THAILAND
Country Overview:
"Thailand, a captivating blend of vibrant cities, tranquil villages, pristine beaches, and idyllic islands, holds a special place in my heart."
Every time I return to Thailand, I'm reminded of its irresistible allure. The warmth of the Thai people, the seamless blend of modern amenities and ancient traditions, and the sheer diversity of experiences on offer make it a truly remarkable destination. From the bustling energy of Bangkok to the serene beauty of Chiang Mai, and the sun-kissed shores of Phuket to the tranquil islands of Koh Phi Phi, Thailand has something to captivate every traveler. And let's not forget the food – a symphony of flavors that tantalizes the taste buds and leaves a lasting impression. Despite the challenges it has faced, Thailand remains a must-visit country, beckoning me back time and time again.
*Currently living in Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai / Bangkok / Ayutthaya / Pattaya / Chiang Rai / Krabi / Phuket / Koh Tao
I quarantined in Bangkok in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read more about that experience here.
2021 — Year In Review
As 2021 comes to a close, I thought I’d write out some of my highlights, accomplishments, and everything else that happened:
Didn’t do a whole lot of traveling, but visited Krabi in southern Thailand
Got a 1-year education visa for Thailand after months of extending my 2-year tourist visa
Finished (and super close to publishing) my second novel — A Viral State
Came in last place in my Fantasy Football League (1st year doing it — I did NOT have beginner’s luck)
Bought a motorcycle (still figuring out how to get a driver’s license in Thailand)
Went to a Chiangmai FC football game
Helped my girlfriend open a bar
Bought a new MacBook Pro (2020 w/touchbar) // My 2015 served me well, but couldn’t keep up with workload
Bought an Apple watch 7 to replace my FitBit
Celebrated my 32nd birthday in a warm climate for the first time in almost a decade. Most past birthdays were spent in Beijing, and 2020 birthday was in Tirana, Albania, which was also cold.
Donated the majority of my jeans, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts and got an almost entirely new wardrobe better suited to Thailand’s climate
Did a full year of No Meat Mondays. You can check out what that was like here
Got two new jobs — KrASIA (tech media) and MagicFew (crypto consulting) // Still working for China.org
Put away $50,000 into my brokerage & Roth IRA
Read 10 books
Blood Meridian — Cormac McCarthy
Kafka On The Shore — Haruki Murakami
The Crying Machine — Greg Chivers
Timbuktu — Paul Auster
A Wild Sheep Chase — Haruki Murakami
Mr. Vertigo — Paul Auster
Pastoralia — George Saunders
Killing Commendatore — Haruki Murakami
Bangkok 8 — John Burdett
Sputnik Sweetheart — Haruki Murakami
Looking forward to celebrating Christmas with friends this weekend, and yes, I bought several ugly Christmas sweaters from Taobao, so get ready for some great pictures.
Overall, it has been a bit of a quiet year for me amid all the COVID-19 restrictions. Thailand didn’t really fully open for most of 2021, and even now, it’s starting to close back up because of Omicron. I have worked from home (and remotely) all year, which has been nice. I don’t miss the office at all. I finished writing my novel and spent lots of time putting together all the pieces that go into publishing it.
Basically, I worked a lot, had fun with friends, dealt with the struggles of being with my girlfriend, saved a lot of money, tried not to fall into a COVID-19-related existential crisis, and exercised daily. It was a pretty routine year. Looking forward to doing more traveling in 2022, even if just domestically within Thailand, as well as starting some new personal writing projects. I plan on staying in Thailand for the foreseeable future, though unsure what next year will bring. Hope anyone reading this had a great 2021, despite all the challenges it brought with it.
Here’s to 2022 and the possibilities it brings with it!