IN KEEPING WITH TRADITION

#CULTURE #TRADITION

All the must-dos in the ‘Land of Smiles’ for a serious culture fix. By Julie Miller

ROM ITS SPICY CUISINE to the delicate steps of traditional dance, the culture of Thailand intrigues F with its colours, tastes and history. Whether exploring independently or in a group, these cultural attractions are ripe for discovery, with many experiences led by passionate locals offering infinite insights into the Thai way of life. Here’s a selection of ways and places where you can experience this rich cultural landscape. VISIT CHIANG RAI’S WHITE TEMPLE A work in progress, Wat Rong Khun is no ordinary temple: stark white, its elaborately carved exterior is the creation of Thai visual artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who opened it to visitors in 1997. The bizarre details of the temple, from a pit of disembodied reaching hands to superhero gargoyles, encourage visitors to reflect on Buddhist teachings and escape from worldly temptations.

STROLL THROUGH OLD PHUKET TOWN Before it became a tourism destination, Phuket once boasted a prosperous tin mining industry. Phuket Town, the island’s historic capital, is beautiful, with restored Sino-Portuguese shophouses painted in pastel colours and an impressive street art scene breathing new life into the old town. If you’re visiting on a Sunday evening, be sure to check out the amazing Phuket Walking Street market along Thalang Road. RIVER CRUISE TO AYUTTHAYA A visit to the ruins of the former Siam capital of Ayutthaya is a must for history buffs, with the UNESCO World Heritage Site an evocative testament to Thailand’s long and fascinating past. In keeping with the spirit of a bygone era, travel from Bangkok to the historic location on a converted rice barge with Loy Pela Voyages, luxuriating in teak and mahogany staterooms as you soak up everyday life along the Chao Phraya River.

OPENING SPREAD: Akha hilltribe children in Doi Sa Ngo, in Thailand’s Golden Triangle THIS

SPREAD, CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Ancient Siam capital Ayutthaya; Chiang Mai Night Markets; street art in Phuket Town; Phuket Town © Shutterstock/ Efimova Anna. All other images © Tourism Authority of Thailand

EXPLORE CHIANG MAI BY BIKE AT NIGHT With its illuminated temples, street food and colourful markets, the charming city of Chiang Mai comes alive after dark, making this a great time to explore in cooler climes. For a visit with a difference, jump on a bicycle and pedal your way around the walled old city on a Grasshopper Adventures tour led by a local guide, visiting the famous Tha Phae Gate, the Three Kings Monument and the Wat Lok Molee temple, and sampling street food along the way.

LEARN THE ART OF MUAY THAI BOXING Professional matches of the national sport of Muay Thai are held in stadiums around the country, while many resorts offer classes in the sport. Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas offers complete immersion during a three-day challenge, while The Siam Hotel in Bangkok features the first professionallyequipped luxury muay Thai facility in the city with multi-day training courses. MASSAGE AT BANGKOK’S WAT PHO For an unforgettable experience in Bangkok, hop on an express ferry down the Chao Phraya River to visit Wat Pho, an ancient Buddhist temple housing a 46-metrelong and 15-metre-high reclining Buddha, covered in gold leaf. After admiring this incredible relic, enjoy a traditional Thai massage at the adjoining massage school, the first centre of higher learning in Thailand.

Get an authentic taste of Bangkok on a Midnight Tuk Tuk Tour.

MIDNIGHT TUK TUK TOUR OF BANGKOK Three-wheeled tuk-tuks are Bangkok’s most well-known form of public transportation and still one of the best ways to explore the city. This is especially so at night, when many landmarks are at their most spectacular, such as Wat Arun, which sits on the banks of the Chao Praya River, lit up so that every gold stupa glows and reflects in the water. Bangkok Food Tours offer a fantastic Midnight Tuk Tuk Tour, giving visitors a taste of Bangkok at night with a mix of sightseeing and tasting treats at local food haunts.

LEFT: Muay Thai masters demonstrate their art © Tourism Authority of Thailand BELOW: Tuk-tuks are a great way to get around Bangkok © Unsplash/Florian Wehde

RIGHT, FROM TOP: Water droplet icon © Mada Creative Project; water fight at Songkran © Shutterstock/ Waraphorn Aphai; Loi Krathong © Shutterstock/ Elizaveta Galitckaia ICON: Mada Creative/ Noun Project

WATER: THE HEART OF THAI FESTIVALS

Thailand developed as a nation along the banks of its mighty rivers. For centuries, the Kingdom’s waterways have provided Thai people with their staple foods of rice and fish, so it’s little wonder that most local ceremonies and traditions are water-based.

SONGKRAN The country’s most important and wettest public holiday, Thailand’s New Year festival is held between 13-15 April, when the country explodes in a riotous water battle.

LOI KRATHONG Later in the year, Loi Krathong is an event marking the end of the rice harvest, giving thanks to the Goddess of Water for a year’s worth of her abundant supply.