REBOOT IN THAILAND

REBOOT IN THAILAND

Undeniably one of the Top 3 backpacker sites in the world, Thailand never fails to impress the new comers with its great variety of tropical fruits, beautiful scenery and hospitable locals. For many, Thailand is a country they would love to visit again.

Text by Outlook Channel, Madeline Translation by Madeline Photos by Zhou Xingxing

Island of Tranquility

Apart from Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, there are many more places you would like to check out as a flrst timer or return visitor – Koh Chang for one. It is the second biggest island in Thailand. Compared to the champion Phuket Island, Koh Chang only recently opened up to tourists who are now able to get a more authentic taste of the island. You can ride an elephant; explore the underwater world; or simply sunbath on the soft sand of Koh Chang. One reason to dive in this area is that four or flve islets nearby are perfect for snorkeling. There's no need to put on a heavy diving suit as you can appreciate the view underwater with simple equipment. You can even bring some breadcrumbs to attract the schools of flsh.

City of Moonlight

In Indian Sanskrit “Chanthaburi” means “Moon City”, which symbolizes the peacefulness of the place. As a costal province, Chanthaburi enjoys a good variety of ocean creatures. The dolphinarium is deflnitely a place to go, if you want to have intimate contact with dolphins.Alongside the coastline, you can see vast flelds of mangrove forest. They function as the guardians of the coast with their roots flrmly grasping the earth. Mangroves have a most peculiar way of reproducing– they “give birth” to live mangroves and not seeds.

Nights of the Riverside

It only takes an hour's drive from Bangkok to reach Samut Songkhram, which boasts one of Thailand's most famous floating markets. The market opens every week from Friday to Sunday, when the locals fairs and sells all kinds of snacks, fruits and daily necessities. You wouldn't want to miss the charming hustle and bustle. When night falls, the riverside then starts to present another side to its glamour. Take a boat and glide along the river. You can even enjoy a foot massage while appreciating the sight of glow-worms.

在泰國，發現更快樂的自己

這里是水果的王國，這里是海洋之星；這里是佛教的圣地，這里是背包客的天堂——這里是泰國。來自世界各地的各個年齡段的人似乎都能在這里找到卸下負擔、放松身心的方式。

除了曼谷、普吉和清邁，下面這三個地方兼具人氣和安寧，不失為新鮮又悠閑的度假好去處。

靜謐的大島

象島是泰國第二大島。與第一大島普吉島相比，這里的開發時間要晚許多。也正因為象島目前并沒有進行大規模的開發，這里的海島至今仍擁有一份難得的靜謐。

在象島，除了騎大象之外，游客還可探索海底世界的奧妙。象島周圍分布著50多個大大小小的島嶼，其中有四五個極適合浮潛。浮潛無須專業的潛水服和笨重的呼吸設備，只消簡單的裝備便可以浮游在海水表層，領略水下世界的奧妙。喜歡魚群的游客來說可以事先準備一些面包，將其在水中攥碎，很容易便可引來魚群。

月亮的城市

“尖竹汶府”在印度梵文中的意思是“月都”，這個名字象征著當地的安寧。作為一個沿海省份，尖竹汶有著珍稀的海洋動植物資源。這里的海豚館有近30年歷史，游客可在訓練師的指導下與海豚進行零距離的互動。

沿著當地海岸線可見一大片被譽為“海岸衛士”紅樹林。它們的繁育方式非常奇特：它們的果實成熟后會留在母樹上，長出二三十厘米長的胚軸；這些胚軸從母體脫落后在灘涂上扎根并最終長成新的個體。這種酷似哺乳動物繁殖后代的方式在植物界中實屬罕見。

河畔的晝夜

從曼谷坐車一個多小時，便可抵達夜功府。在夜功河之上，有著泰國最著名的水上市場之一——“安葩洼水上市場”。這里每周五到周末的下午和晚上開放，當地商販售賣各種各樣的特色小吃、水果，甚至日用品等，熱鬧非凡。

而當夜色悄然降臨，夜功河向人們呈現出另外一種有別白日的美。搭上一艘尋找螢火蟲的小船，晃晃悠悠地，打量兩岸燈火，享受水上足底按摩；或是在夜功府，向當地人學做一道正宗的泰式甜點——你將學到的，絕不僅僅是做甜點的功夫，更是當地師傅臉上那不住的燦爛笑容。