TRAVEL GUIDE: Must-visit destinations in Thailand for nature and culture

Bangkok sights

Wat Suthat Thepwararam

Our first stop was Wat Suthat Thepwararam, a royal Buddhist temple—and an important one at that as it is one of the six temples in Thailand of the highest grade.

The moment you arrive at the sacred destination, your eyes will be greeted by The Giant Swing, an outstanding landmark of Thailand constructed entirely out of teak wood and stands at a majestic height of over 20 meters, which makes for a mandatory picture to add to your travel album.

But the real wonder lies inside the temple in the form of an eight meter-tall Buddha image that was created 800 years ago in Sukhothai. The statue stands in the middle of the Phra Ubosot, an ordination hall and the most sacred building of the complex as it is where monks gather to perform their rituals.

Surrounding the golden statue are walls filled mural paintings depicting the "three worlds cosmology" of the Theravada Buddhist belief. The worlds all have different symbolisms, with the first one being a world of desires inhabited by men and animals, the second one by Brahma deities, and the third one by gods and is entirely formless.

Seemingly endless, rich in detail, and still in good condition, you'll never grow bored scrutinizing the different artworks that have the power to take you into another dimension.

Pak Khlong Talat

Can you imagine a world without flowers? These dazzling and fragrant gems of nature bring color to this world, which is exactly why I was excited about visiting Pak Khlong Talat, the biggest fresh flower market located in the Phra Nakhon District of Bangkok.

As soon as we hopped off the tuk-tuk, an open-air three-wheeled vehicle that is essentially Thailand's version of our very own tricycle, the sweet and fruity smell of roses, jasmine, lilies, chrysanthemums, yellow marigolds, and many species of orchids in different colors immediately hit my nose.

According to our guide Net, the flower market—which also sells fruits and vegetable—is open 24/7 and comes alive at night as it is the time where vendors restock their supply with flowers delivered from various provinces in Thailand such as Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Samut Songkhram.

The stalls holding a sea of excuisite and vibrant flowers is a sight that will not leave my memory anytime soon, and as Pak Khlong Talat has a moderately sleepy and relaxed ambience during the day, the market makes for a pleasant and charming place to take a stroll.

King Power Mahanakhon

I'm not going to lie: as much as I want this travel guide to be free from any biases as possible, the trophy for the coolest spot to hang out in Bangkok goes to King Power Mahanakhon tower. After all, who wouldn't want to just take it slow and enjoy a 360-degree view of the city at a breathtaking height of 314 meters?

With a total of 78 floors, King Power Mahanakhon stood as Thailand’s tallest building from 2016 to 2018. It is located in the heart of Bangkok’s central business district at Chong Nonsi BTS station and is where you can get the city’s most epic views through its observation deck.

While there are people who would certainly enjoy viewing the city during daylight, it needs to be emphasized that the sight of Bangkok when the moon is a mystical orb in the sky and the roads below are a twinkling orange is something truly unparalleled.

The skyscraper also has a rooftop bar where you can order all your favorite snacks and drinks, and have meaningful conversations with friends and family.

And if you're a thrill seeker, the tower's "Glass Tray" feature is definitely a must-try activity. The title says it all—you can experience what it's like to float 314 meters in the sky by stepping onto the glass tray floors. This may be the perfect opportunity for you to finally conquer your fear of heights!

Pattaya sights

Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

Bangkok may be the go-to place for Thailand tourists, but if you want to explore more of what the country has to offer, then the city of Pattaya is just approximately two hours away.

The first place that we went to is Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, a 500-acre wonder that puts nature and scenic landscapes at its heart.

As soon as we walked through the main entrance, we were welcomed by a brilliant display of cacti of all shapes and sizes—from golden barrel cactus plants that seemed almost too tempting to touch if not for their prickly layers to towering ones that are too eye-catching not to take a picture.

A little further from there, we got the chance to meet some of the garden's elephants, which we were told were 80 in total. The last time I had interacted with the gargantuan mammal was when I got an exclusive tour of Manila Zoo, but back then, the zoo's famed elephant Mali seemed a bit unpredictable to approach. I was impressed at how the elephants in this tropical garden were extremely well-trained, and they even posed for a cute picture with me.

As we cruised through the garden via a sightseeing bus, we got a glimpse of just how vast the nature-filled tourist spot was. Everywhere we went, there were sculptures of animals erected on the garden—too many in fact—which would surely delight anyone who is passionate about the beasts that roam our world.

But perhaps the highlight of our tour was the Dinosaur Valley. If you are a huge fan of the Jurassic Park film series, then without a doubt you'll squeal like a child for the diverse dinosaurs in the area, including the famous Tyrannosaurus rex. The cake definitely goes to the long-necked dinosaurs that have a height that seems to reach for the sky.

The Sanctuary of Truth Museum

The Sanctuary of Truth Museum is an incredible architectural masterpiece that will leave you in awe because of how it was made. From its high ceilings to its intricately fashioned pillars down to its floors, the museum is intensively and meticulously carved out of pure wood using traditional techniques.

According to one of the museum's marketing representatives Loren Sim, who to my pleasant surprise was a fellow Filipino, the place is considered "unfinished" as it perpertually needs to be restored precisely because it was made out of wood. When I jokingly asked about the risk of termites, she said that the materials are treated with chemicals to keep the pests away.

Truth be told, the Sanctuary of Truth has many distinct hallmarks to it that it cannot be described in single word, but to start, the museum holds various statues and carving pieces that represent what is call the "Seven Truths of Life."

The truths represent the philosophy and beliefs of Buddhists, such as how everyone is composed of the four basic elements (earth, wind, fire, and water) and are thus entitled to equal treatment. It also talks about how one's life cycle depends on nature, how nobody can escape death, and how family is or first school, teacher, and friend.

Indeed, exploring the museum will make you feel like you're in a sacred journey to learn about the religious history of Thailand. It's both an enlightening and astounding experience.

Sai Kaew beach

As Pattaya is considered a popular destination if you want to enjoy beautiful islands and crystal clear waters, our junket wouldn't be complete without a trip to the beach.

Enter Sai Kaew beach, one of the most popular beaches on Ko Samet, an eastern seaboard island of Thailand.

To get there, we boarded a catamaran from the Ocean Marina Yacht Club, one of Asia’s largest marinas and one of the few that offer full facilities for yachts. Riding the two-storey watercraft was already a fun experience in itself as you'll be able to appreciate the vastness and blueness of the ocean with your very own eyes, and not through the lens of a mobile or television screen.

It took about an hour of just gazing at the hypnotizing waves before we reached Sai Kaew beach, a white sandy beach that is about 800 meters long.

As soon as we arrived, my feet immediately sunk into soft, warm, and rejuvinating sand. With its shallow and clean waters, the beach is a perfect getaway for families who are in need of some relaxing quality time with each other. But if you're worried about the heat, the beach has a lot of tropical greenery and palm trees that can provide you with shady sanctuary from the scorching rays.

So, going back on my question: Did the Land of Smiles put a smile on my face as someone who has never traveled to another country before? 

Not only did it give me the brightest and the widest smile I had, but it also made me discover a new-found appreciation for getting out of the house and enjoying what life has to offer

All of the places we visited made Thailand a wondrous tourist destination if you want to open your mind to the ways of life of our neighboring country, all while replenishing your tired self with the richness of the great outdoors.

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