Imagine turquoise waters lapping at pearly white sand, the scent of jasmine in the warm breeze, and ancient temples whispering tales of serenity. This isn’t a dream; Thailand, the Land of Smiles, beckoning you to reconnect with your body and soul.
As a first-time traveler to this beautiful country, I was excited to see if all I had heard about Thailand was true, if the temples were as magnificent as they looked, if the food was as delicious and weird as I had heard, and if it was possible to fall in love with Thailand without going to the islands. The short answer is yes. The long answer is below.
Long-lasting history
My first encounter with Thailand was in the ancient city of Ayutthaya. Just under two hours from Bangkok, I was taken back in time. The ancient city of Ayutthaya was Thailand’s capital until the late 1700s when the Burmese concurred and destroyed it. To my big and very pleasant surprise, I could try on a traditional Thai dress while walking on the ancient grounds of Wat Chaiwatthanaram. One of the over 30 kings who ruled in Ayutthaya, King Prasat Thong, built this temple to honor his mother. No wonder I felt like a true queen walking on these sacred grounds.
By the end of the 18th century, the Burmese attacked and destroyed Ayutthaya. The story tells of how they cut the body parts of Buddha statues in temples. If you visit Wat Mahathat, one of the oldest temples in Ayutthaya, you will find the famous Buddha head in tree roots. No one knows why and how the head of the Buddha appeared inside the tree.
However, Ayutthaya is not the only place that will enrich your mind with stories. On my journey around Bangkok, I stumbled upon the Pink Dragon temple in Sampran, Nakhon Pathom province and met the nuns and monks who lived there. I met an Australian monk, Garry, who had gone to the temple for several months after his wife’s “gentle” recommendation. I met a nun who didn’t speak a word of English but had the biggest smile I have ever seen, which made me truly believe she was happy. And I could leave blessing for my loved ones at the top of the temple while enjoying beautiful views.
Food – the Soul of a Nation
I was somewhat familiar with Thai cuisine, but don’t mistake medium-strong in Europe for medium-strong in Thailand. The food is delicious but strong, with a lot of fresh chilies. You have probably tasted the delicious Pad Thai, Som Tum, and green or red curry, which you will get in most hotels and restaurants in Thailand. But you can’t really get under the country’s skin before you have tasted the food locals eat at home.
I visited a local night market in Nakhon Pathom and had truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The place was full of people even though it was rainy season, and the sky looked like it would fall. I sat on the plastic chair by the plastic table and ate from a paper plate. I tasted chicken blood, lots of dishes with coconut, biff, egg pancakes, coconut pancakes, and so many more dishes I can’t tell you what they were. Some dishes I don’t want to taste again, some just had a weird consistency, while others were quite delicious.
But tasting the food that natives and locals eat will give you a deeper understanding of daily life in a country and give you more insights into the culture, and it is a must, in my opinion. These are the experiences you will remember and make for great stories.
While you are in Nakhon Pathom , you should also visit Thailand’s giant stupa, where Buddhism is supposed to have started.
Old traditions
Visiting any country without a deep dive into traditions and going at least slightly off the beaten path will be like reading an AI-written article without personal experience.
When you visit Bangkok, take a day off the bustling city and visit Bang Krachao – Bangkok´s green lungs. You can start with visiting the community of Bang Kor Bua, lies just outside the city, a short trip by ferry. You will instantly feel like you are in a jungle when you come here. There is such tranquility and peace, birds singing, and the sound of the flowing river. You might even see a giant lizard as I did.
Besides being a wonderful break from the concrete of a big city, Bang Kor Bua offers several traditional activities, such as fabric dying, making herbal medicine, kayak tours on the river, an introduction to different healthful greens, and more.
I attended a small workshop where I made my own herbal medicine the way they used to in this area. The old traditions, whether it is medicine or color dying, are based on using what nature around us provides. The herbs I had in my medicine grew around the area. And the difference in the herb medicine in neighboring communities is usually one special plant that only grows locally. This medicine is for external use and helps sore muscles and aches.
Did you know ginger calms nausea, dry shrimps strengthen your tendons, and raw chili helps digestion? They say that all the raw chili in food protects you from getting sick in your stomach.
