Phuket Island is the pearl of the Andaman coast, the largest and most popular island in Thailand. It is connected to the mainland by the Sarasin bridge, and also has a modern international airport. Here you can find both luxury hotels and luxury spa resorts, as well as modest bungalows, budget backpacker hostels. The best time to travel to Phuket is from November to April, when the weather is sunny and dry and the water temperature reaches + 28˚C.
In addition to the fabulous nature, the resort has many places for water sports, entertainment and shopping. For a beach holiday and a vibrant nightlife, it is better to go to the western part of the island, to the city of Patong. Quiet, idyllic Kamala, pompous Bang Tao and cozy Surin are also popular. But the east coast is famous for its small picturesque islets and excellent sea food restaurants.
Arriving in Phuket, it is worth visiting Sirinat National Park, including the most deserted Nai Yang beach, Ao Chalong Bay, Khao Rang Mountain with the temple of the same name, Namtok Tonsai waterfall and coral islands in the south of the island, as well as the Buddhist temples Wat Phra Nang Sang, Wat Chalong, Wat Phra Thong et al.
♦ Phi Phi
Phi Phi can be reached by ferry or speedboat from Phuket or Krabi province. It is an archipelago formed by six small islands. The largest of them is Phi Phi Don, which became the main filming location for the film "The Beach" with the participation of Leonardo DiCaprio.
This is a stunning resort area with white beaches, picturesque coves, grottoes and caves. Ideal for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts. In addition to barracudas, moray eels and sea turtles, even whale sharks can be found in the waters off the coast of Phi Phi. There are no noisy parties and large night markets here. Rest here is distinguished by tranquility and solitude, focused on couples and European retirees)
♦ Krabi
Krabi is a Thai maritime province with over 130 islands. Its administrative center is the city of the same name Krabi with an international airport. This is not yet such a promoted resort like Phuket, so there is no huge influx of tourists. There are not many beaches here, but they are all very clean and beautiful. The most popular are Ao Nang, Railay Beach, Nopparat Thara and Phra Nang.
The visiting card of Krabi is the Khao Khanap Nam caves, which can be reached by boat from the Chao Fa pier. Also of interest for tourists are the Than Bokkhorani National Park and the Lanta Archipelago Marine National Park, the Wat Tham Sua temple, the Hua Said and Klong Haeng waterfalls. Activities in Krabi include rock climbing, diving, windsurfing, kayaking and fishing.
♦ Koh Samui
Koh Samui is suitable for a calm, measured holiday, therefore it is popular with families with children and newlyweds. There are stunning beaches, similar to pictures from travel brochures, and a fairly high level of service.
Those who want to dilute inert rest with more active leisure should look at the beaches of Chaweng, Lamai, Bophut and Maemam with numerous bars, restaurants and clubs. During the day on the island, you can go diving, windsurfing and beach volleyball, go on an excursion to the waterfalls or visit Buddhist temples.
♦ Koh Chang
Chang Island is the second largest in Thailand. It is located in the province of Trat, near the border with Cambodia, and is part of the National Marine Park.
This place is not as popular as Phuket or Samui, there are no huge hotel complexes, shopping centers and nightclubs. However, the infrastructure is well developed: there are supermarkets, banks, a post office, a hospital, markets, restaurants and bars. Koh Chang is suitable for a quieter, secluded getaway and relaxation surrounded by nature. However, in search of peace, more and more tourists come here every year, especially Germans, Chinese and Russian speakers.
One part of the island is dotted with beaches, on the other there are lonely spa hotels and locals live, and in the center there is an impenetrable jungle with waterfalls. Here you can go snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, hiking, visit the elephant and monkey farm, or spend the day at the rope park.
The most popular beach in the resort is White Sand Beach, where in the evening tables line up along the coastline and people dine while watching the fire show.
♦ Samet
Samet is a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, which is located just 85 km from Pattaya. You can get to it by boat from the town of Ban Phe. Tourists are attracted by white beaches, coral reefs and picturesque landscapes. Here you can stay in a budget camping right on the seashore, live in a hotel or rent a luxury bungalow. But since the island is a national park, in addition to the cost of living, you will have to pay another 200 baht.
