Destination Specialist Update on Thailand: 10 Questions with Sahajal Lohani
Sahajal Lohani, one of our Destination Specialists for Asia, recently visited Thailand for work. We caught up with Sahajal to get the latest insight on travel to Thailand, including some tips on how to sell it to your clients.
1. Where did you travel?
I travelled to Bangkok, Chiang Rai, and Chiang Mai in Thailand.
2. What is the number one thing agents should know about Thailand?
It’s a country that can be very hot and humid, even during the monsoon season. There are different seasons in Thailand, but it’s hot throughout the year.
3. What is the biggest misconception about Thailand?
That it is not safe for women or solo travellers. This is not the case, as Thailand is very safe and has a great tourism infrastructure for travellers of all kinds.
4. What was your favourite hotel?
It’s hard to pick between the three places I stayed in Bangkok. The Tower Club at Lebua has the incredible sky bar with unbeatable views of the city. COMO Metropolitan Bangkok is a gorgeous 5-star property close to Lumphini Park. And The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon is just all-around top notch.
5. What new things did you learn about Thailand?
I learned that it’s well connected by public transport, so it’s easy to get around. It’s safe for women, even at night. And, perhaps most of all, I learned that Thai people really love their food (and for good reason).
6. What was your favourite local experience?
There were a few. Visiting the Elephant Sanctuary outside Chiang Mai was very special, as was meeting with some monks during their daily chants. The floating market in Bangkok and the Maeklong train market, where the stalls move on and off the train tracks, were very unique places too.
7. What was your favourite individual destination or landmark?
It just has to be Bangkok in general. It’s a city that has everything a traveller could ever want, from good food to great hotels to amazing day tours.
8. What were your favourite local dishes or drinks?
It’d be a tie between Pad Thai, which is stir-fried rice noodles with various veggies, shrimp, egg, and peanuts, and Khao Soi, an amazing northern deep-fried chicken served with crispy noodles in a coconut milk curry.
9. What would be the perfect complement as an extension to this trip?
The perfect way to end the trip would be with some days at the beach in Phuket. You should make sure to book your clients a day trip to Koh Phi Phi, as it’s an incredible place.
10. What are your top tips for agents who want to sell Thailand?
One: Recommend as many day tours as your clients can fit into their itinerary. Every day tour I took in Thailand was worth it and provided very memorable experiences.
Two: Make sure that your clients visit at least three different destinations in Thailand, such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Krabi.
