Appears like a certain little hippo deserves a giant raise.
Thailand was just named ‘destination of the yr’ for 2025 by the experts at Travel + Leisure — who cited the country’s “wealthy cultural heritage, dynamic culinary scene, and a seamless mix of tradition with modern innovation.”
The highest award, handed out to at least one lucky country each year, comes as The Land of Smiles has been unofficially rebranded as The Land of Moo Deng.
The cute pygmy hippopotamus — attracting adoring fans from world wide to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha — has arguably raised the country’s profile greater than any travel article or ad campaign ever could.
“We’re thrilled to acknowledge Thailand as our Destination of the Yr for 2025,” Jacqui Gifford, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure, said in a written statement.
“Whether visitors are exploring Bangkok’s cutting-edge culinary scene, relaxing on considered one of the country’s 1,430 islands, or experiencing its renowned hospitality with a few of one of the best luxury hotels on the planet, Thailand offers a singular adventure for each form of traveler.”
Thailand is the tenth spot the title has tapped for the annual honor — prior years featured greats like Italy, Japan and Costa Rica.
Jeninne Lee-St. John, Editor in Chief of Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, named the “stark contrasts” of her adopted country as one reason for the award.
“Take the incontrovertible fact that this majority-Buddhist and infrequently traditional society recently legalized marijuana and same-sex marriage,” she wrote.
“Or that Thailand has a few of one of the best luxury hotels on the planet — many at unbeatable prices — yet you’ll find the identical warm hospitality and a spotlight to detail within the humblest of homes,” the professional identified.
And as for Bangkok, the entry point into the country for a lot of foreigners, Lee-St. John confesses that she didn’t take to the place immediately.
But “when you understand” the town, she promised, “it’s not possible to not fall for it.”
The skilled traveler cited the Thai concept of “kreng jai,” or respect for all people, as a favourite trait, in addition to the possibility to eat krapow gai, “a stir-fried chicken dish topped with an egg,” for breakfast daily.
“Whether you visit the mountainous north or the southern shores along the Andaman Sea, the country reveals its treasures step by step, and typically by word of mouth,” she wrote.
“There’s a lot creativity within the art, food, and hospitality scenes that it might be hard to make your mind up where to go and what to do.”
The subsequent season of HBO’s “The White Lotus” might be set on the island of Koh Samui, a favourite with honeymooners and other romantic retreaters.
Maui and Sicily were featured in vivid detail in prior installments of the Mike White drama.
Appears like a certain little hippo deserves a giant raise.
Thailand was just named ‘destination of the yr’ for 2025 by the experts at Travel + Leisure — who cited the country’s “wealthy cultural heritage, dynamic culinary scene, and a seamless mix of tradition with modern innovation.”
The highest award, handed out to at least one lucky country each year, comes as The Land of Smiles has been unofficially rebranded as The Land of Moo Deng.
The cute pygmy hippopotamus — attracting adoring fans from world wide to the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Si Racha — has arguably raised the country’s profile greater than any travel article or ad campaign ever could.
“We’re thrilled to acknowledge Thailand as our Destination of the Yr for 2025,” Jacqui Gifford, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure, said in a written statement.
“Whether visitors are exploring Bangkok’s cutting-edge culinary scene, relaxing on considered one of the country’s 1,430 islands, or experiencing its renowned hospitality with a few of one of the best luxury hotels on the planet, Thailand offers a singular adventure for each form of traveler.”
Thailand is the tenth spot the title has tapped for the annual honor — prior years featured greats like Italy, Japan and Costa Rica.
Jeninne Lee-St. John, Editor in Chief of Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, named the “stark contrasts” of her adopted country as one reason for the award.
“Take the incontrovertible fact that this majority-Buddhist and infrequently traditional society recently legalized marijuana and same-sex marriage,” she wrote.
“Or that Thailand has a few of one of the best luxury hotels on the planet — many at unbeatable prices — yet you’ll find the identical warm hospitality and a spotlight to detail within the humblest of homes,” the professional identified.
And as for Bangkok, the entry point into the country for a lot of foreigners, Lee-St. John confesses that she didn’t take to the place immediately.
But “when you understand” the town, she promised, “it’s not possible to not fall for it.”
The skilled traveler cited the Thai concept of “kreng jai,” or respect for all people, as a favourite trait, in addition to the possibility to eat krapow gai, “a stir-fried chicken dish topped with an egg,” for breakfast daily.
“Whether you visit the mountainous north or the southern shores along the Andaman Sea, the country reveals its treasures step by step, and typically by word of mouth,” she wrote.
“There’s a lot creativity within the art, food, and hospitality scenes that it might be hard to make your mind up where to go and what to do.”
The subsequent season of HBO’s “The White Lotus” might be set on the island of Koh Samui, a favourite with honeymooners and other romantic retreaters.
Maui and Sicily were featured in vivid detail in prior installments of the Mike White drama.
