It was early 2012, and I was finishing up a work contract in Bangkok. To reward myself, I scoured a well-worn Lonely Planet Thailand  book in search of somewhere quiet, secluded and achingly beautiful. In the end, I chose the Similans, a group of tiny islands known for their turquoise waters and powdery beaches (and blissfully uninhabited except for park rangers). 

However, they were (and still are) a popular day trip destination. So with some help from my Thai colleagues to navigate the then Thai-only national park website, I booked a couple of nights in a super basic treehouse bungalow on Island No. 4, just steps from postcard-pretty Hideaway Bay. Other than the few hours when the inevitable day-trippers spilled onto the beach, I had the entire island to myself. It had such a castaway vibe, one I’ll never forget.

In our latest books on Southeast Asia, our well-traveled writers and local experts have combed the region to present the best advice on how to experience this area to the fullest, whether it's taking a traditional long-tail boat to hang with the pigs on Ko Madsum, Thailand, how to experience Peranakan culture in Joo Chiat in Singapore or tips and tricks on navigating Bangkok. 

Wherever you decide to go, may you create your own magical memories in beautiful Southeast Asia. 

- James Pham, Destination Editor, Southeast Asia

Meet locals in a hill tribe or fishing village. Enjoy wildlife adventures in national parks. Witness sacred temple rituals and deep-rooted traditions. Dive into crystal blues – and come out on white-sand shores. So begins the second edition of Lonely Planet’s Experience Thailand.

Pier Nirandara is an author, film producer and underwater photographer who researched and wrote the Chinatown section of our Bangkok city guide. She found that it was a great way to get closer to her heritage, from the 90-year-old Thai-Chinese cafe frequented by her great-grandfather, to the Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center where she learnt about her  roots. Here are her tips for getting the best out of your time in Bangkok.

Ask the locals! I know it sounds obvious but the city is constantly changing and nobody understands Bangkok better than the people who live here.

Sample the street food. Arguably one of the top food cities in the world, the best way to experience Bangkok is to eat your way through it.

Download Grab. From calling transport to ordering food, so much of daily life in Thailand revolves around this handy app. 

Take it slow. Even though I grew up in Bangkok, the guidebook assignment encouraged me to pay attention to the smaller details. There are always new secrets waiting to be discovered in a city constantly in flux. 

The saying that "good things come in small packages" could've been coined to describe the tiny island nation of Singapore. Measuring just two-thirds the size of New York City and endearingly referred to as the Little Red Dot (owing to its portrayal as a mere red dot on maps), it's a country we love discovering time and time again. Singapore is a realm of perpetual contrasts, often hurtling into the future with its out-of-this-world architecture, lightning-fast efficiency, variety of cuisine and impeccable image.

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