Hat Chao Mai in Trang

Hat Chao MaiTrang

Hat Chao Mai is a central feature of Hat Chao Mai National Park in Katang District of Trang. The 5-kilometre-long beach offers white sand set against some thick forest, limestone hills and caves.

Ao Tan Khu in Trat

Ao Tan KhuTrat

Ao Tan Khu is a bay with fine sandy beach popular with local people during holidays. It is 4 kilometres. Off Highway No. 3156 (Ban Saen Tung-Laem Ngop).

Hat Samila (Laem Samila) in Songkhla

Hat Samila (Laem Samila)Songkhla

Located about 3 kilometres from Songkhla market (Thalat Supsin or Thalat Sot Thetsaban), Hat Samila is pleasantly free of crowds and a joy to amble along. The two islands off this part of the coast (Koh Nu - Mouse Island, Koh Maewo - Cat Island) are depicted in statues located at the north end of the beach. Alongside these statues is another, much revered statue depicting Mae Thorani (a Hindu goddess) as a mermaid. The statue is an iconic symbol of Songkhla (you’ll see it on the postcards) and has become a shrine to locals who believe it has the ability to bring them good fortune. The sea here is suitable for swimming, and boats can be hired by the pier for deep sea fishing. This beach is never going to compete with Thailand’s grander beaches, but for a more solitary experience and quiet contemplation, it can’t be beaten.

Suan Son Park in Rayong

Suan Son ParkRayong

As Ban Phe is a port and the main exit point from the mainland to Koh Samet, many people miss the area’s charms and attractions. For instance, another short taxi trip will take you to Suan Son ('Pine') Park, an area of extensive coastline and excellent white sandy beaches. It is a place locals favour for picnics because of its shady areas and great view of the beach. The stalls and restaurants around the beaches offer some excellent seafood dishes. If you find yourself in Ban Phe for any length of time and you are looking for something worthwhile to do, a visit to Suan Son Park would certainly be in order.

Laem Mae Phim in Rayong

Laem Mae PhimRayong

Laem Mae Phim can be reach either from Sukhumvit Road taking a right turn at Km.259.5, 263 or 268, or continuing for a little over 1 kilometre from Wang Kaew on the beach road. It is popular site for relaxation and swimming. Beach stalls serve food and snacks.

Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach) in Rayong

Hat Sai Kaew (Diamond Beach)Rayong

This beach is over a kilometre long and recognised as Koh Samet’s nicest. It is also the busiest! The beach is probably where the best nightlife happens on the island, with lots of restaurants playing videos, karaoke, bars… you know the sort of thing! If you want to stay around the beach there is plenty of accommodation available, albeit a bit on the steep side. Daytime is fun here, too! Plenty of water sport activity, water skiing, jet-skis… and divers and snorkelers trying to dodge the chaos! This beach attracts day trippers and those on short breaks; as a result, it is often a bit frenetic!

Hat Mae Ramphueng in Rayong

Hat Mae RamphuengRayong

Hat Mae Ramphueng is one of Rayong’s better known attractions, a huge expanse of beach stretching 12 kilometres along the coast with a real, live fishing village marking where the beach finishes. A number of swimming-related deaths are recorded each year, to some extent the cause remains a mystery. It is really not advisable to swim too far out into the sea, although swimming near the beach is perfectly safe.

Hat Laem Charoen and Hat Sang Chan in Rayong

Hat Laem Charoen and Hat Sang ChanRayong

Hat Laem Charoen and Hat Sang Chan are two excellent beaches that are in fact connected and in essence, one long beach. Hat Laem Charoen is only 5 kilometers from Rayong municipality and a seaside destination which is very popular with locals (who often come to sample to the seafood restaurants in the vicinity). Hat Saeng Chan is slightly further away from the municipality (7 kilometres). Both beaches are great for swimming as they have calm, clear waters. There are a number of accommodation options in the area, if required.

Ao Kai-Laem Tan in Rayong

Ao Kai-Laem TanRayong

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.

Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Hua HinPrachuap Khiri Khan

Hua Hin Beach is the focal point of Hua Hin – Thailand’s first beach resort. Although it has a beautiful white sand beach and crystal clear water, Hua Hin is not as famous as resort towns like Pattaya and is still a bit off the beaten track as far as foreign tourists are concerned. As a result the beach is generally not so crowded, except at weekends when locals from Bangkok make the 190 kilometer journey to descend on the area. It is though increasingly the destination of choice for foreign visitors interested in water sports. The beach is about six kilometers long and features a particularly good sunrise, and nice sunsets. Dotted along the beach are some great restaurants where you can enjoy local seafood. The beach does though cater for a growing expatriate community and the area hosts an increasing number of foreign restaurants and bars.

Ao Mae Ramphung in Prachuap Khiri Khan

Ao Mae RamphungPrachuap 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.

Hat Patong in Phuket

Hat PatongPhuket

Hat Patong Phuket’s most developed beach offers numerous leisure, sporting, shopping and recreational options along its 3-kilometre-long cresent bay.

Karon Beach in Phuket

Karon BeachPhuket

Karon Beach is another exquisite Phuket beach. This is pretty much a stereotypical image of paradise – long beach, sand dunes, and palm trees alongside crystal clear water! Surprisingly, Karon Beach offers even more… Unlike some of the other beaches on the island, Karon is not overdeveloped. Over the last few years a number of hotels and restaurants have emerged, but there are still large areas of open land that have not been built on. To make life simple, there is a paved walkway with lighting that runs parallel to the beach and gives easy access to the hotels behind. The whole thing gives the beach a uniquely pleasant ‘homely’ feel. The usual bars, souvenir shops and tailors that might appear elsewhere have been kept away from the beachfront and assigned to the road coming inwards from the main road. This has become a pretty lively area with trendy bars competing with restaurants offering a variety of cuisines. Karon is one of the few beaches where weather conditions permit surfing and great breakers come to shore from June to September. You really should be an experienced surfer to try these waves, but surfboards are available for hire from the beach anyway!

Laem Ka in Phuket

Laem KaPhuket

Laem Ka , at the extreme southwest of Chalong Bay.Laem Ka is also is suitable for swimming.

Laem Sing in Phuket

Laem SingPhuket

About one kilometre from Surin beach is Laem Sing which offers small but white sandy beach.To the left of the beach is a scenic rocky cape.

Patong Beach in Phuket

Patong BeachPhuket

Patong Beach is simply where Phuket’s action is! It’s by far the most frequented destination on Phuket and has just about everything a tourist could desire – it is therefore Phuket’s most developed beach! Located 15 kilometres to the west of Phuket town, this 3-kilometer-long white sand beach is jam packed with hotels, restaurants, bars (go-go and other types), discos and shops sitting alongside dive shops, travel agents and the outlets that cater for the windsurfing, snorkeling, sailing and parasailing that goes on around the beach. Despite the often frenetic activity, the water remains reasonably clean and suitable for swimming – there are actually separate ‘lanes’ for swimmers and those involved in water sports… This is a good thing – I would hate to see the consequences if they weren’t separated! Patong is particularly famous for its nightlife, which some say might rival that of Pattaya. Given that, Patong may not be as family friendly as the other beaches in the area. It is though a good place to start your exploration of the surrounding areas and a variety of tours are available that include Kayaking in Phang Nga, half-day snorkeling trips to islands off Phuket, sightseeing tours around the rest of island, and fishing trips into the open sea. Patong is also a good place to arrange your ‘liveaboard’ diving trips (October to May).

Hat Kamala Beach in Phuket

Hat Kamala BeachPhuket

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.

Hat Kalim Beach in Phuket

Hat Kalim BeachPhuket

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.

