If you’ve ever wanted to experience the Thailand of the past, or step into rural village life, then this complex offers just that — and, it’s something new to do if you’re in Phuket and get bored with the beach life.
Alternately billed as both a lifestyle destination and an edu-tainment spot, the large park aims to let guests step into old Thailand to experience what life was like in the country years ago — and what’s it’s still like in some of the country’s more rural regions.
The buildings are designed in old Thai fashion with canals weaving through where guests can take a boat ride or practice catching fish. Live dance and music performances happen daily in the park’s central areas.
There are several places to rent Thai costumes as well, which you can throw on just for a photo op or wear around the park to pose for photos playing old-fashioned carnival games, standing in front of art murals, shopping for souvenirs, or trying Thai foods.
In their food court, guests can choose from street food-style dishes, a seafood buffet, or a la carte items including Thailand’s famed dishes of pad thai, tom yum soup, khao soi, or somtam.
As Thalang Maneekram’s Soravich Singkaravanich told Coconuts: “Visitors will get the chance to feel like they have been transported back to the Thai ancient era, learn about Thailand by participating in culture-based activities, and of course try out delicious Thai foods.”
In the handicraft area, visitors can either shop for handmade wares from Thai designers or try their own hand at making crafts, including fan decorating, creating spa products, or candle making.
If you’ve got kids and they want to blow off some steam — or if you’re a tourist regretting that you didn’t book your Thai holiday during Songkran or Loy Krathong festival — you can experience both at Thalang Maneekram. The park lends out Hawaiian outfits meant for water fighting in the Songkran area. As the sun sets, guests also have the option of sending out a candlelit flower float visit at the Loy Krathong pond.
According to Soravich, these are the park’s largest draw. “Guests really like the concept of our 365 days of Loy Krathong and Songkran Festival. We want to provide everyone the opportunity to know more about these festivals, immerse themselves in them, and most importantly, don’t feel like they have to wait to experience it only once a year.”
If all the walking has made you tired, then you can also just chill out and people watch while you get a Thai massage before heading out to walk through the botanical garden to see thousands of species of flowers native to Thailand.
As part of the education initiative of the park, the Buffalo and Cow House and Farmland areas teach visitors how life works in Thailand’s villages, how farms run, how large animals play into village life, and how all kinds of things are harvested. In the farm area, guests can watch monkeys collect coconuts.
Yes, we said it. Monkeys collect coconuts.
FIND IT:
Thalang Maneekram
888/8 Chalong, Phuket
Open daily, 11am-9pm
Park admission: THB100 (most activities priced separately or available as packages)