Long sandy beaches are located to the east, while on the west side there is a straight rocky coast with only one suitable swimming spot. There is no vibrant nightlife on Koh Samet, people come here for proximity to nature, visiting spa centers and active water recreation.
♦ Hua Hin
Hua Hin is the oldest resort in Thailand, where the royal family has been resting for over a hundred years. Their summer residence, built by Rama VII, means "away from the hustle and bustle." But now it is not so calm here. The city is expanding, modernizing and becoming more and more attractive for tourists. There are many high-end hotels, restaurants, golf courses and spas in Hua Hin that offer detox, alternative medicine and deep skin cleansing courses to visitors. But there is still not much noisy entertainment here, for which the resort is loved by families with children.
Nearby is Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park with valleys, caves, waterfalls, secluded coves and mangroves.
♦ Pattaya
A dynamic, bustling, Europeanized resort town on the shores of the Gulf of Thailand, just a couple of hours drive from Bangkok. Fans of water sports, especially water skiing and windsurfing, can safely go here. Divers will be interested in the ships Mataphon, Khram and Kut sunken off the coast of Pattaya. But for an inert beach holiday, it is better to choose the nearest island of Ko Lan with clean water and no less developed infrastructure.
If you are interested in sights, you should climb the Big Buddha Hill with its giant statue. You can also look into the wooden Temple of Truth, located at Cape Rachwate in the Naklua area, and visit the Ban Sukhavadi palace and park complex in the northern part of Pattaya. Another popular tourist attraction is the Mini Siam miniature park with copies of the Giza pyramids, the Eiffel Tower, etc. 16 km from the city, in the Chonburi province, there is a temple complex with a Buddhist monastery Wat Yanasangwararam Voramhavihan with a 109-meter image of Buddha made of gold ... Also in Pattaya and the surrounding area there are several zoos, crocodile and elephant farms, the Underwater World, the Cartoon Network water park, the 3D Art Museum and Madame Nong Nooch Botanical Garden.
♦ Phangan
Koh Phangan is a popular destination for young people. For the Full Moon Party beach parties with thousands of people from all over the world, the island was nicknamed "Ibiza of the Pacific". Aside from hanging out, this place is great for scuba diving, so there are many schools and diving centers here. Tourists are also offered kayak rafting, safari, mini golf, water skiing and much more.
♦ Khao Lak
Another tranquil Thai resort, where noisy club parties give way to relaxation in spa and yoga centers. It is a land of fantastic white beaches, mangroves and countless jungle-covered hills. Khao Lak is located on the shores of the Adaman Sea and is surrounded by three national reserves, therefore it is a popular destination for ecotourism lovers. Coral reefs and rich underwater world attract divers here.
Located on the mainland, 140 km from Bangkok. Pattaya is a holiday city. There are beaches, thousands of clubs, bars, restaurants and discos. Young people come here to dance, have fun and plunge into the exotic. Pattaya never sleeps - the nights are even more turbulent than the days. There are many parks, animal farms, gardens and water activities in the city and the resort area. What Pattaya cannot boast of is its clean sea. The water here is muddy, the beaches are not very well-groomed. However, you can go swimming on the islands or on the military beach.
Phuket
Paradise island, completely "sharpened" for tourists. Lots of hotels, well-developed infrastructure, magnificent white sand beaches, night discos - there is everything your heart desires. The beaches in Phuket are noisy, there are a lot of people on them, so those who like to relax without neighbors, it is better to go to the surrounding islands.
Samui
Another island that Russian tourists have chosen is. It has a unique climate; the rainy season is almost not felt here. This is a real "bounty" - white sand, azure sea and spreading palm trees. There are almost no waves here, there are few people, there is no nighttime fun, like in Pattaya or Phuket - the resort is perfect for families with children.
Hua hin
If you want to make a royal choice, then head to the city. This is the oldest resort in the country, it was chosen by the royal family - the main residence is located here. The sea is clean, the sand is white, the hotels are luxurious. It will appeal to those who are accustomed to comfort and do not spare money for rest.
