“Come to See” Lotus
If I show you the following picture, you may think “yeah, I have seen this somewhere.” But you may not be able to say its name. There’s a simple reason Ma Doo Bua is one of the best places to visit in Thailand: it’s one of the most Instagrammed places in Asia. However, its name is in Thai, so it can be tricky for foreigners, most even mix up and say “ma boo dua”, like I first did for the initial months I had been here. Firstly, let me teach you some basic Thai (I can’t believe I am saying this!!) “Ma” means “Come”, “Doo” means “to see”, Bua refers to “lotus”, hence Ma Boo Dua, literally means “come to see lotus”. And this place has a big pond full of it.
The Best Family or Couple Pictures a Place Could Offer
Ma Doo Bua is 3-star hotel and a destination café for its famous lotus pond as a special photo backdrop. However, it is out of the way from any other popular tourist areas, which gives it a unique appeal for adventurous tourists who are seeking unique things to do in Thailand that might be considered off the “beaten path.” Located in Thalang, Northern Phuket, it is a minimum of 30 minutes from Patong to an hour drive from Kata.
Like I mentioned before, if you love Instagram, Moo Doo Bua is one of the best places to visit In Thailand, if not the world. (Just wait until you see the photo at the end of this blog!) What a genius idea to have drone pictures taken above a lotus pond! There is a little boat in the middle of a lovely lotus pond, think of Monet but lusher. A drone flies over it and captures everyone’s smiles. The composition of the photo is a stunning lotus bed and subjects posing on an old-fashioned fishing boat. The photographer would choreograph the guests to make the photos come out with everyone looking very relaxed. Anyone would have thought those photos must have taken ages, like how long usual family photos would take, instead of that brief 5 minute manoeuvre. I believe that one of the most expensive activities at Ma Doo Bua is to get a ticket for a family shot, listed at 1,500 Baht. Well, it is more expensive than their current hotel room rate. However, the feedback on their room has not been that great if you read from various booking platforms. One of the biggest complaints is the crowds of people taking photos, which is no surprise— most of the top attractions in Thailand attract the same kind of attention.
Yes, there are so many tourists who go there to want to squeeze in to get a shot of the infamous lotus pond. The drone photo sessions are only between 1 and 4 pm. This often means you need to go there early to get a ticket and come back hours later to do the shot. In order to shorten the waiting time, usually visitors would just take the earliest time slot available. Most often they end up getting the noon spots when the sun is strongest. Not only they end up with miserable faces on their photos due to the bright sunlight, but their clothes are also so soaked as result everyone has to return to hotel to get changed and sort of losing the day.
For my visiting friends, I always help them get the tickets in the morning and send them to have teatime. After that, they would take drone photos around 4pm. That time of the day produces the best light for photography. Well, if you do not have friends like me, who’s willing to do the footwork for you and prepay your pricey tickets, read the photography tips below in order to make your Ma Doo Bua visit full of fun and free of stress (and sweat).
Enjoy a Nice Breakfast in the Tranquility of Lotus Café
Peak hours at Ma Doo Bua café are between 11am and 4pm. If you arrive at opening hours (around 9 am), it is peaceful and quiet there. The food is quite good at the café and since the number of patrons are few, service is typically faster and much friendlier. Get a ticket for the photography or video service, charges begin from 500 THB for single and 1,500 THB for a family photo shot at late afternoon. After breakfast, I suggest you go to another fun place in the area to spend the next several hours. The well-known Bluetree Resort— where there is a water lagoon and many other indoor activities— is merely 15 minutes away. Since by time you finish breakfast, there will be a steady stream of arrivals, and it will be easy to catch transport from those arriving at the café. If you would prefer to chill, or mums manage to send the kids away with daddy, you can consider booking for a few spa treatments at the Bua Spa. Foot massage with a view of the lotus pond costs only 720 THB for one hour, if that is not enough, pay another 1,200 THB for a body massage, a bargain for a million-dollar view. Is it the best Thai spa? Maybe— but even if you disagree, no one can deny that it’s one of the most beautifully-situated spas Thailand (or the world) has to offer.
Just Stay for the Night
Well, if you are there for a romantic getaway, or cannot be bothered with the coming back and forth, consider staying the night! The hotel does not get a very high score on various platforms. However, I asked to tour their rooms randomly, and to be fair, they were pretty decent. Considering the price for a deluxe room type at 1,000 THB per night (at time of writing, USD is trading at 1:34.76 THB), and a villa for two with the lotus pond view is 1,300 THB, and 1,700 THB with breakfast. Ma Doo Bua is a mere 20 mins drive from the airport, so it can be a good “last couple of days” destination before you leave smiley and lively Thailand. But honestly, I think it’s a must visit in Thailand no matter how long you stay.
Even after coming for many times to do the host duty for my friends, I would still come here from time to time just for the food. The café has a lovely menu, refreshing drinks and signature unique dishes in which lotus is the main ingredient. Most importantly, you will never regret taking those breath-taking pictures on or by the lotus pond. Ours has become my Facebook profile photo and ones to cherish for life— and my go-to recommendation for friends seeking truly unique things to do in Thailand.
