Eat, Heal, Love: 3 Day Trips to Take Beyond Bangkok Part I

Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, is an energetic city known for its majestic shrines, palaces, buzzing street markets and vibrant nightlife. Often, travellers visit Bangkok and assumed these are all there are to see in Thailand. However, scratch beneath the surface and you will discover the beautiful country has more to offer than just that.

Thanks to the Bangkok & Beyond 2015 program organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, I got a chance to visit the places of interests in the southern provinces of Thailand, namely Samut SongKhram, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan.  There is something for everyone in Thailand, be it a wellness treat for the soul, sampling locally made wine, taking thrill rides, or an immersion into the history and culture of the country.

In this two-part series, I will be recommending different day trips to consider for your next trip to Bangkok. Part I is about “Eat, Heal and Love”, and Part II is about “Fun, Joy and Laughter”.

Day Trip Option #1 –  Heal your body and soul

Less than 200 km from the south of Bangkok lies a charming and laid back seaside resort town called Hua Hin in the Prachuap Khiri Khan province. Hua Hin is also known as the Royal Beach Resort ever since King Rama VII discovered the place and established his summer palace there in the early 1920s.  The current King Rama IX has his own summer palace in Hua Hin as well, and it is said that whenever possible, King Rama IX would reside in his summer palace.

Depending on your pace, Hua Hin can be easily reached via a two-hour coach ride from Bangkok central (three hours from Suvarnabhumi Airport) or via a scenic train ride where you can alight at Otop station – the oldest railway station built in Thailand. The main feature of the railway station is The Royal Waiting Room built to welcome the King and his court when they were visiting.

Situated along the Gulf of Thailand, Hua Hin is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle. Locals, royals and the elites are known to drive in over the weekend. As such, plenty of hotels have begun to sprout up over the years to cater to the inbound travellers. One of the popular activities in Hua Hin is checking into a wellness resort — you can get a spa treatment while your travelling companion goes for a round of golf.

Visitors are spoilt for choices when it comes to spas due to the number of new hotels opening up in recent years. Breeze Spa at Amari Hua Hin, a newly opened hotel on the quieter strip of the coast, is a contemporary-designed spa offering five tranquil rooms and one elegant treatment suite. Located along Khao Takiab beach, the spa offers a signature treatment called the Mood Therapy Treatment (Dreamy, Serene, Rejuvenated, Invigorated or Energised) where a bespoke concoction of  body therapy or massage technique is used to deliver the mood chosen.

To get the most out of the Mood Therapy Treatment, spend the night over at Amari Hua Hin and watch the sun rise from your hotel balcony while sipping a cup of tea. Most hotels like the Amari Hua Hin offers sea-front views and have suites that are specially buillt for honeymooners to create the most romantic and intimate experience. Amari Hua Hin also offers the standard deluxe room as well as family suites and one-bedroom suites option.

If you prefer the local touch, the body massage services offered in Hua Hin are very authentic and priced at an even more affordable rate as compared to Bangkok.

If money is not a concern, opt for the ultimate indulgence and healing experience at Chiwa-som, one of the top luxury health and wellness resorts in Thailand. Celebrities around the world, such as Victoria and David Beckham, have stayed in Chiwa-som during their stay in Hua Hin a few years ago. They offer a wide range of services from beauty care to fitness to wellness; even the meals are customised catered according to your health requirements.

Amari Hua Hin, 117/74 Takiab Road, Nongkae, Hua Hin, Thailand. Tel: +66 32 616 000 

Chiwa-som, 73/4 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuabkhirikhan 7 Hua Hin / Cha-am, 77110, Thailand. Tel:+66 32 536 536

Day Trip Option #2 – Wine and Dine

Visit Hua Hin Hills, nestled in a scenic mountain valley 45 km west of Hua Hin, is the home of Monsoon Valley wine. Visit for a day of tropical viticulture immersion or for an exceptional al fresco dining experience with a picturesque view of the vineyard spread across 560 acres of land.

When it comes to wine producing, Thailand is not one of the countries that immediately comes to mind. However in recent years, there has been research and interest in producing New Latitude wine, and Thailand, particularly Hua Hin, belongs to the category of “New Latitude Wine” producers due to its closer location to the equator.

