Reflections on Thailand
Below recounts our second visit to Thailand that wrapped up just days before the near worldwide travel lockdown during covid-19.
Our first visit to Thailand was fall/winter 2016-17 when we visited Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai up north before crossing over to Laos. That was part of a three month tour of Southeast Asia.
In the fall of 2019 we returned to Thailand to explore more. Below are our hotel choices and some pics of the things we did. We’ve been to Thailand a total of four times. Explore our other three trips too.
First visit — Second visit (this page) — Third visit — Four visit
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We stayed here from February 1-5, 2020. This was a first time stay and has become a low-cost, central Bangkok stay that is just good enough that we’ve since stayed two other times. We’ve reviewed this property in another location on our site.
We shuttled from the Bangkok BKK airport to this gay resort in Pattaya for a few days (1/28/20 - 2/1/20) before shuttling back to the airport and then into downtown Bangkok. We like it but wish it was clothing optional, at least at the pool. We used Bell’s Travel Service from the airport for excellent and affordable door-to-door shuttle service.
This was a first time visit for us to Pai. It’s a long, winding road to get there into the mountains north of Chiang Mai. Regular van service is available for the trip but be prepared to be a little road sick from the daredevil curves. We were! We chose a seven night stay (1/21-28/20) at the Pai Village Boutique Resort & Farm ($122/night including taxes and breakfast). Really nice place right in the heart of the small tourist village. This was weeks before covid-19 closed down everything and there was definitely some apprehension in the air. But we really enjoyed it although we doubt a return visit because that road to and from was really challenging!
See lots of pics and a little video review too below.
Our first-time visit to Peace Blue naturist resort was for a week February 16-23, 2020. We’ve since stayed a second time. We like it! We’ve reviewed this property in another location on our site.
Go to the complete review with more pics for Peace Blue Naturist Resort.
This delightful family-run guesthouse is in a perfect location in Chiang Mai’s old city. This was our second visit to this bustling city in Thailand’s north. The facility is well designed, constructed and cared for with lovely appointments throughout the common areas. The rooms are snug, a little sparse with extra firm beds but overall adequate. It’s immaculately clean and charming. Walk everywhere! Hail a Grab car, or jump in the back of a tuk tuk or red truck, for any destination outside your walking comfort zone. Booking.com appropriately rates this at a whooping 9.5. Well earned! With a super breakfast. We stayed 12 nights (1/9-21/20) in a standard double (property link), and paid $73 per night including tax and breakfast. Truly, the warm, helpful and hardworking family of Mr. Nong, Nam and his Mom — plus the well-behaved dog, cockatiel and koi fish — give the property an x-factor of warmth and just good vibes!
We spent the 2019-2020 Christmas/New Year’s holiday month (12/10/19 - 1/9/20; 2/23/20 - 3/11/20) at the brand new, swanky Oriental Beach Resort on Koh Kho Khao (2 hours north of Phuket airport) on the Andaman Sea. Rack rate is $2,800/month including breakfast. It’s oceanfront with a generously-sized pool. Bingo. There’s a few resorts nearby but just It was a lovely smattering of interesting, friendly people from all of the world in a comfortable, generous . Low key and just lovely.
It’s clothing optional. Travelers less familiar with this niche travel market may have a few timid questions about that. Want to be naked in your generously-sized one or two bedroom villa? No problem. Walk to breakfast naked? Go for it. Prefer to wear your bikini or a swim cover and just sun the buns on the private beach? No judgement. Don’t really want to go naked anywhere but have a partner who does? No worries. Enjoy the freedom and glowing (all over!) as your authentic self! It’s completely non sexual and not a parade of posers. We have a forthcoming video review with more detail about service and amenities. Subscribe to our newsletter and you won’t miss it when it’s published. Or look for it on our Watch page.
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