Meaningful travel in Thailand: grow yourself, give back to the world

Sometimes, that's easier said than done. As a tourist, you're always looking from the outside in. It's like turning off the tv after having watched a movie. In the end, you return back to your own life in a completely different reality. But don't we all travel to experience fresh things and different cultures and meet new people? So why are we so stuck in our ways, following the beaten path, when it comes to travelling abroad?

If you feel the same way, it's time to break the pattern. Immersing yourself sounds like one of those buzzwords, with not a whole lot of meaning. But let's put it this way: when coming back from a trip, do you want to feel like you visited a place, or do you want to feel like you've fully experienced your destination? If you're like us, it's definitely the latter. It requires a different approach to travel, and also some effort from you when push comes to shove. Not in hard labour, but by opening up to other cultures, new experiences and especially the people around you. After all, a stranger is only a friend you haven't met yet.

There are so many authentic experiences to be found all across Thailand, so finding something that's right up your alley shouldn't be too hard. But we wouldn't be KILROY if we didn't offer some amazing suggestions for you. Here goes…

Our absolute favourite local experience almost always features food, in some way or form. It plays with all of your senses, be it how it smells, looks or tastes. It's also one of the easiest meaningful travel hacks we can give you, as good food in Thailand is literally EVERYWHERE. Our tip? Ask a local you meet where they usually eat and what their favourite dish is. Chances are you'll get something you've never tasted before. Even if you don't like it, it's a great way to expand your palette of flavours. If you want to be a little more low-key, visit one of the many local markets. In each moderately sized town, there's bound to be one. Take a look at all that's on offer and simply buy something to try it out. Ignore the raw meat and fish, but go for some Thai fruits. The national fruit of Thailand, mangosteen, is probably something you have never seen or tried before. The hard thick skin can't be eaten, but the bright white flesh that is revealed when you peel the purple skin away tastes sweet and refreshing, somewhat reminiscent of a mix between lychee, peach and pineapple. There are plenty of others though, like rambutan, dragon fruit and the famously smelly durian. Sometimes, it's a love-it-or-hate-it situation, but at least there are countless options for trying new dishes and snacks.

If you want to one-up it and make the best use of the culinary genius of the Thai people, we suggest taking a cooking class. Honestly, it's the best souvenir you can give yourself, as you'll learn new recipes and will make them at home for years to come. How about some delicious green curry, Pad Thai or Thai noodle soup? We're already getting hungry over here!

And last but not least: street food! Think the best quick bite can be found at the big yellow M? Think again, as Thailand is home to what is maybe THE definitive street food scene. It's cheap, full of taste and vibrant, with the capital of Bangkok being the centre of it all. The central street food market is buzzing all day long, and while there is an abundance of restaurants around, you could survive on street food alone. It's also not just for the backpacker on a shoestring budget. You'll see plenty of fancy hotels with five-star restaurants, but don't be surprised when you see big businessmen queueing up at the street food stalls. Why? Because it's just so damn good! Did you know there are street food vendors with a Michelin star in Bangkok? Jay Fai, also commonly referenced as the ''queen of street food'', received the famed mark of quality for her crab omelette creation, turning her into a local legend.

We can't think of a way to make travel more meaningful than by volunteering. There are plenty of different projects where you can get your hands dirty, be it for wildlife conservation, community building or educational purpose. Wildlife conservation at the Elephant Rescue and Education Centre in Bangkok is one of the more popular options, and for a good reason. Animals tend to bring out the best in us and these big friendly giants deserve all the TLC they can get. The animals at the centre were formerly used as tourist attractions and the like, meaning they have generally had a hard life. There are plenty of tourist traps taking advantage of elephants and other animals, so we understand if you're a bit wary of trying animal volunteering, but we can vouch for this one. There are no chained elephants present - ever, and the enclosures are large and made up of natural habitat to ensure the animals can live a good life here.

If wildlife conservation is not your thing, maybe one of the projects in Hua Hin is more up your alley. All over Thailand, there are still many communities in need of a helping hand. In Hua Hin, you can support several projects to improve the local community. You can help out in the ''community construction'' project, to maintain and build homes, schools and other facilities in the village. There are other ways to contribute though, take for example the teaching project, where you will help children to learn English, a valuable skill that will help them for the rest of their lives.