Overall, it’s the perfect blend of spicy noodles, rich Asian culture, and exotic beach locales.
Where I went:
Bangkok (Royal Orchid Sheraton)
This trip was an overnight layover—yes, one night in Bangkok:) Sadly, I had no time to hit up Chiang Mai or the beaches of Phuket on this trip. The Sheraton is an affordable accommodation with two pools and a great location. Right across the river from IconSiam and IconLuxe mall complex. The free ferry access from the hotel was a huge perk!
What I wore:
Very little—even in December, Thailand is steamy! I focused on bright colors, crops tops, shorts and bikinis. Thailand has a bohemian vibe so the hippie chic trend is on-point, and the local shopping is affordable (except at the luxury boutiques). Definitely check out the night markets. It’s a perfect opportunity to splurge on some fun beach trends and unique accessories.
What I did:
I shopped, ate and worked on my tan! For the tourist shopping experience, I visited the Khao San Road Night Market.
It was a great place to people watch, sample dishes from local food stalls, and purchase inexpensive accessories. It’s also full of student backpackers, bars that don’t check identification, vendors selling scorpions for consumption, and thieves. Definitely watch out for pickpockets! My brother felt a hand slide into his pocket, take out his hotel card key and then return it seconds later. They didn’t get the cash or credit card they were hoping for.
For a more upscale shopping experience, I visited the IconSiam and IconLuxe malls, which were a short ferry ride across the river from my hotel and decorated for the Christmas holiday. It is one of the largest shopping malls in Asia and contains everything from a 3-story H&M to Hermes, Dior and Louis Vuitton boutiques. You could get lost in there for days!
I also traveled outside of Bangkok to explore the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which was famously featured in the Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun”. It was charming, vibrant and loaded with great photo ops. And the food was beyond delicious. I could have spent the entire day lazily floating through the maze of waterways.
What I ate/drank:
So much! I LOVE spicy food, and Thai cuisine is among my favorites. Thai beef salad, pad thai with shrimp, sticky rice with mango. Pure food nirvana! The drinking age in Thailand is 20 (although many night market restaurants advertise that they don’t check passports). Local beers include Singha and Chang, but a refreshing Thai iced tea or bubble tea is a great way to battle the heat. And if you’re on a budget but looking to add a bit of upscale dining to your visit, consider drinks and appetizers at one of Bangkok’s amazing hotel bars, like the W, the Mandarin Oriental, the St. Regis or the Shangri-La.
Social media musts:
It’s difficult to take a bad photo in Thailand. There are so many interesting backdrops. If you’re planning to visit temples in Chiang Mai, my Myanmar article includes some helpful tips. And if you’re planning to visit the markets, make sure to protect your belongings while taking photos ;)
A Few Songs From My Travel Playlist From Thailand:
One Night in Bangkok - Murray Head
Homecoming - Kanye West
Break on Through - The Doors
Forget You - CeeLo Green
Like a Virgin - Madonna
Dancing in the Moonlight - Thin Lizzy
The Logical Song - Supertramp
Gimme More - Britney Spears
Help on the Way / Slipknot / Franklin's Tower - Grateful Dead
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