What Rahul Gandhi can do in Thailand: There’s lots more besides massage parlours & go-go bars

So, Rahul Gandhi has taken off to Bangkok for some R&R and introspection. Most people think of a trip to Thailand as an opportunity to indulge in the naughty pleasures the country is known for. If lap dances and sleazy Pat Pong are your thing, then, by all means, go for it. But there’s a whole lot more to this destination. Check these adventures out:

Bangkok’s humongous market, Chatuchak

Forget the plush malls and the branded goods stores. Get lost in the weekend market at Chatuchak, one of the largest of its kind in the world. Spread over 27 acres, with some 15,000 booths, the market is said to draw nearly 2,00,000 visitors on any given day. You’d be hard put to think of something that you can’t buy here. Stocking everything from fine crockery to colourful wigs and antique furniture, from plants fresh flowers and clothes to hats, shoes and pet pups, Chatuchak is a shopaholic’s dream come true. After the shopping, eat Som Tam, fried chicken and noodle soup at the street stalls.

Bar-hopping, Khao San Road, Bangkok

Known as Bangkok’s backpacker paradise, Khao San Road has lost none of its buzz over the years. The hotels may be a bit tatty, but you can’t beat this area when it comes to its groovy bars and clubs. Whether you want Prosecco or cheap beer off the street, you’ll get it. And the music ranges from jazz, to country, reggae and Thai pop, if you have a taste for the stuff. On Khao San Road it’s always party time.

Seafood spectacular, Ang Sila

While Bangkok’s streets and food courts abound with excellent and inexpensive eating options, a very special experience awaits the visitor to Ang Sila, a coastal town en route to Pattaya from Bangkok. Sitting at the water’s edge is a string of no-frills restaurants serving straight-out-of-the-ocean seafood cooked in the most delicious ways. From a whole-fried catfish, to grilled prawns and fresh oysters from the nearby beds, served with Thai condiments, this is a must-do for the devoted foodie.

Foot massage on the beach, Pattaya

Slip into a deck chair on Jomtien beach, Pattaya. Summon one of the wandering masseuses and have her pummel, punch and knead your feet while you munch on softshell crabs, take in a painted sunset or simply doze off. Bliss doesn’t get better than this. All for just 200 Baht.

Stay in a boat house, River Kwai

There are few places that can be more tranquil than the majestic River Kwai by night. At the water’s edge are no-frills lodgings, carved out of old wooden barges. What the digs lack in luxuries, they make up for a hundredfold with the view and the setting. Sit on the deck at night, watching the mighty river flow and listening to the sounds of the night.

Find a quiet beach, Hua Hin

Done Pattaya, Phuket and Samui? For a completely different beach getaway head to Hua Hin, a three-hour drive out of Bangok, on the West coast. There’s none of the sleaze or the buzzing nightlife of the other beach destinations here, but the sands are golden, the waters pristine, it’s not overly touristy and great for family outings. There’s a very busy night market in the main town and you can spend hours wandering about picking up souvenirs.

A riverside market, Ko Kret

The traveller can never tire of Thailand’s markets – floating markets, night markets, weekend markets, it’s a bustling, vibrant array. Bursting with local flavours, colour and crafts, these are a splendid way to take in the country. An hour’s drive away from Bangkok is Ko Kret, an island famed for its weekend market. On the mainland, overlooking the water, is a huge golden statue of the Buddha. Cross the river in a ferry and lose yourself in the Ko Kret market, famed for its unglazed pottery, handicrafts and row upon row of street food stalls.