For a reason still undetermined to this day, I have always had a certain attraction to Asia. Perhaps my childhood watching "Club Dorothée" and those Japanese anime had something to do with it, or perhaps I simply had a desire for escape under the sign of Buddhist "zen," who knows.
The fact remains that I am now married to a travel addict local (the 20s are approaching, time flies!), I travel around Asia as much as possible and report my adventures right here.
Even the longest journey begins with a single step.
Our travel style
With Jitima, we each have our own style of travel, but we always try to meet the local people, stroll through villages, and observe local life, especially in the markets. While I'm busy taking photos, she's sketching, drawing portraits, and bringing back souvenirs in the form of illustrations.
We generally do a mix between must-see destinations and more unusual or generally less visited places, in order to have an overview of several aspects of a country, and not just the pure tourist side.
We always seek a balance between urban visits (my wife loves museums and art) and nature (I love getting lost in remote areas), resulting in a mix of visits by classic public transport and a moment of freedom usually in the form of renting a vehicle, the best way to immerse oneself in a region.
After 2 years of regular back and forth I decided to settle down in Bangkok.
Initially, I hadn't specifically planned to live in Thailand; in my case, it was more a twist of fate. However, having just arrived in Bangkok in 2008, I haven't moved since and have always lived in the Thai capital. It's convenient and central, and not just for Thailand. In a few hours, you can be almost anywhere on the Asian continent.
Why this blog?
I have always had an attraction to images (possibly a "professional" bias since I graduated in audiovisual studies), it is almost the primary reason that prompted me to share my discoveries, whether they are cultural, culinary or simply places to visit that stand out, landscapes that have marked me etc.
My passion for photography is reflected in my articles, which are generously enhanced with photos. I see them as a mix of pure illustration to guide the reader through the different places visited, sometimes trying to capture the essence of a place and keeping portraits of encounters, significant, unusual moments, or simply more aesthetic photos, because the primary goal is also to encourage you to go and discover for yourself.
I would therefore like to say that, with very rare exceptions on articles that are sometimes more general in nature, all the photos illustrating this blog are mine.
Why advertising?
I almost wrote the title "Why are you bothering us with your ads?" You have to understand that a blog like this involves expenses, starting with hosting, every month. Then there are regular one-time costs, like buying a theme, sometimes stock images, and above all, there's an investment of time.
Writing some articles takes a lot of time, because I don't necessarily know everything about everything instantly, so I do research, compare sources to make sure I have up-to-date and verified information.
And time, well… I don't need to spell it out for you, it's money. Beyond that, the blog is now my MAIN professional activity; I live solely off it. And while the need for money in Thailand is obviously less than in Europe, my website's revenue would be insufficient without advertising… Unless I stumble upon a patron who sponsors me full-time (one can dream, right!), I'm forced to maintain this somewhat intrusive method to continue bringing you articles about every corner of Thailand and Asia.
Media Coverage
I'm starting this section with a radio interview from France Bleu Besançon, as part of their program "Franche-Comtois du bout du monde" (Franche-Comté natives at the end of the world), an interview in 5 parts, because it was spread over a week (it was at the very beginning of my expatriation so it's starting to feel like a long time ago!):
Episode 1: Monday
Episode 2: Tuesday
Episode 3: Wednesday
Episode 4: Thursday
Episode 5: Friday
To learn a little more about me, here are various interviews with other media outlets and bloggers about my website " Thailand and Asia"
- My origins have also earned me a little interview for the Eastern Republican, famous daily newspaper of Lorraine and Franche-Comté:
- General interview as an expat in Thailand, by Sara from the blog Around the world
- “Discovering Thailand” interview on the blog The Vadrouilleurs by Christophe
- Interview on the south of Thailand and its islands by Franck and Richard from the blog One Day One Travel
- “Expat Meeting” interview by Lucie from the blog My Blog Tour
- Interview by Sylvie from the blog Travelers' Corner
- Interview in the section “What if we talked about travel…” by Marilène from the blog Mystingett Corner
- Interview by Jenny, from the blog My Globe Story
- I participated in episode 31 of Michael's Podcast, from the site Cross the border
- I wrote series of articles for Evaneos (which have since become "testimonials" on several destinations, see e.g. here for Ayutthaya)
- I wrote an article for Skyscanner: Where to have a drink in Bangkok
Make a donation on my Tipeee
Do you enjoy my blog? Do you appreciate my help and feedback? You can support Thailand and Asia by following me on social media, but I've also opened a Tipeee page if you'd like to make a more tangible contribution! It's the easiest way to donate and help keep the blog going.
Need advice? Don't hesitate to contact me!
