Gavin Manerowski / Backpacking in Thailand

For backpackers Thailand has long been one of the most popular destinations on the planet. The combination of ancient history, acres of unspoilt beaches, a buzzing nightlife and plenty of affordable places to eat, drink and sleep make Thailand the ideal location for those travelling on a budget. Gavin Manerowski visited Thailand recently to explore the backpackers’ paradise. For most visitors to Thailand the experience begins in one of two cities – Bangkok or Phuket. The main international airports are located here, and each city has the heady mixture of the traditional and the modern which define urban Thailand. In Bangkok tourists flock to the infamous Khao San Road, which is lined with both upmarket and less salubrious eating, drinking and sleeping establishments, massage parlours, kerbside stalls, street drama and dance and all manner of entertainment. In Phuket the Bangla Road has made a name for itself as one of the raunchier districts of the country, with the evening entertainment comprising mainly of dancing girls and boys, exotic cabaret acts and bars which entice customers in by encouraging them to play extravagant drinking games. Each city boasts a wealth of reasonably priced, mid-quality accommodation, plenty of history and the ability to party all night long. Backpackers seeking a more tranquil experience, or simply a break from the twenty-four seven lifestyle prevalent in the city centres, can travel out to Phang Nga Bay, a collaboration of intriguing limestone rock formations, tiny isolated beaches, hidden lakes and secret caves. This picturesque bay is still on the tourist trail, with many operators running day tours throughout the region, yet still offers those who wish to seek a little respite a scenic, peaceful spot in which to soak up some of the wondrous sights Thailand has to offer outside the cities. Koh Lao Liang is for those who really want to get off the beaten track and experience some of the hidden treasures of the country. The best kept secret of Bangkok locals, Laoliang Island is an eco-resort which allows only a limited number of visitors per day, and is only accessible by boat. Miles of unspoilt white sand beaches are overlooked by stunning limestone cliffs and surrounded by aquamarine waters of the type most of us see only in pictures. For Gavin Manerowski the panoramic views were the highlight of an already amazing trip.