Cha-am Beach in Phetchaburi

Cha-am BeachPhetchaburi

Cha-am Beach is renowned for being the best beach in Phetchaburi. Cha-am’s fame was established when it’s neighbour Hua Hin became a royal resort and members of the royal family commented that Cha-am was just as beautiful. As a result, Cha-am has become a firm favourite with weekend visitors from Bangkok, and is becoming increasingly popular with international visitors keen on experiencing a genuinely Thai resort town. There’s a complete absence of bars along the beach – local bylaws won’t permit them. There are though numerous hotels and restaurants dotted about the 3 kilometre long beach and it’ easy to pick up a place to rest in a deckchair under an umbrella. You can get a donkey ride if you want one and it is possible to rent bicycles to explore the area. There are also herds of food stalls selling excellent snacks. Cha-am is remarkable in that it is unremarkable – this is a pleasant beach with green water – and that’s about it. Cha-am is not ‘in your face’ and that can make a genuine change and probably what is making it more attractive to foreigners.

Hat Khao Lak in Phang-Nga

Hat Khao LakPhang-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.

Ao Mae Yai in Phang-Nga

Ao Mae YaiPhang-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.

Hat Bang Sak in Phang-Nga

Hat Bang SakPhang-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.

Hat Surin in Phang-Nga

Hat SurinPhang-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.

Khao Lak in Phang-Nga

Khao LakPhang-Nga

Khao Lak (Hat Khaolak) has for a number of years been a popular destination for visitors to Thailand and its popularity grows annually. Like many of the kingdom’s beach destinations, the area features beautiful white sands and crystal clear water. Although Khao Lak was one of the worst hit areas in the 2004 tsunami, a massive relief operation has restored the area to the point where as of now (April 2005) tourism is operational once again and most major hotels in the area open.

Located about 80 kilometres north of Phuket airport, Khao Lak is a long, picturesque beach dotted with smooth boulders. For those interested in diving and snorkeling, a great coral reef lies about an hour away by boat. The beach offers a number of facilities for visitors – there are your usual Internet cafes and a scattering or bars and restaurants, although this area is certainly not as developed as similar destinations in the kingdom. A number of shops offer diving courses and trips to the Similan and Suring Islands. Khao Lak has Bang Niang as a neighbour. A smaller beach, Bang Niang offers fewer facilities in terms of accommodation, Internet cafes, etc. but has bags of charm and a very relaxed atmosphere.

Ao Luk (Deep Bay) 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.

Railay Beach in Krabi

Railay BeachKrabi
Railay Beach is about ten minutes from Ao Nang by boat. The beach is a genuinely superb location with golden sand against a limestone cliff backdrop. There is a gentle atmosphere on Railay; absent are bars competing against each other with techno music. As such, the site has become a destination of choice for people trying to avoid crowds in Ao Nang and Phi-Phi. Given that’s its chief attraction, more and more people are frequenting the beach, and it’s only a matter of time until Railay Beach becomes equally as busy! Amongst other activities, Railay is famous for its rock climbing. Climbing courses have been available in the area for over ten years and the instructors available are some of the best in the country. The cliff tops offer tremendous views of Railay Bay and surrounding areas. They are also an ideal location to watch the beautiful sunsets the beach offers.

Ao Nang Beach in Krabi

Ao Nang BeachKrabi
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.

Pattaya in Chonburi

PattayaChonburi

Pattaya Beach is at the centre of the half moon crescent that makes up the Pattaya coastline with Nakula Beach to the north and Jomtien Beach to the south. This part of Pattaya is famous (infamous?) for its nightlife. Very much a hedonist’s paradise, Pattaya Beach is littered with go-go bars and swamped with people employed in the sex industry; both genders (and some of nondescript gender!) and a variety of nationalities including Russians and others from former Eastern Bloc countries. Although this is the part of Pattaya that has most accommodation available, the nature of the nightlife can put families off. In the last few years though there has been a drive to make Pattaya more appealing to families by restricting some of the less salubrious activities. This has been successful to an extent but the area still maintains its go-go, discos and nightclubs. By day the area is somewhat different – the water is packed with jet-skiers, water skiers, powerboats and the sky is full of parasails! It is also a centre for scuba divers. Although as a dive site it might not meet the excellence of other places in Thailand, Pattaya is convenient for Bangkok and those with limited time who want to experience diving might well benefit from taking a course at one of Pattaya’s numerous and inexpensive dive shops. Ko Lan, Ko Sak, Ko Krok, Ko Man Wichai, and Ko Rin are all in easy reach of Pattaya as is a major shipwreck where more advanced divers visit. Pattaya Beach itself has its appeal, but the numerous hawkers walking up and down the beach make it a difficult place to just sit and relax – you are offered everything from food to high technology with annoying regularity. There’s no doubt Pattaya Beach is a fun destination, but one that needs some consideration before a visit. Pattaya has its appeal, but perhaps it might not appeal to you or your situation.