But Thailand is not only about old traditions, food markets with chicken blood, and ancient cities. Beyond the picture-perfect beaches and vibrant culture, Thailand boasts a rich heritage of wellness practices passed down for generations. From world-famous Thai massages to soul-soothing meditation retreats, Thailand offers it all.
Luxury wellness outside Bangkok
So, picture yourself immersed in a luxurious spa overlooking lush green and calming surroundings or practicing yoga with the gentle rhythm of the flowing river as your soundtrack. Wellness retreats was my next stop on this journey.
I had never been on a luxury wellness trip and was excited to see what Thailand had to offer. After a long spring with a lot of work and traveling, I was looking forward to a week of me time. I would have never imagined that just an hour outside of Bangkok, I would find my paradise, where I could finally calm my mind and soften my sore from stress muscles.
RAKxa Integrative Wellness in Samut Prakan
Either you go on wellness retreat with your family and kids, husband or wife, or friends you will find wellness resort just perfect for you. Luxury high-end RAKxa Wellness resort in Samut Prakan welcomes adults only and is a true oasis. I was welcomed by the smiling staff, non-alcoholic drink and soothing sounds of bowls played by one of the staff members before I was taken to my villa. Here I was in total privacy surrounded by lush greens and birds singing. The villa was spacious and luxurious, and I would have no problem staying here for the whole week.
The concept here is simple – you know what you want, and they get you there. My stay at RAKxa wellness started with seeing two doctors – medical and holistic. We talked about my goals and areas I wanted to focus on, and they set up a program to reach my goals. My timetable was completely individual and if I wanted to change anything due to how my body felt that day, I had my own advisor I could contact on WhatsApp.
The resort is so large that you don’t see any other guests except for when you are having a meal at the restaurant. I felt at peace, calm and quiet but never lonely. The recommended Thai massage with oil made me relax, and stomach massage for my breathing mussel diaphragm allowed me to really start breathing again. The physiotherapy treatment with exercises and state of the art deep tissue treatment machine made me realize I had muscles in places I didn’t know. The day I left my muscles finally felt like muscles and not stones.
The food they serve is healthy and many of the herbs they use grow in resorts own garden. The delicious avocado toast and acai bowl in the shadows of lush green tropical plants was a good way to start the day.
The lunch and dinner menus are set and consist of 5 dishes, with bread and kombucha as extras. Let the staff know if you have any allergies or food intolerances. The resort serves no alcohol and no caffeine after 1 p.m. Between treatments, I enjoyed a smoothie by the most calming and relaxing pool.
RXV Wellness Village in Sam Phran, Nakorn Pathom– wellness for all
The RXV Wellness Village is a sister hotel of RAKxa Wellness and a retreat for all who need a healthy break. I started one of the days in the most wonderful way by doing yoga by the river before breakfast. You can enjoy breakfast from the menu on weekdays and buffet on weekends. Try one of their delicious smoothies.
Try calming but invigorating hydrotherapy, changing from hot pools with different temperatures and finishing in a +12C cold pool. Going from +40C to +12C will wake you up, trust me. Hydrotherapy is good for better circulation, decreased pain, stress relief, etc. If you prefer a massage, you can choose between different types. I had a lovely head and shoulder massage.
Enjoy the healing sound bowl therapy before dinner. The sounds were so soothing, relaxing, and beautiful that I fell asleep.
If you bring your kids here, they can attend yoga or Thai chi classes for kids while you get a massage before you meet by the pool outside.
On weekends, you can visit the Sukjai Farmers Market in the hotel area. Local farmers sell their organic products, and although you might not want to buy anything, such markets are extremely fun to explore. You will probably see a few things you didn’t know existed.
As my first time in Thailand ended, I was left with memories of the beautiful and smiling people I met. The desire to help you and the smiles seem so genuine and made this whole experience a thousand times more memorable. The ancient city of Ayutthaya left me in awe. The true local traditions and food experience gave me memories and stories I will never forget. The wellness retreats made me calm, relaxed, and longing for more. I am so grateful for the opportunity to experience old traditions, chat with a monk, and taste all the unknown food. Thailand, I will be back for sure!
Text and photo by Lena Eriksen, @travelletters
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