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On a sailboat cruise through Indonesia, a father and son forge a deeper bond.

Sita with a Voice: Graphic Novel Takes on Indian Myth

Writer David Thompson shares his favorite parts of living in Bangkok’s Dusit neighborhood.

Find comfort in taking a trip to help conserve the wildlife.

One traveler returns to Laos.

A once-impenetrable country reveals itself to writer Matt Gross one meal at a time.

Founder’s Note: Beyond the Headlines

Nonprofit founder, Joe Rosli Sidek, showcases the diverse culture that is George Town, Malaysia through his favorite places to visit.

Most travelers kick off their Thai adventure in the country’s capital, Bangkok, an exhilarating place where tradition and modernity collide. Away from the big city, Thailand supplies the whole spectrum of travel experiences. The country’s north offers mist-shrouded mountains, its south some of the world’s best beaches. With beautiful landscapes, amazing food and friendly people, the “Land of Smiles” continues to capture the hearts of visitors.

Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport, but shopping might be its national pastime. Bangkok has some of Thailand’s best shopping, if not all of Southeast Asia. You’ll find high-end designers, international brands, and Thai labels at megamalls like Siam Paragon. Or enjoy the ever-so-Thai shopping experiences of a floating market or night market. For handicrafts and and a wide range of souvenirs, stroll the thousands of stalls at Chatuchak Weekend Market.

A kitchen dynamo whose energy belies her age of 77, Supinya Junsuta, aka Jay Fai, is chef-owner of one of the Thai capital’s most renowned shophouse restaurants—the eponymous Jay Fai—and one of the city’s most recognizable foodie personalities. In her trademark heat-resistant goggles, essential protection from a searing inferno of hot oil, she cuts a distinctive figure. And her fame and the crowds have only grown since the Michelin Guide judges gave her eatery Thailand’s first and only Michelin star for street food in 2017 (so much so that she has expressed a wish to give the star back). Her lofty reputation is founded on the alchemy she produces from her scalding wok, with stir-fries such as pad kee mao talay (drunken noodles with seafood) and other dishes like fluffy khai jeaw poo (crab omelet) and a complex tom yum goong (hot and sour shrimp soup) more than justifying the (relatively) steep prices.

Where Southeast Asian beaches are concerned, the longer the journey, the more worthy the destination. It’s true. It may take a bit more effort to reach Cambodia’s beaches than many of those in Thailand or Malaysia, but choose wisely and all the buses, taxis, and tuktuks will soon be forgotten. Adventurers eager to get off the grid entirely will love Koh Ta Kiev. If lounging by your own personal infinity pool is more your speed, then you should invest your vacation budget in a villa at Song Saa’s private island resort.

A journey into the ethnic neighborhoods redefining the City of Light

By name alone this sounds like a wine bar, but it’s actually a welcoming izakaya, albeit one that has a good selection of wine, as well as sake, shochu, and of course Asahi beer. Vin Vie is on Nongzhanguan Bei Lu, hidden away through a gate and behind a Sichuan restaurant. Dinner here is a cheerful, languid affair as you order a few dishes and drinks, eat and imbibe, and then repeat. Like any izakaya worth its salt, the menu has enough variety to satisfy vegetarians and carnivores. A perfect square of soft, creamy tofu, beef tendon marinated in wine and miso, sardines served warm and in their can, and pickled shishamo (fish) are among the can’t-miss dishes. Reservations are recommended.

For an intimate stay amid Chiang Mai’s mega-resorts, look no further than Sala Lanna. The boutique hotel’s 16 rooms are spare but clean, with free Wi-Fi and low-key comforts like plush bathrobes and iPod docking stations. On-site laundry facilities make it an easy choice for families and guests who want to spend their time exploring Chiang Mai’s hidden corners by bicycle—a tour that can be arranged by the hotel concierge. Of course, no one would fault you if your big plans included nothing more than taking in the Mae Ping River views from the rooftop swimming pool and bar.