Whilst I think it is important to give holidaymakers and travellers coming to Thailand (especially first-timers) a proper heads-up on the possible scams and threats they may face (albeit unlikely), a few recent threads of late have focused on the negative aspects of the Land of Smiles, and it's not a trend I would like to see continuing on this forum. The odd story about political instability or high-profile murders of tourists might be pertinent to discuss once in a while, but I don't want to dwell on such matters. We're all here - I hope - because we're united by a love of Thailand, and whilst it might get our goat once in a while for this reason or that, there are plenty of other reasons why we keep coming back to (or even decide to stay in) the Land of Smiles.

With that in mind, I wanted to create a thread listing the positive things about Thailand. What do you love about it? Or what area(s) do you love? Do you have a little corner of paradise you could tell us about? Perhaps it's the people in general - or specific people you've met?

Why do you love Thailand?

PS. Answers pertaining to the sex industry will be extinguished

I wouldn't dream of mentioning the sex industry

me an all the lads are here for the temples and pagodas

ever been to nakonpathom its has and exhilarating one really its a must

As "Curt the protector of Thai culture" I guess I am required to pipe in....

I like the fact that I can buy a small group dinner for the price of a single entree in the States.

I like that I can have a weekend holiday for the price of a night's accommodation in the States.

I like that I can have a complete, thorough physical exam for the price of a single test in the States, plus get the results within an hour of completion.

I like the That, in Bangkok, the city changes around every corner.

I like that, once away from those who's job it is to extract baht, you'll most often find the people quite friendly.

I like the Thai people's reverence for their King, not the "white breasted toadies", but the everyday street people.

I like that, although they can be as rude and crude as anyone, formally, Thais have a polite culture.

Quote:

Originally Posted by whiterabbit ... ever been to nakonpathom ....

I like the Duck place near the highway junction!

When did my love affair with The Land of Smiles begin? Let's see. It was a long time ago, half a lifetime almost....

I first travelled to Thailand in 1989, as a wide eyed 23 year old. Not long out of home or school with no real need, or desire to get out and see the world. I was always going to see all of my adopted country first, Australia (I am of Sri-Lankan heritage). But I had a slightly older friend who had just broken up with his wife, I was between relationships and easily lead, and he was looking for a travel buddy. He had been to Thailand previously with his then wife and had been bitten by the bug. We scraped together enough for an airfare and off we went on a 2 week trip to Bangkok, Chang Mai and Samui.

That first trip was almost like a rite of passage. I felt so many different emotions. Saw things that I didn’t know existed. Ate, drank and fell in love. Did things that I no longer have any recollection of and other things that I will never forget. I recall sitting on a plane, leaving Samui, thinking of 100 reasons why I wanted to stay and dreaming up 100 plans of how to get back there.

I have since returned many times. Firstly with my brother, later with my fiancé and many times with my wife and the last few trips with kids as well. At last count, including quick trips as part of a multi destination journey, I have been 13 times, the most recent of these trips was in June 09 when I celebrated my 43ed Birthday there.

Everytime I exit the airport, the feeling is the same, like a homecoming. The familiar smells infiltrate my nasal passages and the humidity clears my head. My senses go into overload. I feel like that I have walked into an electrical store that has every TV and HiFi system turned up to 11 and they are all playing something different. I love the "shock" of a few days in Bangkok before I unwind at a more demure location, be it South, West or North.

What is it that I love most? It is very hard to pin-point and it is certainly not a handful of things in particularly. I have often said to friends that I am encouraging to visit Thailand, not to expect anything to be a 10 out of 10. There are undoubtedly places with more pristine beaches, with more diversity, with richer cultural and historical experiences, with a better range of food, with cheaper prices, with more dramatic landscapes, with better nightlife, with better shopping, with more effecient transport.....BUT, Most things get a solid 7 and of 10 and everything is accessible, pleasant and welcoming.

