11 REASONS WHY I LOVE THAILAND
December 7, 2011 / By NomadicMatt
I’ve been to Thailand more times than I can count. I’ve lived in Bangkok twice, and if I stay away for more than a year, I feel as if a piece of me is missing. It’s been 18 months since I’ve last been here, and my excitement oozes off me like sweat during a hot Bangkok summer.
People often ask me why I return to places I’ve already visited instead of exploring somewhere new. WELL, that’s an easy answer—it’s because I feel attached to them. I feel at home when I’m visiting them. And Thailand is probably the one place outside of the US where I feel most at home.
And why do I love Thailand so much? WELL, let me count the ways:
The Delicious Food
delicious street food in Bangkok, Thailand
When people say they like Thai food but haven’t been to Thailand, I can’t help but think, “You’ve never really experienced Thai food.” Thai food in Thailand is leagues better than anywhere else in the world. There’s more variety and more flavors. Your mouth dances with flavor when you eat here. The food has kick to it too. I always order “mai pet,” which means “not spicy,” because by Thai standards that means only one chili. Anything more than that, and I look like I’m about to keel over and die. (I have a low tolerance for spicy food.) All over the streets of Thailand, outdoor stalls serve up the cheapest and best Thai meals you can find. And no matter what time of the day it is, there’s always food available somewhere.
Moreover, there’s a lot of savory international food in the country. Thailand is a very international place thanks to the hordes of tourists and expats around the country. Some of my favorite sushi restaurants are in Bangkok, and you can find amazing halal and Indian food in the downtown Sukhumvit area. And surprisingly, you’ll also find a lot of Mexican—Señor Pico’s is the best Mexican outside of North America.
Thailand is a foodie’s wet dream.