Koh Phi Phi

Over the years the Phi Phi islands have been famous among backpackers as a remote tropical paradise. Like many other places in Thailand it was soon discovered by the more resourceful tour operators who first built little huts then followed up with reasonably comfortable bungalows. Now there are several hotels, discreetly fitting in with the island scenery so as not to detract from its unique charm.

Patong Beach in Phuket

   Patong Beach, located on the West Coast of Phuket, is the most famous of Phuket's beaches and it has the largest concentration of tourists. While just 15 years ago there was nothing, just a small fishing village and extensive coconut plantations, today it is the most built-up of the beached. 
   The bungalow complexes, restaurants, shops and nightspots appealing to all tastes are lined up to the seafront. Patong is not for those who want isolation - that's found in abundance elsewhere around Phuket - but it's ideal for those who want watersports on their tropical beach, backed-up by an active and exotic nightlife nearby and unlimited good eating set back off a stunningly beautiful beach. With plenty of action and friends to be found, Patong is a popular spot for those seeking fun in the sun. 

Patong Go-Kart Speedway

Located on the road between Phuket Town and Patong Beach, this is the only karting track on the island. Fun for adults and children alike, the course covers 750 meters. And if you only want to watch, there is a grandstand for spectators and a restaurant serving drinks and snacks, and every sunday the track holds a grand prix. There are karts for children, standard singles, two seater and fast 400 cc race karts. Children must be at least 12 years old to participate. Safety gear is provided.
118/5 Vichitsongkram Road, Kathu, Phuket, Thailand Tel: +66 76 321 949

Koh Chang in Trat

Koh Chang Trat

Koh Chang is the focal point of Koh Chang National Marine Park. Until recently Koh Chang and the park were well kept secrets, even from local Thais. They received very few visitors and as a result there was little development. This is quite remarkable given its close proximity to Bangkok – only 330 kilometres direct. Over the last couple of years though their have been plans to develop Koh Chang into an upscale resort and as a result there has been an increase in the amount of building that has taken place on the island. Koh Chang is the largest of the 52 islands in Koh Chang National Marine Park and the second-largest island in Thailand.  Most of the island is rainforest and it features a range of hills, the highest (Khao Jom Prasat) nearly 800 metres high. The result is a very dramatic landscape that acts as a backdrop for some excellent bays and beaches including Ao Klong, Hat Sai Khao and Ao Khlong Prao. The island is also home to a wide range of wildlife, including a good selection of birds, snakes, deer and a number of elephants. The island and its vicinity are great places for snorkelling and diving. The best time to dive here is between November and April and the south of the island offers the best visibility. For more advanced divers there is a Thai warship that was sunk by the French in 1941. A number of excellent diving centres offering courses and guides are available on the island. Kayaking and sail boarding are also available on the island. The island is also a great place for hikes, and it is possible to walk from one side of the island to the other (although it’s not advisable without a guide). Elephant rides into the jungle are also popular. Elephants based at Ban Khlong Son Elephant Camp can be hired for 900 baht for one and a half hours. The more usual attractions like Buddhist temples are also available on the island. How to get there: Probably the easiest and cheapest way to get to Koh Chang is to take a Songtaew from Trat to Lean Ngop and from there take the ferry. The Songtaew trip will cost 20 Baht.

Hat Kamala Beach in Phuket

Hat Kamala Beach
Phuket
Hat Kamala Beach is located in Kamala Bay about 20 minutes north of Patong Beach. Over recent years the beach has matured into a resort meeting all the requirements of the modern tourist, but has not lost its original identity – like Kalim Beach, Kamala is substantially more relaxed than some of the other areas in Phuket. It is also a lot quieter – the beach is deserted more often than not; ideal for taking in some sun or just sitting and relaxing. A number of hotels and guesthouses sit along the road leading to the beach and provide accommodation that meets any budget. A number of stalls sell fresh food at very reasonable prices meaning you can pick at something all day if you like! For those looking for great views, Khao Phanthurat is about 30 metres above sea level and from the top you can get an excellent perspective of Kamala’s 2.5 kilometer long ‘half moon’ of a bay. Phuket FantaSea is located to the north of the beach.
How to get there: Hat Kamala Beach is 25 kilometres from Phuket town and Songtaews leave for the area on a regular basis. If you are going there from Patong, a Songtaew going along the coast road will cost 20 Baht.
 

Hat Kalim Beach in Phuket

Hat Kalim Beach
Phuket
Hat Kalim Beach is a quiet, attractive area that is far enough away to be away from it all, yet still close enough to the action to be fun. It is a small beach littered with rocks situated north of Patong Beach (Hat Kalim is actually a continuation of Patong and the beaches are separated by a rock formation going into the sea). The sea around the Hat Kalim offers excellent coral reefs making it attractive to people who like snorkeling and diving. When the tide is out a substantial amount of coral is revealed and it can be interesting to wander around to see the variety of living creatures the coral maintains (starfish, etc.). Don’t try to walk amongst the coral with bare feet – you WILL get cut! Not as developed as other beaches in Phuket, Hat Kalim is substantially more laid back - you can actually get some space to yourself on this beach. At the back of the beach is a solid range of accommodation including reasonably priced hotels and guesthouses.
How to get there: Hat Kalim Beach is a short distance from Patong. Songtaews leave regularly to Patong from the market in Phuket and cost 20 Baht per person – easily the most effective way of getting to the area.
 

