Marita Bester

Marita Bester is a freelance writer based in Bangkok. With a knack for uncovering the quirky, the cultural, and the profoundly human, she writes captivating stories about Thailand and Southeast Asia. From thought-provoking human-interest pieces to humorous and offbeat tales, her work brings the region’s rich history and culture to life. When she’s not at her keyboard, she pursues her other loves, like running, paddle boarding, travelling, reading and savouring a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.
  • Thailand TravelWhere to Travel in Thailand in June [2025] | Thaiger

    Where to Travel in Thailand in June [2025]

    If you’re thinking of avoiding Thailand during the rainy season, think again. June marks the beginning of the green season, a time when the crowds thin out, the landscapes come alive, and the Kingdom feels refreshingly unfiltered. “Without rain, there is no life.” – Jerry Yung Imagine early mornings in the mountains wrapped in mist, temple courtyards glistening after a…

  • Thailand TravelKoh Tao: Between fact and fear, paradise, tragedy, and the search for clarity

    Koh Tao: Between fact and fear, paradise, tragedy, and the search for clarity

    It’s been a little more than a decade since the island of Koh Tao was thrust into the global spotlight. On September 15, 2014, the murder of two British backpackers shocked Thailand and sparked a wave of headlines, speculation, and international scrutiny. In the years since, this small island in the Gulf of Thailand, renowned for its diving, beauty, and…

  • Thai LifeThailand’s emotional pull that keeps travellers coming back

    Thailand’s emotional pull that keeps travellers coming back

    In his memoir A Moveable Feast, the American author Ernest Hemingway wrote about his struggles and journeys in Paris. “If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you… For Paris is a moveable feast.” His description of enjoying oysters by the…

  • Thailand TravelWhere are the tourists going to in Thailand?

    Where are the tourists going to in Thailand?

    Thailand has long been the go-to destination for those in need of—let’s say—a break from adult life. Over the years, I’ve heard countless stories from friends who jetted to Bangkok after a messy breakup or came to reset their lives in some way. It was low-cost, low-commitment, and full of soft landings. I knew people who camped on beaches, crashed…

  • Travel GuidesBegpackers, buskers, and the ethics of modern travel

    Begpackers, buskers, and the ethics of modern travel

    In times past, the image of a wanderer abroad was synonymous with romantic adventure. From the 19th-century Grand Tour to the beat poets hitchhiking across Europe and Asia, travel was seen as a rite of passage for the young and curious. Wilfred Thesiger, who travelled through the Arabian deserts in the 1940s, captured the classic Western fascination with distant and…

  • Koh Samui TravelHas The White Lotus changed Koh Samui forever?

    Has The White Lotus changed Koh Samui forever?

    As the final scene of The White Lotus Season 3 fades out and the Ratliff family sails away from Koh Samui, one question echoes louder than the last gunshot: Will Koh Samui ever be the same? Over eight episodes, Thailand’s third-largest island was transformed into a cinematic dreamscape, but behind the lush cinematography lies a real island with real people.…

  • Thai LifeBangkok through time: A city in flux and its spirit of resilience

    Bangkok through time: A city in flux and its spirit of resilience

    The recent earthquake, brief but unnerving, reminded residents that nothing, not even concrete or glass, is entirely fixed. And yet, in true Bangkok fashion, life carried on. Commuters returned to the skytrain. Street vendors lit their woks. The Chao Phraya kept flowing. In this fleeting moment of disruption, the city’s rhythm barely faltered, its quiet resilience taking centre stage. It…

  • Hua Hin TravelWhat makes Hua Hin special?

    What makes Hua Hin special?

    Hua Hin quietly charms just about everyone who visits. It’s not just the soft beaches, the seafood, or the slower pace of life. There’s something else, something harder to define but easy to feel. This coastal town was once the chosen getaway of Thai royalty. Today, it’s become a favourite for families, retirees, digital nomads, and weekenders from Bangkok. The…

  • Things To DoSongkran essentials: What you need for an awesome water festival

    Songkran essentials: What you need for an awesome water festival

    Every April, Thailand erupts into the world’s biggest, wildest and wettest water fight. But Songkran, the Thai New Year, is more than just a massive street splash fest; it’s a celebration of renewal, tradition and togetherness. Recently recognized as a Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage, Songkran has deep roots in Thai culture. Traditionally, it was about honouring elders, visiting temples, and…

