Beaches have long been the go-to escape for Thailand’s expats, but a different kind of retreat is rising in the hills of Chiang Mai. Instead of sun and sand, picture starlit campfires, misty mornings, and luxurious tents amid nature. This feature explores how a glamping weekend with friends or family can spark joy, strengthen bonds, and even give your brain a blissful boost.
By Nicha Vora
When Paradise Becomes Routine
As an expat in Thailand, I once thought nothing could top a weekend on a tropical beach. Jetting off to Phuket or Koh Samui on a Friday, kicking back under the palms with a cold drink — it became my cherished ritual after a long workweek. There’s a reason Thailand’s islands are famous stress-relievers: just a dose of sea breeze and I’d return to Bangkok on Monday feeling brand new.
But over time, even paradise can start to feel routine. The same familiar resort playlist, the predictable sunburn, the déjà vu of another crowded ferry back to reality — I began to crave something different. I wanted a getaway that would surprise me again, something that went beyond just relaxing to actually recharging my spirit. That's when I first heard a friend gush about a "glamping" weekend up in Chiang Mai, complete with mountain mist and campfires. It sounded like the exact kind of shake-up my soul didn’t know it needed.
“I was craving an escape that went beyond relaxing — one that could truly recharge my spirit.”
Sun, Sand, and the Comfort Zone
For most of us, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to what we know. Beach trips are popular for a reason — they’re easy, indulgent, and virtually guaranteed to please. A weekend by the sea means minimal planning (a cheap flight or a few hours on the road), and you pretty much know what you’re getting: soft sand, good food, a spa or two, and those postcard sunsets. Places like Hua Hin or Phuket have practically become second homes for Bangkok’s expats seeking a quick breather. In that familiarity, there’s comfort.
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Yet that same familiarity can also dull the excitement over time. When every escape starts to look and feel the same, the memories begin to blur together. You swap stories on Monday and realize you’re telling a version of the same weekend over and over. The comfort zone, lovely as it is, might be keeping us from experiencing the full palette of what Thailand offers. The truth is, a change of scenery — literally trading sand for soil and sea level for mountaintop — can jolt us out of autopilot. And sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
“A change of scenery can jolt us out of autopilot.”
Campfire Connections in Chiang Mai
We eventually traded the roar of jet engines for the hum of a road trip north. In just under an hour outside Chiang Mai city, we wound up a hill and arrived at a glampsite perched above a valley. To my surprise, “camping” here didn’t mean roughing it at all — our tent was more like a tiny canvas villa, complete with a real bed, soft blankets, and even a little deck overlooking the green expanse below. The air was cooler and fresher than anything you’d find at sea level. By the time dusk settled, I was already convinced this was a side of Thailand I should have explored sooner.
That night, under a sky pricked with countless stars, we gathered around a crackling campfire. Without the distractions of Wi-Fi or the neon of beach bars, our group of friends fell into easy conversation. We cooked a simple barbecue over the flames and shared stories that never would’ve surfaced back in our usual routine. There was laughter — the deep, rolling kind that comes when you’re completely at ease — and also comfortable silences as we all stared up, a little awestruck at the sheer number of stars. Wrapped in hoodies against the mountain chill, we felt a world away from the Thailand we thought we knew.
Instead of the buzz of beach nightlife, we found an almost childlike joy in these basic pleasures — fire, food, friends, and nature. By midnight, as we crawled into our plush beds inside the tent, I realized I felt more connected to my travel companions than on any five-star trip we'd taken before. There was something about the simplicity of that night that left us content on a whole different level.
“Fire, food, friends, and a sky full of stars — it turns out happiness can be that simple.”
Nature’s Therapy: Serotonin and the Glamping Trend
The contentment we experienced around that campfire wasn’t just a fuzzy vacation high — it had some real science behind it. Studies have found that immersing ourselves in nature actually changes our neurochemistry for the better. Just being among greenery, breathing fresh air, and absorbing natural light can prompt the brain to release serotonin – the very neurotransmitter linked to happiness and well-being. In simple terms, a weekend in the woods is like a natural mood-booster, a way to hack your serotonin levels without even trying. No wonder we all slept so deeply and woke up so refreshed.
Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that glamping has become more than just a buzzword. Across Thailand, this blend of glamour and camping is on the rise, enticing those who want nature without sacrificing comfort. Up in Mon Jam (a mountainside area an hour from Chiang Mai), there are now over twenty glamping sites dotted across the hills — a response to eager Thai travelers who have discovered the magic of a cool mountain night. Even the tourism industry is taking note of this shift. Thailand’s glamping market, once niche, is projected to nearly triple in size over the next decade, driven by demand for unique, experiential getaways. From local families to international visitors, more people are trading the usual hotel room for a tent under the stars. The draw is clear: it’s travel that nourishes not just the body, but the mind and soul as well.
“A weekend in the woods is a natural mood-booster — a way to hack your serotonin without even trying.”
Until the Next Campfire
The Monday after our Chiang Mai glamping adventure, I found myself scrolling through photos of starry skies and smiling faces. The usual back-to-work blues just didn't hit the same way. Instead, I felt a quiet sense of satisfaction — a gentle afterglow from the mountains that lingered long after we returned to city life. In conversations with my friends (now fellow glamping converts), we kept circling back to those little moments — the corny campfire jokes, the sunrise that painted the whole valley gold — and we realized how special it all really was.
We also realized we didn’t want it to be a one-off. That trip gave us a new tradition to look forward to. Sure, we’ll still hop down to the islands when we need our dose of saltwater and sun. But knowing that this other kind of escape is out there — one that leaves us feeling connected and genuinely refreshed — is a game changer for our life in Thailand. It’s like having a secret sanctuary up in the hills, waiting for the next time we need to unplug and reconnect with what (and who) really matters.
So as the seasons turn and the northern skies clear again, don’t be surprised if you find us back around that campfire — picking up right where we left off.
“It’s like having a secret sanctuary up in the hills, waiting for the next time we need to unplug.”
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