[THAILAND] UNIQUE THAI LOCAL EXPERIENCE – The Million Shades of Thailand

With so many wonderful destinations and unique experiences, it is no surprise Thailand is a very popular destination in South East Asia. Thailand, “The land of smiles” has many attractions to offer for tourist from all around the world. Delicious street food, tropical islands, luxury modern shopping centers, historical site, countless Buddhist temples to name a few.

Last week, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) had launched the Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018 with a new concept of “Open to the New Shades of Thailand”. This concept will deepen the unique Thai local experience to a million shades of Thailand that give more depth to the presentation of Thailand’s tourism, and enhance the country’s image as a land of amazing diversity worth discovering further.

The next question is, what is ‘Open to the New Shades of Thailand? This concept reflects another kind of “Thainess”, which is the unique characteristic of the Thai people to welcome visitors from around the world. Simply said, it gives greater prominence to unique local experiences of Thailand on the world stage and also offers a new perspective on Thailand.

In this post, we’re going to share about the million shades of Thailand, or simply said, the unique characteristic and local experience that became the strength and major tourist attraction in Thailand that focused on gastronomy, nature/beach, arts and craft, culture, and the way of life.

Gastronomy

Thai food is arguably the one of the most popular Southeast Asian food in the world. It knowns for their festive sour, sweet, savory, and spicy flavors which always keep us craving for more, especially for their street food. Sometimes the characteristic of Thai cuisine is intricate yet delicate, tasty and delicious. Even sweet, salty, and sour sometimes in the same bite.

Here you will find famous names like Tam Yam Goong, Som Tam, Pad Thai, Gai Tod, and so much more. Honestly, to experience the Thai gastronomy, we prefer Thai street food rather than eating in the restaurant since you can find an array of scrumptious local and authentic food, drink, snack, and sweets at the roadside or alley almost in every corner of the city. Just try whatever you look delicious and surely it will satisfy your taste buds.

Nature / Beach

Thailand is a place filled with natural beauty. It’s no secret that Thailand hosts some breathtaking natural sights, both inland and at sea. While there are a lot of man-made attractions to see, some of the most beautiful things in the Thailand are natural, let say like Phi Phi Island, Khao Yai National Park, Pha Nga Bay, etc.

If you go to Thailand, make sure you stop by some of the national parks, crystal blue beaches, resort bungalows, or look from cheap to luxury hotels to stay on the nights to have some incredibly romantic retreats.

Arts and Craft

Traditional Thai art and craft range from paintings and musical instruments to beautiful silk, silverware, pottery, puppets, sculptures, wood and stone carvings, ceramics and much more. Traditional Thai sculpture almost exclusively depicts images of the Buddha while Traditional Thai paintings usually consist of book illustrations, and painted ornamentation of buildings such as palaces and temples.

Modern-day Thailand art and craft is a blend of ancient techniques and more contemporary methods that have seen the art and craft industry thrive, particularly with the rise in popularity of Thailand as a holiday destination. With such a unique and beautiful style, hand-crafted by locals who’s skills have been learned generation over generation, Thailand art and craft is a wonderful way to remember this wonderful country.

Culture

Thai culture is deeply influenced by religion. One of the most important influences on Thai culture has been Buddhism. Many of the traditions and beliefs of the people in Thailand stem directly from Buddhist principles. Hinduism has also made important contributions to Thai culture, and the close links between Thailand and India can be seen in art, literature, and in many Thai customs.

Your travels to Thailand would not be complete without visiting a few temples along the way. There are an estimated 40,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand with sharing influences with other Southeast Asian styles, is also unique. With many of its influences from countries like India, China, and Cambodia, and religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism, this melting pot offers a unique blend of stunning culture for us to enjoy.

IMG_0903 (2) — Wat Pho (The Temple of Reclining Buddha)

Buddhist temple in Charoen Krung Bangrak area, Bangkok

Way of Life

Thailand has a number of examples of lifestyles that have existed for centuries and continue to exist in the present day. The traditional way of life of rural Thais is to grow rice, vegetables, and fruits for their own consumption and a source of income. Nothing illustrates the Thai way of life better than the traditions surrounding the growing and harvesting of rice, where farmers assist their neighbors and work is joined with fun.

Another way of life that you can experience in Thailand is night market (or any market in general). Yes, night markets in Thailand are serious business. For the Thai people, that’s a way of life. It’s little wonder they are so popular as they include all of the Thai’s favorite activities: talking, shopping, and eating.

Personally, we love markets of all kinds and we’re happy to see that market was the place for both natives and foreigners alike. Composed of hundreds of stalls lining both sides of the street and spanning multiple city blocks, this is no small market. Even though there were thousands of items for sale.

A Million Reasons to Go

As the land of smile, Thailand has a real desire to please and truly want tourist from all around the world to immerse themselves totally in their culture so they can learn the art of “Thai-ness“. As we experienced, there is always something for everyone in Thailand and a million shades of Thailand means a million reasons to go to this beautiful country, that waiting to be explored.