Yes, this is what you see in all the tourism campaigns and travel videos. Untouched white sand beaches, crystal blue water, beach side villas on the islands, full moon parties, a never-ending chill-all-day lifestyle.
Yes, the south is the home of breathtaking natural beauty but the caveat is that the south of Thailand is not a secret to the world anymore. Despite its popularity, you can find your beach.
If you’re going to the South, there’s some things you should know. It is a melting pot of Thai, Malay, and Chinese which equates to some of the most vibrant food culture. It is also home to the spiciest food in Thailand.
You cannot skip out on eating the tropical fruit grown in this region, especially the mangosteen, rambutan, durian, and sugar apples.
The southern dialect is almost a foreign language to traditional Thai, but it has a playful sound and the words are fun to pronounce.
There is a saying in the south: ฝน 8 แดด 4 (Fon 8 Daed 4). This translates literally to “Rain 8, Sunny 4” and describes the south’s weather – 8 months of rain, 4 months of sunshine.
Finally, if you are in a southern Thailand province like Phuket or Krabi in September or October, then you absolutely must check out the annual Vegetarian Festival. It is a religious celebration with roots from China, and aside from eating strictly vegetarian food, there is a ritual that involves young men and women impaling their cheeks with various sharp objects. The first time I saw that in-person, I had to hold my hand under my chin so that my jaw wouldn’t hit the floor.
