Be Like Chris: Discover Travel Opportunities to the World While Living in Thailand (Part 4)

Welcome back to the final chapter of this #BFITSWeekendRead travel series. As a teacher in Thailand, I’ve been fortunate not only to build meaningful classroom experiences but also to explore a world of opportunities right at my doorstep. In Part 1, we explored Bangkok. In Part 2, we ventured across Thailand’s famous islands. In Part 3, we crossed borders into neighboring Malaysia and Cambodia.

And now, in Part 4, let’s travel deeper into Southeast Asia and beyond—starting with Laos.

Laos: A Tranquil Neighbor Worth Visiting

• Capital City: Vientiane
  
• Language: Lao
  
• Currency: Laotian Kip
  
• Population: Approximately 7.7 million
  
• Visa requirements: Thai nationals can now enter Laos with a border pass or a temporary border pass and stay for up to 10 days, an increase from the usual 3 days.
  
  Laos visa on arrival available for passport holders of the following countries at the price indicated, Republic of Ireland (35 USD), United Kingdom (35 USD), United States (35 USD), Canada (42 USD), Australia (30 USD), New Zealand (30 USD), South Africa (30 USD), The Philippines (30 USD). The VOA is good for 30-day stays.
  
  Starting from 1 July 2024, multi-entry visas will be valid for 60 days.

Vientiane: Culture, Monuments, and Golden Stupas

Laos, landlocked between Thailand, Myanmar, China, Vietnam, and Cambodia, has a geologically diverse landscape of forested mountains, upland plateaus, and lowland plains, which supports an equally diverse population.

Agriculture is the mainstay of Laos’ economy, particularly the cultivation of rice. Due to its history of colonization by France, the country is rich in French-inspired architecture. For teachers in Thailand seeking a quick and peaceful break, Laos offers just the right pace.

The capital of Laos is Vientiane and it has some landmarks definitely worth checking out. The photo above is Pha That Luang, and it is a large, gold-covered Buddhist stupa (a hemisphere-shaped structure containing relics) located close to the centre of the city. It was initially constructed in 1566 and was built in three tiers to represent the path to enlightenment.

• Opening times: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm (Monday to Sunday)
  
• Cost: 5,000 kip to visit the Golden Stupa, and free admission to the surrounding monuments.

In downtown Vientiane, you can find Patuxai, also known as the Victory Monument, a war monument dedicated to those who fought for independence from France. Construction only finished in the late 1960s, so it is a relatively new structure.

• Opening times: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday) and 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (Saturdays and Sundays)
  
• Cost: 5,000 kip

Another point of interest in the capital is Haw Phra Kaew. It was first built in 1565 but has been rebuilt several times since then. I mention it as it is a former home of the famous Emerald Buddha, which now, of course, resides in Bangkok. It now serves as a museum of religious art.

Luang Prabang: Scenic Landscapes and Spiritual Calm

Located about 300 km north of Vientiane, Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring more than 30 temples and stunning French colonial architecture. Known for its waterfalls, peaceful monks, and scenic river life, it’s an ideal getaway for anyone teaching in Thailand and craving serenity.

Because of its rugged landscape, there are lots of beautiful scenic waterfalls alongside mountainous terrain, so even if you end up off the beaten track in Laos, there should be plenty for you to admire here, and its proximity to Thailand, particularly the capital city itself, makes it an easy destination for some rest and relaxation.

When traveling from Thailand to Laos, buses are the cheapest option, while flights from Bangkok remain the most convenient.

Myanmar: A Country on Pause but Not Forgotten

• Capital City: Naypyidaw
  
• Language: Burmese
  
• Currency: Myanmar Kyat
  
• Population: Approximately 55 million

When I arrived in Thailand 3 and a half years ago, I met a woman from New Zealand who had just come from working in Myanmar. She told me she had been woken in the middle of the night and told to leave as soon as possible. No saying goodbye, no planning, just left.

There was a civil war raging there at the time that is still unfortunately ongoing. She told me great things about the country she had just been in. As of now, tourism in Myanmar is unlikely, and this is the only “official” website I could find. https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/ If you give it a try, good luck, and let me know how you get on. It will be back stronger in the future, no doubt.

