Destination Profile & Hotel Selection

Pattaya is the nearest beach resort to Bangkok and surely has developed into a cosmopolitan seaside resort that offers every imaginable form of beach-life, water-sport, golf, seafood dining and an immense diversity of nightlife entertainment. With the opening of Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi Airport in 2006, driving time from Bangkok Airport to Pattaya has shrinked to 1½ hours, or not more then 2 hours from Bangkok city center. However, while Pattaya offers everything under the sun – and the moon – it does not have exotic white sandy beaches. For that, you have to venture further east, to the islands of Koh Samet or Koh Chang.

Destination Profile & Hotel Selection (Koh Samet & Rayong)

1 hour drive east of Pattaya, or about 3 hours drive from Bangkok, is Rayong, a seaside resort town which caters mainly to the local Thai and expat market. A number of hotels and resorts are located along the 10 km stretch of beach to the east of Rayong. The fishing village of Ban Phae, a few kilometers outside of Rayong, is the jumping point to the nearby island of Koh Samet, the closest equivalent to a tropical island to Bangkok.

Destination Profile & Hotel Selection (Koh Samet & Rayong)

3 hours drive and a short boat ride bring you to Koh Samet, Bangkok’s nearest „tropical island“. Known for its powdery white sand beaches and turquoise waters, Koh Samet has undergone quite some development during the last decade and a handful of upscale resorts have opened on the island. Koh Samet is a favorite weekend retreat for Bangkokians and expats and, due of its proximity to Bangkok, an ideal getaway for a few relaxing days if you do not want to hop on a plane.

Destination Profile & Hotel Selection (Koh Chang, Koh Mak, Koh Kood)

Koh Chang is Thailand’s second largest island after Phuket and the biggest island of the Koh Chang archipelago, a group of around 50 islands that are located close to the border with Cambodia. Since a few years Koh Chang has awakened to international tourism and is now one of Thailand's fastest developing islands. Most of Koh Chang's beaches are located along its western coast, offering accommodation to suit every type of traveler, from independent budget backpackers to those wanting a touch of luxury or romance. 2 daily flights by Bangkok Airways connect Bangkok with the provincial airport of Trat, located on the mainland and a few kilometers from the ferry point. From Trat Airport, most of the hotels on Koh Chang can be reached by a short road & ferry transfer that takes about 1 hour. From Bangkok, Koh Chang is also accessible by road. It takes about 4 - 4½ hours to drive from Bangkok to the mainland ferry pier and a short 30 minutes ride by ferry to the island.

Hotel Selection see Koh Chang (Koh Chang, Koh Mak, Koh Kood)

Lying between Koh Chang and Koh Kood, about 40 km from the mainland is Koh Mak (also spelled Koh Maak). With an area of only 16 square kilometers and a 27 km coastline, it is the third largest island of the Koh Chang Marine Park. Home to just a few hundred inhabitants, Koh Mak has a flat terrain with plenty of coconut and rubber plantations. The island’s main attractions are the long beaches and crystal clear water. If you are seeking a laid-back vacation, Koh Mak, and neighboring Koh Kood, have remained largely unspoiled and a paradise for “beach bums”. No luxury hotels are to be found here, but gentle beaches overhung with stooping palm trees, picture-perfect.

Hotel Selection see Koh Chang (Koh Chang, Koh Mak, Koh Kood)

Being part of the Koh Chang Marine National Park which incorporates some 50 islands, Koh Kood is the fourth largest island in Thailand and the one closest to the Cambodian border. The little paradise is still largely uncommercialized and parts of its interior are covered in rainforest, palm groves and rubber plantations. Dazzling white sand beaches with clean and clear seawater can be found along the west coast where a handful of small and cozy resorts offer a peaceful holiday. The first top-notch resort, Soneva Kiri, with its own private airstrip, opened in late 2009

Destination Profile & Hotel Selection

Easy accessible by a 3-hour drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin is the oldest sea-side resort of Thailand and one of the most popular weekend getaways for locals and expats. It’s the proximity to Bangkok, its small-town atmosphere and a wide range of high quality resorts and hotels that have made Hua Hin popular with Thais and international tourists, although its shoreline lacks the exotic tropical appeal that characterizes the beaches and islands further south. Most of the hotels and resorts are located in and around the small town of Hua Hin. 25 km to the north of Hua Hin is Cha-Am, another seaside resort town which caters mainly to the domestic market. A number of hotels are located on the 25 km of coastline between Cha-Am and Hua Hin. 30 kilometers south of Hua Hin is the small town of Pranburi, a newly emerging tourist area with a number of small and luxury resorts.

