IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SPONSORED BY TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND   Thailand’s Vivid Visits    Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles, and for good reason. It’s hard to not be in awe of the country’s riot of color, from temples to the flavor palates that dominate the country’s unique dishes. If you’re planning a trip to newly reopened Thailand—now without restrictions for vaccinated travelers—be sure to go beyond the glittering lights of Bangkok. From the north to the south, vibrantly colorful places and foods await, ready to dazzle all your senses.      LEARN MORE SAM ROI YOT, THAILAND   Phraya Nakhon Cave   According to legend, the cave was discovered around 200 years ago when a local ruler was forced to abandon his ship and found refuge in the cave. Legend or fact, there’s no denying that few sights in Thailand are more spectacular than this pavilion, which if you time your visit right, is bathed in a majestic, serene golden glow. READ MORE TAMBON PA O DON CHAI, THAILAND   Wat Rong Khun   In a nation of temples, Wat Rong Khun stands out. Known as the White Temple, Wat Rong Khun is located in Chiang Rai, in the north. The building is all white, with glass and mirrors embedded into the outside to make it shine and sparkle in the sunlight—though it was ultimately designed to be viewed in moonlight when it appears particularly ghostly and otherworldly. READ MORE TAMBON KHAEM SON, THAILAND   Wat Pha Sorn Kaew   Translated to ‘Temple on the Glass Cliff,’ Wat Pha Sorn Kaew is a mountaintop sanctuary. It features a stunning design, one that expresses its architectural youthfulness, and is a center for the foundation of mindfulness practice, one of the core Buddhist principles. Take a deep breath while you’re here, and feel the serenity settle in your bones. READ MORE AMBON KALAI, THAILAND   Ko Ta Pu (James Bond Island)   In 1974, the James Bond film The Man With the Golden Gun was released, with Bond’s nemesis, Francisco Scaramanga, hiding out at Phang Nga Bay. The movie, which referred to the island as a “mushroom-shaped rock,” catapulted Phang Nga Bay’s tourism industry, so much so that the island was dedicated to 007 himself. READ MORE BANGKOK, THAILAND   The Art of Fruit Carving   In Thailand, the art of fruit carving, or kae sa lak polamai, was once showcased at every major event and banquet, with floral motifs dominating in the long history of Thai fruit carving. It might be difficult to find now, but the spirit of fruit carving lingers on in a younger generation. READ MORE THAILAND   Luk Chup    Stop by a vendor’s stall and you might see luk chup, vividly colored morsels that look like miniature fruits. Beneath their exterior of shiny gelatin, these treats house a filling of creamy, sweetened mung bean paste. This treat combines Portuguese origins with Southeast Asia’s wealth of natural dyes, such as pandan leaf extract and butterfly pea flower, which explains the treats’ extra pop of vibrancy. READ MORE THAILAND    A Beloved Red Drink   They are everywhere, ubiquitous to the point where they are nearly synonymous with the spirits themselves: small, plastic bottles of strawberry Fanta, placed solicitously in front of shrines, straws helpfully tilted towards the gods for easier sipping. How did Fanta nam dang, “red water,” become the spirit drink of choice? READ MORE THAILAND   Son-in-Law Eggs   In Thai legend, a protective mother fried up two hard-boiled eggs as a warning to her son-in-law to treat her daughter right. In reality, however, the eggs are much more of a treat—topped with a sweet-and-sour sauce of palm sugar, oil, shallots, tamarind, coriander, and fish sauce, the dish is a vibrant palate of the best Thai flavors: tangy, sweet, salty, and savory, all at once. READ MORE