Krabi
The province, all lined with rivers and strewn with islets, is one of the young resorts. The beaches here are very picturesque, they are surrounded by rocks and are planted with casuarins - “Thai pines”. Krabi is famous not only for its beach, but also for outdoor activities - here you can paraglide, climb the rocks, explore caves and underground lakes, walk in the jungle with cool waterfalls and swim in hot springs.
Thailand resorts and descriptions at a glance for tourists. In this article, we will look at the resort cities in Thailand that are so loved by travelers from all over the world. These are exactly the beach resorts in Thailand, where there is sea, sun and sand, so in this article you will not see a description of the northern provinces of the country. Of course, the best resorts in Thailand are sea resorts. Some of them are already well developed for tourism, some are not very, but this is their charm.
Perhaps the most popular resort in Thailand, Pattaya, has earned a bad reputation undeservedly. So don't cross it off the list right away. The increasingly popular resort in Thailand, Koh Samui is an incredibly beautiful island, but it is not yet so easy and cheap to get there. In addition to the mainland, there are also resort islands in Thailand, most of which are not yet open to mass tourism.
Thailand has such a large selection of beaches that it is rather difficult to decide on the choice for a beach holiday. Is it better to go to a popular destination like the resorts of Thailand Phuket or Koh Samui, or go to a less promoted, but quieter place where there are no crowds of tourists?
We've put together a comprehensive guide to Thailand's beaches, from world famous destinations to stunning little known islands. If you are thinking about Thailand, which resort to choose, then this article will come in handy. Read on to find out about the best beaches and islands in Thailand and plan your vacation.
Thailand resort Phuket
- direct flight
- one hour from Bangkok by plane
Phuket Resort Thailand - Thailand's largest and most popular resort, offering an excellent combination of comfort and natural beauty. Thailand's Phuket resort is developed enough to offer modern amenities, infrastructure, but at the same time, away from popular beaches, there are large stretches of unspoiled nature and magnificent wild beaches. range from super busy to quiet and calm. - the most popular beach in Phuket, everything glows at nightfall. The resort of Thailand Phuket has everything for lovers of nightlife and parties until the morning. Nearby and Karon, which also offer excellent leisure facilities with fewer crowds and less noise.
In addition to the most promoted beaches in Phuket, there are shallow beaches that are also worth visiting. Is a great surf beach popular with locals and expats. And on the beaches of Surin and Kamala there are a large number of luxury hotels and villas. In addition, there is a wide range of entertainment options - diving, snorkeling, wake parks, sailing and much more. After all this, it becomes clear why Thailand's Phuket resort attracts such a huge number of visitors every year. Read also: , .
Best hotels in Phuket
Like Phuket, Koh Samui offers a wide variety of beaches. It has developed and popular beaches such as and , as well as places for young people to hang out. In Thailand, the resort of Koh Samui has beaches for all types of vacationers.
Rest: beach, active, parties.
Where to go: You can take a ferry to Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
The best Thailand hotels in the resort of Koh Samui
Rest: active, budgetary, a lot of parties, sex tourism.
Where to go: Tours are sold anywhere, and you can take a ferry to Koh Lan.
Best hotels in Thailand in Pattaya resort
One of the most popular 5-star hotels in Hua Hin is. A wide range of luxurious rooms and suites, a large outdoor pool and good restaurants make Dusit Thani Hua Hin a good choice for luxury accommodation in Hua Hin.
Holidays: families, couples, singles who want to really relax and enjoy the island.
Best Hotels in Resort - Koh Chang Island Thailand
- Krabi airport
- 180 km from Phuket by bus or taxi
- one hour from Bangkok by plane, then 30 minutes by taxi
Krabi is renowned for its natural beauty and is one of the most popular beach destinations in Thailand. Today, there are some of the best beaches in Krabi - and that offer a relaxing beach holiday. An excellent alternative to more popular destinations - Phuket or Koh Samui. Krabi is a fantastic destination for people who love nature. Due to its proximity to Phuket and Phi Phi, Krabi is a good starting point for a long journey through Southern Thailand. Now Krabi is rapidly gaining popularity, and, perhaps, in a few years it will become the most popular resort in Thailand. Read also: .
Leisure: beach, calm, youth, unobtrusive
Where to go: You can get from Krabi by ferry or boat to Phuket and Phi Phi.