Hello Romain, bet won, reading and discovering your blog we are going to Thailand with the children 9 and 12 years old from March 30 to April 15! We land in Bangkok and leave from Phuket. We plan to spend 3 nights in Bangkok, 3 nights in Kanchanaburi and leave for the south via the night train ... We need advice and ideas to define our route and our visits .. We would like to do a national park on our route +/- jungle!) and find a place in the south to settle down for 5 days and do some snorkeling. I can't wait to receive your ideas !!! Thank you very much !!!
Hello,
From what I read and calculate, this leaves you a margin of + or - 5 days to go down to the south before resting for 5 days. I see several options, the simplest being to stop in Hua Hin then visit the Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park (I talk about it here), about 50 km south of the city.
Island level you could stop at Mu Ko Chumphon at the town of Chumphon, if few islands offer accommodation (none in fact I think), there are beautiful spots accessible during the day via excursion (notably Koh Ranka Chio).
Another option would be to stop near Ranong and travel to Koh Phayam and Surin islands before heading to Khao Sok National Park, north of Phuket.
Bonjour.
Amazing your trip and the richness of details shown. You must have done excellent preparation before the trip. Congratulations on your dedication.
Hello Romain,
Having recently discovered Thailand and really wanting to go back, I came across your blog to get some information and I have to say that it is really very well done. (I took the opportunity to follow you on a few social networks.)
Thank you and congratulations for this great work!
And I look forward to meeting you one day in Hong Kong, I don't think that's part of your travel diary yet. 😉
Hello Barbara,
Thank you for the compliment and for following me on social networks 😉 I saw your article on your blog and it is not possible to leave a comment there… (or did I see wrong??) I wanted to clarify about the floating market, which does not close at 8:30 – 9:00 because there are several and not just one!
I'll make a note of Hong Kong, maybe you know Amélie from Voyagista? If not, maybe you could get to know her 😉 I haven't been to Hong Kong yet but it's not very far and I definitely intend to go there one day!
Hello,
I'm going to Thailand in late October/early November for about ten days, my first trip alone to a culture so far removed from ours, I'm apprehensive and really looking forward to it at the same time!
I stumbled upon your blog by chance while I was thinking about the route and mode of transport during this (too) short stay... I want to do everything (north and south), it's going to be complicated!
Browsing your blog has just reassured me 🙂
Hello,
I understand the mixture of feelings! You have to make choices, a little overview in about ten days and indeed, if you like it, you just have to come back and visit the country in more depth!
Thank you Romain, very informative blog, it gives ideas for a schedule when we know that our goal is to see and do as many interesting things as possible in 15 days...because we already know that it's too short 🙁 ….. and that when we return we will only have one idea in mind...to go back!!!!
Indeed, 15 days is short and the best thing is to come back! Thanks for the compliment!
Hello,
You talk a lot about expatriation but it's more about immigration. You are a migrant in Asia.
Hi Bertrand,
This is a recurring debate about the use of the word, defined as follows: If you move from a rich Western country to a poorer one, you are an expatriate. If you move from a relatively poor country to a richer one, then you are an immigrant. The fact is that "immigrant" has a pejorative connotation, the word expat is rather the norm concerning a European going abroad. I invite you to read this interesting debate here.
good evening, could you contact me via Facebook morel sabine, or via my email address please, as I see that you are a guide I am interested, since I travel alone, usually, with a backpack, plane ticket only, but Thailand seems so impossible to do alone, thank you
Great blog, honestly I'm going to Thailand for two months at the end of the year, it's full of information, great for preparing my trip 🙂 Thanks and congratulations!
Hi Jenny and thanks for your message! When you're in Bangkok come and say hello!
Absolutely, I would be happy to let you know 🙂
Hello Romain
I have already been to Thailand and I was amazed both by the landscapes of the north and by the kindness of the people.
Having recently retired, I plan to return with my friend for a longer period, at least 1 month, in order to immerse ourselves and, above all, see the possibilities of settling in for the longer term.
Do you know of any addresses of French expatriates in the north who could help us find a rental? We are thinking of going there in 2016.
Your blog is wonderful, and it confirms my idea of returning there and for this dream moment, I thank you.
Good luck to you and thank you if you have a little time to dedicate to us.
Jeans
Hello,
I know few expats in the north… apart from one I met who runs a hotel in Chiang Mai (the All in One Guesthouse). I wish you a successful installation!
Thank you for your comment !
Hello,
Well-made site that makes you want to get lost in Asia.
I want to drive from Chiang Mai to Surat Tani. What are the must-see places on this route?
Thank you for your upcoming responses.
Hello and thank you for your message!
Already, very good initiative to travel this portion by car, there is however a lot to see so the choices will not necessarily be easy, it all depends mainly on the time you have available to make this trip. If we go to the essentials, I would say a stop in Lampang, Sukhothai, first capital of the kingdom of Siam (possibly Si Satchanalai to complete the corner)
Then a stop in Ayutthaya, the ancient capital before Bangkok. You can avoid Bangkok if you plan to visit the city before or after this trip by car via Kanchanaburi and its region. Visit the Khao Luang caves in Phetchaburi, Kaeng Krachan national park.
