All Thai-ed Up
ITV’s Loose Women Carol McGiffin tells us about her love for Thailand
Her no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach on ITV’s Loose Women has won her a legion of fans. But when Carol McGiffin’s not shooting from the lip on the hit daytime show, she’s donning her pashmina, packing her passport and preparing to jet off to far-flung destinations, a glass of bon voyage bubbly sending her on her way.
Topping her poll of favourite places is Thailand and you’ll quite often find her tuned into the “manic energy” of Bangkok or topping up her tan on the sun-drenched shores of Phuket. Here, she tells us just what it is she loves so much about the place, and why nothing would stop her returning to this exotic slice of South East Asia - not even the 2004 tsunami that almost claimed her life…
We hear you’re a bit of an avid traveller. How many holidays do you tend to take a year?
Too many! I probably go away six or seven times a year. And that’s usually proper longhaul holidays, a week at least but quite often two. The way my job works, with contracts and everything, I can just have three months off at a time. I don’t have any kids, no dependants, so I can go away when I like. It’s great.
And where was your last break away?
It’s got the most fantastic market square, the biggest in Europe
Krakow in Poland, that was just for four days. I’d never been to Poland before and my sister’s boyfriend’s from Krakow. I just thought it looked like a really interesting place, and it was. It’s got the most fantastic market square, the biggest in Europe. It was the beginning of September and the weather was lovely so we just spent a lot of time hanging round the square, people-watching. We went to the castle, had a ride on an open-top bus, and just did all the things you’d normally do there really. I’d definitely go back.
What was your best ever holiday and why?
Cape Town and South Africa, in my opinion, is the most beautiful place on earth
That’s a really difficult one. I went on a long holiday a couple of years ago. It was about a month and I went to Thailand, Sydney and Cape Town, three great destinations. Thailand is just my favourite place in the world. No competition. Sydney was very organised, very clean and the harbour is one of the most beautiful places on earth. And Cape Town and South Africa, in my opinion, is the most beautiful place on earth. The scenery and the landscapes are second to none. The whole city is based around the coastline. You’ve got the Indian Ocean on one side and the Atlantic on the other. It’s absolutely fantastic, a very up and coming place.
So what is it you love so much about Thailand?
It’s the first place I ever went to in Thailand and I’ve never found anywhere better when it comes to beaches
The food, the people…everything, just everything. I can’t fault it. I’ve been there 12, maybe 13 times. It’s the most tranquil place. The beaches are great, the food’s fantastic, it’s cheap. Every time I go there I feel like I’m going home. Bangkok’s my favourite. I go there a lot for weekends, leaving on Thursday and coming back Sunday, that’s how much I love it. I love the energy, the ambience, just the way it works. It’s total chaos but it works brilliantly. I go to Phuket a lot, too. It’s the first place I ever went to in Thailand and I’ve never found anywhere better when it comes to beaches. Patong in particular is great.
Any hot tips for people going there? What are the best buys?
In Bangkok, go to Chatuchak weekend market. It’s three square miles of stalls, all undercover
If you’re in Phuket or Bangkok seek out the Burmese ladies who are laden down with all this handmade jewellery and traditional Burmese hats. The hats are so intricate, they must take them ages to make but they only cost about £3. The silk kimonos are a good buy as well. In Bangkok, go to Chatuchak weekend market. It’s three square miles of stalls, all undercover. You can buy anything and everything, I go there all the time. And the night market in Patpong is absolutely essential.
Things to eat and see?
If you’re in Bangkok take a ferry ride up and down Chao Phraya river, it’s magnificent
Always, always eat street food. People always think it’s going to be poisonous but it’s the nicest, safest, cheapest food there is. If you see a little stand with a man making soup, go over and have some soup. It’ll cost you 50 baht, which is about 30p and it’s so fresh and tasty. Don’t ignore the street hawkers, I can’t stress that enough.
Places to see
If you’re in Bangkok take a ferry ride up and down Chao Phraya river, it’s magnificent. The Grand Palace is a must-see and the big gold Buddha’s good, too. If you’re in Phuket, you’ve got to go to Patong. Even if you don’t want to stay there, just go for a night out. It’s totally rocking, brilliant. For beaches, Kata and Kata Noi are beautiful and a bit more peaceful than Patong.
Thomson’s just introduced an ‘Exclusively for Adults’ range. Do you think this kind of thing is a step in the right direction for people holidaying without kids?
There are lots of people who, like me, haven’t got any kids and who’d love to go places where there aren’t going to be any children
Absolutely, I applaud that idea. There are lots of people who, like me, haven’t got any kids and who’d love to go places where there aren’t going to be any children. It’s a brilliant idea. As well as that, I think more should be done to encourage people to go on holiday on their own. It’s the most rewarding thing ever. You don’t have the adventures when you go with other people. When you’re left to your own devices, more people talk to you and you have to make the effort to go out and see stuff. Some of my best holidays have been on my own.
And finally, what would you say are the hallmarks for a great holiday?
Good weather, good food, nice people and a great exchange rate.
