Off the Beaten Path – Thailand

It is remarkably easy to get “off the beaten track” in Thailand. The majority of the wonders to be seen in Thailand have become top tourist traps by default, so getting off the beaten path is an undertaking for a different kind of thrill: the experience of true Thai life, synced with the ebb and flow of the weather and the seasons. This makes exploring and experiencing the “unseen” Thailand a great opportunity to break from the hustle of 9-5 culture, and often to find more eco-friendly and fulfilling experiences.

Travel Without Translators
This seems pretty obvious, but what acts as a deterrent to most travelers is a fantastic guide to determining your level of adventure. Yes, it will mean you’ll need to learn a few key phrases, keep some key photos on your phone (you know, like a bathroom door), or perhaps have a pencil and paper handy for notes and drawings, but the only way to get properly remote and utterly off the beaten track is to cut yourself off from the world you are comfortable with.

This will not only help you accomplish your travel goals and facilitate that proper adventure, but it will also seriously help the local economy, which suffers in areas not immediately adjacent to key tourist destinations.

Go North(east)
Generally, the northern half of Thailand is the best place to leave the souvenir stalls behind and enter the true “land of smiles.” To start, here are some key regions to visit when planning your trip off the beaten path:

Isaan

This massive section of northeastern Thailand is home to a third of the native population, but only sees about 0.31% of the nation’s overall annual tourists. Sure, there are some key tourist hotspots in Isaan, but even those get routinely skipped over by the week- to week-and-a-half traveler starting in Bangkok.

Hit up the Mekong riverside in Sangkhom to do a little hammock lounging or you can go to Nakhon Phanom province to see the oldest temple in Thailand (That Phanom). Head to Loei province, at the northern tip of Isaan, to explore the peaceful river towns. Isaan has a great deal to offer, such as national parks, mountains and rivers. There are temples in this region, like the Wat Phu Tok mountain temple and Erawan shrine, ruins, and a near-endless sea of rice paddies.

The North

Northern Thailand is something of a hub for backpackers and visitors taking a long holiday. As the nexus between Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, Northern Thailand is a cultural blend of the three.

Backpackers gravitate to the North to lose themselves in the legendary trekking, so it’s a perfect place to get outdoors and carve your own path. The remote Nan province in particular, right at the Laos border, is a great place to explore between its three major towns and six national parks.

Follow The Coast
Thailand has 2,000 miles of coastline and 85-degree summer days. This becomes incredibly evident when traveling to any of the many heavily populated beaches. Follow the coast away from the crowds and you’ll discover the beaches that don’t make the “Top 10” lists, but wind up more beautiful in their isolation.

Explore The Islands
Thailand has a ton of islands, way more than we can list here. For example, the island group in Phang Nga Bay comprises 67. Some islands are big enough to house full resorts, while others (many of which are privately owned and readily and cheaply available for rent) are much smaller and have accommodations for only a few, but are as off-the-beaten-track as they are ideal getaways for a peaceful and remote stay.

Want some peace? Try spending a stint at a wat and explore the Buddhist culture of the country.'

Slow down. Stay awhile

Call Rawhide Travel and Tours and start planning that special vacation or event today. 602-843-5100 or visit our website rawhidetravel.com

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