Thailand: Travel Guide

Beyond the postcards: like a second home

Probably what fascinates most about Thailand is the super relaxed atmosphere you breathe as soon as you step foot here. You sense that, even in the craziest places, there is always an underlying calm, an invitation to take it easy: Thais often say sabai sabai (take it easy, relax) or mai pen rai (never mind, it’s all good). I’m not entirely convinced by the cliché of the “Land of Smiles” because it’s a rather superficial generalization; however, I have seen in the people a way of living and facing the day that is infinitely more relaxed than ours.

This is one of the places where I have traveled and lived the most, and it is undoubtedly among the countries I know best in the world. It was my absolute first encounter with this part of the planet. I arrived by chance, simply because it was the destination with the cheapest plane ticket, but right from the start, it proved to be electrifying. I still remember my first impact: it was evening, but the incredible movement in the streets made it seem like the sun had never set.

I stayed, and then I returned countless times, exploring both the greener areas of the North and the bluer ones of the South. It is a country dotted with villages and towns with a slow, relaxed pace, yet with a vitality all their own—a decidedly more serene approach to life. Between jungle-covered mountains, golden temples, and islands lapped by crystal-clear waters, Thailand changes its face constantly, offering vastly different experiences within just a few hours of travel. Watching it slip by from the window of a bus or a train is a silent enchantment that shifts with every curve.

The Bangkok Universe

And then there’s Bangkok. A universe unto itself: eclectic, vibrant, so fascinating that I have never stopped exploring it, even after years. It can be pure madness, with truly wild nights, but it also knows how to surprise you by revealing pockets of peace—old, quiet wooden houses surrounded by palm trees, sleeping at the feet of giants made of steel and glass. One of my absolute favorite places is the Chao Phraya River, where I just love to sit and observe. A beer in hand at sunset, while the colors of the sky change and the relentless flow of life on the water begins to slow down.

Culture and Lightness

Thailand is famous for its beaches and Pad Thai, but beneath that touristy veneer lies a unique ecosystem of natural and cultural wealth. It is a fairly easy country to travel around and boasts some of the best food on the planet, especially if you are a fan of spicy flavors. Golden temples, delicately ornamented roofs, and serene statues speak of a profound aesthetic sensibility far removed from our own, while the city street food offers an almost infinite variety of captivating flavors.

Deep down, I believe people come here mainly because it makes you feel free. I’m not talking about the toxic freedom of doing whatever you want without respecting others and the local culture—something you unfortunately see too often—but of a much deeper freedom. It is as if the soul, all of a sudden, felt untethered from the burdens of everyday life, leaving room for a lightness that elsewhere seems almost forgotten.