  • Bangkok TravelJim Thompson: The man, the house and the mystery that won’t die

    Jim Thompson: The man, the house and the mystery that won’t die

    Tucked away in the heart of Bangkok is a place of intrigue, art and one of Thailand’s greatest mysteries. If you love art, design, or a good mystery, then the iconic Jim Thompson house should be on your must-visit list. A house designed for beauty and secrets This isn’t just any old house. Completed in 1958, Jim Thompson’s home is…

  • LifestyleLife with a dog in Bangkok: Adventures with Beans

    Life with a dog in Bangkok: Adventures with Beans

    I recently met with dog owners Shannon and Stuart with their cocker spaniel, Beans, at a cafe in Bangkok. While we talked, Beans lay politely under the table, his floppy ears resting on his paws, completely at ease in the lively atmosphere. I had been scrolling through Instagram a week earlier when I first came across Beans. His goofy haircut,…

  • LifestyleHave you eaten rice today? A love language shrouded in simplicity

    Have you eaten rice today? A love language shrouded in simplicity

    In many parts of Asia, especially Thailand, rice is life. It’s the steaming bowl that soothes after a long day, the humble plate shared among friends and family. It’s the ever-present comfort food that feels like a warm hug. As one of the world’s largest rice exporters, Thailand’s relationship with rice goes far beyond economics. Here, rice doesn’t just fill…

  • Thailand TravelPlaces around Hua Hin that you should visit [2025] | Thaiger

    Places around Hua Hin that you should visit [2025]

    Hua Hin, with its powdery beaches and breezy, laid-back vibe, has always been a beloved escape from Bangkok’s frenetic pace. But venture just a little further south and you’ll discover a trio of enchanting beach communities that seem to have been plucked straight from the pages of Country Life magazine. Life slows down on this quieter, more untouched stretch of…

  • EntertainmentWhat happens in Thailand stays: Unpacking the themes of The White Lotus

    What happens in Thailand stays: Unpacking the themes of The White Lotus

    The White Lotus returns on February 16 for its much-anticipated third season, this time in idyllic Kho Samui. The trailer teases us with glimpses of candlelit shrines, full-moon parties, luxury spas, and, of course, monkeys which is a motif that seems to hint at some deeper themes. While I can’t claim to know exactly what will happen, I have some…

  • Travel GuidesFinding the perfect souvenir in Thailand is closer than you think

    Finding the perfect souvenir in Thailand is closer than you think

    What’s the best thing to bring home from Thailand? For me, it’s always been about finding keepsakes that characterise the soul of the place. One of my favourite souvenirs is a small glass elephant I found at a market in Chiang Mai and people say that elephants are symbols of good luck – so why not have one around? Now,…

  • Environment NewsIs it too late for Thailand’s dugongs?

    Is it too late for Thailand’s dugongs?

    Long ago, dugongs were hunted across Southeast Asia for their meat, tusks, and bones. In some regions, their body parts were thought to hold magical powers. Dugong tears, in particular, were said to bring good fortune or even love. But in Thailand, these gentle sea cows often inspired more reverence than harm. Along the Andaman coast, dugongs became symbols of love,…

  • LifestyleFlying too high – The risk and responsibility of modern influencers

    Flying too high – The risk and responsibility of modern influencers

    Long ago, on the Greek island of Crete, a brilliant inventor named Daedalus crafted wings of feathers and wax to escape captivity alongside his son, Icarus. The wings were a marvel of human ingenuity, a gift of freedom. Before they took flight, Daedalus gave Icarus a warning. “Fly too low, and the sea will drag you down. Fly too high,…

  • Environment NewsMoo Deng: Thailand’s personality of the year

    Moo Deng: Thailand’s personality of the year

    Time magazine’s annual selection for Person of the Year often reflects on the individuals who have captured global attention. While it is usually presidents and influential figures, it is clear here in Thailand who truly deserves the title. Forget the political icons—our beloved Moo Deng, the pint-sized pygmy hippo, has captured hearts, taken over social media, and established herself as…

  • Thai LifeTsunami survivor’s story: A journey from chaos to hope

    Tsunami survivor’s story: A journey from chaos to hope

    The Indian Ocean tsunami touched countless lives, claiming more than 230,000 people across 14 countries. In Thailand alone, over 8,000 perished. What would you do in such a situation? How would you react if you found yourself in the “warzone” of your life, with only seconds to act? These are the questions the tsunami compels us to confront. The answers…