ICBRKR GUIDE: THAILAND

"Thailand is a country of stunning beauty and endless wonder, where the spirituality of its people and the richness of its culture are reflected in every corner. Its ancient temples, bustling cities, and pristine beaches offer a glimpse into a world that is both serene and dynamic."
–Dalai Lama

Thailand is a land of contrasts, where the ancient meets the modern, the traditional meets the exotic, and the natural meets the urban.. From the lively streets of Bangkok to the lush jungles of Chiang Mai, and the pristine beaches of Phuket & Koh Samui, Thailand is a destination that offers a diverse range of experiences that will leave you mesmerized. It is one of the best countries for island hopping. Whether you're an art aficionado, a fellow foodie, a solo adventurer or just looking to relax and unwind; Thailand has something for everyone.

Facts about Thailand

Thailand is called The Land of Smiles because Thai people are known for their welcoming hospitality, kind nature, and the tendency to smile in almost any situation.
The population is just shy of 72 million with about 11 million concentrated in Bangkok.
It’s home to the world's largest gold Buddha, located in Bangkok.
It is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized by a European country.
Pad Thai was created in the 1930s as a way to promote nationalism and unify the country under a single dish.
It has over 1,400 islands.
The national symbol is the elephant.
It is considered impolite to touch someone's head, as it is considered the most sacred part of the body.
Thailand has the largest population of Buddhists in the world, with over 90% of the population practicing Buddhism.

WHEN TO VISIT

The most pleasant weather occurs between November and February.
Koh Samui has its own rainy season between October and December so January to April is the best time for a visit there.
Two great festivals to visit for are:
Loy Krathong - a floating lantern festival with the biggest celebration occurring in Chiang Mai, usually in November
Songkran - Thai New Year on April 13 celebrated with a country-wide water fight, where people splash water on each other to wash away bad luck and to welcome the new year.

INSIDER TIPS

If you’re staying by a beach, rent a scooter or hire a driver (pretty reasonable day rate) to get around. If you’re staying in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, public transportation is great.
There is no Uber in Thailand - use Grab (All Southeast Asian countries uses Grab) instead. It works just the same.
Tuk Tuks are a fun, fast way to get around but be prepared to haggle and agree on a price before you get in as they tend to charge tourists high rates.
Make sure to cover your shoulders and knees when visiting temples (wats).
Also expect to take your shoes off when entering temples, homes and some businesses. Thai people traditionally eat food on the floor so it is important to keep the floors clean.
There are many elephant ‘sanctuaries’ claiming to treat their elephants ethically but not all are what they seem. Elephant riding is not considered ethical tourism - visit a trusted sanctuary instead.
The king of Thailand is treated like a god. It is very important in Thai culture to respect the royal family.
There is amazing street food everywhere – don’t be afraid to try it!

BANGKOK

For the bustle city life and Thai culinary experience

WHAT NOT TO MISS

FOR SITE-SEEING

*Use ferry to travel across to visit different temples. The traffic in Bangkok is pretty bad.

Wat Pho
Grand Palace
Chinatown
Pak Khlong Talat (flower market)
Chatuchak Weekend Market (be prepared to spend at least a half day here for shopping & eating)
Wat Arun
Wat Prayoon

FOR ARTS & CULTURE

Jim Thompson House Museum
Bangkok CityCity
Gallery Ver

Bangkok Art & Culture Center
Warehouse 30
The Jam Factory
100 Tonson Foundation
The Old Siam Plaza (you can buy traditional Thai silk here)

WHERE TO STAY

To splurge and relax - Capella Bangkok

For the vibe - Standard Hotel

For colonial style - Mandarin Oriental

For the comfort - Sukhothai Bangkok

For the budget - Luxx XL

WHERE TO EAT

TOP 3

Rongros

For excellent casual Thai

Baan Suriyasai

For formal Thai food in a colonial building

Plu

For varieties of Thai

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

Sri Trat (Top 50 restaurants in the world)
Baan Tepa (For next level Thai culinary experience)
Sushi Masato (if you want really good sushi)
Err Urban Rustic Thai
Eathai at Central Embassy
Krua Phon Lamai
Bangkok Bold Kitchen
BKK Social Club
80/20
Street food
Chinatown street food market on Yaowarat Road (every night from sundown until ~midnight)
Pa Tong Go Savoey (Michelin-recommended dessert cart)
Raan Jay Fai (street food with 1 Michelin Star)
Fah Fried Chicken (street cart)
Hua Seng Hong Restaurant (dim sum)
Chatuchak Weekend Market
Cafes
Wallflowers
Kaisen
WWA Cafe x Chooseless
The Commons (cafe)
Veganerie (Healthy and vegan)
Toby’s (cafe and lunch)

WHERE TO PLAY

CLUBS

Singsing
Culture Cafe
De Commune

BARS

In Old-Town

Tep Bar
Tropic City
Ba Hao
Asia Today
Teens of Thailand
Ku Bar

In Sukhumvit/Central

J.Boroski
Iron Fairies
Sugar Ray, You’ve Just Been Poisioned
Q&A Bar
Thaipioka
Maggie Choo’s
Liberation
Cactus
Crimson Room
Small Bar