Hat Surin in Phang-Nga

Hat Surin Phang-Nga

About 24 kilometres from town is Hat Surin , which can be reached on Route No. 402. After reaching the Heroines Monument, turn left and proceed on for 12 kilometres. The beach borders on a hillside. To the north are groves of large pine trees and a golf course. Surin beach is not recommended for swimming because of its steepness and heavy seas and winds during the Monsoon season.

Hat Surin in Phang-Nga

Hat Surin Phang-Nga

About 24 kilometres from town is Hat Surin , which can be reached on Route No. 402. After reaching the Heroines Monument, turn left and proceed on for 12 kilometres. The beach borders on a hillside. To the north are groves of large pine trees and a golf course. Surin beach is not recommended for swimming because of its steepness and heavy seas and winds during the Monsoon season.

Hat Khao Lak in Phang-Nga

Hat Khao Lak
Phang-Nga
Hat Khao Lak , 32 kilometres from Takua Pa, is now an interesting destination for domestic and overseas tourists.
It has an advantage of beautiful, long beach of Andaman Sea and green mountain of Khao Lak-Lamru National Park parallel to the coast. The accommodation of Takua Pa along Khao Lak and Bang Sak Beach are built in the original southern architecture style. With the combination of the hospitality of local people who love in nature and environment, seaside town of Khao Lak –Takuapa has its unique and charms of attracting tourists to the area.  

Hat Bang Sak in Phang-Nga

Hat Bang Sak
Phang-Nga
Hat Bang Sak , located in Tambon Bang Muang on Phetkasem Road, on the Thai Mueang - Takua Pa section, between Km.76-77 and going down a side road for another hundred metres.
The beach of Bang Sak has clean white sand and stretches along a grove of shady pines. Accommodation and restaurant are available on the beach. 

Ao Kai-Laem Tan in Rayong

Ao Kai-Laem Tan
Rayong
Ao Kai-Laem Tan a little cape beyond Laem Mae Phim to Klaeng District is rather quiet.
Nearby is a small fisherman's village, in which the main occupation is to pickle jellyfish. Seafood restaurant here is well known among the tourists. Travelling to Ko Man Klang, can be done by taking a speedboat from here. 

Ao Mae Ramphung in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Ao Mae Ramphung
Prachuap Khiri Khan
Ao Mae Ramphung This is a scenic bay in Amphoe Bang Saphan.
Travel about 75 kms. south of Phrachuap Khiri Khan to Km. 399, turn left and continue for another 17 kilometres via Bang Saphan Market. Accommodation and seafood restaurants are available. 

Ao Mae Yai in Phang-Nga

Ao Mae Yai
Phang-Nga
There are around ten bays on the Surin Islands with great beaches. Ao Mae Yai is probably the best known of them all. Located in the southwest of Surin Nua (Southern Surin Island), Ao Mae Yai has white sand and wonderfully calm, crystal-clear waters. Set against some dramatic scenery, this is an excellent location for swimming, snorkelling and diving. It is also a very calm place just to sit around sunbathing or generally relaxing. 

Ao Luk in Phang-Nga

Ao Luk (Deep Bay)
Phang-Nga
There are around ten bays on the Surin Islands with great beaches. Ao Luk on the Southeast coast of Koh Surin Nua (Northern Surin Island) is probably the most visited. It has excellent waters and offers a paradise for snorkeling enthusiasts. The beach features shallow corals and an abundance of marine life making snorkeling and diving straightforward and approachable. In the vicinity of the beach are a number of trails which offer hikes to the more adventurous. 

Ao Nang Beach in Krabi

Ao Nang Beach Krabi

Originally a fishing village, Ao Nang is now a major city beach resort and a travel destination in its own right catering for the full range of foreign tourists. Ao Nang’s chief feature is a long white sand beach set against crystal clear water, but people also come here for a full range of activities such as diving, kayaking and trekking. Less developed than other beaches in Thailand, Ao Nang none the less offers guesthouses and hotels that fit any budget. The beach enjoys a vibrant nightlife which includes excellent seafood restaurants dotted along the beach and some bars that offer live music. However, this is not an ‘expat’ type scene oppressive numbers of go-go bars, etc. It has a much nicer feel and is a good choice for families. Ao Nang has numerous agencies were it is possible to arrange trips to attractions and activities available in the vicinity. Bird watching is a favourite in the area, as are jungle treks and boats to neighboring islands. Diving is another popular draw and again agencies in the area arrange dives for all levels. They also offer liveaboard trips that take in the local islands. Day trips are relatively inexpensive, but ask around for the most reliable places and shop around for the best deals. Despite everything on offer, Ao Nang is quite a small beach and can get crowded. How to get there: A taxi from the airport will cost around 500 Baht. Long tail boats run seasonally and cost around 50 baht from Krabi to Ao Nang. Songteaws from Krabi cost 20 Baht during the day and 50 Baht after 18:00.

