Newsletter October 2026

The tour description (half day):  

SaWaDiKa – K-Pop Beats Meet Bangkok Streets 

Step into the colourful world of Lisa, Thailand’s global K-pop superstar, where Thai roots collide with Korean pop culture in a whirlwind of music, style and urban adventures!

Hit the buzzing streets of Siam Square, Bangkok’s ultimate playground for fashion, music and youth culture. Challenge your crew at a gaming arcade, sip on bubble tea, unleash your inner fighter at a Muay Thai gym and grab the mic to belt out your favourite Lisa song at a karaoke spot! 

Then follow in Lisa’s footsteps with a photo stop at Hua Lamphong, Bangkok’s iconic old railway station, before diving into Chinatown’s neon-lit streets, colourful shophouses and buzzing alleyways — the backdrop to her “SAWADIKA” music video. Wrap up the adventure with an exhilarating tuk-tuk ride through the heart of the action. A fun and colourful day for the whole family. 

It’s a half day tour, includes private guide, Bubble Tea, photo booth, tuk tuks and a Muay Thai lesson. Plenty of picture opportunities to discover Bangkok differently and super cool for Lisa fans! Contact us for details or more pictures to add in your social media or newsletter this new Lisa Tour.

 REAL tailor-made experiences; try us out!  

We love to create REAL personalised, tailor-made experiences for our clients and that’s why we often ask to tell us about the client’s interest, hobbies and profession.  

Some examples? 

For a family with kids obsessed with boxing we arrange a meeting in a park with a Muay Thai boxer for a private training… just as the Thais do.

For a foodie family we booked several Michelin star restaurants as well as private food tasting at a Chef’s home and street food dinner at a restaurant of an 80 years old Chef. 

For somebody interested in spirituality and Buddhism we arranged a private lecture by a profession on Buddhism… and a week-long meditation training in the north 

For a nature lover, we managed to open a cave in the north and provide an explanation on the history of this cave and the ongoing research

For clients interested in art we created a trip to modern art museums, meet with a curator and have a talk with a professional architect.  

A top adventurer went with a National Park ranger deep into a Thai National Park to get a real understanding of adventure and the wildlife.  

Another client went camping in a tent in the middle of nature in some unknown National parks.

Travelling to a foreign country is about truly experiencing it, not just taking the same photos of monuments that anyone can find online or generate with AI. It’s about creating a connection with the country and the best way doing so, is by connecting on a topic your client is really interested in. 

Want to try us out? Send your clients ideas / hobbies etc and we will create a real tailor-made excursion for 1 or more days (and combine this with some classic sightseeing as we can of course do that as well)

 Bangkok- best city in the world … (and not just according to us)

Bangkok is almost a destination on its own and we do see people staying longer than before. In the past it was on itineraries for just 2 nights on arrival with a Grand palace visit and a klong tour…. Nowadays, we see people stay usually 3 nights or even more (we even had clients staying a full week in Bangkok and never had a boring moment). 

Condé Nast recently announced their reader’s choice and Bangkok was chosen as the “best city in the world” – beating Paris and Istanbul who were number 2 and 3. Want to know the number 4 and others? Have a look here: 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards: all the winners | CN Traveller  

The Mandarin Oriental hotel in Bangkok was chosen as best hotel in Southeast Asia.  

Bangkok recently was also in the news because of flooding in the outskirts. As often, the areas with the poorest people were hit hardest and flooded. In Bangkok itself, including both airports and all tourist sights etc there was no flooding and all tours continued as usual.

We’re not surprised Bangkok came on top of the list as there is of course so much to see, to do, to eat and to discover.   

Bangkok for New Years? There is a lot of choice of hotels in Bangkok and for the New Year’s Eve there is still plenty of availability for hotel rooms. Some hotels have a compulsory New Year’s Eve dinner (which in all honesty is often a bit stiff and pompous affair but at least you’ll be well-fed before slipping away to enjoy your own countdown). Roof top restaurants are in high demand by the Thai high-society and typically sell expensive tickets for tables of 10 people; don’t be surprised to be charged 3,000 Usd for a dinner for 10 persons without drinks. 

