The Thai Adventures of Rob B

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.