Southern Area/Beach Areas of Thailand
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THE SOUTH
Two lushly tropical islands, Samui in the Thai Gulf, and Phuket, in the Andaman Sea, offer all the ingredients for truly memorable holidays, Phuket is the more developed of the two. Both boast luxury accommodation, numerous water sports activities, and opportunities for exploring neighboring islands.
PHUKET
Little more than one hour by air south of Bangkok, Phuket is internationally renowned for its beautiful beaches and excellent seafood. Phuket’s western coast is characterized by especially fine sandy beached separated largely by forested headlands. Within this area, some of the world’s most picturesque resort complexes offer every imaginable luxury. Phuket also has 3 international golf courses and enough water sports opportunities, including some of Asia’s best game fishing, sailing and scuba diving, to keep everyone happy.
PHUKET TOWN
Located in the middle of the island, Phuket town is worth a visit to admire the Sino-Portugese architecture of some of its streets.
CAPE LAEM PHROMTHEP (Sunset Cape)
As the name indicates, this is a most popular spot to watch sunsets at the southern tip of Phuket.
PHUKET FANTASEA
A fantastic world class show combining traditional Thai elements with magic, acrobatics and cabaret.
KRABI & PHANG NGA
The neighboring province of Krabi and Phang Nga offer equally fine beaches and lushly tropical offshore islands. Indeed island-hopping is a popular pursuit. Both the Phi Phi and Similan islands feature magnificent underwater coral gardens teeming with multi-hued tropical fish. Phang Nga Bay, to the northeast of Phuket, offers great adventure trips. Long-tail launches transport visitors through mangrove swamps, caves dripping with stalactites, and out into the bay where scores of tiny volcanic islands soar hundreds of feet skyward. Many such islands can be explored by “environmentally-friendly” sea-canoes, which allow access into otherwise hidden grottoes where the timelessly tranquil atmosphere is decidedly prehistoric.
PHANG NGA
A bridge links Phuket to the mainland and the province of Phang Nga. Movie-goers may recall the spectacular scenery featured in the James Bond movie "The Man with the Golden Gun"- towering limestone islands jutting out of a tranquil sea. These and more of nature's wonders, including incredible inland lakes, hidden from sight to all but the most adventurous of sea canoeists or helicopter pilots, can found here at Phang Nga.
KHAO LAK
About 1 – 1.5 hrs. north of Phuket airport on the mainland. Khao Lak’s beaches are a good choice for those seeking unspoilt beaches and quiet atmosphere. Excursions to Similan Island and Khao Sok National Park are possible from here.
KRABI
Further down the southwestern coast is the province of Krabi, whose craggy coastline is replete with secluded coves and bays, accessible only by boat. Here, too, are some of the finest beaches in southern Thailand.
PHI PHI ISLAND
These comprise six islands, the most notable of which are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le. The superb scenery of the islands included high hills with jutting cliffs, surrounded by beaches of silver sand and clear sea full of coral reefs and colourful marine life. Phi Phi Le also boasts a Viking cave with ancient wall painting and swallows’ nests.
MAYA BAY
Famous since the movie “The Beach”, excursions are now being offered which include the agnificent Maya Bay.
SAMUI
Samui Island is also approximately one hour south of Bangkok by air. The palm-fringed and mountainous Samui is the major island in a sparkling archipelago that includes the Ang Thong Marine National Park. Samui offers the broadest imaginable range of accommodation, fine sandy beaches, several ‘hideaway’ coves and a relaxed ambience equally well attuned to lazy days and a vibrant nightlife.
ANG THONG ISLANDS
Both of these islands are within close proximity of the Ang Thong islands, a national marine park, and Ko Tao, famed for its scuba diving sites.
HAT YAI & SONGKHLA
On the southern mainland, Hat Yai, just 50 kilometers from the Malaysian border, and Songkhla, offers very contrasting lifestyle. Hat Yai is a major commercial, entertainment and shopping area. Songkhla is a somnolent beachside town with a scenic beach and a freshwater lake containing Thailand’s largest waterfowl sanctuary.
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