Thailand, The Second Time Around
We first went to Thailand in December last year — a whirlwind loop of Phuket > Koh Lanta > Ao Nang > back to Phuket. It was amazing: wandering Phuket’s old town, soaking up Koh Lanta’s quiet charm, and enjoying Ao Nang’s bustling energy.
But honestly? It also felt rushed. Everywhere was crowded, and we were constantly moving from one place to the next. Somewhere on that trip, we told ourselves: next time, we’re coming back slower.
We’re not really “checklist travellers.” We love to chill, laze around, and take it easy. So when a random Google Flights alert popped up — Bangalore to Krabi at just 13K INR round trip (cheaper than most domestic flights!) — the decision was a no-brainer. Two weeks later, we were back in Thailand.
And the timing couldn’t have been better: low season. Fewer crowds, cheaper hotels, and that laid-back, chill vibe in the air.
Doing Less, Enjoying More
The funny thing about returning to a country you’ve already visited is that people expect you to do more.
“Island hopping again?”
“Phi Phi round two?”
“Scuba this time?”
But our second trip in August 2025 was the opposite of that. No rushing across islands, no packed itinerary. Just a slow, easy rhythm — the kind of holiday where you wake up late, sip one too many coconuts, and don’t care if you “missed” something.
And that’s the beauty of doing less: everything small suddenly feels bigger.
We spent hours just sitting at the beach, doing absolutely nothing but watching the tide roll in and out. Sunsets weren’t just something to catch — they became an event. One evening we sat with coconut ice cream from a tiny stall, spoons clinking against the cup, and just watched the sky turn orange, then pink, then purple. That’s it. And yet it felt like the highlight of the day.
Street food breaks became mini adventures too. We’d grab skewers or mango sticky rice from a vendor, sit down at wobbly plastic tables, and just watch the world go by. The smell of charcoal smoke, the chatter of tourists bargaining, a street musician softly strumming old Thai songs in the background — it was ordinary and magical at the same time.
When you stop cramming in activities, the trip stops feeling like a project plan. It becomes life. And life in Thailand, even when you’re doing “nothing,” is pretty great.
Why Go Back At All?
So why Thailand again? Because the first time, we were too busy “seeing” it. The second time, we finally felt it. The third time, we will live it :)
On the first trip, it was about ticking off spots: boat rides, island names, photo ops. This time, it was about moments. That tuk-tuk ride back to the hotel after midnight, when the streets were still buzzing but we were wrapped in our own little bubble. That lazy afternoon nap with the balcony door open, the sound of waves carrying into the room. That quiet stretch of Lamai beach where kids built sandcastles while their parents dozed off on mats.
It wasn’t discovery. It was familiarity. And in some ways, that felt even better. Because once the pressure of “seeing everything” is gone, you finally let the place come to you.
And maybe that’s why Thailand feels so special now. It’s not just a holiday spot anymore — it’s the place we know we’ll keep coming back to.
Every time I’m here, one thought hits me — why didn’t I visit Thailand earlier! And heck, we’ll come back each year twice now!