I LOVE walking on a beach and finding a new restaurant serving great food for a pittance.
I LOVE a night at the Muay Thai getting as much enjoyment out of watching the crowd as I do the action in the ring.
I LOVE getting up from a 2 hour massage that just cost me 12 bucks and walking away feeling like a new man.
I LOVE drinking $3 Pina Colada's during Happy hour while watching the sun set over the ocean perched high above the beach in a bar that resembles a tree-house.
I LOVE the look on my 7 year old sons face as he thanks me for giving the BEST day of his life after we spend 2 hours washing and playing with Elephants in the river Kwai.
I LOVE speaking Thanglish with the locals on public transport and having a good laugh at them laughing at my attempts to speak Thai. I LOVE estimating how much it will cost to feed a family of 4 at the food court, buying tickets and having half of them still left at the end of a great meal.
I LOVE going to the gold class movies in Bangkok that serve food and drink for an hour before the film and then standing at the start of the movie for the National Anthem complete with a video history of the life of the King whilst I clutch my huge basket of complimentary pop-corn with both hands.
I LOVE paying 3 bucks for a hair-cut that includes a shave, hair plucked from my nostrils and ears, head massage and a neck crack.
I LOVE dancing with my wife at a bar to a local Thai Reggae band whilst the kids play connect 4 with the bar staff.
I LOVE playing connect 4 myself with the same staff and losing 10 games in a row at 5 baht a game.
I LOVE hiring a jeep and tooting my horn as I go around a family of 5 on a moped and nobody gives me the finger.

This is just scratching the surface and I am sure I will be back to post some more. Hopefully Curt and I have now got the ball rolling and we can get more people posting their own I LOVE's.

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I love Thailand this much

I was thinking of joining the forum but what's this sex thing and not mentioning it.
Im not thinking of going into a big discussion about it but everyones knows about Thailand and what people get up to so whats the big deal? Are you guys getting censored. I know Thailand has alot of taboo's and its a police state but this is a bit strong isn't it.

When I'm not working I love to play golf in and around Bangkok. Pinehurst up on the Bang Na-Trat Highway is my current favourite. It has 36 holes and I have never had a bad day out there. I play in the early morning before the heat kicks in.

I always have a lovely Thai lady caddy and they really know how to look after their golfer, plus their knowledge of the courses is first rate.

A lot ot the Thai military and police top brass play there. If you get hooked up with them in a group you get some juicy gossip.

But under no account drink Mekong Whisky with them. It is rocket juice. Stick to the beers after the game.

Hi Bruce,

We are not total prudes here like at Fodors but this forum is a little more family orientated than some. We have discussed the sex industry at length but it is really not the place to ask questions about which bar to go for the best girls and how much to pay for Long Time. There are other forums which I can send you links to if you want to persue these issues, but I still think that there is a wealth of information here that you can benefit from.

I, personally, have no issues with how you spend your holiday, as long it is in a respectful way and done with consenting adults, so you will get no judgement from me. However, as a moderator, I would find it difficult approving a post that I thought was not within the bounds of good taste for the majority of this forums members.

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I love Thailand this much

Hi Emdee,
I am a golfer too and loved my trip to Hua Hin a few years ago as the golf prices were far more reasonable than other places in Thailand. It is a unique experience to play with a caddy, particularly when they can sum up your game so quickly. On a few occassions when I asked for a 7 iron for instance, I was met with an amused look and a shaking head as my caddy handed over a 5 iron. I love when you hit a good shot and you hear in perfect Thanglish..."You de Maan".
The thing is, being from Australia, like youself, we are blessed with great courses and pay so little to play them. My local course at Mildura is $350 a year for full 7 day membership and Coomealla, just 15km over the border charges $99 for a full membership as it makes plenty from the ajoining club and its Poker machines. Subsequently, I find it very hard to pay in excess of $100 for a game in Thailand....It is all relative ,as a wise man once said.

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I love Thailand this much

Bangkok is a city like no other I have ever visited. From the first time I arrived to the many return trips it always amazes me how much more there is to explore, but my tiny piece of heaven is between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, a province called Phichit. The first time i visited the town of Phichit it made me realise what so many tourists are missing. I think I refer more to the vast number of small towns and villages that make up Thailand and the friendly people that populate them. Phisanulok is another city that offers everything you love about Thailand without the high price tags and car laden roads.
Im also a great fan of the train system in Thailand. Its my prefered mode of transport when my wife and i visit her family in Taphanhin.
Going further north, you cannot ignore Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai. The beautiful countryside and perfect year round weather. Prices much cheaper than Bangkok.
I need to book a flight ......

Just don't accept a room below the 6th floor of the Phichit Plaza hotel. The lounge cranks up the karaoke until the wee small hours!