Thailand

Sawadee ka!

With white sandy beaches, exotic animals, delicious food, and the most amazing landscapes you could ever dream of, Thailand truly does have it all. Be prepared to meet some amazing people, try new things, and get addicted to Thai food (maybe that last one was just me). Two words to describe the Thai summer: hot and humid. Hot? Good. Humid? Not for this Californian. Finding the balance between the conservative Thai culture and not getting heat stroke is a tricky thing. Lucky for you I've got it all figured out.

Let's get that baggage packed!

Fisherman's pants are the staple to every Thai wardrobe. They are one size fits all, so go ahead and buy one for everyone on your list - no need to worry about it fitting. To keep it from pooling at your ankles, be sure to tie it correctly (illustrated above).

At most markets you can find an abundance of wooden elephants, inappropriate t-shirts, and the highly sought after Harem-style pants. They come in a wide variety of patterns all in fabulous colors. Made of the most amazing fabric, they are extremely lightweight and are perfect for the humid Thai summer. And did I mention they are only $6? Make sure to stock up and bring me back a pair.

Hill Tribes

Monki Top, H&M Sports Bra, FILA SPORT Shorts, ASICS Running Shoe, MCQ Scarf, CamelBak Backpack

The rural areas house some of the most beautiful landscapes and also some large critters. Staying in bungalows is a typical accommodation for the hills and offer an escape from the chaos of the cities; however, don't be surprised if you find a large spider, or lizard, or moth, or well, you'll find out for yourself. The diverse countryside offers a wide variety of outdoor activities: rock climbing, river rafting, hiking, and swimming just to name a few. In major touristy locations like Railay Beach and Maya Bay, the typical bikini is acceptable. However, when you reach the rural areas, you should dress much more conservatively - even while swimming. Rash guards and boardshorts are an easy solution and in general avoid short-shorts, low shirts, and overly-tight clothing.

The typical outfit is something easy to move in and something you don't mind getting dirty. Bandannas are excellent accessories that can be used as headbands, towels, or scarves. Hiking at higher altitudes is already exhausting, but add in heat and humidity and you're going to need plenty of water. CamelBak backpacks give you a place to store your camera, sunscreen, and bug spray along with a built-in, hands free water bottle. Steep hike up the side of a mountain sounds daunting, but the views are 100% worth it.



Chiang Mai

Photo: Justin NG

Tops (left to right): Slub Knit Top, Relaxed Pocket Tee, Cuffed Sleeve Top, V-Neck Tee

 

Bottoms (left to right): Roxy, BDG, BDG, Roxy

Bottoms (left to right): Maison Scotch, Free People, Free People, FP One

 

Chiang Mai is home of fantastic night bazaars, great shopping, and the annual festival of lanterns. It's the tamer Bangkok and for that reason many people prefer it. There are fantastic restaurants, tea houses, and of course Buddhist temples. The temples are extremely beautiful with each one seeming more ornate than the last. When visiting, you should cover your shoulders and knees as a sign of respect. Maxi skirts are a easy, breezy way to look chic and appropriate.

 

Basic tees are going to be your best friend. They are lightweight, go with everything, and Forever 21 offers a wide variety for less than $10. The majority of transportation available leaves you exposed to the elements (ie. sitting in the back of a pickup truck with 10 other people), so you won't feel guilty getting a $6.80 shirt dirty.

 





Shoes (left to right): Rainbow, Superga, Sam Edelman, Nine West, Stuart Weitzman

 

Along with a sturdy pair of running shoes, these are the only shoes you'll need to bring. Flip-flops - the older, the better - in the rural areas you're going to need them to take bucket showers. A comfortable, yet cute, pair of sneakers for long days of exploring. Low heeled sandals which are fashionable but practical. Leave the larger wedges for shorter excursions out to dinner or drinks, just be careful climbing out of the tuk tuks.

 

Railay Beach

Dresses (left to right): Roxy, Staring At Stars, Ecote, H&M

If you're looking for some serious paradise, look no further. Ever seen the movie The Beach starring Mr. Leo DiCaprio? The place they filmed that picturesque beach is actually real! It's Maya Bay and by far the most touristy place around. When you go be prepared to see a lot of trash that gets washed up in the cove and a lot of speedos. However, even with all the plastic and spandex the beauty of the beach is undeniable. Back on the mainland, Railay Beach is another tourist hotspot, but doesn't get too crowded since there is so much to do out at sea like snorkeling, scuba diving, and kayaking. Also because there are more tourists and because it is a beach city, this is the place to break out those tank tops.

There is a wonderful strip of shops that has fantastic restaurants and even a boxing ring. Make sure to stop at The Last Bar, which so happens to be the last bar of the street. Start with dinner, they have the most delicious Indian cuisine imaginable (hello naan bread!) then grab a couple drinks at their happy hour. Then promptly at 10 every night the owner and his friends perform a fire show (above), right after the show he moves to the DJ booth and the dancing begins. So put on those fabulous dancing shoes and get your groove on!

Happy Travels!

MG