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.

在泰国，发现更快乐的自己

这里是水果的王国，这里是海洋之星；这里是佛教的圣地，这里是背包客的天堂——这里是泰国。来自世界各地的各个年龄段的人似乎都能在这里找到卸下负担、放松身心的方式。

除了曼谷、普吉和清迈，下面这三个地方兼具人气和安宁，不失为新鲜又悠闲的度假好去处。

静谧的大岛

象岛是泰国第二大岛。与第一大岛普吉岛相比，这里的开发时间要晚许多。也正因为象岛目前并没有进行大规模的开发，这里的海岛至今仍拥有一份难得的静谧。

在象岛，除了骑大象之外，游客还可探索海底世界的奥妙。象岛周围分布着50多个大大小小的岛屿，其中有四五个极适合浮潜。浮潜无须专业的潜水服和笨重的呼吸设备，只消简单的装备便可以浮游在海水表层，领略水下世界的奥妙。喜欢鱼群的游客来说可以事先准备一些面包，将其在水中攥碎，很容易便可引来鱼群。

月亮的城市

“尖竹汶府”在印度梵文中的意思是“月都”，这个名字象征着当地的安宁。作为一个沿海省份，尖竹汶有着珍稀的海洋动植物资源。这里的海豚馆有近30年历史，游客可在训练师的指导下与海豚进行零距离的互动。

沿着当地海岸线可见一大片被誉为“海岸卫士”红树林。它们的繁育方式非常奇特：它们的果实成熟后会留在母树上，长出二三十厘米长的胚轴；这些胚轴从母体脱落后在滩涂上扎根并最终长成新的个体。这种酷似哺乳动物繁殖后代的方式在植物界中实属罕见。

河畔的昼夜

从曼谷坐车一个多小时，便可抵达夜功府。在夜功河之上，有着泰国最著名的水上市场之一——“安葩洼水上市场”。这里每周五到周末的下午和晚上开放，当地商贩售卖各种各样的特色小吃、水果，甚至日用品等，热闹非凡。

而当夜色悄然降临，夜功河向人们呈现出另外一种有别白日的美。搭上一艘寻找萤火虫的小船，晃晃悠悠地，打量两岸灯火，享受水上足底按摩；或是在夜功府，向当地人学做一道正宗的泰式甜点——你将学到的，绝不仅仅是做甜点的功夫，更是当地师傅脸上那不住的灿烂笑容。