It’s hard to go wrong in Thailand. Each part of this Southeast Asian country has fascinating historical temples, often still in living use as monasteries, a warm and clear ocean, or a thriving Asian city with the kind of street food that dreams are made of. Many times you will find a combination of these things in one smiley package, and with an extensive, budget-friendly bus and train system, travel in-country is in easy reach.

Regional airlines like Thailand Air, Nok Air, Kan Air, and Air Asia offer reasonably priced domestic flights to make the journey faster. Thailand’s rail system is also well connected and pleasant enough. But in this writer’s opinion, nothing beats a free snack and water bottle paired with a brutal American action movie sloppily dubbed in Thai. And for that, you must ride the bus.

The North: Chiang Mai

For centuries, modern-day Thailand was two separate kingdoms, with different foods, cultures, and customs. The mighty Lan Na Kingdom of the North made its capital in Chiang Mai, and the remnants of that era — down to the corners and moats of the old city wall — are still present. Much smaller and more walkable than cities to the south, Chiang Mai has a pleasant vibe and a great deal to see, starting with the splendidly decorated dragon-like guardians looming on either side of many temples.....

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