Pattaya, Phuket and Bangkok are the three destinations that come to everybody’s mind while planning a trip to Thailand. When I was nominated for a fam trip by the Thai Embassy in Nepal, I was, understandably, excited to see these tourist hubs. But the excitement was short lived. When I received the itinerary, two of the major destinations Pattaya and Phuket were missing. Instead we would be exploring Hua Hin—a destination unknown to me at the time.

It was with a tinge of disappointment that I landed at the Suvarnbahumi Airport where Deepak Arora, a representative from South Asia Office of Tourism Authority Thailand, was waiting to receive us. Before I could even ask, he justified our plans for Hua Hin. “If Pattaya is for crowd lovers, Hua Hin is for those seeking peace. You will definitely love it,” he said while we boarded a van to our first destination.

As our van got onto the express highway, Arora  described the features of Thailand. His grasp of the country, its culture and its fascinating destinations was instantly palpable. And before long, we were all excited to get to this secluded paradise we had, until that day, known nothing about. The two hours that would take us to get there (Hua Hin lies some 200 km from Bangkok), seemed to stretch on agonisingly.

Majestic Hua Hin

Our travails as tourists would begin the next day. Hua Hin is host to the country’s oldest beach resort, dated back to 1920. After train lines were laid to connect it from Bangkok, it increasingly became popular as the summer retreat for the Thai Royal Family. King Rama VI had his  summer palace constructed in 1923. The 399m long place, supported by 1,080 pillars with 16 connected sea-facing buildings, makes for a majestic view. Designed by the King himself and constructed by Italian architects, the palace attracts thousands of tourists every year.

With a five km-long beach that features a host of activities, the laid back, hospitable town of Hua Hin is increasingly becoming popular among the Thai who use it as a weekend getaway from the hustle of big cities. It also has excellent golf courses, numerous world-renowned chain resorts, hotels and spas. A number of thrilling water parks, including the Vananava water park—the first and only digitally-controlled water park in Asia—are also the places that warrant a visit in this emerging tourist city. Vibrant night markets, a 4D Art Museum, floating markets and a plethora of touristy activities makes sure that Hua Hin is a destination you will be tempted to visit time and again.

Bangkok: The melting pot

It is of little surprise that Bangkok is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world. The Thai capital has everything you could seek out. If you love temples and historical places, the Grand Palace is the perfect place to be. The Palace premises has been divided in three complexes: throne halls, royal residence and the temple area. The palace is one of the main attractions for tourists visiting Bangkok, with hundreds of tourists lining up every morning to explore the area. The first section of the Palace serves as the burial ground for the royalty and is also the place where royal ceremonies, including the coronation, are held. The second section houses the palaces different kings, from Rama I to Rama VII, constructed during their reign. The next section hosts the royal temples. The gold plated temple of the Emerald Buddha, conceptualised in 1784, leaves all those who visit in awe.

Bangkok’s other religious sites include the Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Bowon Niwet, Maha Umadevi Temple and the Haroon Mosque, all worthy destinations in their own right. The city also has a host of museums, zoo, parks, cultural theaters, mediation areas for those who are after more than just a historical experience. The cruise over the Chao Pharya river in the heart of Bangkok, the street food and of course boundless shopping outlets, Bangkok—a city that never sleeps—is bound to entice  you, regardless of what you are looking for.

Medical and educational tourism In recent years Thailand is not just attracting holiday-makers but has also become increasing popular for medical and educational tourism. With hospitals like Bumrungrad and Siriraj that provide world-class medical service fused with five-star hospitality, it is of little surprise that tourists are forgoing the medical services in their home countries to seek them out in Thailand instead. The Bumrungrad International Hospital alone treats 520,000 international patients from 190 countries—a number greater than the total number of tourists who visit Nepal every year. Similarly, with acclaimed universities like Stamford and Mahidol, among others, Thailand is emerging as one of the leading destinations for abroad studies.

The week we spent in Thailand opened up our eyes to many new facets of a country we’d all heard and read so much about. While we came in contact with unique sights and sounds every day, what was most inspiring was how efficiently the Thais have been able to optimise the resources at their disposal and channel these to boost tourism. Unlike Nepal, where the concept of tourism is yet to fully expand beyond visits to cultural landmarks and mountainscapes, Thailand has gotten more innovative in terms of diversifying the kinds of experiences it wants to offer its visitors, to some stellar results. For that lesson, and for showing me such a grand time, I will be forever grateful to Thailand.