Thailand B’s – Backpacking Bangkok & Beaches

Thailand is probably the ultimate backpacking destination for the first-time traveler who seeks an affordable adventure. It is safe, cheap and extremely easy to get around. Even if you have no travel experience from before, it will take you practically no efforts to get your stuff from the airport and into a nice hotel or hostel. In Thailand you don’t really need to make any plans. It will always be a place to stay, a place to go and an easy way to get there. And you will at all times have great company with other backpackers or the uber-friendly, always-smiling Thais.

Now, I have to admit that it is around five years ago since I really traveled in Thailand. But when I did, I spent more than two months exploring Thailand’s beaches and islands. And Bangkok, of course. One of my top three favorite cities in the world (competing with Cape Town and Hanoi). But even though I haven’t been there in a few years, I still have the impression from other travelers that the country is still an ideal travel destination. As long as you don’t mind having other tourists around you! Because you can not expect to have the beach to yourself. Thailand is a major tourist destination, which is partly why I will recommend it to either first-time travelers, or people who just want an easy, laid-back, fun vacation at a beautiful, sunny beach.

Bangkok – Too much to describe in few words

Bangkok is the perfect starting point for any backpacking trip in Thailand. Forget about flying down to Phuket or Koh Samui. Everybody should see Bangkok when they visit Thailand. It is such an important city in Southeast Asia, and such a fun place to be a tourist. The Khao San Road area is where most backpackers stay, and for sure where I would stay if I went there. But again: This is not where you go for the different adventure to explore the real Thai life. This is a tourist hole, but it is a fun one too. The street is a huge market full of amazing food, weird souvenirs, and all the little gadgets, clothes and accessories you will need for your trip. It is also a great place to go out for a beer and meet other backpackers. And when you’re fed up with tuk-tuks, temples, buddhas and smog; head south to the beaches!

Thailand’s Beaches and Islands

I will make this short: I spent time in Hua Hin (which I will recommend for retired people), Koh Tao and Railey Beach. Ironically I spent more than two weeks in Hua Hin, which honestly was not my favorite place in Thailand. Koh Tao on the other hand was a totally beautiful, tiny, paradise island. And it is THE place to go if you are into Scuba Diving, or considering to take Scuba lessons. They have tons of PADI courses, and the underwater scenery is basically unbeatable world class in every way. I don’t know what the island is like now, but five years ago it was not very developed at all, with very few cars and just one road connecting the two sides of the island. But it had a lot of small and inexpensive hostels on the beaches, and a lot of backpackers hanging out.

Railey Beach

Railey Beach was the place in Thailand that I have always wanted to return to. I was there before the tsunami which basically wiped out the whole peninsula, but I assume it has all been rebuilt at least as nice as it used to be. Railey beach had no cars, no motorcycles, no stress and no worries. And with the very special rock formations that seemingly just pop out of the ocean all around, it has such a different and beautiful landscape than other places I have ever been. So if you go there, this is what you have to do: lay on the beach, hang out in the beach bars, go rock climbing (!) and go kayaking. I would say you could easily kill two weeks like that without being bored once. At least I could.

During the two months in Thailand I went some other places as well, but they are not stuck as clearly in my memory. All I know is that I want to go back to Thailand one day. Just to relax and enjoy. And if you have been to Thailand, I would love to hear your stories and opinions, so leave a comment and share your experiences!