The Thai Adventures of Rob B

Over many years of visiting Thailand as a tourist, I picked up plenty of titbits of information by talking to people from different parts of the country. I found out that Sukhothai was not dissimilar to Ayutthaya. That the best massaman curry comes from the south, and that strawberries are grown in the north. Something I learned on an early trip was that Lopburi was famous for its monkeys. I wanted to find out more.

One of the beauties of Thailand is that there are so many places offering a wide range of things to see and do. Whether you want culture, relaxation, nightlife, or tourist hotspots, there is something to suit everyone. Kanchanaburi attracts many visitors for its history and its connection to several Western countries.

Back in 2012, I visited Kanchanaburi for the first time, with an overnight stay in the city to visit the famous sights and appreciate its history, which was backed up a decade later after moving to Thailand. What I didn't realise was just how much more the province had to offer beyond the city. A stay near Mon Bridge would eventually prove that.

It’s always nice when friends back in the UK visit Thailand and get in touch wanting to meet up. While for many that means something as simple as a bar crawl in the nightlife areas of Sukhumvit Road, others want something a bit more. Like the pair who asked me to devise a tour to fill a few hours one Monday afternoon.

It is astonishing just how many attractions Thailand has to offer that even westerners living in the Land of Smiles never get to see. That was certainly true in my case. As a non-driver, I'd never have considered visiting Nakhon Nayok Province, despite it being less than two hours from Bangkok.

I was always confident that my decision to leave the UK and start again in Thailand was the right one, and I would make the most of everyday life. What I hadn't bargained for was falling in love and getting ready to move to the northeast of the country. Those were the facts as I got into the car with Taew in September 2022, who was taking me to her home village in rural Sisaket for the first time.

Thailand is blessed with many seaside destinations, many of which attract huge numbers of overseas visitors with hotels, bars and restaurants catering to their tastes. However, I was about to discover Bang Saen, an extremely popular resort among Thais that I'd only vaguely heard of, just an hour from Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Forever looking for interesting days out, Fah once again joined Steve and me for another foray into central Bangkok. While it would mean retracing some footsteps, there are always new places to see and learn about, especially when researching where the boats used in the famous Royal Barge Procession are kept.

It was time for another Thursday outing from Minburi with my mate Steve. We'd already enjoyed some fantastic adventures in central Bangkok, but this time I wanted to try something a little different. Could we enjoy a full day exploring the city, visiting museums, temples and travelling by public transport, all for under 300 baht each?

Since my first visit to Thailand in September 2004, I had passed through many places without really getting to know them, often on the way to somewhere else, usually on the way to somewhere else. Ratchaburi was one destination I always wanted to revisit, especially as it offered the chance to catch up with friends, arrive by train, and watch some football.

Back in April 2022, I’d settled into life seamlessly in Minburi, in the suburbs of Bangkok, over the previous four months. I’d found a condo that suited my budget, become familiar with the local markets and amenities, and discovered a welcoming bar and restaurant opposite the building .

You know you must be getting something right with your days out when others comment on how much fun you seem to have and say they would love to come along next time. That is exactly how Fah came to join Steve and me, meeting us at our usual songthaew drop-off point.

It is not unusual for visitors, whether Thai or from overseas, to head to the Grand Palace for a taste of Thai culture and history. Yet beyond its famous attractions, Bangkok's Old Town is packed with temples, museums, riverside walks and hidden corners that I've enjoyed discovering over the years.

While Thailand has many famous attractions and cities waiting to be visited, plenty of hidden gems go under the radar. Whether visitors have limited time or simply overlook them, many provincial destinations rarely make travel itineraries. With plenty of time on my hands and a desire to explore somewhere different, Nakhon Sawan and Uthai Thani seemed the perfect choice.

Chiang Mai has always held a special place in my heart. From my first visit in 2006, I returned every year until the pandemic brought international travel to a halt. A long weekend back in northern Thailand offered the chance to revisit old haunts, reconnect with friends, and see how much had changed.

It was becoming a bit of a regular arrangement since I had moved to Minburi in the eastern suburbs of Bangkok. My pal Steve and I would meet by the market on a Thursday morning and head out to discover parts of the city we'd never seen before. On this occasion, we would be travelling by train and boat, visiting museums and walking in places that very few tourists go.

My move from the UK to Thailand was going well. I found somewhere to live in the Bangkok suburb of Minburi, where I settled in easily, and was well on my way to sorting out my long-term visa and ensuring my work pension payments were being sorted from back home. Things were about to change in my personal life.

Despite visiting Bangkok at least once a year from 2004 until the pandemic, there were several places I never got round to seeing. Once I arrived to live in Thailand in December 2021, it was time to put that right, with Chinatown near the top of the list.

Moving to Thailand permanently was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Sorting out the visa wasn't quite so enjoyable. Looking back, I made a few mistakes that caused unnecessary stress, so here's how I navigated my first few years.