{"id":12660,"date":"2017-12-07T20:00:33","date_gmt":"2017-12-08T01:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=12660"},"modified":"2025-01-31T01:06:45","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T06:06:45","slug":"11-reasons-why-i-love-thailand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/11-reasons-why-i-love-thailand\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Reasons Why I Love Thailand (And Why You Need to Visit)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been to Thailand<\/a> more times than I can count. I\u2019ve lived in Bangkok<\/a> twice, I’ve run tours through the country, and, if I stay away for more than a year, I feel as if a piece of me is missing.<\/p>\n

I love Thailand.<\/p>\n

It holds a special place in my heart.<\/p>\n

People often ask me why I return to places I’ve already visited instead of exploring somewhere new. Well, that’s an easy answer: because I feel at home when I’m visiting them<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And Thailand is probably the one place outside of the United States<\/a> where I feel most at home. <\/p>\n

But why do I love Thailand so much? What makes it so special?<\/p>\n

To shed some light on why this country holds a special place in my heart, here are 11 reasons why I love Thailand \u2014 and what you can look forward to when you travel there:
\n <\/p>\n

1. The Delicious Food<\/h3>\n

\"A
\nWhen people say they like Thai food but haven’t been to Thailand, I can\u2019t help but think, \u201cYou\u2019ve never really<\/em> experienced Thai food!\u201d Thai food in Thailand is leagues better than anywhere else in the world. The spices, the fragrances, the variety of flavors. Your mouth dances when you eat here. There are dishes and styles in the country that you simply can’t get anywhere else.<\/p>\n

All over the streets of Thailand, outdoor stalls serve up the cheapest and best meals you can find. You’ll be hunched over a bowl of noodles next to a little kid, office worker, and bank president. Street food in Thailand is the great equalizer and fundamental to Thai culture. No matter what time of the day it is, there\u2019s always food available somewhere. <\/p>\n

There are also tons of local markets<\/a> you can tour to take in the local pace of life and sample the delicious food on offer.<\/p>\n

Moreover, Thailand has developed world-class international food and boasts a few Michelin starred restaurants. Some of my favorite sushi restaurants are in Bangkok, and you can find amazing halal and Indian food in the downtown Sukhumvit area as well.<\/p>\n

Thailand is a foodie’s dream.
\n <\/p>\n

2. The Weather<\/h3>\n

\"Nomadic
\nI love the sun (much to my mother\u2019s and my dermatologist\u2019s dismay). I think after shoveling snow in Boston<\/a> for half my life, I gravitate to the sun because, in the tropics, there\u2019s no snow. The fact that it\u2019s always hot and humid in Thailand appeals to me. It\u2019s never “jacket” weather here.<\/p>\n

(OK, that\u2019s not entirely true. In January, I do wear a jacket. It gets pretty close to 20\u00b0C here. You can always tell the expats from the tourists in Bangkok because they are the ones wearing sweaters and jackets in January.)
\n <\/p>\n

3. The Friendly Locals<\/h3>\n

\"A
\nThais are some of the nicest people I have ever met. They\u2019re always happy, always smiling, extremely polite, and always helpful. They\u2019ll help you out if you\u2019re in trouble and help translate for you if you can’t speak Thai. They treat you well, and whenever I come back here, the local shop owners whose stores I frequent greet me with a warm smile and a big hug. Once a friend, always a friend. <\/p>\n

I always feel safe in Thailand too. Thailand is one of the few countries I feel comfortable leaving my laptop out while I go to the bathroom at a restaurant or cafe.
\n <\/p>\n

4. It’s the Perfect Travel Hub<\/h3>\n

\"The
\nThailand is smack-dab in the middle of everything. It\u2019s three hours to Hong Kong<\/a>, two hours to Singapore<\/a>, four hours to Bali<\/a>, and half way between Australia<\/a> and Europe<\/a>. <\/p>\n

You can get to a lot of places easily from Thailand, which, for a traveler like myself, is really appealing. You can generally find a cheap flight<\/a> too!
\n <\/p>\n

5. The Postcard-Perfect Tropical Islands<\/h3>\n

\"A
\nI love the beach. I can sit on the sand and go for a swim for hours upon end. While Thailand has been developed for years and many of the best beaches have been ruined through uncontrolled development<\/a>, you can still find some pristine, picture-perfect islands and beaches around the country.<\/p>\n

I particularly love Ko Chang<\/a>, Ko Kood, Surin Island, Ko Adang, and Ko Lanta<\/a>. The best islands are down south near the Malaysian border. They all look like the above picture.<\/p>\n

As long as you avoid the super touristy and overdeveloped beaches<\/a> (and there are many), you’ll find the postcard-perfect beaches you’ve already dreamed of!
\n <\/p>\n

6. The Lush Jungles<\/h3>\n

\"Nomadic
\nAs much as I enjoy sitting on the beach, I also love to hike through jungles<\/a>, and Thailand has some of the most beautiful and lushest ones I’ve seen. From the jungles and elephants in Khao Yai National Park, to the famed lake of Khao Sok in the south, to the famous jungle and hill tribe treks near Chiang Mai<\/a>, you can get your tropical jungle fix very easily here.<\/p>\n

And be sure not to miss Doi Inthanon National Park<\/a>, the highest point in the country (the park is near Chiang Mai).<\/p>\n

They may not be the wild and untamed jungles of some places in Borneo or the middle of Africa, but they still offer amazing views, dense forests, waterfalls to cool off in, and an interesting variety of wildlife.<\/p>\n

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