Thailand has a way of pulling you in and not letting go. What started as a few weeks turned into four months of adventures I never planned.
Coming from Bali, I thought Thailand would feel similar.
I was wrong.
Thailand is chaos and calm wrapped into one. Bustling cities, quiet temples, mountains in the north, islands in the south.
Here’s what four months across Thailand looked like.
Jump to any part:
Bangkok
Started in the capital. Bangkok never sleeps.
From a rooftop bar, the skyline stretches forever.
Different angle, same impressive view.
Made some feathered friends at a bird cafe.
And this duck who was surprisingly chill about being held.
One of Bangkok’s weirdest spots: the airplane graveyard night market.
Yes, that’s a full 747 with food stalls underneath
Chiang Mai
Headed north to Chiang Mai, where the air is cooler and the pace is slower.
Found this massive straw sculpture park with giant animals made entirely from dried grass and bamboo.
Had to get a selfie with this guy.
The detail on these sculptures was incredible
Chasing Waterfalls in Doi Inthanon
Doi Inthanon National Park has some of the most powerful waterfalls I’ve seen.
Wachirathan Falls hit different. The mist alone will soak you from twenty meters away.
Standing there watching thousands of liters of water crash down every second.
Elephant Sanctuary
This was the highlight of the entire trip.
Spent a day at an ethical elephant sanctuary where rescued elephants live freely.
Getting this close to such intelligent creatures changes you.
No riding, no tricks. Just feeding, walking, and observing these gentle giants
Feeding them was an experience. They’re incredibly gentle when taking food from your hands.
Watched a family group head down to the river to cool off.
Helped give them a mud bath. They love it, and honestly, so did I.
Standing next to an elephant puts everything in perspective.
Hua Hin
Headed south to Hua Hin. Thailand’s countryside is peaceful in a way cities can never be.
Visited a farm where sheep basically demanded to be fed.
These views though. Mountains, open fields, and nothing but time.
Phuket
Phuket was all about training and exploring.
Can’t come to Thailand without training Muay Thai. Joined a local gym and got my ass kicked by guys half my size.
The Rattachai family gym. Humbling and amazing
Found natural hot springs hidden in the jungle.
Spent a morning at Samet Nangshe viewpoint watching the sunrise over Phang Nga Bay.
Those limestone karsts rising from the water are something out of a dream
Pattaya
Quick stop in Pattaya to see something unique.
Flew the drone over Khao Chi Chan, the massive Buddha carved into the mountainside.
The gold outline is laser-etched and filled with real gold. It’s 130 meters tall.
This colorful guy on a palm tree.
Krabi
Saved the best region for last. Krabi province is adventure central.
The roads wind through dramatic karst formations.
Rented a motorbike and just drove. No plan, just roads.
Explored caves with forests growing inside them.
Kayaked through mangroves and limestone channels.
Walked through local villages where life moves at its own pace.
Empty roads lined with palm trees and mountains.
This absolute unit of a monitor lizard casually strolling across a crowded beach.
People just moved out of its way. It didn’t care at all
Railay Beach
Railay is only accessible by boat, which keeps it relatively unspoiled.
Found a cave overlooking the beach.
The view from Tiger Cave Temple after climbing 1,260 steps.
Phi Phi Islands
Phi Phi’s waters are that impossible turquoise you see in photos but don’t believe is real.
It’s real.
From above, you can see why this place is famous.
The limestone cliffs dropping into crystal clear water
Four months in Thailand and I barely scratched the surface.
The country has everything: mountains, beaches, cities, jungles, incredible food, and people who genuinely want you to enjoy their home.
Will I be back? Definitely.