What to Do in Thailand Out of The Box/Alternatives (Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai)

_{Getting lost at Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai, Thailand –}

Coming from another South East Asian country, Thailand surely is a familiar holiday destination for me. Even more, Thailand has been gaining its popularity in recent years thanks to Lisa Blackpink and White Lotus.

But, is Thailand only as limited as represented in White Lotus holiday destination? Meaning fancy hotels, wild night life, and also Buddhist retreats? Or is it the backpacker paradise, plastic surgery, and se* tourism related? The answer is no, it certainly isn’t and I would prove it to you below.

_{The scenery while exploring Yao people, a hill tribe village near Chiang Rai, Thailand}

Thailand, a country more than why it is known as per my POV

Let’s start from where you would start your Thailand journey.

If I say Bangkok, would nature even be a thing that popped into your mind? Do you know that as hectic as Bangkok is, you could get your nature getaway within distance. If not, let me introduce you to Bang Krachao, the largest green area that Bangkok could offer.

_{Bang Krachao, your nature getaway from Bangkok}

How to get to Bang Krachao from Bangkok?

I did it with Grab Taxi until Khlong Toei Port. But you can take the MRT to Khlong Toei Station, and then a taxi to Khlong Toei Port.

Upon arrival at the port, head up to the ticket counter. The seller would ask to pay 40 Baht. It is a return ticket and make sure not to lose it. Funny thing, the ticket is just a piece of paper, handwritten with 40. So, be prepared & don’t get confused like me.

_{You know you are near when you see this cute Mudeng statue}

_{Otw to Bang Krachao}

What to do in Bang Krachao?

First thing first, rent a bike. Bang Krachao is a small island. But it doesn’t mean that you can or should explore it by foot. One thing that I learned from my South East Asian trips is never underestimate the heat. Therefore, exploring by bicycle is a better way for your stamina. It is also environmentally friendly, more fun, plus you help the local economy along the way.

^{A local neighborhood @ Bang Krachao}

Therefore, make a stop at the nearest bike shop on the port ferry upon your arrival at Bang Krachao. Renting a daily bike should cost you ca. 80-100 Baht, depending on your bike. Doing so, you can explore the island freely. I didn’t have any specific goals while being on the island. But I could say I did some fauna watching, observing how the local community there live, and also enjoying the scenery.

^{Guide to bird watching @ Bang Krachao}

_{Diverse vegetations @ Bang Krachao}

Should you stay overnight in Bang Krachao?

I wouldn’t recommend this to you, since Bang Krachao is so small and you can discover the island for one day. And honestly, I didn’t see any sort of hotel while exploring the island.

_{While biking @ Bang Krachao, Bangkok – We opted for a bigger bike, so I could just sit behind the wheels}

What other out of the box activities could you do in Thailand?

Well, have you visited the indigenous tribal villages in Thailand?

If Chiang Rai is your destination, then you can experience this activity. I came to Chiang Rai without any knowledge about the hill tribe people of Thailand. But, upon my visit to a local museum, I stumbled on this possibility.

_{The traditional clothes of hill tribe people}

The hill tribe villages visit could be experienced as a tour. And it is planned that one would visit four tribal villages, such as Yao, Lahu, Akha, Karen.

I paid 1500 Baht since in the end it was more of a private tour for me and my husband. But, the pricing could go as low as 1000 Baht per person if there was another booker(s).

^{Us in Akha traditional clothes (my headpiece is quite heavy since the bronze & silver)}

Why should you try this type of tour?

Climate change and globalization are no secrets. And they have been changing how people live. The same principles apply as well to this hilltribe living. They were originally called hilltribe people since they live in the higher mountains and have their own customs in their daily life.

_{Lahu village, near Chiang Rai, Thailand}

But, climate change and globalization have been changing their way of life. Their traditional clothes have been slowly adapted to more modern garments. Their inter generational weaving skills have been slowly fading. Younger kids have different mentality and want or even sent to go out of the villages for having a better life.

_{A house of a woman from the Yao Tribe. Notice that she is weaving on the pic.}

_{Simulation on how people used to work their rice}

Bottom line, in the future, the existence of hill tribe people may be gone. What makes their tribes unique identities might be erased and replaced with the general modern people of Thailand. Therefore, go visit these villages while you still can.

_{The older ladies from Yao hill tribe village}

_{Some of Karen hill tribe people are also Christians}

I went there and I learned a lot from these communities. Not in the sense that I know how to weave a basket out of bamboo. But, I had the opportunity to take part in their lives that day and experience how unique they are, even when it was just for half a day.

^{My weaved bamboo basket}

_{A homemade lunch made by Akha hill tribe village}

And last but not least, I would recommend you to try a Buddha monastery retreat in Thailand. And no, I’m not talking about Yoga or some kind of wellness hype type of getaway. Instead, go original, go to an actual monastery and challenge yourself. It is easy to be so attached in this tempting world, from money, possession until your belief.

_{Buddha statue @ Wat Pha Lat}

With the philosophy of Buddha, it is explained that attachment is the key to suffering. And by taking such a retreat, usually from three nights and four days until eleven nights, you would be able to give yourself the chance to be in touch with yourself without any outside distraction.

_{The hiking path to Doi Suthep}

Where could you try such a retreat?

You could try asking monasteries around you. Mostly, when they don’t have such programs, they would still offer the daily meditation possibility.

But, if Chiang Mai is your destination, I would recommend you to do this retreat at Doi Suthep.

What makes Doi Suthep different?

Unlike any other temples, Doi Suthep is located up above in the mountain. Meaning, you have the best surroundings to access your inner self. It is so peaceful and you are surrounded by nature.

_{Nature otw to Doi Suthep with a view of Chiang Mai from above}

Too bad due to the lack of travelling days in Chiang Mai, I wasn’t able to do this. But, do check their official website for more information https://fivethousandyears.org/

Even though, I didn’t make it to Doi Suthep Temple, I was able to hike in peace to Wat Pha Lat, a half way to Doi Suthep Temple. Just being there, I was able to taste a grasp of what Doi Suthep could offer. Moreover, if you are interested in Buddhism, a session to interact with a monk or so called by Monk chat is offered daily at the temple.

_{@ Wat Pha Lat, Chiang Mai, Thailand}

In the end, I hope you would consider doing those things above if you have the time and willingness to experience Thailand out of the box. It took me more than 15 years after my first visit to Thailand to discover what else I could explore in this beautiful country except the usual stuff. And may it take you less to be able to do so 🙂