Among the countries of Southeast Asia, Thailand is the most popular among tourists. And to the point: rich nature, the sea is beyond praise, a modern entertainment industry and a well-developed infrastructure. But this wealth is distributed, at times, unevenly. For the first time, experts, who are also experienced travelers, advise choosing between Pattaya, Phuket and Koh Samui.
Pattaya
Pattaya
A city-holiday at night, a city-market by day, and also the most budgetary of the resorts in Thailand. And the most popular one. However, according to Pattaya, neither the whole of Thailand nor the Thais themselves can be assessed. This is a city with a specific glory, and all Thais, to tell the truth, are, for the most part, extremely scrupulous, modest and hospitable people.
The most common myth about Pattaya is a city destined for endless parties, filled with adventurers, artists, people with tarnished reputations and just crooks. This is partly true, but the location of this entire entertainment den on the map is: a "party" center, namely Beach Road (a street running parallel to the central beach) and Volkin Street (walking, no transport). Going here in the evening, you should keep your money, phones and other valuable things under control and be prepared for various shocking behavior of the local public.
Otherwise, Pattaya is an ordinary resort town, in which there are a little more shops, markets, cafes of various sizes and moving food stalls - "makashnits".
Koh Lan Island
And it's not a myth at all, but a complete truth - there are no clean beaches and a transparent sea in Pattaya. Nowhere! The beaches in Jomtien, at the Ambassador Hotel and in the Bang Saray village are usually praised, but they are only slightly cleaner than the central one. Bounty awaits tourists only on the islands and beaches located far from the city.
In Pattaya, you can buy an excursion to Samet Island, it takes about 1.5 hours to get there by bus and 20 minutes by speedboat (fast boat). They also take a bus to Sai Keo Military Beach. In principle, you can get to these places on your own, but using public transport is quite problematic, it is much easier to rent a bike. At the same time, strictly observe the traffic rules. The fines in Tai are high, and the police may not like your international driving license.
The most popular way to get your coveted beach holiday in Pattaya is to head to Koh Lan.
This route has been well-known and beaten by Russian tourists for a long time, so there shouldn't be any difficulties in traveling. Ferries and speedboats depart from Bali Hai Pier located on Volkin Street. There are several beaches on Koh Lan, each with a really clear sea, but also often there are many Chinese tourists from whom it is unrealistic to hide.
The lack of a beach holiday in Pattaya is compensated by the great opportunities for cultural pastime outside the beach (no kidding, Pattaya is not only Waukelyn Street):
Excursions - here you can especially highlight the Siam mini-park with miniature sights of all times and peoples, the beautiful Nong Nooch flower garden;
two modern water parks (one of them is easy to get to) with a good set of slides and attractions;
several large shopping centers with playgrounds and cinemas;
zoo (actually available only in the format of excursions);
and many more entertainment venues, for example, a tiger park or trampoline center, entertainment shows. Almost every year, something new is being discovered.
Tours to Pattaya are usually 30-40 percent cheaper than other resorts in Thailand. Prices for vouchers start at 63,000 rubles.
Phuket
Phuket island
This is the largest island in Thailand, well explored by tourists, but has not lost any of its freshness and charm. The nature in Phuket is simply magnificent, the sea is clean.
Characteristics of Phuket that every traveler should know about before planning a vacation:
Transport on the island is poorly developed, there are "legends" about the taxi mafia, which are not far from the truth. One bus runs around the island as a representative of public transport, but only until 18:00 - 19:00 hours. Songteo and tuk-tuk, as in Pattaya and Bangkok, are practically absent here (only within the borders of Phuket Town), and taxi drivers lump the prices. So, to get from Kata Beach to the center of nightlife, Patong, costs about 300-400 baht one way (600-800 rubles);
shops, cafes, markets - all this is in abundance, but there are much fewer makings than in Pattaya;
all the most interesting shopping centers are concentrated in the Phuket town area;
seasonality is more pronounced here than in Pattaya, rains and waves are most likely from May to October;
Phuket should be considered as a starting point for excursions to the paradise islands;
prices are higher here than on the mainland.
From this follows the conclusion: Phuket has three important tourist centers - a nightlife center in Patong, a beach recreation center in the area of Kata and Karon beaches, a shopping center in Phuket Town. And all of them are significantly distant from each other, so the choice of a hotel must be approached very carefully.
