Amazing Thailand with John Torode - Destination Special

<p>On today’s destination special we’re travelling far away to the warmer climes of South East Asia. To a country renowned for its opulent monuments, ancient ruins, floating markets, palm-fringed tropical beaches, turquoise seas, lush jungle, sumptuous cuisines and a people so friendly that the country is nicknamed The Land of Smiles.&nbsp;Of course, today we’re heading to Amazing Thailand.</p><br><p>I’m thrilled to say that chef and TV presenter John Torode returns to the podcast, having been so passionate about his extensive travels in Thailand back in Season 5 to share his Thai travel diaries, from Bangkok the bustling capital in the middle of the country, to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in the mountainous north, to its famous jungle-topped tropical islands that lie off its two golden sand coastlines in the south.</p><br><p>And then, I am joined by the wonderful Kay Plunkett-Hogge. Kay is a cookery writer, travel journalist and broadcaster who is Thai, she was born and raised in Bangkok, bi-lingual, and she now lives in the mountains of Chiang Dao, which is in the Chiang Mai province of the country, and she spoke to me from her home there.</p><br><p>I have never been to Thailand - it's somewhere I've always wanted to go, and so I ask Kay, as someone who has lived in Thailand most of her life, where I should go and what I should do on my first trip there. She takes us through a fantastic two week round trip itinerary for first timers, beginning and ending in Bangkok, as well as sharing some of her favourite spots and hidden gems.&nbsp;</p><br><p>John Torode's Destination Recap:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Pak khlong talat (Flower Market Bangkok)</li><li><a href="https://thaihouse.co.th/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Thai House</a>, Bangkok</li><li>Peninsula Hotel, Bangkok</li><li>Chiang Mai</li><li>Chiang Rai</li><li>King’s Project, Chiang Rai</li><li>Hyatt, Chiang Mai</li><li>Southern Thai islands</li></ul><p><br></p><p>Kay Plunkett-Hogge’s Destination Recap:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Chiang Dao&nbsp;</li>