“It was like discovering a color I never knew existed before. A whole new crayon box full of colors.” – Anthony Bourdain on Thailand
The Thailand Hype
It took me until the ripe age of thirty to finally make it over to Southeast Asia and explore a country that has been recommended to me for what feels like forever: Thailand!
While I’m not arrogant enough to think I’m any kind of expert after spending a little over two months travelling around, I can now confidently say that I get it, and the hype is entirely justified.
Allow me to break down why I think so many of us are obsessed with Thailand.
Your Money Goes Further
I don’t love it when visitors describe Thailand as ‘cheap’. The country’s affordability (particularly from a Western visitor’s perspective) stems from a lower cost of living for Thai people, which naturally affects prices for food, accommodation, and services.
That said, for those of us visiting from higher-income countries, money simply goes further here than back home, especially if you embrace and adopt a more local lifestyle. It’s far more affordable to live day to day in Thailand than in the UK, particularly in the current economic climate, where the cost of living is out of control.
The Tropical Climate
Escaping most of the UK winter while backpacking through Thailand during the peak of the dry season with average daily temperatures around 30°C (often much higher!) and virtually zero rainfall, has been a dream.
And yes, it is very hot, and you’ll often feel sweaty, sticky, and maybe a little sunburnt, but it’s been bloody lovely not to catch a cold, layer up, or lug an umbrella around all day like I would back home throughout spring.
The sunshine and vitamin D have worked wonders for my mood and my skin. You can almost guarantee that when you draw your curtains every day, the sun will beam through, welcoming you to seize the day.
The Flora And Fauna
The tropics are, quite simply, beautiful.
Even in the dry season, Thailand is lush and green, with stunning flora and fauna everywhere you look. The wildlife here is endlessly fascinating, from butterflies and lizards to monkeys, wild elephants, and countless other creatures. It’s a natural playground that appeals to both kids and adults alike.
The Food Is Second To None
From Pad Kra Pao Moo (Thai basil pork) and Som Tam (spicy papaya salad), to Gaeng Keow Wan Gai (green curry) and Gai Pad Med Ma Muang (stir-fried cashew nut chicken), Thai food is chef’s kiss!
It’s spicy, sweet, sour, salty, bitter — perfectly balanced and bursting with flavour. Dishes are typically well-portioned and made with fresh, seasonal, locally grown ingredients. In my opinion, Thai cuisine is among the best in the world and one of the absolute joys of visiting the country.
And the best part? Food is EVERYWHERE. Because food plays such a central role in Thai culture, incredible dishes can be found in the most unassuming places. Some of my best meals have been from a small setup outside someone’s home, where they cooked their single speciality fresh in one wok.
A special shout-out also goes to the late-night 7-Eleven snacks, bustling night markets, and quirky roadside stalls. You will eat very well here!
Thai People Are Incredible Hosts
I’ve travelled a fair bit in my life and have always believed that most people are good and kind, but Thai hospitality still managed to surprise and impress me.
Thai people are, quite simply, some of the nicest I’ve met.
From strangers offering to help pay for our songthaew fare when we didn’t have enough change, to homestay hosts leaving us little local sweet treats to sample, to farmers handing us fresh lychees, I could go on and on about the beautiful interactions I’ve experienced here.
People are warm, generous, and genuine. There’s nothing more to say — I absolutely adore them.
It’s Not Overrun With Tourists (If You Choose Where To Stay Wisely)
The pandemic hit Thailand’s tourism industry pretty hard, and you can still see traces of that in some areas. Bars and restaurants are often quiet (this is particularly true in Koh Samui, for example) and hotel rooms can still be found at prices well below their pre-pandemic rates.
According to Reuters, Thailand welcomed nearly 40 million foreign tourists in 2019, before numbers fell sharply during the pandemic to around 11 million in 2022. Visitor counts have since rebounded, reaching approximately 35 million in 2024, almost back to pre-COVID levels, making now as good a time as ever to visit.
While popular destinations like Krabi and the islands remain busy, choosing to stay in the next town along, or a hotel a little off the beaten track, can reward you with a much more authentic and peaceful Thai experience. Despite its global popularity, there are still countless hidden gems waiting to be discovered here.
A Balance Between Traditional And Modern Living
One of the things Thailand does best is maintaining a perfect balance between embracing modernisation and preserving its rich cultural identity.
The country has everything a contemporary traveller could possibly want — convenience, connectivity, comfort — yet it never loses sight of its heritage and roots. You’ll see this beautiful harmony everywhere, from architecture and cuisine to dress, religion, and daily customs.
It’s a truly unique travel experience.
There’s Something For Everyone
If you like beaches, Thailand has some of the best.
If you love nature, it’s abundant.
If you’re a foodie, you’ll never go hungry.
If you’re not, you’ll still be well catered for.
If you’re adventurous, land and water activities await.
If you just want to chill by the pool or pamper yourself, that’s totally fine too.
No matter your age or interests, there’s something for everyone here. It’s the sort of destination I could easily recommend to anyone, and then tailor where they should go based on what they love.
Having worked our way up from Phuket all the way to Chiang Rai, revisiting some of our favourite spots along the way, we’ve experienced busy cities, sleepy towns, and remote villages. Each has its own charm and quirks, and we even stumbled across places I’ve yet to read about in any major travel blog.
It just goes to show: there’s still so much of Thailand that hasn’t yet made it onto the tourist map.
So, to answer my own question: why is everyone so obsessed with Thailand?
The real question is: how could anyone not be?
Until next time,
Lica xoxo