Then we go to Hua Hin, where we can visit its vineyards (yes, yes!), the special temple, Wat Huay Mongkol, or the one on the hill with the monkeys offering a view of the city of Hua Hin, Wat Khao Takiap. We go to Sam Roi Yot National Park.
Visit and stop at Prachuap Khiri Khan and its bay of Ao Manao. Possibly also towards Bang Saphan/Ban Krut.
Further down, you can also stop at Chumphon then go down to Khao Sok National Park and finally reach Surat Thani.
Hello Romain
I've been enjoying browsing your blog for 4 hours!!!!
It is fantastic…and very complete
I am planning a trip to Thailand for my friend and I in January/February 2016
I called on an agency for a quote and organization and the price... ouch!!! it stings
So I'm trying to set up the project myself but it's tough...so many things to see, so many kilometers to do
We plan to stay 15 days and to do both the north and the south. We know very well that we will not be able to see everything so we try to sort
If you have time to waste helping us, I'm interested!!!
Thanks again for your blog Romain!!
See you soon
Thanks for the compliment! I just replied to you via email 😉
Hello, I am also preparing a trip with two friends for November, we already have the plane tickets, departure on 09/11/16 and return on 27/11/16. We plan to spend 4 days in Bangkok to do the must-sees, the Royal Palace, Chatuchak market, ... then we plan to go to Chiang Mai for 5 days and we are hesitating between the night train to go there or the plane what do you think? And then leave for Phuket to see the bay of Phang Nga and finish the stay on Koh Lanta. We already have to take the plane Chiang Mai- Phuket and on the way back Krabi - Bangkok so that would make 3 internal flights or 7 flights in 3 weeks with the flights Paris-Bangkok and Bangkok-Paris maybe a bit much no? The goal is to optimize the time as best as possible so as not to constantly waste it in transport.
Also I would like to know in terms of security for three girls alone? And what excursions at the level of Chiang-Mai, for the rest on an island it will be idleness and rest because the beginning of the stay will already be well filled with excursions.
I await your advice, thank you in advance.
Sarah
Hello,
As for the mode of transport, it only depends on your approach to the trip, to make it simple and quick the plane is undoubtedly the best one but people generally appreciate the experience of slow travel, by train, it allows you to see the landscape go by (in the early morning, the main thing being at night), rub shoulders with the locals (even if in general there are a lot of tourists too).
With 3 domestic flights plus a return flight from France, that makes 5 flights for me not 7… am I missing something? If the goal is to optimize the time on site, the plane remains the best option, it doesn't seem like much to me in any case because it is not the most exhausting mode of transport in my opinion.
If you choose Thailand as your destination, I think it is not insignificant and that you should already know that there are no security concerns, girls or not, go with peace of mind! There is no shortage of activities in Chiang Mai, it depends on your tastes and your budget! If you want to approach elephants I recommend the Elephant Nature Park, for a short trek for a day, I appreciated the services of Jungle trekking Chiang Mai, after that nothing beats the freedom and curiosity of renting a scooter and going into the surrounding countryside.
Hi Romain
Thank you for all your advice about Thailand, very useful for discovering this country in a different way....
I am engaged to a Thai woman from BKK and I will go there in a while to prepare the marriage file but as I am in the process of divorce and it takes a little time I must be patient…….
I am also scouting through the expat blog site to take over a guest house in Chiang Mai.
but I must admit that I am a little afraid of the political organization where everything is run by the military and if one day they want to get rid of the foreigners installed there...not much recourse possible...
looking forward to meeting you there one day maybe
It would be a pleasure to meet you during my stay there.
cordially
pascal
Hi Pascal,
I don't think we should be afraid of the military for that.. it's not in their interest to kick out foreigners. Statistically I would be more afraid of a scam on a non-viable (or sometimes over-sold) business...
Looking forward to meeting you one of these days in Bangkok!
Good luck with the administrative procedures!
Roman
Hello Romain, hello everyone,
1st trip to Thailand in preparation (I think there will be others!!…), your advice will accompany us in March 2015…
Congratulations for your patience, for the time spent keeping this blog alive, for sharing passions, above all don't change anything!!
See you soon at the corner of a street!! Happy New Year 2015, be magical like Asia!!
Hello Patricia,
Thank you very much to you too, without the readers and their thanks, my efforts would be in vain!
Maybe we'll see each other in March 😉
The information is very good! Thank you very much!
What a great initiative to bring a photo back to the locals!
It must be very emotional sometimes…
Congratulations on your blog, I will perfect my second trip to Thailand with the help of your valuable advice.
Thank you for this message! Yes it is sometimes moving, we never know how people will react! It is a fairly simple gesture that seems the minimum after shooting portraits everywhere.