10 of the best Thailand travel experiences of 2020!

As the sun sets on another year, here’s a round-up of my most memorable Thailand travel moments as found on my Little Wandering Wren blog.

THAILAND & THE PANDEMIC

Did anyone’s year go as planned? No silly question! Having returned to Thailand for what was to be a brief interlude before trips to Europe and Australia, some volunteering at Glastonbury 2020, and a whole heap of tennis… I found myself marooned in Bangkok on account of my husband’s job. As it turned out, we were in one of the best places in the world to be stuck. In late March the Thai Government introduced an Emergency Decree, home working became the norm, we had a curfew and an alcohol ban.

THAI DOMESTIC TRAVEL

As we emerged in June to an easing of domestic travel, I had found my Raison d’être to become the Staycation Queen of Thailand, I write this from my 81st Staycation in Thailand in 2020 since  February.

My pandemic year gave me some fabulous opportunities never envisaged at the start of the year.  I was blessed to have the opportunity to get to know Thailand, the country of my residence, more intimately than I ever imagined.

Here is a summary of my best wow moments this year.

1. Best Historical Wow: Sukhothai

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‘It’s a golden opportunity to journey off the well-trodden tourist trail, and into the backyard of Thailand. Warm smiles from friendly locals plus unique sights, sounds, smells and experiences await you around every corner.‘ (Cycling Sukhothai)

Sukothai, which translates to Dawn of Happiness, was a 13th-century town which became the capital of the first truly independent Thai (Siamese) Kingdom after defeating the then Khmer Governor.

You can read more of our Weekend Wanders: Cycling Sukhothai here

2. Best Solo Travel Experiences

Thailand is fantastic and safe for solo travel. With the country devoid of International visitors and in desperate need of domestic tourism, I took the opportunity to venture out of my comfort zone and explore more on my own. I have loved it.

Best Trips for Solo Female Travel in Thailand can be found here.

3. Best Thailand Wellness Experience

You are not going to get any better than Kamalaya who was named Worldwide Heath and Wellness Destination of the Year at the World Spa & Wellness Awards 2020. This old bird is not surprised, she went twice and is plotting a third return.

More can be found at Kamalaya Wellness here

4. Best Bangkok Staycations

We have really enjoyed getting to know Bangkok through staycations. Our stays have been varied from the Ibis at Koh San Road to the height of luxury at The Peninsula Bangkok, Shangri -La, Chakrabongse Villas and the all-time best-ever our favourite The Siam, Bangkok.

Find out about these and more at Our Best Bangkok Staycations 2020 here.

The Siam Bangkok

5. Best flying moments

Whilst International travel was off the radar, our purchase of Air Asia’s Unlimited Pass gave us an incredible opportunity to fly domestically within Thailand – and fly we did.

You can read all about it here: 

6. Best Sporting moment – WTA Thailand Open 2020

They were lucky to play the WTA Thailand Open in 2020 – one of the very few tennis tournaments around the world that did take place as scheduled after the Australian Open. Thailand is keen to develop as a hub for international sports events and the True Arena at Hua Hin again put on a world-class hosting experience for professional women’s tennis.

You can read all about the Thailand Open at Anyone for Tennis here.

7. Best Artsy Wow: Wishulada 

Join me to discover more and admire Khun Wishulada Panthanuvong’s work as Artist in Residence at The Peninsula Bangkok. This exhibition entitled ‘A+waiting Materials’ was held from 21 February 2020 to 30 June 2020.

More on Artist in Residence found here

8. Best floral moment: Rakdok

This floral extravaganza ran over a number of weeks, in the rustic setting of a historic market place. Much of the decorations involve dried flowers. In How U Remind Me visitors sat inside an old wooden boat floating on a canal of purple statice flowers to imagine they are cruising back to a past era.

Wandering the Floral Fun at the Rakdok Floral Market more found here

9. Best Environmental Group at work: Trash Hero

As our travels broadened we began to see how nature and the environment had been impacted with 40 million less forecasted international visitors. Nature was winning back, the air was cleaner, the seas less polluted and roads had fewer traffic jams and the animals were taking over. We came across bats in our bedroom, bees in our bathroom and had more than one cheeky monkey encounter across the land!

In Koh Phi Phi we came across Trash Hero at work and who were struggling without their usual volunteers from the International community.

We have come across Trash Hero work on many occasions and have always been impressed.

Trash Hero is a global movement, run by volunteers. Their mission is to bring communities together to clean and prevent waste – and ultimately to create a world without trash. Founded in Thailand in 2013, we are now active in 170+ locations worldwide through a network of local chapters and country organisations.

We came across their work Trash Hero Koh Phi Phi here

10. Best Island escape

We have begun to get to know some of the many 1430 islands in Thailand a little better this year as we seek out more those famous best beaches in the world, but we have hardly made a start. Maybe this should be my target for 2021?

Having always loved Koh Samui, had a great time with friends in Phuket, been pleased to get to acquainted with Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Yai, Koh Yai Noi, I’m ending up with my best Island experience of 2020 as drumroll Anantara Rasananda at Koh Phangan.

You can read more about it here Twin Island Bliss

It was quite a year as it turns out! As always thanks so much for your continued support. Looking forward to showing you more of Thailand in 2021!

Hugs to you all!