Thailand Highlights-2019

After months of planning, packing, and preparing my heart, I finally made it back to Thailand—the place where it all began. If you’ve read this post, you know this trip wasn’t just a getaway. It was personal. It was layered. It was healing.

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After seven long years, I finally made it back to Thailand—and I’m still processing all that it gave me. From reuniting with my family in Surin to watching my kids experience Thai culture for the first time… from eating dishes I grew up with to returning to places that once held pain—this trip was everything I hoped for, and more.

It wasn’t just a trip.
It was coming home.

Now, I’m sharing the top 10 highlights—the memories that stood out, the stories that stayed with me, and the moments I’ll carry forward.
Scroll down to read all 10 Thailand highlights below!

1. Speaking in Thai, Khmer, and Lao Again

I love speaking my native languages again—Thai, Khmer, and a bit of Lao. Back home in the U.S., I rarely get the chance. So when I landed in Thailand, I was a little rusty, especially when it came to reading and writing. But it didn’t take long to pick it back up—it was a necessity to get around and to act as the unofficial translator for my Thai and American families.

One of my favorite parts? The shock factor.

Whenever I replied in Thai to someone who assumed I was a foreigner, their eyes would widen and they’d say something like, “Oh! You speak Thai!! I thought you were a Farang (foreigner)!” This reaction never gets old. Thai is a tonal language, and it’s incredibly hard to sound native if you didn’t grow up with it.

That moment always sparks more conversation:
“How long have you lived in Thailand?”
“Is your mother Thai? Where is she from?”

It’s the best kind of icebreaker. I met so many people this way—learned local tips on where to go, what to eat, and where to explore. I even got the cheaper local prices instead of the marked-up tourist fees. (Yes, it’s a thing!) These interactions weren’t just convenient—they helped me reconnect with my culture, one conversation at a time.

2. Introducing My Kids to My Thai Family, Culture, and Language

Watching my children experience Thailand for the first time was emotional in ways I didn’t expect. Seeing them try to wai (the traditional Thai greeting), pick up words like “Sawasdee Ka,” and interact with cousins they just met—it moved me.

They learned quickly that food is a love language. They learned that shoes come off at the door. They learned that you eat with a spoon, not a fork—and that chili peppers are not to be underestimated!

They also discovered that play is a universal language. Even with no shared words, they made friends easily. It reminded me how adaptable and open children are. This trip made me realize how special it would be to raise them bilingual—and how much pride I have in our heritage.

3. Eating Dinner with My Family (a.k.a. Nightly Feasts)

Let me rephrase: FEASTING with my family.

Each night felt like Thanksgiving. My extended family in Surin—three separate households—came together to cook and share a meal. Everyone sat in a circle on straw mats, feet tucked neatly behind us (a Thai custom), with all the dishes placed in the middle.

There were always 8 to 10 different dishes, served family-style. Each person had their own plate of rice and a spoon for scooping small portions of food. We passed dishes around, chatted, laughed, and just enjoyed being together.

And then came the bugs.

The overhead lights always attracted them—and one or two would inevitably land in someone’s plate. My Thai family would casually scoop them out and keep eating like nothing happened. My kids? They freaked out every time. Screams, faces of horror, the whole scene. We all laughed—especially the other Thai kids, who stared at us like we were from another planet.

Some nights, our dinner circle would include more than 10 people. My family always invited others to join—neighbors, friends, kids without parents around. One little girl, whose parents work in Bangkok, often stayed and ate with us. My family looks after her like one of their own.

That’s what I love about them. That’s what I love about Thailand. Everyone takes care of each other.

4. Thai Night Markets

I could walk through a night market every evening and never get bored. Problably one of my top 3 greatest joy in life. But with a camera of course. The life, the energy, the colors, the sizzling sounds, the smells—it’s electric. I took photos, snacked constantly, and watched locals shop for produce, spices, and pre-cooked meals.

I especially loved the small-town market near my village—about 10 kilometers away. This market wasn’t just a place to buy food; it was a social hub, where you could hear four or five languages and dialects being spoken, including Khmer. Surin was once part of Cambodia, and though the borders have changed, the culture and language live on. I grew up with these sounds and speak them fluently.

One of my favorite market moments? Hearing the vendors talk about me behind my back—then jumping in with perfect Khmer when someone said something inappropriate. Watching the shock on their faces and hearing the eruption of laughter afterward? Priceless.

5. Touring Surin & Revisiting Childhood Places

Hiring a private driver for this trip was one of the best decisions I made. Mr. Ju, a family friend and longtime driver for Dr. K, felt like extended family. He drove us everywhere in his tricked-out van that felt more like a limo than a van.

He was funny, kind, flexible, and always willing to help. Whether we needed to head to the morning market at 5:30 AM or take a spontaneous detour to a temple, he was all in. He knew the best spots to visit in Surin and made the journey smooth, fun, and full of laughter. Traveling with two kids can be challenging—but with Mr. Ju, we felt safe, supported, and genuinely cared for.