Naklua Beach in Chonburi

Naklua Beach Chonburi

There are three main areas in Pattaya. Pattaya Beach is the central stretch of coastline that supports some of ‘raunchier’ aspects of local tourism; bars, restaurants, go-go – pretty much a hedonist’s paradise! Jomtien Beach is much more laid back, offering family friendly establishments and excellent windsurfing. Naklua Beach is the most northerly of the bays and by far the quietest.
Naklua is much smaller than its neighbours and it does not suffer from the mass development Pattaya Beach has experienced. Like Jomtien it is more family friendly. The Pattaya municipality spent 1.8 million Baht on cleaning up the waters around Pattaya, and in Nakula it is now possible to see fish in the water. This makes bathing in the sea a genuine pleasure. Nakula is also a centre for windsurfers and windsurfing equipment can be hired from the beach.

Jomtien Beach in Chonburi

Jomtien BeachChonburi

Featuring a long straight coastline and long white sand beach, Jomtien Beach is located around 2 kilometers from its less salubrious neighbour – Pattaya Beach. Whereas Pattaya Beach is more geared for the party animal, Jomtien Beach has carved a niche as a more ‘family-friendly’ environment. Like its neighbour, Jomtien Beach is popular for water sports such as jet skiing, but with water that is considerably less murky, it is also a much more attractive location for swimming. Given its natural wind conditions and calm sea, Jomtien Beach is also a destination of choice for wind surfers, and a number of instructors work from the area. Jomtien features every conceivable type of accommodation available to those who want to stay in the area. Like Pattaya Beach, Jomtien hosts an expatriate community but doesn’t have the edge Pattaya Beach does. It does though have just as many great restaurants offering cuisine from every corner of the globe. It also has as many hawkers, plying anything from peanuts and fruit to pictures of the king and massages. They can prove annoying when you are trying to relax, but again, on Jomtien even this is not as hardcore as Pattaya Beach.

Thailand Hotels

Thailand Hotels

Thailand has a great tradition of hospitality and nowhere is this clearer than in its hotels. Excellent facilities, excellent service; all coupled with the famous Thai smile… Whichever poll you read, you will find at least one Thai hotel in the top ten in the world! But accommodation in Thailand is not just a series of top-of-the-range hotels – whatever your budget, there is something to meet your means. Guesthouses, resorts, rooms with a view – they are all here for you to choose from!


Location

Ayutthaya: With ancient ruins and historical sites nestled next to a modern, vibrant city, Ayutthaya is one of the kingdom’s key travel destinations.

Bangkok: Thailand has an excellent tradition of providing world-class hotels and unsurpassable hotel service. Of course, the best hotels are in Bangkok!

Chiang Mai: Given its history, Chiang Mai is one of the more important provinces in Thailand and many of the hotels have borrowed the ‘Lanna’ theme.

Chiang Rai: Chiang Rai's natural environment and cultural interest has it firmly established on many foreigners' itineraries.

Chonburi: Home to Pattaya, Chonburi is very much Thailand’s playground. The province draws in multitudes of visitors.

Chumphon: With over 200 kilometres of coastline of beautiful beaches and bays Chumpon is emerging as a popular destination for visitors.

Hua Hin: Former royal resort and home to a glorious beach, golf courses andhistorical sites. This is fast becoming a favourite with foreign tourists.

