Morris Murdock Escorted Tours

My daughter and I had been planning a journey through Thailand since she was 13. Finally, in May 2025—nine years later during an off-season between hot and rainy periods—we made it happen. The quieter time meant fewer crowds and stunning peaceful scenery. Thailand’s breathtaking landscapes, rich culture, and warm hospitality made it an unforgettable destination.

Bangkok

Bangkok, Thailand’s bustling capitol, is filled with unique cultural experiences for any traveler looking to get a taste of Southeast Asia. At Damnoen Saduak floating market, we rode a long boat through the canal network, experiencing local culture firsthand. Once a hub for locals selling meat and produce, it’s now a popular tourist attraction.

Just north of Bangkok lies Ayutthaya, a UNESCO heritage site of the ancient capital of Siam, destroyed in the Siamese Burmese war in 1767. While primarily in ruins now, this destination opened our eyes to the deep history that lies within the region, something we were relatively unaware of.

The Royal Palace in Bangkok is a must-see on a journey through Thailand, with its stunning gold towers and shimmering glass—truly breathtaking. An unexpected highlight was the Queen Sikrit Museum, offering a cool escape and showcasing the Queen Mother’s personal clothing collection from the 1960s to today. In the city center, Wat Arun’s towering ceramic mosaics are mesmerizing, while Wat Pho houses the massive reclining gold Buddha. We wrapped up Bangkok with a Tuk Tuk food tour, which was a highlight and highly recommended for anyone visiting Thailand.

Chiang Rai

Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand is unique. The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) designed by a regional architect boasts an all-white exterior with reflective glass to give a shimmering effect when struck by the sunlight. While technically a temple, the White Temple was distinctly different from the temples we had seen on our journey through Thailand in Bangkok. This temple is known for its intricate designs and unexpected interior murals that include Western pop culture references. The Blue Temple is similarly built by a student of the creator of the White Temple and is slightly less unnerving. The Blue Temple has fewer pop culture references and more Buddhist symbolism.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai quickly became my favorite city on the journey through Thailand. We floated down the Mae Wang River on a bamboo raft with a local guide, taking in lush jungle scenery and even spotting elephants along the way. Visiting the Blue Mao Elephant Sanctuary was a truly unforgettable experience. Since it was the low season, it was just us and the elephants as they walked to a nearby waterfall. We hiked through the jungle together, watched them munch on leaves and branches, and saw them enjoy a refreshing bath. Walking side by side with these incredible animals was a highlight we’ll never forget.

Along with our adventures along the Mae Wang River, we also drove up to Bua Thong Sticky Waterfall national park. The waterfall itself is made from limestone, and therefore incredibly easy for us to scale up through the rushing water. While relatively strenuous, there are places to stop and relax in the pools of water as well as ropes to help you climb.

For cultural highlights in Chiang Mai, we visited Doi Suthep, a stunning mountain temple with vibrant décor from a recent Buddhist holiday. The Big Buddha in Mae Win, also atop a mountain, offers incredible views and a massive Big Buddha statue only accessible by stairs. It’s a relatively short walk up, and the sheer magnitude of this buddha is incredible. The Hmong Hill Tribe village featured shops along the road, but the highlight is the flower/coffee garden, where the coffee beans are grown and served in the shop near the top of the village. The quiet landscape and incredible view made this a highlight of our Chiang Mai visit.

Phuket

The island of Phuket is the largest in Thailand and a common jumping-off point for island hopping within the Andaman Sea. We did exactly that—a combination of island hopping, canoeing, snorkeling, swimming, and lounging on the beach. We snorkeled off the coast of Maiton island (it is a private island so there is no entrance there) and saw vibrant coral and beautiful fish. We made stops at several places along the Phi Phi Islands. Maya Bay, the filming location of The Beach, contained the crystal blue waters that Thailand is so well known for. We swam in Pileh bay, jumping off a longboat in a more secluded location that the speedboats can’t get to. We also visited Panyee fishing island and James Bond Island—accompanied by plenty of lounging on the beach.

Concluding Thoughts on Our Journey Through Thailand

Thailand should be a want-to-visit destination if it isn’t currently. This journey through Thailand was both mine and my daughter’s first time to Southeast Asia, and her first time to Asia. It was the perfect experience. The food is impeccable and filled with tons of different options (and not always spicy!) and the hospitality is off the charts.