The water on Patong Beach may seem too muddy to the discerning tourist, which is quite logical, given the number of hotels on the coast. The cleanest water is on the beaches of Kata and Karon, but there are also a lot of tourists here. A slightly smaller number of travelers are observed on the Kata Noi beach, while picturesque and uncrowded landscapes are worth looking for on the beaches of Nai Harn, Bang Tao and Kamala. But, I must admit, the infrastructure there is generally weaker and there are not so many hotels.
Khao Sok National Park
Excursions to the nearby islands of Similan, Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay are not cheap, but they are truly heavenly places. In addition, it is worth paying attention to excursions to Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake, trips to Natai and Pilai beaches, to Khao Lak.
Nightlife in Patong is only slightly inferior to Pattaya (Bangla Road can successfully compete with Volkin Street), but in the rest of the island it is much less represented.
On the beaches, just like in Pattaya, they actively offer to practice water sports, but there is definitely more choice in Phuket - in addition to the standard set, parasailing, diving, snorkeling are available on many beaches. For families with children there is a water park, a zoo, an aquarium, a dolphinarium and a dinopark, entertainment shows. Shows, shopping malls, a zoo and a water park in Phuket are a little more modest than in Pattaya.
Tours to Phuket have never belonged to the category of the most affordable, prices start from 70,000 rubles.
Samui
Coast of Koh Samui
Koh Samui is the second largest island in the country and is rapidly catching up with Phuket in popularity. It is located on the other side of the mainland, therefore it has its own characteristics of climate and nature. Koh Samui also has attractions, decent infrastructure and entertainment, but more often it is perceived by tourists as a place for a chic beach holiday. There are all conditions for this, there are more than 40 beaches, although, of course, not all of them are located near hotels.
With public transport, Koh Samui is even worse than Phuket. At the same time, in the most popular areas (Chaweng and Lamai), you can spend your entire vacation just enjoying the sea and not feeling disadvantaged in terms of comfort. Prices on Koh Samui are lower than on Phuket. The main tourist infrastructure is concentrated in the east and north of the island, the south is considered a stronghold for downshifters.
The most popular beaches of the island:
Maenam is a beach with not too developed infrastructure, but deep-water and picturesque, with a lot of greenery on the shore;
Bo Phut, in fact, is an extension of Mennem Beach, but it is considered a separate one. Inhomogeneous (there are wild areas), only the central part is comfortable and suitable for swimming;
Choeng Mon - a beach with shallow sea and gray sand, as well as relatively well-developed infrastructure;
Chaweng is the most popular and very beautiful white sand beach. Also among the advantages are good entry, deep sea and developed infrastructure;
Lamai - has all the advantages of Chaweng, but not so noisy and partying, the sea is somewhat deeper here.
It is better to relax on Koh Samui in summer, in winter there are big waves on all beaches and there is a high probability of rain. Tropical rainstorms can also occur during the summer months, but are much more intermittent.
Unlike Phuket, Koh Samui has a sharper feeling of an island resort, cut off from the mainland. First of all, by dividing resort life by beaches. The center of nightlife is Chaweng, here are the best bars, discos, shows (Green Mango Square is especially famous for this).
Plai Lam temple complex
The island has its own must see list. Although these sights are unlikely to impress discerning tourists, however, the time watching them can be spent not without pleasure:
Magic Buddha Garden;
Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks;
waterfalls Namuang;
the temple complex of Plai Lam;
big Buddha;
pagodas
All of them can be viewed during a sightseeing tour. On Koh Samui, as elsewhere in Thailand, there are special parks where you can chat with elephants.
Self-guided rides provide much more discovery: beautiful pagodas, picturesque waterfalls, wild beaches, numerous lookouts, mangrove forests, etc. From Koh Samui, excursions to the neighboring islands of Phangan (famous for its round-the-clock Full Moon parties), Koh Tao and the islands of Angthong Park start.
Tours to Koh Samui are quite expensive, prices start from 100,000 rubles. In addition, you should pay attention to the not the most convenient transfer. There is an airport on the island, but communication along this route is very expensive, mainly travelers get from Bangkok.
