Travel

Thanks to anticipation of Season 3 of The White Lotus (HBO Max), Thailand has soared to the top of many people’s bucket lists. The show, which is set in Thailand, debuted on February 16.

Regarded as the “White Lotus effect,” the term refers to the way that major TV shows have influenced the way people globetrot. According to a recent article on BBC, when it was announced mid-2024 that Thailand would be the location for the TV show’s third season, global interest in travel to the country soared. Booking platforms reported an immediate uptick in searches, and airlines added extra flights to Phuket.

A few months before Season 3 debuted, I took a quick, two-hour flight to Thailand while visiting Singapore. Thailand has been on my travel wish list for more than a decade. Since I would already be on the other side of the planet, it made sense to squeeze a trip in even if it only were for a few days. Rather than chasing trends, I choose to forge my own path. I’d like to note that my visit had nothing to do with the show or the destination’s recent peak in popularity.

All smiles

Although Thailand is renowned for its beaches, there’s a lot more to explore in the “Land of Smiles.” A significant part of Thai culture, smiles are a way to show respect, foster connections, and maintain harmony.

Formerly known as Siam, Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that has never been colonized by the French or British Empires. Its name means “Land of the Free.” Although we only had a few days there, it was enough to learn a bit about the country. Some fun facts:

• Thailand is a Monarchy. It is illegal to criticize the royal institution.
• The country has the second largest Buddhist population in the world and boasts more than 35,000 temples
• More than 1,500 species of orchids grow in its forests
• There are 1,430 islands (choose wisely)!
• It is disrespectful to touch someone’s head or point with the feet. For more details and other etiquette tips, visit this link.

Thanks to recommendations from some European relatives who have Thai in-laws, we decided to stay at Natai Beach’s Santhiya Phuket Natai Resort & Spa. A 20-minute drive from Phuket International Airport, the region echoes Thailand’s past. The quiet beach drapes along the western coast of the mainland in a posh neighborhood dotted with a handful of five-star resorts and residences. Dive in! Each room boasts its own private pool.

Engaging with elephants

Although our exotic resort enticed us to unwind by our own private pool, indulge in Thai massages, enjoy fresh, delicious dishes, and stroll the beach, we were on a mission to explore. That’s when we headed to The Lake Phuket Elephant Home.

A national symbol of strength and intelligence, the elephant is the official animal of Thailand. Considered sacred in Buddhist iconography, elephants are believed to possess spiritual qualities. The elephants we interacted with were saved from performing in shows.

At this sanctuary, we were taught how to read the elephants’ body language, how to feed them, and what not to do in their presence (no sudden movements, yelling, or blocking their paths). We also learned the differences between Asian elephants (small, rounded ear, one “finger” at the end of their trunk for grasping, and a twin dome on their heads) and African elephants (large “Africa” shaped ears; two “fingers” for grasping; and a single dome).

Thalang

On our elephant outing, we met some fellow Americans and shared transportation back to our respective hotels. They were staying in Thalang district—a touristy area complete with restaurants, shops, happy hours, and buzzing nightlife. We wandered around Turtle Village, stopped for iced coffee, and browsed the offerings—from local crafts to fashion, souvenirs, and beyond.

I encouraged my husband to snap up a Thai silk shirt from American designer Jim Thompson’s silk shop. In the 1950s and 1960s, he helped revitalize the silk industry in Thailand. Through the years, Thompson has acquired a diverse collection of Thai and Southeast Asian art and antiques. In 1959, he opened the doors to House on the Klong, which now houses his extensive collection.

While in Turtle Village, I visited Smart Tailor to have a dress custom made. Before arriving in Southeast Asia, my husband tipped me off about the option to have clothes custom made—something he learned about while traveling through Asia for work. Daniel measured me and had the custom dress delivered to my hotel within a day.

Back to the culture…As we wandered about the Thalang area, I noticed many structures outside businesses and homes. Curious about the culture, I asked our taxi driver what they represented. I learned that these “spirit houses” are shrines for the protective spirits of a place. They are intended to provide shelter for spirits that may “cause problems” if not appeased.

Unfortunately, we did not get to experience more of Thailand however we felt lucky to enjoy a few days there before heading back to Singapore. Although it was a short trip, it was enough to further acquaint us with the culture, history, and customs.

Our next stop: Malaysia via Belmond’s luxurious Orient Express journey from Singapore. For more, stay tuned.