BANGKOK — Acclaimed travel host Roger Wu, alongside co-host Scarlett Wong (Bo Bo), offered viewers an intimate look at the historical, cultural, and whimsical facets of Ayutthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital, in the latest installment of the popular travel program, Roger’s Thailand Journeys 11. The episode, which aired recently on TVB Plus, highlighted the nation’s diverse regional attractions, blending traditional sites with modern, quirky tourist spots that appeal to both locals and international visitors.
The program began by delving into Thailand’s burgeoning domestic tourism trend, showcasing a café near the ancient city that has cleverly adopted an “overseas” aesthetic. Wu noted the growing local desire for travel experiences, even if budget constraints limit extensive international trips.
“Thais genuinely love to travel, but not everyone has the means to go abroad frequently,” Wu explained during the segment. “This has fueled the creation of themed locales across Thailand that mimic foreign destinations. They are designed for impressive photos, allowing people to capture the experience as if they have been there.”
The featured café utilized soft lighting and a muted wooden color palette to intentionally evoke a serene, non-Thai atmosphere, making it a prime location for photography and social media sharing.
Beyond modern leisure spots, the team explored Ayutthaya’s profound religious heritage. As a primarily Buddhist nation, Thailand is replete with temples, but one particular structure stood out for its distinctive design. The hosts visited a unique temple where the entire exterior and interior architecture was predominantly adorned in varying shades of purple.
Wong, known as “Bo Bo,” a self-proclaimed enthusiast of the color purple, expressed profound excitement during the visit. She observed the dazzling quality of the temple’s surfaces, noting that the vibrant, sparkling appearance went beyond typical monochromatic temple designs.
“Usually, you see single-color designs, but this place is multicolored and genuinely glittery—it feels like stepping into a magical world,” Wong remarked. She added an insightful observation regarding the temple’s construction: “Many of the glittering beads and embedded jewels are donations from devotees, which are applied over time, hence the increasing sparkle.” This detail underscored the deep connection between religious faith and community contribution in Thai culture.
Wong’s enthusiastic reactions, characterized by vibrant expressions that ranged from playful pouting and winking to displaying clear excitement and awe, provided an engaging, youthful counterpoint to Wu’s seasoned commentary, enhancing the show’s lively atmosphere.
Looking ahead, the next episode is set to take viewers to Khao Yai, a scenic region approximately two hours drive from Bangkok, renowned for its national parks and vineyards. Wu and Wong will explore the area’s popular leisure parks, continuing their quest to uncover both the natural beauty and the manufactured charm that define central Thailand’s travel landscape. The ongoing series successfully positions domestic Thai travel as a sophisticated and endlessly photogenic option for global travelers.
