Guest bloggers Jim and Christina Butcher of Mr & Mrs Romance share their top 7 romantic things to do in Thailand
Mysterious, exotic, beautiful and enticing. These are words of travel and words of romance. And it’s no coincidence that these same words describe Thailand so perfectly too.
Seated deep in the throne of Southeast Asia, the Kingdom of Thailand is full of the romance of travel. From its blissful tropical beaches and vibrant cities to its gold-adorned temples and majestic, misty mountains… Thailand spoils you for choice.
But these seven ideas will inspire your romantic travel plans and invoke Trimurti the Thai deity of love.
1. Luxuriating with private beach dining in Phuket
The candlelight and the white tablecloth flutter in the warm evening breeze, and the sounds of the rolling waves of the Andaman seem to touch your toes as they curl into the sand.
This is a dinner of complete romance, with dish after dish of superb Thai delicacies while you both relish in this luxurious moment.
Many Phuket hotels offer this incredible experience, but the private beach dining at Aleenta Phuket is sublime.
2. Sipping cocktails high above Bangkok
Towering above the twinkle and chaos of the capital, rooftop bars in Bangkok offer the height (pun intended) of romance. Somehow your martini tastes better as you peer down at the packed streets or gaze across the skyline, the balmy night sky deep and dark above you.
Bangkok has always led the way for extravagant rooftop bars, but King Power Mahanakhon beats them all. At 314 metres, the Mahanakhon Skywalk is not only the highest standing point in Bangkok, it’s also Thailand’s highest bar.
One floor down, SkyBar offers some of the best dining in the city with panoramic views from this icon of Thai architecture.
3. Island-hopping in a private speedboat around Krabi
Skimming across the shimmering waters of the southern Andaman, your private boat carves a white wake towards the looming domes of mysterious karst mountains that emerge for the sea.
As you pull up to the first beach, its crystal white sand beckons you into the clear green-blue water. Snorkelling, swimming or enjoying the shade of the broad-shouldered cliffs that hug the beach, it feels like the two of you, alone in the world, know this place.
Though the traditional long-tail motorboats may look more beautiful, modern speedboats are quieter and faster, so you can explore further and in more comfort.
4. Exploring Chiang Mai temples and being blessed by monks
Sitting merry in the valley of the northern mountains, Chiang Mai is a modern city of culture, silver and temples. There are more temples in Chiang Mai than anywhere else in Thailand.
From the ornate silver temple of Wat Suen Man to the mighty and most sacred Wat Phra That Doi Suthep and its gold-clad chedi high above the city, exploring Chiang Mai’s temples is as much of an architectural delight as it is a spiritual and cultural one.
The mesmeric Pra Ma Ha Tat Noppamethanedon and Pra Ma Ha Tat Nopphonphusiri two temples celebrating King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit are so high in the mountains and often shrouded in mist, adding to the romance of the place.
Being blessed by Thai monks somewhere like this is a profound experience, but be aware of important protocols and bring an offering too.
5. Wandering the Flower Market and having a private Thai cooking lesson
A conflagration of colour, movement, food and flowers, Pak Khlong Talat is the biggest market of fresh produce in Thailand and among the biggest in the world.
But this icon of Bangkok is not only home to blooms for temple offerings or baskets of chillies and fruit. Perched above the bustle and noise is a kitchen classroom where you can learn to cook Thai dishes and forever recreate your romance in the Land of Smiles.
6. Relaxing in a couples Thai massage
Sharing the exquisite experience of a pampering in a Thai day spa with your love is simply magical. As you both relax in the warm serene confines of the treatment room, it’s hard to imagine the noise and turmoil of the city outside.
There are plenty of day spas across Thailand and many hotels have their own, but The Oasis Spa on Sukhumvit 31 is lavish and incredible.
7. Watching the sunset in Bangkok Old Town
As the sky turns filigree of burnished gold and Bangkok settles into her night-time ritual, the only place to be is by the Chao Phraya River and watching the light touch Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Royal Palace for the last time.
From your vantage point of Above Riva an elegantly low-key rooftop bar, your evening begins with a delicious cocktail and a light show like no other.