Destination Profile & Hotel Selection

Koh Samui is situated in the southern part of the Gulf of Thailand. With a surface area of about 250 square kilometers, it is the third largest island of Thailand, after Phuket and Koh Chang. Over the past decade Koh Samui has become one of the most popular island destinations in Southeast Asia. Koh Samui has its own airport, owned and operated by Bangkok Airways which provides about twenty daily flights from and to Bangkok. The island is just 21 km at its widest point and 25 km at its longest. Its hills are densely covered in tropical forest and coconut plantations while its coastline features exotic beaches that are lined by a multitude of resorts, ranging from simple thatched bungalows to stylish boutique resorts and luxury five star hotels. With limited influence of the southwest monsoon, Koh Samui is a good place to be visited from January to August.

Destination Profile & Hotel Selection (Koh Phangan & Koh Tao)

Koh Phangan is a short 30 minute boat ride north of Koh Samui. About two-thirds the size of Samui, Koh Phangan is still a largely unspoilt island with pristine beaches, scenic bays and a splendidly rugged coastline. Less developed than its big sister Koh Samui, Koh Phangan has well retained its island character and offers a more laid-back life-style. A number of boutique-type resorts have recently opened up along the northeastern coast of the island. The island’s interior is mountainous and asphalted roads are only found around its main hub Thong Sala. Koh Phangan virtually jumps to live once a month for its well-known full-moon party on Had Rin Beach.

Destination Profile & Hotel Selection (Koh Phangan & Koh Tao)

Koh Tao is named “Turtle Island” after its mountainous hump-backed turtle shape. The island can be reached by a 2 hours boat trip from Koh Samui; or alternatively in about the same time from the mainland port of Chumphon, 45 km to the west. The charming island has gained a reputation as a heaven for scuba divers. Its abundant coral reefs and swarming marine life are among the best in Thailand, attracting thousands of recreational divers and other tourists annually. The island is ranked number two worldwide for the issuing of PADI certificates. Non-divers too are equally rewarded, with gorgeous beaches, stunning bays and great viewpoints.

Ang Thong National Marine Park, 30 km to the west of Koh Samui, is made up of 42 islands featuring a spectacular landscape of lime stone islands, tropical rainforests, emerald-coloured lakes and powder-white beaches. This fascinating group of islands, once a hiding haven for pirates, is today one of the most popular day tour destinations from Koh Samui. Snorkelling, swimming and short treks are the most popular attractions for day tours as there is no accommodation on Ang Thong Islands.

Hotel Selection see Koh Tao (Koh Phangan & Koh Tao)

One kilometre off the north-western corner of Koh Tao is Koh Nangyuan. It is a tiny place that only consists of three small islets that are connected by a short stretch of powder white-sand beach, but it offers one of the must stunning landscapes of Thailand. No wonder this picturesque place has become one of the most frequented dive and snorkelling spots for day tourists from Koh Samui. But once the daily tour boats have departed in the late afternoon and the sun is setting, peace and calmness settles over the small paradise and the only resort on the tiny island.

Destination Profile & Hotel Selection

Phuket, known as “The Pearl of the Andaman”, is Thailand’s largest island and one of Asia’s most popular holiday destinations. The island’s population of a quarter million swells each year with the influx of approximately 6 million sun-seeking tourists flying in from all corners of the world. Once famous for its tin-mining industry and rubber cultivation, the island has fully adapted to its status as a top tourist destination. Phuket Airport is an international aviation hub serviced by around 20 daily flights from and to Bangkok and other regional airports. Accommodation on Phuket will suit every budget and taste, its restaurants feature cuisines from around the world and shoppers will find infinite bargains. Phuket is approximately the size of Singapore and its main beach Patong lies on a long, curving bay on the west coast of the island; coming alive with a vibrant nightlife after the sun has set into the Andaman Sea. A number of less crowded beaches to the north and to the south of Patong offer a quieter holiday and more privacy from the action that has taken hold of Patong. An additional attraction for most visitors to Phuket are the many beautiful surrounding islands (see listing below), with their stunning beaches and crystal clear waters that are teeming with marine life and are perfect for one-day trips or longer stays.

Destination Profile & Hotel Selection

Khao Lak is a 15 km long stretch of coastline about 1 hour drive north of Phuket. Located on the mainland in Phang Nga province, Khao Lak offers quite a different holiday experience to neighboring Phuket. Khao Lak sits on a long and quiet stretch of golden brown beach, surrounded by jungle-covered mountains, forests, mangroves and river estuaries. It has become the beach destination of choice for nature lovers as one can experience nature tours such as elephant trekking, rafting and hiking in the National Parks nearby. Due to its convenient departure points to the Similan and Surin islands, it is also a favorite jump of point for dive enthusiasts. Khao Lak today has fully recovered from the tragic event of the December 2004 tsunami and accommodation in Khao Lak is either fully renovated or brand new, ranging from budget and middle class resorts up to luxury 5-star hotels. Nightlife is very low key here which suits the ever growing number of tourists that migrate from nearby Phuket.

