With its beautiful beaches on the mainland, and on the Andaman islands to the west and the Gulf of Thailand to the east, the Kingdom of Thailand is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. It is also the only country in south-east Asia that has never been colonised. Christine, Gunther, and Otto often visited the country, driving down the Malaysian peninsula through southern Thailand seven times. Their ultimate destination in each case was the port of Singapore, which has played an important part in their travels. Otto has several times been packed into a container and shipped off to new destinations. He has travelled overland from Thailand to Laos, Cambodia and, in 2014, Myanmar. Over the years, Gunther says Bangkok’s chaotic traffic has improved somewhat thanks to new expressways and fast train services. He still loves the bustle of the Thai capital’s rivers and floating markets, and the friendliness of the local people. One visit to Thailand, and you’re hooked.