But unlike the Old World or New World wine producers where the climate is different, the varieties of grapes that could be produced here are limited. Despite the challenges, the dedicated team at Hua Hin Hills shared that their crops are lovingly harvested by hand only where 70 per cent of its wine production are exported mostly to UK and about 20 per cent are sold locally in Thailand.

Hua Hin Hills is part of Siam Winery’s vision to bring in wine culture to Thailand. The terrain is made up of loamy sand and slate, which is conducive for cultivating several Rhone grape varieties that are used in producing the Monsoon Valley wine.

There are several activities to do such as taking a vineyard tour, wine tasting, bottle painting, and mountain biking. During harvest season (mid-February to March), education tours are available for those who wish to have an in-depth understanding of the new latitude wine. A vineyard tour package is available as well, which includes a pairing session of fresh grape juice, wine and snack. You can also opt for a private Hua Hin Wine Safari tour, a full day private tour that takes visitors through the vines of Hua Hin Hills vineyard and wildlife of Kuiburi National Park.

Alternatively, visitors can indulge in an al fresco dining experience at The Sala Wine Bar & Bistro, which offers a picturesque view of the vineyard. You can select from its a la carte menu or opt for their “Wine & Tapas” tasting set menu.

To get there from Bangkok, arrangements can be made directly with Hua Hin Hills Vineyard through their hotline +66 (0) 32 511 496 or online booking. Daily shuttle service to the vineyard is also available for those who stay within Hua Hin. The shuttle service departs daily from Villa Market Hua Hin (next to San Paolo Hospital) at 10.30 am and 3 pm.

Hua Hin Hills Vineyard, 1 Moo 9, Baan Khork Chang Patana, Nong Pulp, Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand, Hua Hin 77110, Email: [email protected]

Day Trip Option  #3 – For fruit and food lovers

Not exactly outside of Bangkok but definitely not near the usual shopping spots in central Bangkok, Or Tor Kor Market is the market you want to visit if you are into quality fresh food. Located next to the busy Chatuchak weekend market, the market is known as the place to visit for top quality fruits in Bangkok. Because of its focus on high quality fruits, you can also find imported fruits being sold at Or Tor Kor market. Tourists or the local well-to-do  flock here to stock up on fruits in boxes to take home.

Besides fresh fruits, you can also find fresh vegetables, dried fruits, nuts and ready-to-eat snacks being sold at the market. Nearby, you can also find stalls selling local handicraft items.

After spending the day exploring the market, take a river taxi along Chao Praya river (20 baht per person, one-way) to the newly renovated Yodpiman River Walk.  This pier has been around for 90 years and has recently reopened after a massive renovation. It is now a two-storey tall lifestyle mall along the pier that focuses on its heritage inspired by the architecture of the Ayuthaya period.

Behind the river walk is the famous Yodpiman Flowers wholesale market, also known as Talad Pak Klong. If you are there early enough during the day, you would be able to witness stall owners peddling their stack of fresh flowers.

Yodpiman River Walk is close to many cultural attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and Flower market. If the day is still early, you can explore these attractions up close and personal on a bicycle. Bicycle tours can be arranged at Yodpiman river walk with equipment rental and helmet provided. The tour also includes insurance, round trip river ferry, a licensed English speaking guide, a light meal, refreshments and snacks. Full-day, half-day and night tour options are available.

A view from the second floor promenade of the Yodpiman River Walk is a must especially during sunset. Several well-known temples, such as Wat Arun, can be seen on the opposite side of the river. In the evening, a beautiful sight of Wat Arun can be seen as its rounded stupas lit up.  Yodpiman River Walk is an ideal escape for the busy urbanites who prefer to be near to Bangkok. It is a charming place to let you unwind and temporarily forget your worries for the moment.

Or Tor Kor Market, Kamphaengphet Road, opposite Chatuchak Weekend Market (Alight at Kamphaeng Phet MRT subway station. Exit number 3)

Yodpiman River Walk, Soi Tha Klang, Wang Burapha Phirom (Behind the Flower Market)

Bike Tour Bangkok, Yodpiman Riverwalk, Paklongtalad (Flower Market), Bangkok, Tel: +66 087 824 5000, +66 02 110 0833, Email: [email protected]

You may also wish to read: Part II “Fun, Joy and Laughter” of the Bangkok and Beyond series.

Special thanks to Tourism Authority of Thailand for inviting Asia 361 and making this trip possible.