There’s more to Thailand than just Bangkok and Phuket. Here are three off the beaten path destinations (and fun activities) to add to your list when you next visit Thailand.
HUA HIN
Make a Splash
Next time you’re headed to Hua Hin why not combine your stay with a visit to what’s been dubbed Asia’s first water jungle. Intercontinental Hua Hin Resort is offering packages that include a night’s stay plus tickets to the newly opened Vana Nava waterpark. The deal starts at B6,900 ($277) per room with one ticket to the park or B8,400 ($337) per night with three tickets (two adults and one child). Among Vana Nava’s highlights are Thailand’s tallest waterslide, Boomerango, as well as the Abyss, a slide that allows up to six friends to soar from a height of 28 meters. There’s also a bodyboard and surf simulator. This deal is available through Jan 31, 2015. For more, visit their website.
SAMUI
Island Brew
Small-scale beer and spirit-makers are on the rise in small Thai towns. Samui’s been pretty famous for its Magic Alambic Rum for a while, but now the island’s welcomed its first brewpub, Bee Knees Brewpub (83/3 Moo 2, Tambon Bophut, +66 8 5537-2498, on.fb.me/1G6u9lk), near Chaweng Beach. Englishman Jim Smith brews his beer mostly using organic ingredients and water sourced from a well some 125 meters below the bar. Currently on offer are Summer Bee, a pilsner-style lager; Black Bee, a chocolate coffee porter; Bitter Bee, an English-style bitter beer; and Wheaty Bee, a wheat beer with a soft fruit flavor. All beers have a relatively low 3.5-5% alcohol content, and are priced from B85 ($3.40) for 1/3 liter and B125 ($5) for a half liter.
KHAO YAI
Luxe-camping
Thailand’s largest trail-running event, The North Face 100 Thailand returns on Jan 31, 2015 in Nakhon Ratchasima’s Pak Chong district that’s a three-hour drive from Bangkok. This year, more than 600 runners will take part over distances of 50km, 100km (duo and solo) and, for the first time, 15km. Though registration is closed, sports enthusiasts can still get up close to the action. One option is to stay at Escape Khao Yai, where they’re currently offering a Winter Yard package, which includes a luxe camping-like experience with outdoor picnics and afternoon tea, plus a barbecue dinner with craft beer and cocktails, after which you can retreat to your Deluxe Corner Room. The package starts at B4,800 ($193) and is available until Jan 31, 2015.