Each of the resorts described above will generally suit all categories of tourists. However, you should not go to Pattaya for a beach holiday on the hotel territory, this is not Egypt, but Phuket - for an informative excursion, because this is just a tropical island.
And the best thing - for the "first time" just cast aside doubts and plunge into the relaxing atmosphere of hot, fabulous Thailand and do not allow yourself to spoil your mood with torment and doubts.
Even those who have not yet visited this Asian country can easily imagine a tropical island with white sand, palm groves, transparent sea and spa treatments ... is it so?
Resorts in Thailand have long become one of the most popular holiday destinations among Russian tourists. Even those who have not yet visited this Asian country can easily imagine a tropical island with white sand, palm groves, transparent sea and spa treatments, or the exact opposite - a nightlife filled with noise and bustle, full of Thai flavor, spicy food and all kinds of entertainment.
If we add to these pictures the stunning landscapes, which are abundant in numerous national parks, historical sights, and these are, first of all, beautiful Buddhist temples, various reserves with rare species of animals or coral reefs and wonderful farms that breed crocodiles, snakes and others in captivity. reptiles, it will become clear why it is here that you can find rest for every taste. The main thing is to decide for yourself the question: what type of recreation is preferable, and not to expect a perfectly clean sea from the entertainment-oriented Pattaya, but from the bustle of Bangkok from the protected island of Ko Chang.
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Andaman coast
Phuket island
Many leave Pattaya, being completely disappointed with its sea and beaches, but this is all from ignorance of small subtleties - in half an hour by ferry, directly opposite the famous resort, guests are waiting for the Pattaya Islands. The most popular and well-equipped one is Ko Lan, with clean beaches, clear water, small hotels and cafes. In theory, on the island of Ko Lan you can stay for the entire vacation, periodically running into Pattaya for shopping and entertainment.
Samet Island
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Koh Chang Island
Another refuge for lovers of secluded and measured rest. Ko Chang is located in Trat province, near the border with Cambodia. The second largest island in Thailand is almost entirely covered with jungle and mountains, industrialists and developers are not allowed here, the whole of Ko Chang and the surrounding islands is a unique national marine park that preserves rare species of animals and plants. Rest here is ideal for lovers of tranquility and relaxation amid unique nature. The main attraction is nature, clear sea and beaches with swings stretched between palm trees.
Travelers who want to learn more about Thailand more than others can do this in several ways: for example, buy a travel guide for the country or browse the Internet. However, neither the book nor the reviews will be able to fully acquaint with what is called the "atmosphere of Thailand."
Bangkok
The capital of the kingdom and the Asian metropolis in all its splendor. Skyscrapers and grandiose parks, modern shopping centers and ancient temples, palaces of rulers and endless bars - in Bangkok there is everything your heart desires, except, perhaps, peace and quiet. Treasures of ancient oriental culture are hidden on Rattanakosin Island. It is easy to get lost on the territory of the Royal Palace, and in the temple complex of Wat Pho - to be speechless from the size of the reclining Buddha. A walk through the Silom district with its countless skyscrapers glaring into the clouds returns to the 21st century. Bonuses to the standard program - exotic in street cafes, shopping in Siam Square and fun in nightclubs.
The city boils even when it gets stuck in traffic jams, multi-level pedestrian crossings and interchanges on the central streets look like colorful puzzles and drive crazy maps in smartphones, you just have to trust your instincts and go where Bangkok calls today. Prices in hotels, cafes and restaurants are slightly higher than in other resorts, but there is always an alternative option for budget travel.
Northern capital. Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai is the second largest city in the country with its own culinary school in the North of Thailand, hundreds of monasteries and temples, surrounded by impressive scenic mountain ranges. Chiang Mai does not pursue the bustle of Bangkok and knows its worth - the city is often called the cultural capital of Thailand, people come here for the unusual nature and filigree crafts of local artisans. Chiang Mai is often used as a transit point for excursions into the jungle, trips to the "Golden Triangle" on the border with Burma and Laos. From Chiang Mai you can take an excursion to the northernmost city of the country - Chiang Rai, one might say, a real reservation, in which the tribes of several small peoples still live according to ancient ways.