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 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…

  • Thailand TravelThe free spirited edge of Koh Phangan

    The free spirited edge of Koh Phangan

    Koh Phangan is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Known for its famous full moon parties, Koh Phangan also attracts digital nomads, spiritual seekers, and free spirit travellers looking for more than just a tan. In this YouTube video, in the section from timestamp 17:00 to 21:20, Flora and Note arrive at the entrance…

  • 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.…