Aug 4, 2017
Images of nightclubs, fantasies about spa retreats and floating islands on turquoise ocean waters hijack the imagination the moment Thailand is mentioned. However, this most affordable fly-away destination for urban Indian tourists has a lot more to offer than what usually meets the eye.
These sights are not to be found anywhere near the popular landmarks that most tourists flock to, and are often beyond the pages of most travel magazines. Yet, if you explore the country’s distinctive culture, these sights will make you halt in surprise and ponder at their unusual only-in-Thailand nature. It could be the gem market, where precious stones are sold in vast quantities, or the dead telephone booths reminiscent of a bygone era. It could be the country’s relationship with cats, a species that the whole of Thailand is in love with. Bollywood looms large here, overcoming linguistic barriers. The street food extends beyond the regular red or green curry.
Thailand surprises you with its distinct visual identity, spaces and a sociocultural milieu that forces the curious traveller to pause and rethink the country’s stereotypical representation in popular culture.
Sreedeep is a fellow at C-PACTShiv Nadar University
