Thailand Through a Traveler's Eyes

 Thailand is a wonderful country.  

Even though it's been over two years since I traveled there, it remains one of the best countries I've visited, alongside Iran. The reason I chose Thailand among Southeast Asian countries wasn't just the affordable prices, but also its tourism convenience.

or lunch, I had a delicious Thai style meal: spicy and tangy Tom Yum soup paired with simple fried rice and fresh vegetables. The balance of flavors and the vibrant colors made it both satisfying and refreshing.

Bangkok and Phuket, bustling with many foreign visitors and tourists, were full of attractions yet peaceful at the same time. 

Taking my home country Korea as an example, foreigners visiting Seoul or Jeju Island might encounter some difficulties. 

In Seoul's case, while transportation is cheap, it's very complicated. Bus drivers can be unfriendly sometimes, and subway entrances are chaotic. Of course, there are many areas with signs in Chinese, Japanese, and English. 

Also, looking at Seoul's Myeongdong street or fish markets, the prices are outrageously high even by Korean standards. 

While most tourist destinations around the world have the disadvantage of being expensive in famous areas and having inconvenient transportation in crowded places, Thailand offers satisfactory prices for travelers even considering that some tourist spots like Bangkok have somewhat higher prices compared to other regions. 

Because of this, I could see many foreigners coming to Thailand for long-term stays. Despite occasional controversies and incidents, Thailand can be considered safe among numerous travel destinations.

Recently, a Korean was killed in Pattaya, Thailand in an incident related to drugs. Around the time marijuana was legalized, I witnessed many foreign tourists smoking marijuana there. 

Cannabis shops were filled with various ethnicities including Russians, and I asked a Russian friend: "Your people are smoking a lot of weed here haha" "Yeah, that place is famous" There were also Asians including Koreans there. 

For people drawn to such temptations, Thailand might be a free and fantastic country, but danger always lurks in some places(Traveling to quiet, lesser-known places rather than popular hotspots can be somewhat risky. 

This is especially true for women or when the purpose involves marijuana or illegal activities)

Global nightlife spirit! order a shot for your country under violet lights. One island bar, countless flags, same loud cheer.

From my personal visit, while Thailand clearly has a free-spirited atmosphere, it was generally safe. 

I felt safe walking around even late at night. A Thai person I met there said: 

 "If this place wasn't safe, foreigners wouldn't come, and our income would decrease. When tourists have bad experiences here, we all get angry together." 

The more popular tourist spots seemed to care more about safety. "If you're careful not to fall for temptations (alcohol, drugs, women) here, you'll feel very safe. There are some slum areas here too, but it's better not to go there by falling for such temptations."

Actually, I don't quite understand why people take risks following locals to unfamiliar places. 

Because cities are full of busy districts where they can fully enjoy what they want, yet human greed seems endless.😅 

 What I experienced in Thailand was scuba diving, visiting beautiful natural attractions, and trying Muay Thai. 

I still remember it. The Muay Thai match I accidentally saw at a bar on Phi Phi Island at night fascinated me, and I've been practicing Muay Thai since then. 

Also, massages costing around $6-$7 were really great. I liked them so much I got them daily. I even tried getting 3 massages in one day, but it was too painful😂😂😂

I only felt bad about being financially scammed once. When I tried to ask about buses at the airport, a guide directed me to the taxi stand, and a taxi driver practically grabbed me into the car. Well, it was also my fault for not firmly refusing.

A raw, lived-in side of Phi Phi. narrow lanes, leaning poles, messy charm. This is the local pulse behind the tourist glitz.

Thailand is a destination where you can feel high-quality satisfaction with a low budget. You can easily find and book travel platforms online for numerous foreign tourists. 

Also, I can guarantee that Thailand's unique characteristics (food, natural scenery) and kindness are excellent. 

Neighboring countries include Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Vietnam is also a well known tourist country among Koreans. 

(For me, Vietnamese food suits my taste better than Thai food. Maybe because there's already a lot of Vietnamese food in Korea.)

However, regarding tourism infrastructure and English communication, Korean people in my community who visited both countries say Thailand is more accessible.

Exploring Phi Phi Island: stunning turquoise waters, spicy Thai dishes, vibrant alleys, and a wild party scene Thailand's charm in every moment.

While traveling various countries, Thailand was one of the countries where I could manage round-trip flights, accommodation, food, and tourism all for about $1,000 during a two week trip. 

Another good point was that I could easily find necessary information on the internet (transportation, accommodation, etc...) What else comes to mind...? Hmm ladyboys..?😂 I'm heterosexual, but if there's one thing to respect about them, it's their tolerance regarding sexual self-determination. 

While ladyboys exist in Korea, it's nearly impossible for them to get proper jobs there. But in Thailand, they work as cashiers at marts and maintain good relationships with people around them. 

 When I first heard there were many ladyboys in Thailand, I thought Thai men might be somewhat feminine, but I was wrong.

Security guards at hotels and bus drivers I met were all very masculine. True to being the country of Muay Thai, they were very strong and reliable.

I'd like to visit Thailand again if I have the chance With my girlfriend, family, and friends. Thailand is truly a country with diverse aspects.  

Everything you want is there.