Koh Tao Island in Surat Thani

Koh Tao Island
Surat Thani
Things have moved on since the days Koh Tao was a prison colony. Although at present it is not over developed and relatively quiet and peaceful, tourism has spurred a lot of development on the island, and the number of visitors going there is growing annually.
Located 45 kilometres north of Koh Phangnan, the waters around Koh Tao are blessed with excellent sea coral and good visibility. As a result there are plenty of diving schools operating on the island and it is one of Thailand’s key diving and snorkeling destinations. Some of the best diving/snorkeling sites include White Rock, Shark Island, and the Southwest Pinnacles. If water sport isn’t your thing, the island is blessed with long, undulating beaches to relax on; key beaches are Sairee Beach, Mae Haad, Chalok Ban Kao and Hin Wong Bay. For those not interested in sun and surf, the island’s interior is immensely thick jungle with the odd track the adventurous can explore.
Koh Tao offers a good range of accommodation; there are your 150 Baht a night huts for backpackers, as well as luxury accommodation with all the bells and whistles, and everything in between. Most accommodation available is found around the island’s key beach areas. Nightlife in on Koh Tao is excellent and less ‘steamy’ than some islands and tourist destinations. Things are more relaxed and less crowded, but there are plenty of places you can dance the night away to the sounds of topnotch DJ's. Like Koh Phangnan, Koh Tao has its beach parties.
Koh Tao is cool for shopping – there is a good range of shops selling everything from diving gear to souvenirs and jewelry, alongside plenty of ‘mom and pop’ stores and the occasional Seven Eleven where you can stock up on staples. The island is also great for restaurants. There has been a surge in the number of places where you can get great food on the island, and everything is available: Italian, Japanese, German, British… list goes on. Both restaurants and bars offer a fantastic range of local and imported drinks.
Koh Tao offers a complete package – one of the most enticing! Well worth a visit if time and situation permit.

Koh Ngai (Koh Hai) in Trang

Koh Ngai (Koh Hai)
Trang
Located 13 kilometers south of Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai is one of the Koh Lanta group of islands that make up the Koh Lanta National Marine Park. A small, triangular island, less than 5 square kilometers in size, Koh Ngai (also known as Koh Hai) has a forested interior and offers white-sand beaches alongside clear water and good coral which encircles the entire island making it a perfect place for snorkeling. There is limited accommodation on the island, mostly clustered around the eastern coastline. There is a variety of types of accommodation available, and a range of prices to choose from, but with so few places to stay in, Koh Ngai is a very quiet and peaceful place – probably best to try to book somewhere in advance if possible to be on the safe side. Other islands in the area include Koh Chuek, Koh Waen, Koh Mah and Koh Muk, and you can arrange tours to these islands from the accommodation outlets on Koh Ngai.  
How to get there: Although officially part of Krabi province, the easiest way to get to Koh Ngai is from Pak Meng Beach in Trang. Regular ferries run from Pak Meng and its also possible to rent boats to cater for groups. 

Koh Saket Petch in Rayong

Koh Saket Petch
Rayong
Koh Saket Petch is a small island off the coast of Rayong, approximately 15 minutes by boat from Bang Phe. Although accommodation is available on the island, it is limited. As a result, the waters around the island remain clear and the coral on the seabed impressive.  
How to get there: Boats on a regular schedule are available from Hat Sai Thong beach near Bang Phe.
Contact: If you want to stay on the island, a limited number of bungalows and tents are available for rent. These must be booked well in advance. To book accommodation contact (038) 617-002 (Rayong) and 0-2719-6393-9 or 0-2319-7506 (Bangkok).  

Koh Man Island Group in Rayong

Koh Man Island Group of Islands
Rayong
The Koh Man Island group comprises three islands: Koh Man Nai, Koh Man Klang and Koh Man Nok. These tiny islands remain pristine and have excellent coral reefs. Koh Man Nai (the smallest of the islands) has a single beach and is only 100 metres across. It is not possible to stay overnight on Koh Man Nai because camping is prohibited and there is no other accommodation available. This is likely because of the abundance of sea turtles around the island – through Her Majesty the Queen's conservation efforts to preserve sea turtles there are plans to turn Koh Man Nai into a turtle sanctuary. Koh Man Klang and Koh Man Nok both have excellent beaches. In addition, being quiet and sparsely populated (and by no means over visited!), the coral reefs around the islands are still in perfect condition. It is possible to rent snorkelling, sailing, and canoeing equipment from the islands’ few resorts.  
How to get there: Koh Man Nai is opposite Kai Bae Beach and is accessible by private boat from Pak Nam Prasae (1,500 Baht) or Ao Ma Kam Porn (500 Baht). 

Koh Kaeo in Phuket

Koh Kaeo
Phuket
Koh Kaeo is an offshore isle about 3 kilometres out from Rawai beach and can be reached in 30 minutes by boat.  It offers picturesque beaches and underwater scenery. There is also a replica of the Holy Footprint on the island.