendary Thai massage will be the perfect addition to your programme of relaxation.

Massage

Massages are offered everywhere here, in all types of salons, on the street or on beaches. You won’t meet many who, having once had a Thai massage, don’t go back for more. In fact, the

Thai massage style is vigorous and you should wear special pyjamas to soften the experience of having your muscles and joints worked out.

Massage oils can help you relax, as well as other procedures such as foot massages. A foot massage that lasts for an hour and a half and ends with your head is quite incredible. Of course, to get a top-quality healing massage you should go to approved salons served by certified practitioners, but even a simple massage offered inexpensively in a small salon off the street will be memorable. The masseurs are so proficient it feels like they have been developing their skills since childhood.

Food

“What should I take to Thailand?” asked a friend, meaning what clothes should she take. I answered simply, “take some money and an empty suitcase”, but you could add to that “– and an empty stomach”.

Some tourists try to be careful and only eat in their hotels or branded fast food restaurants, but this deprives them of the opportunity to try one of most delicious cuisines in the world. Rest assured that street food is safe as local rules say that everything not eaten by sunset should be thrown away. Head off to one of the night markets for an unforgettable gastronomic experience. Thinking of this, I feel it must be time to start packing…