1. Things to do in Thailand: Tribal Trekking
Northern Thailand is home to over four-thousand hidden hill tribes, nestled in the provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Trekking in these mountainous areas is an unforgettable experience on any Thailand holiday, but visiting the ancient hill-tribes that reside there is an opportunity not to be missed. The trails between villages are well-worn and you can join a small group to follow the winding paths, or hire your own local tour guide for a little extra.
Your guide will be able to explain to you the history of the area, the origin and traditions of the tribes you will visit and also the plethora of medicinal plants along the routes which are used for traditional healing remedies in the villages. Despite having lower standards of living than inhabitants of the larger towns and villages in Thailand, the tribes-woman are proud of their appearance and make their living from weaving and embroidering traditional clothes, so any purchase of goods you make on your Thailand trip will be directly aiding the village.
2. Things to do in Thailand: Island hopping in the Gulf of Thailand
The islands of Ko Tao, Ko Samui and Ko Phangan are located in the Gulf of Thailand, and are easily accessible from Bangkok by overnight sleeper train and ferry, or an internal flight to the quirky airport on Ko Samui. They are all popular destinations for those wanting to visit a relaxing beach paradise on their Thailand holiday and boast year round sunshine and warm azure waters, perfect for swimming and snorkelling. It’s easy to get to each island from the other, just jump on a ferry and enjoy the scenery before exploring your new surroundings.
3. Things to do in Thailand: Try traditional street food
Everyone has heard of the slightly unusual delicacies served in Thailand’s bustling streets and markets, especially along the Kho San road in Bangkok. If you have adventurous tastes and want a real experience on your Thailand holiday, why not look out for edible critters such as scorpions, beetles and a variety of bugs, many of which are deep fried and pack a satisfying crunch! If the thought of eating insects leaves you more queasy than ravenous, there are many other delicious options available from street vendors, such as rice porridge with meatballs and ginger, Pad Thai- fried noodles with diced shrimp and tofu, or Som Tam- spicy salad with shredded papaya. Of course, not all street vendors are great, to avoid getting sick on your Thailand holiday, keep an eye on the cleanliness of the vendor them-self and the area around them and try to eat food that has been prepared freshly in front of you.
Khao Yai jungle trails. Island hopping to hidden paradise. Sleep in the Thai countryside and floating huts along the River Kwai. We’ll help you build your very own Thailand adventure with Thailand Travel Plan. ‘Like this? Read more travel tips and tales at www.rickshawtravel.co.uk/blog/’