Visiting Thailand presents an array of diverse, fascinating options, from lush jungle sojourns to immersion into Buddhism and other venerable aspects of Thai culture. However, most tourists only see the surface aspects of Thailand: go-go girls, beach resorts, shopping malls. It takes persistence and pluck to get behind that plastic facade. I completed two independent tours of Thailand, a motorcycle journey through the northeast, and a hitchhiking trek through the south just a few months ago. Here is a summary of lessons I learned about wandering off the beaten track in Thailand.
Most tourists stick to buses or planes to get around Thailand. Air Asia has excellent deals in Thailand. Planes and buses are fine if you’re on a tight schedule and don’t want the hassle of being creative or interacting with locals. However, if you want to get off the beaten path, one of the easiest ways is to try a different method of transportation.
Train