6. Reconnecting with My Village

Coming home to my village after 7 years away was surreal. The moment we arrived, word had already spread—I swear everyone knew I was back before I even stepped foot on the dirt road.

As we walked in from the nearby resort, I took my time photographing every corner—the worn-out flags, the houses, the dusty paths. My kids and niece went ahead while I greeted neighbors and took it all in.

When I reached my house, four of my childhood friends were waiting for me. They’d dropped everything just to say hello. We laughed, hugged, and they asked if I remembered their names. I called each one by their childhood nickname. They burst out laughing and wrapped me in the warmest welcome.

The women I grew up with also came to greet us. It felt like no time had passed. Just like that, I was home again.

The women I grew up with came by to greet my family and me as we entered the village to my family. 

My family, sister, nieces, and nephew in their "dining area." 

My families, Thai and American. One of our last group photos before saying goodbye.

7. Visiting Dr. K & Some of the Leprosy Patients in My Village

It was so meaningful to visit some of the first-generation leprosy patients still living in my village—people I grew up around, who shaped me in ways I’m still discovering. Since leprosy hasn’t been contagious for decades, it’s the lasting physical and emotional toll that remains. Many of these patients are aging, frail, and living quiet lives. But they still remembered me. And they were thrilled to see my family—and especially my children.

I also had the chance to reconnect with Dr. K, the retired leprosy doctor who changed so many lives across Thailand. She left her prestigious medical post in Bangkok to serve those in leprosy colonies throughout the country. She’s been a mentor and a like a mother to me for years. Her influence—and her compassion—continue to guide the way I see people, food, and life. 

7. My Niece’s Wedding

One of the biggest reasons we finally made the trip back to Thailand was for my niece Douy’s wedding. She’s the youngest of four kids born to my sister Bunmee, who—like me—was adopted by our aunt and uncle. Bunmee is 15 years older than me, but we grew up like siblings. Her kids were more like brothers and sisters to me than nieces and nephews.

Douy and I are just nine years apart. I still remember her as a chubby, caramel-skinned baby with big brown eyes. Seeing her now—grown, radiant, and walking down the aisle—was surreal.

It was a beautiful Christian Thai wedding, filled with loved ones I hadn’t seen in decades. My son and daughter were the ring bearer and flower girl, which made it even more special. We laughed, cried, told stories, and danced into the night.

The wedding happened over Thanksgiving weekend—our first Thanksgiving in Thailand. And honestly? It couldn’t have ended our trip more perfectly.

 8. Personal Healing at the BLS House

This one is tender.

During my last visit to Thailand, I had just undergone surgery following a miscarriage. I stayed at the BLS House (Beaulah Land Services), a large home outside Bangkok that Dr. K uses for her work and guests. My niece lives and works there now, caring for the house full-time.

Back then, I asked Dr. K if I could plant a few lime trees on the property—one to honor the baby I lost, and one for the mothers I had said goodbye to. She said yes, and we picked out the trees together. I cried as I dug into the earth, planting something I hoped would carry my grief forward into life.

This time, when I returned to the BLS house, I went looking for the lime trees. My niece had told me they hadn’t survived—but to my surprise, there it was. A tall, healthy lime tree, surrounded by shrubs, in the very same place I had planted it years before.

There’s life growing there.

9. Visiting All Four Regions of Thailand

While this trip wasn’t tightly planned (traveling with a 5 and 6-year-old teaches you to loosen the reins!), we still managed to visit all four major regions of Thailand—and each one offered something unforgettable.

In the Central Region, we spent time in bustling Bangkok, which became our hub for picking up and dropping off family and friends who traveled with us.

In the Northeast (Isaan), we returned to Surin—my home. This was the heart of the trip.

In the South, we traveled to Krabi, soaked up the warm beaches and turquoise waters, and indulged in spicy Southern Thai dishes and seafood that made me want to bottle the flavors and bring them home.

In the North, we visited Chiang Mai, hiked up the city’s tallest peak, explored the temples, sipped local coffee, and enjoyed cooler weather that felt like such a gift after the heat and humidity.

Even without a strict itinerary, we saw, tasted, and experienced so much beauty. And I’m so grateful.

10. Rediscovering the Power of a Thai Smile

Thais are known for their smiles—and it’s not just a tourism slogan. It’s real.

Everywhere I went, I saw it. Smiles in markets. Smiles from strangers. Smiles even when life was clearly hard. Some people say it’s a mask. I see it as strength. A smile, especially in hard times, is a choice to hold onto joy. A choice to be soft in a world that can be rough.

I was reminded of this truth again and again on this trip. Smiles are contagious. They soften tension. They connect people.

So smile at strangers. Smile at the auntie selling sticky rice. Smile at the driver who’s been waiting in traffic for an hour. Smile at your kids when you’re tired. It doesn’t cost a thing, and it changes everything.

Thailand is called the Land of Smiles for a reason. And I remembered why.

Thank you for following along with this journey. If you're still reading, know that I’m so grateful you're here. This trip reminded me why I started this blog in the first place—to honor where I came from, and to share what I carry forward.

Until next time,
Suwanee 💛

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