Ms M

Thailand Guru

I’m a city girl at heart, and Bangkok is one of the most dynamic. The gorgeous Grand Palace, exquisite temples near the Chao Phraya River, and the well-curated collection at the Jim Thompson House are some highlights. Beyond those, there are so many wonderful and weird faces of Bangkok. There’s a vibrant contemporary art scene, ‘cat cafes’, trendy night markets, the best bars in Southeast Asia, and a dizzying array of dining options. I was in constant awe while living there, and I always find something surprising with each return. I recently stumbled upon a unicorn-themed café, and had a night out at ‘W District’, an artisanal-food night market.

But, I do also need my nature fix – and in Northern Thailand I have paddled a kayak down the Mae Kok River, ridden a scooter along winding roads in Doi Mae Salong, cycled through villages in Chiang Rai, ziplined through the jungle in Chiang Mai, and bonded with rescued elephants in Mae Taeng. At the other end of the country, I’ve snorkeled the Andaman Sea; explored hidden lagoons in Phang Nga Bay; swam through the darkness of Emerald Cave; and gazed at the craters on the moon from the observatory at Soneva Kiri on Koh Kood.

For the last decade, I was a luxury travel consultant at an award-winning tour operator, but my work in tourism goes back to 1999 when I was hired by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) to coordinate their annual conference promoting study abroad and intercultural exchange. I first visited Thailand in 2008 and in 2012, I was compelled to return and immerse myself in the country so I moved to Bangkok. While working remotely from Thailand, I could delve deeper into the many layers of the city, explore the countryside and beyond in Southeast Asia. My commitment to strengthening my knowledge in Thailand was soon rewarded when I was named a top travel expert for the destination! I’ve recently launched my own travel consulting company and I find it deeply satisfying to apply my ever-evolving travel acumen to designing bespoke journeys to Southeast Asia for my like-minded travelers. And, as a vegan with nut allergies, I’m eager to help clients with their own special dietary needs and preferences. I’ve worked with parents of children with allergies, showing them how they can be cautious without limiting their travels. I’m now based in Singapore, so I love meeting my travelers for a drink or coffee when our paths cross on-site, and sharing my local finds with them.

With an unprecedented flood of destination information on the internet, it’s daunting for travelers to know who to trust and how to make the best choices. I’m a recognized expert in the destination and I cut through the noise to make sure every day of your trip is just right. I’ve has created hundreds of personalized itineraries for delighted travelers. Thanks to my home-base in Singapore, I’m able to travel throughout Southeast Asia frequently to stay current with the latest hotels and experiences. This year, I’ll make at least three trips to Thailand and I’ve already travelled to Laos, Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia.