​One of the best things about visiting any location is learning about the culture and the local people’s way of life. It is fascinating to discover what makes each and every country unique. Thailand is a place that is well known for having lots of character, intriguing culture and a vibrant ambience. This blog post will provide you with all of the information you need to know regarding Thai customs and etiquette. So, keep on reading to find out more.

It’s interesting how, over time, your memory of an experience can change and you remember things differently.  An example of this was my visit to a Ping Pong show in the Patpong district of the night market Bangkok – the infamous “entertainment” show where ladies perform “tricks” from their nether regions!

Tourism in this Thailand red light district area drives the economy, and is a lucrative income for everyone involved. It is estimated that the Thai Sex Industry is worth 260 BILLION Baht (over US $8 million/GBP £6 million).

In 2004 the area was decreed an official “entertainment zone” by the government, and venues stay open until 2am. If it’s officially classed as “entertainment” it can’t be bad or immoral, right? Prostitution in Thailand is illegal so surely there’s no harm in a ping pong show?

If the delectable Bradley Cooper can hang out here in “The Hangover 2”, it’s got to be good for grins. There is even a “Bangkok Hangover Tour” which takes you to the nightlife areas experienced in the movie, including Patpong, so how wrong can it be?

What were my thoughts, as a liberal thinking woman, whilst watching a controversial tourist show?

I absolutely loved Chiang Rai. Out of all the places I visited in Thailand, this was my favourite. A mountainous region with less tourists than other parts of Thailand and a laid-back vibe, I found the locals to be friendlier and more genuine than in other parts of the country. I’m not saying they weren’t friendly elsewhere in Thailand, I just found locals to be … well … really friendly!

Chiang Rai is often overlooked, and tends to be a place used as a stopover for Thailand to Laos or Myanmar border crossings. If you take the time to stay here, you will find it has so much more to offer than a city to just breeze through.
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Apart from the people, why else did I love Chiang Rai? Let us show you why you should visit Chiang Rai.

Thailand has some stunning Temples, but have you considered doing a Temple Tour of Chiang Rai? Some of Thailand's must-see Temples are in Chiang Rai, and the architecture is breath taking. We were captivated by their unique style.

The White Temple and the Blue Temple are two of the best temples in Chiang Rai, and should be on your list of things to do in north Thailand. Steeped in history, did you know that for a brief period of time, Chiang Rai was once the capital of Northern Thailand?

A few of Chiang Rai's temples are new and still under construction, but others are old and hold a huge amount of historical significance, including the original home to Thailand’s most highly revered Buddha image, the Jade Buddha now housed in the Grand Palace of Bangkok.

Feet Do Travel take you on a temple-tastic self guided tour of Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Chiang Mai is the most culturally significant City in Northern Thailand. Quieter than Bangkok, it is full of Thai history, friendly locals, rich in culture, and of course there is delicious Thai food. There are many things to do in Chiang Mai including a temple tour around the Old City, the must see Doi Suthep is one of Thailand’s best temples, and the holiest.

A mountainous region with all the conveniences of a City, people travel to Chiang Mai for a change of pace, and for Songkran, which sees the population double during this 5-day festival in April. Songkran was the reason we visited, and although we did the usual tourist activities, we also did a few unique and different things whilst in Chiang Mai.

So, as the famous Thai saying goes, this post is “same-same but different”. This is my Chiang Mai – 10 awesome things to do in north Thailand.

With over 300 temples in Chiang Mai, it feels there is a wat around every corner. No other province in Thailand has as many temples as Chiang Mai, so how do you choose which one to visit?

With a mixture of old temples, cultural temples, temples of huge historical importance, it is easy to see how Chiang Mai was once the capital of Thailand. The myths surrounding their origins are fascinating, and we doesn't love a gold Buddha statue or two.

An Old City Temple Tour is where you will see the majority of temples, but if you make time to visit Doi Suthep, you will not be disappointed.

Feet Do Travel share what we consider to be the best temples to visit in Chiang Mai.

I love animals, it’s as simple as that. Just like most animal lovers, I enjoy close up animal encounters, however in the tourist industry, this isn’t always in the animal’s best interest.
 
Elephants are a classic example. Finding a true ethical elephant sanctuary in Thailand isn’t as easy as you would think. We wanted no riding, no bathing, no mud baths, and all did at least one of these.

During the four months I spent touring Africa, I encountered many elephants in their natural habitat. Aything less than seeing these beautiful, intelligent, high spirited animals roaming free saddens me. 

Everyone knows that elephant tourism in places like Thailand, India, Sri Lanka and even Bali means these gentle giants have suffered for the pleasure of humans. How on earth was I able to get a close-up experience with them, knowing they were not “performing”?

Volunteering was a great place to start, but which out of the plethora of sanctuaries would I choose when I was visiting Thailand?

Elephant Valley Thailand was the one for me!

Have you ever visited a Buddhist country and seen Buddhist monks walking around wearing their distinctive orange robes? Do questions ever pop into your head? Do you wonder what their lives are like, what their daily routine is and if they miss anything?

I have asked myself these questions, so when we were in Chiang Mai, Thailand we  discovered Monk Chat. I knew this would be my chance to ask them questions, and find out more about their lives. Monk Chat is the perfect unique and unusual thing to do in Chiang Mai.

We were told we would have about an hour with the monks, but would we be able to fill the time with our questions or would there be periods of awkward silence? Would they be able to understand our English language and accents? I had questions about my questions …

I guess it’s time to find out!

Feet Do Travel share Monk Chat: an interview with a Buddhist Monk in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Thailand is a magical destination with many unique attractions that you cannot find anywhere else in the world. One of the most popular attractions are the floating markets. You may have seen these markets in movies, or pictures on Instagram, but to truly appreciate their beauty and uniqueness, you need to visit a floating market.

If you are going to Thailand and visiting the floating markets, it's a good idea to book a tour, so it's worth checking out a company such as TakeMeTour. Each tour is tailored to give you the most authentic local experience,  which is what a trip to the floating market is all about! 

Are you unsure which ones to visit? Let Feet Do Travel be your guide as we share the 6 best floating markets to visit in Thailand.

When you were a child, if you loved having water fights in the street with your friends, then Songkran Festival is definitely for you!

​If any festival is going to regress you back to a time when life was care free and you could run around soaking one another, head to Chiang Mai Thailand for the world’s largest water fight. It is hilarious!

Feet Do Travel braved Songkran and share their soaking experience with you!