Attend a Muay Thai camp
Muay Thai, or Thai boxing, is a popular form of martial arts that is all the rage in Singapore. Learn Muay Thai in its land of origin by attending a multi-day Muay Thai camp. There are classes for beginners as well as for more experienced practitioners.
Where to try this: Khongsittha Muay Thai (23 Thanon Sukhonthasawat, Khwaeng Lat Phrao, Khet Lat Phrao, Bangkok 10230) in Bangkok is a reputable Muay Thai training facility that has received good reviews.
Go parasailing
Find out what it feels like to fly with a parasailing session above the waters off Phuket. You will glide through the air, buoyed by a parachute that’s being pulled along by a boat. All you have to do is get strapped into your harness and let the wind carry you along, enjoying stunning island views while you’re at it.
Where to try it: Book your parasailing adventure at one of the vendors along Patong Beach in Phuket.
Stay in a prison-themed hotel
Ever wondered what it was like to get locked up in a Thai prison? Instead of committing an actual crime, book into Sook Station, a prison-themed hotel where you can find out what it’s like to spend the night in a prison cell. You’ll get your mugshot taken and be presented with a set of black and white striped pajamas before being led to your bunk in a room designed to look like a prison cell.
Don’t worry, however—you’ll be far from suffering, as you’ll be entitled to free Wi-Fi and the use of facilities like an outdoor hot-tub and restaurant.
Where to try this: Sook Station (45-49 Soi Sukhumvit 101/2, Khwaeng Bang Na, Khet Bang Na, Bangkok 10260)
Take a Thai massage course
Any frequent visitor to Thailand should already be familiar with the wonders of Thai massage, which is an ancient healing system that just happens to also feel great. Thailand is the perfect place to learn how to give your own friends and loved ones a message. Short recreational courses can be completed in about five days, while a longer duration will be needed to obtain professional certification.
Where to try this: Watpo Traditional Thai Massage School (2 Sanam Chai Road, Khet Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200), located at the famous Wat Po temple in Bangkok, is one of Thailand’s most highly regarded massage schools.
Visit an upside down house
You could be forgiven for thinking you’d wandered into Lewis Caroll’s Wonderland at the Upside Down House in Phuket. The building was built to look like it’d been turned on its head, and the zany interior is filled with tables and chairs attached to the ceiling, and ceiling lights rising out of the floor.
Where to try it: Baan Teelanka – The Upside Down House of Phuket (51/11 Moo 5 Chalermprakiet Ratchakan Thi 9 Road Rassada, Mueang Phuket 83000)
Attend a Vipassana meditation retreat
Buddhism is taken very seriously in Thailand, with meditation being a key practice on the road to enlightenment. Whether you are religious or simply curious, attending a Vipassana meditation retreat at a Thai temple or meditation center is sure to quieten your mental chatter. Vipassana retreats are often residential, so you will be living and sharing meals with the monks while following a full-time meditation programme.
Where to try this: Wat Mahathat Vipassana Meditation Centre (3 Na Phra That Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200) runs one-day courses as well as multi-day meditation retreats.
Drink Thai Iced Tea
Thailand has its own unique brand of tea that you can find nowhere else in the world. Thai iced tea, or Cha-yen, is made out of black tea, flavored with herbs and spices like star anise, orange blossom water, and crushed tamarind seed, sweetened with condensed milk and sugar and served with ice. It is a very refreshing accompaniment to Thailand’s tropical weather.
Where to try this: The cheapest Thai tea is sold at roadside stalls all over Bangkok and Phuket Town, but one of the best brands in Bangkok is Cha Tra Mue (34 Phayathai Road, Thung Phaya Thai, Khet Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400).
Buy travel insurance
Before embarking on your Thai adventure from Singapore, protect yourself with a great travel insurance policy such as HL Assurance’s Travel Protect360. Sign up today for a per-trip or annual travel insurance policy online and receive free Wi-Fi access and overseas attractions discounts while the promotion is still on!
By Joanne Poh
Disclaimer: All info contained herein is intended for your general information only and is not a substitute for insurance advice. If you have a specific question, please consult our insurance experts at 6702 0202.
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