Thailand – Beaches

South of Bangkok on the Gulf of Thailand are Pattaya, Southeast Asia’s best-known beach resort, and the less crowded holiday resort of Bang Saen. Not far away is KohSamet, an unspoiled island that can be easily reached by boat (travel time 30 minutes) from Rayong. About a two-hour drive from Bangkok are Chaam and Hua Hin. Hua Hin was once a royal seaside resort and is currently enjoying increasing popularity again. Numerous popular holiday destinations are located on the Indian Ocean.

The island of Phuket is connected to the southwest coast of Thailand by a causeway. In recent years, numerous hotels have sprung up on this island, so that Phuket is gradually challenging Pattaya’s claim to the “number one” among the holiday areas in Southeast Asia.

But there are still some deserted beaches and secluded bays. In Phang Nga Bay, which is easily accessible from Phuket, the view of the sea and the surrounding islands is truly breathtaking. More than 3500 islands (hongs) are spread over the bay. These rocky islands have a rich fauna and flora. Until some time ago, there was no access to the Hongs, so nature could develop without any human influence. There are also special canoe trips here, with which you can visit the interior through crevices and caves. Songkhla in the south of the country on the Gulf of Thailand is about 1300 km from Bangkok. It is a charming and friendly place with Chinese flair and ideal for those seeking relaxation.

Further north in the Gulf of Thailand are the idyllic islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan with fine sandy beaches and numerous coconut plantations. There are also many waterfalls here. Although they are no longer an insider tip, they are an acceptable alternative to the large tourist centres.