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.

Lifestyle

Marita BesterTuesday, February 25, 2025
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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…
Entertainment

Marita BesterWednesday, February 19, 2025
265

The White Lotus Season 3 is deliciously unhinged

Finally, The White Lotus Season 3 has graced our screens, and let me tell you, it’s wild, mysterious, and darkly hilarious as I hoped it would be. Suppose the first two showed us the cracks in the glossy facade of the ultra-wealthy. In that case, this season is about smashing that facade entirely, wrapping it in layers of Thai spirituality,…
Thailand Travel

Marita BesterTuesday, February 18, 2025
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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…
Entertainment

Marita BesterWednesday, February 5, 2025
443

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…