Our advice for your clients at New Year’s in Bangkok? Charter a private boat for 2 hours in the later afternoon / early evening and enjoy a bottle of champagne and snacks on the Chao Phraya River. Go for street food in the areas with free new year’s eve concerts and shows (for example at Icon Siam Area or Central World Area), go back early to your hotel (latest by 11:00 pm as traffic will be at its worst after midnight) and have drinks / count down at a very local bar / restaurant near your hotel. 

Go for a fancy rooftop dinner on the 2nd of January 😊

 Ko Kood….. why we like it and which hotel to book.

Often described as the Maldives of Thailand, Koh Kood is one of those rare places where nature still sets the pace. It’s almost unreal turquoise waters and stretches of powdery white sand (yes, the sand squeaks beneath your feet) could easily belong in a tropical paradise commercial. Yet the island’s real beauty goes far beyond its beaches. Hidden waterfalls tumble through lush jungle (which covers most of the island), mangrove-lined backwaters invite quiet explorations by kayak, and tranquil lagoons mark the meeting point between tropical forest and open sea – just stunning!  

Unlike Thailand’s more famous island destinations, Koh Kood has little interest in nightlife or beach parties. It is a place of slow mornings, barefoot afternoons and simple pleasures. Popular with Thai couples escaping the bustle of everyday life, the island has retained a wonderfully unhurried atmosphere. Small fishing communities, excellent fresh seafood and quiet beaches are all part of its understated charm. 

After days spent discovering Thailand’s temples, villages, landscapes and cultural treasures, Koh Kood offers something equally valuable: the freedom to simply be. To watch the light change over the sea, paddle through silent mangroves, enjoy a freshly caught fish by the water and rediscover the pleasure of having nowhere else to be.

Are you in for a treat for yourself, then the fantastic High Seasons Resort & Spa is a top pick! The resort is nestled on a long beach, with its gardens making it feel almost like a nature retreat, and the private pool villas give privacy and somewhere to relax if you are not swimming in the sea or the large saltwater pool. The breakfast offers fresh smoothies, bubbles and a great selection of everything you would wish for. One of our favourite beach resorts anywhere in Thailand!

If you prefer a constant sea view, Tolani Koh Kood is an excellent choice. The bungalows are overlooking the bay, with a lovely swimming pool and plenty of watersports to try out. Some quirky Polynesian touches during dinner come with it 😊 

 Phanom Rung stunning Khmer temples inspections 

Some of the staff from our Yangon and our Bangkok office went recently on an inspection trip to Phanom Rung and were blown away by its grandeur and beauty. We combined the inspection with picnic lunch in the paddy fields in an Isaan village, a beautiful breakfast near an ancient temple ruin and exploring the Khmer temples o Prasat Muang Tam 

As usually there are hardly any visitors at these stunning temples, making a visit even more magical. The best hotel in the area is certainly the very friendly and luxury hotel de l’amour.  

Phanom Rung is easily combined with Chanthaburi and a beach stay at Ko Chang, Ko Kood or Ko Samed for example.

 Situation in Myanmar

Also, in Myanmar the high season is starting, and we recently had some people travelling with us; mostly people with a strong connection to the country. I asked them about their experience, travelling upcountry and they mentioned they saw so few young people.  

As mentioned in earlier newsletters; it’s possible to arrange a trip in Myanmar to safe places like Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Kalaw and Inle Lake yet the atmosphere is not the same as it used to be. People definitely welcome foreign guests and we do our due diligence very carefully yet it’s important for travellers to understand the situation in the country is not normal.

 What to read / listen – A Little Bookshop in Old Town — Suksit Siam

This time, rather than recommending a particular book, we would like to point you to where your clients might find their own. Tucked away in Bangkok’s Old Town, Suksit Siam is a small independent bookshop with shelves of English-language books.

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The Exploration Travel team has been creating experiences for travellers for over 20 years. It’s our mission to inspire you with our love for Thailand and Myanmar, with occasional quirky travel experiences, in a sustainable and respectful way, leaving a positive impact and a smile on everybody’s face.