How to experience Thailand in Singapore

Golden Mile Complex is unlike any other shopping mall in Singapore. Step into the Brutalist-style building and you'll find it chock-full of Thai eateries, karaoke lounges, occult shops, mini grocery stores and residential apartments for a full Thai experience. The building is a masterpiece in itself, hailed as an architectural and cultural marvel – so spend an afternoon exploring it before getting a plate of pad thai after. 

You can replicate the experience of shopping at Bangkok's night markets right here in Singapore. Just a stone's throw away from Bugis station lies a bargain shopper's heaven. Bugis Street is the closest you'll get to a street market in Singapore – the first floor is non-airconditioned but we suggest heading straight up to the second air-conditioned floor to shop. The most popular thing to do there, however, is to get your nails done in one of the many nail salons in the 'beauty aisle' – trust us, you'll know when you get there. 

Need some zen away from city life? Head up a flight of steps along Boat Quay to Sabaai Sabaai Thai Massage. The boutique massage parlour by the river transports you to The Land of Smiles with an authentic Thai experience – complete with relaxing ambient lighting and an intricate mix of fragrant scents to tantalise your senses. For a bare-bones treatment, choose the Thai Tradition (from $55 for 30 minutes), a classic massage that involves a therapist applying rhythmic pressure using the hands and forearms to the meridians of the body. Want to pamper yourself? Go for the Thai Aroma (from $65 for 30 minutes), which incorporates the fragrant aromas of specially blended essential oils – Kaffir Lime, Peppermint, Lavender, Lemongrass – that will leave you feeling energised and refreshed from within. 

After which, head on down to Aroy Dee Thai Kitchen for a sumptuous meal. Start with the green mango salad and deep fried tofu with Thai sweet sauce before getting some baby kailan served with a comforting – yet spicy – bowl of seafood Tom Yum soup. 

Thailand's stunning tropical islands make the perfect setting for one of the favourite things to do for tourists passing by, island hopping. Singapore has its fair share of offshore islands you can escape to, too. Plan a weekend away and set sail to Lazarus Island. You get to enjoy its azure blue waters and white sand beaches, almost as if you're in Koh Samui. 

Thais are known for their warm and exceptional hospitality. We may not be able to travel to stunning destinations like Koh Samui now, but if you want a Thai-inspired staycation, we've got the right resort. At Dusit Thani Laguna Singapore, relax in a tranquil sanctuary away from Singapore's hustle and bustle and have an indulgent meal at a lush forest-themed Greenhouse or an intimate téte-à-téte at Legends Bar.