Kanchanaburi: Kanchanaburi is home to annual events remembering its wartime role; it also houses museums and ancient sites that detail past civilizations.

Khon Kaen: Khon Kaen is highly regarded for the superior quality silk and materials it produces and archaeological digs which have unearthed treasures.

Koh Chang: Fast emerging as a contender to Thailand's more traditional island destinations, Koh Chang offers everything a visitor might need.

Koh Samui: One of the jewels in Thailand's crown, Koh Samui offers everything; trekking water sports and entertainment!

Krabi: Krabi is one of the most diverse provinces in Thailand – partly on the mainland, partly taking in a number of islands. It attracts a diverse crowd.

Loei: Although Loei was a late starter as far as claiming its stake in the tourist industry is concerned, there is quite enough accommodation to meet demand...

Lumpang: Located next to Mae Nam Wang River, Lumpang has a number of attractions for visitors and is continually growing in popularity!

Mae Hong Son: Mae Hong Son is one of the great northern Thailand destinations. In Mae Hong Son you can visit hill tribes and take in glorious scenery.

Nakhon Pathom: A province just west of Bangkok, Nakhon Pathom has the world's largest Buddhist monument and oozes with history and culture!

Nakhon Ratchasima: With Khmer ruins a plenty, Nakhon Ratchasima an emerging destination for herds of visitors to the kingdom looking for something a bit different.

Nakhon Si Thammarat: Like elsewhere in the Kingdom, Nakhon Si Thammarat is increasingly a tourist destination and has ample accommodation to cater for the masses!

Nong Khai: The gateway to Laos, located on the bank of the Mae Khong, Nong Khai is one of those ‘must see’ destinations all visitors to Thailand encounter.

Pattaya: This famous seaside destination on the east coast is one of Thailand's main attractions and enjoys a varied nightlife!

Petchaboon: Another emerging jewel of Thailand's north - Petchaboon enjoys increasing popularity with visitors looking for the unusual.

Phang-Nga: Home to key tourist destinations like James Bond Island, Phang-Nga is a haven for herds of visitors eager to take in the best of this unique province....

Phetchaburi: Phetchaburi was a stopover site for visitors going south, but as it is home to Cha-am it has become a key destination in its own right over recent yea...

Phi Phi Islands: Famed throughout the world, Thailand's Phi Phi Islands offer that Hollywood interpretation of what a paradise should be.

Phitsanulok: Just north of the central plains, Phitsanulok is a major tourist destination with historical sites, national parks and places of natural beauty!

Phuket: Phuket is probably one of the best known travel destinations in Thailand. An island roughly the same size as Singapore, it’s a world within a world !

Prachuap Khiri Khan: An emerging central Thailand province is home to Hua Hin – royal resort and home to a glorious beach, golf courses and historical sites.

Ranong: Ranong borders Myanmar at parts is only 44 kilometres wide - despite it's size it's got a lot going for it!

Rayong: Another emerging province, Rayong has substantial industrial areas and is equally as much home to the business traveler as it is the tourist!

Songkhla: An eastern coastal province, Songkhla is home to Hat Yai - a gateway to Malaysia and home to some excellent shopping.

Sukhothai: Sukothai is a former capital and one of Thailand's most historically important provinces and has plenty more than history besides.

Surat Thani: Surat Thani has an unrivalled place in Thai cultural history and Thai literature. Home to Koh Samui, visitors are often interested in beaches!

Tak: This Northern Province touches on Myanmar and offers the eco- or adventure tourist hill tribes, waterfalls, mountains and national parks!

Trang: Trang's National Parks, beaches and islands, and places of natural beauty make it an ideal destination for the adventurer or eco-tourist.

Trat: A small eastern province, Trat is a gateway into Cambodia and the relics of the Khmer civilization. As such, the province is now on visitors’ itinerar...

Udon Thani: The province of Udon Thani is of major historical importance and as a result a flourishing tourism industry has developed over recent years.