Thailand

(Photo from HolidayVillasThailand.com)

The ScheckTrek this week tours Thailand: from its capital of Bangkok, up north to the more rural areas of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the Golden Triangle (where the borders of Thailand, Myanmar and Laos meet), and then down further south to Phuket, on the Indian Ocean.

Probably everyone knows that the former name of Thailand was Siam and that Siam’s most famous king was Yul Brynner! Thailand's longest reigning monarch, however (being serious now), is the current monarch, King Bhumibol (pronounced Pumipon), who also has the distinction of being the world’s longest-serving current head of state (Wikipedia).


First stop: Bangkok.
My hotel pick for Bangkok is the Mandarin Oriental.

(Photo from MandarinOriental.es)

(Photo from DiningInFrance.com)

(Photo from LaperLenoire.ch)

(Photo from Images.forbestraveler.com)

(Photo from AsiaTravelMag.com)

(Photo from Images.TravelNow.com)

(Photo from Yahoo Images)

(Photo from UrbaneNomads.com)

Stop #2: Chiang Mai
From Bangkok we move 435 miles north to Chiang Mai, Thailand’s 5th largest city. Until the 1920s, the only way to reach Chiang Mai, in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains, was by river or elephant. That isolation helped to preserve some of the charm of the area (Wikitravel).


Not to be in a rut, but my hotel pick for Chiang Mai is the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi. I think the reason will be obvious when you see the photos.

I can't get over the architecture of this hotel!
(Photo from MandarinOriental.com)

(Photo from Statics.atcloud.com)

(Photo from AlluringAsia.com)

The Royal Residence Bedroom.  Can you even imagine sleeping there...
and not breaking your royal neck stepping off the platform if you get up at night?
(Photo from Concierge.com)

Mandalay Residence
(Photo from 1.bp.blogspot.com)

Colonial Pool
(Photo from Concierge.com)

Colonial Suite Terrace
(Photo from Concierge.com)

Penthouse Residence
(Photo from Concierge.com)

Rice Terrace Field at the Hotel
(Photo from Concierge.com)

I never saw lighting like this in columns before!
(Photo from http://www.lorringolf.com/)

The Dheva Spa
(Photo from Concierge.com)

Watsu Pool
(Photo from Concierge.com)

The woodwork is like lace!
(Photo from Concierge.com)

 Stop #3: Chiang Rai, The Golden Triangle
If you share Robert Frost’s opinion that it is taking the road less traveled that makes all the difference, then you’re going to like Chiang Rai in the Golden Triangle. Though the village has only 62,000 inhabitants, not counting elephants, I decided it was worth a stop because of the Four Seasons Tented Camp. As long as “Four Seasons” is capitalized and not referring to summer/fall/winter/spring, that’s the kind of tent I’m willing to consider camping in! I guess another reason to go there would be for an elephant ride in a beautiful rural area of Thailand.

(Photo from render2.snapfish.com)

(Photo from Concierge.com)

Do you believe this?  Look at the attention to detail they put in the shower head.
(Photo from Alluringasia.com)

(Photo from FourSeasons.com)

Photo from Concierge.com

View into Myanmar
(Photo from Concierge.com

Meals are eaten at different places from day to day.  This looks inviting. 
Except for the elephants.
(Photo from Concierge.com)

I love how they incorporated tribal textiles into the chair upholstery--
and didn't match them.
(Photo from FourSeasons.com)

Elephants at the picnic.  Maybe it's better than ants,
though I've never known an ant to smell like an elephant!
(Photo from FourSeasons.com)

(Photo from Magazine.FourSeasons.com)

(Photo from ThailandInStyle.com)

(Photo from lh4.ggpht.com)

This is definitely the way to camp!
(Photo from FourSeasons.com)

I'm not going to say it.  But they're in the shadows.
(Photo from SeasonsInStyle.com)

Final stop: Phuket

Though it doesn't always get the rave reviews we might expect, what trip to Thailand would be complete without a visit to Phuket?  My pick for lodging is Villa Kiana, a vacation rental overlooking the water. Believe it or not, it was a tough decision but, I think, the right one. You can’t argue with those views in the following photos!

(Photo from Thai-Real.com)

(Photo from UK.LuxuryRetreats.com)

(Photo from Holiday-Rentals.co.uk)

(Photo from CaribbeanWay.com)

(Photo from CaribbeanWay.com)

(Photo from Holiday-Rentals.co.uk)

(Photo from CaribbeanWay.com)

(Photo from ImagesEU.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk)

(Photo from PrivateLeisure.com)

(Photo from VillaRental-Asia.com)

Would you ever want to close your eyes?
(Photo from VillaRentalAsia.com)

According to Holiday-Rentals.co.uk: Perched near the top of exclusive Cape Panwa, on the southeaster tip of Phuket, Kiana Villa is part of the Sri Panwa (Resort and Spa) development in what is arguably the finest private vacation destination on Phuket. Sixty villas are scattered throughout 32 acres of lush, tropical surroundings offering accommodation of the highest quality, maximum privacy and superior service. From Villa Kiana, it is only a short walk to the local beach and market area and just a 30-minute drive to Phuket’s incredible beaches, restaurants, golfing and shopping. It is only a 45-minute drive to Phuket International Airport.

And it is from there that we must return home, all too soon!