China: Ancient Civilizations Meet Modern Wonders

• Capital City: Beijing
  
• Language: Mandarin/Cantonese
  
• Currency: Renminbi
  
• Population: Approximately 1.4 billion
  
• Visa requirements: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to boost tourism, China has introduced a visa-free policy for passport holders from 15 countries. These passport holders can enter China and stay for tourism purposes for up to 15 days. Those countries include New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland. Every other passport holder must apply for a visa at the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok to enter.

I have included China in this list as it is a country after my own heart. They have also introduced a visa-free policy for passport holders of Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, which will be good news for some of the BFITS community.

Beijing: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, and More

Where to begin? With a picture.

As one of the oldest civilizations in the world, China has a rich, complex, and fascinating history. After centuries of upheaval, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) assumed control in 1949, and Mao Zedong served as the first President of modern China from then until his death in 1976. Tiananmen Square in Beijing is one of the best places in the world I have been lucky enough to visit.

Behind you is Mao’s Mausoleum, while in front of you is the famous Forbidden City. To your left is the Chinese parliament, while to your right is a museum, but this whole country is a museum, to be honest.

If you land in Beijing, be sure to come here. Mao’s Mausoleum is a must-visit where you can watch him lie in state. There are only three opportunities in the world to do this; the other two are Lenin in Moscow and Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi. The North Korean leaders also lie in state, but it is not open to the public. Get here early to see Mao, as it usually closes at about 11 am. It is free to observe.

The Forbidden City is an imperial palace complex and stood as the base of political power in China from 1420 to 1924, for over 500 years. You can now view this and walk around, but it’s huge, and you’re looking at 3 hours or more. But well worth it.

The Great Wall: A Legendary Climb Worth Every Step

No trip to Beijing is complete without a visit to the Great Wall of China. I undertook this trip in a cold January a few years back, and although the weather made me cold outside, the sight of the Wall made me warm inside.

Mao said, “If you haven’t been to the Great Wall, you aren’t a real man,” and if I find that a tad rough, I believe his sentiment was that everybody in China should do it at least once. And all visitors 100% should, no excuses.

Beyond Beijing: Food, Xi’an, and the Terracotta Army

Not landing in Beijing? Try Xi’an, home of the world-famous Terracotta Army. In March 1974, a group of peasants digging a well in Shaanxi Province discovered fragments of a clay figure – the first evidence of what would turn out to be one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of modern times. An extraordinary underground treasure of an entire army of life-size terracotta soldiers and horses, interred for more than 2,000 years.

How about Shanghai, China’s biggest city and home of The Bund, a waterfront promenade lined with colonial-era buildings. China is incredibly fast-paced, but Shanghai just seems faster, a global financial hub that it is.

I haven’t even mentioned the food yet. Do you like hotpot? Visit Chongqing, home of the hottest hotpot in China, where patrons line the streets waiting to gain access to their favourite restaurants each night. Visit Chengdu, where kung pao chicken and mapo tofu are the order of the day. A mixture of riches in each dish makes eating in China an experience like no other.

What I’m trying to get across is to make China your next holiday destination if possible. From its incredible history to its chic boutique shopping options to its flavousome food, you can’t go wrong.

The Philippines: A Beautiful Chapter Yet to Be Written

Although I was going to write about the magnificence of the Philippines, which I have yet to visit, and I believe there are enough good people in the BFITS community, more qualified than I to write about this extraordinary country. I will leave it up to them, for now.

From the Classroom to the World: A Final Reflection

I hope in this series I have got across my love of travelling, and I urge you all to travel far and to travel as soon as possible. We are not getting any younger, and although sometimes it can be bad for your wallet, it will always be good for your soul.

Teaching in Thailand has given me not only a career but the gift of exploring cultures far beyond my own. To all the current and future teachers in Thailand—make the most of your weekends, holidays, and breaks. The world is waiting.

Keep on keeping on, and let me know how you do.