Located in the Andaman Sea, about 90 kilometers northwest of Phuket, the Similan Islands are a cluster of nine granite islands with an amazing variety of underwater scenery and fish. Soft corals and huge boulders combined with a rich marine life and visibility of up to 30 meters make it one of the world’s Top 10 dive sites. Many local dive-shops in Phuket (or Khao Lak, the closest point in distance) offer 1-day dive trips or live-a-board trips on well equipped dive-boats lasting from 4-7 days. There is no accommodation on Similan Islands.

Hotel Selection (Andaman Islands)

Among the many small islands that surround Phuket that are worth visiting is Koh Racha, about 45 minutes by speedboat south of Phuket. Most people visit the two islands, Racha Yai and Racha Noi, during a day-trip from Phuket, to enjoy a lazy day in the sun or go snorkeling. Hence Racha Yai gets quite busy around lunch time, but this doesn't last all day and tranquility settles on the island after sunset. Racha Yai, the main island, is a dream destination for honeymooners looking to spend some romantic moments on an island with pristine beaches.

Hotel Selection (Andaman Islands)

The Phi Phi Islands lie just 48 km east of Phuket but are considered part of Krabi province. The two islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le have long acclaimed world-wide recognition for their natural beauty. Phi Phi Le itself is part of a protected marine national park and offers no accommodation. What it does offer are spectacularly scenic cliffs and coves for boating excursions. One of them, “Maya Bay”, has gained international fame as the movie location for the cult-film “The Beach”. The larger of the two islands, picturesque Phi Phi Don, was hard hit by the December 2004 tsunami and its main centre was washed away. Despite uncontrolled development around its main hub Ton Sai, the islands remain stunningly beautiful. A number of beautifully located resorts are lining the north-eastern tip of the island.

Hotel Selection (Andaman Islands)

Countless movies have made Phang Nga Bay one of the most recognizable destinations in the world. Phang Nga Bay, blessed with turquoise waters and striking rock formations, is the location of the famous “James Bond Island”, made well known the world over by the James Bond movie "The Man with the Golden Gun". Being one of the most popular day-tour destinations from Phuket, thousands of tourists visit Phang Nga Bay each day, by leisure junk-boat cruise, by speedboat “James Bond-style” or the “green way” by self-paddling sea-canoe.

Hotel Selection (Andaman Islands)

Koh Yao Noi is a picturesque island in Phang Nga Bay, half way between Phuket and Krabi. Remote but still well accessible, the island has around 4,000 inhabitants and is around 10 by 12 km in size. It is one of the largest in an archipelago of 44 islands that form Phang Nga Bay, famously featured in the James Bond movie "The Man with the Golden Gun". There are about half a dozen bungalows and resorts on Koh Yao Noi, from simple "home-stay" to 5-star luxury resort. The island remains a very natural place that has changed very little in 20 years. Due to its equidistance to Phuket and Krabi, many visitors include a few nights on Koh Yao on their way from either Phuket or Krabi.

Destination Profile & Hotel Selection

Krabi Province is renowned for its status as an eco-tourism destination, and many visitors, especially Europeans, visit this region to enjoy its national parks and forests as well as the beaches, islands and marine parks. Just 3 hours drive from Phuket; Krabi is connected as well with direct daily flights from Bangkok. Krabi is known for its characteristic karst topography and towering limestone cliffs jot out of the emerald waters of Phang Nga Bay and frame a series of idyllic bays and magnificent beaches. More than 130 islands lay off the coastline of Krabi and offer excellent recreational opportunities. They are grouped into four archipelagos: The Hong Islands, the Poda Islands, the Phi Phi Islands and the Lanta Islands. The Hong and Poda Islands are usually visited during day tours out of Krabi as there is no accommodation there, whereas the islands of Phi Phi and Lanta represent holiday destinations on their own.

Destination Profile & Hotel Selection (Andaman Islands)

Koh Lanta lies on the west coast of the Andaman Sea, between Krabi and Phi Phi Island. Koh Lanta is easily accessible within 2 hours from Krabi Airport by a combined road-and-ferry transfer. For a long time Koh Lanta maintained its name as an insider destination for backpackers migrating from Phuket or Krabi. Now, Koh Lanta is a fast developing new destination with dozens of bungalow resorts and hotels, ranging from one to five stars. Koh Lanta is a large size island, about 6 km wide and over 30 km long. The geography of the island is typically mangroves, coral-rimmed beaches and rugged tree-covered hills. Fantastic white and golden sand beaches line the west coast from north to south and a handful of luxury resorts have opened recently, dusting off the island’s backpacker image for good.

Hotel Selection (Trang Islands & Deep South)

Trang is the only destination listed here that is not located on the sea. But it deserves to be mentioned as the provincial town of Trang is the gateway to a number of largely unknown islands that offer lovely beaches and fantastic sceneries. Pakmeng, about 40 km west of Trang Town is the main pier to reach the Trang Islands of Koh Ngai, Koh Muk and Koh Kradan.

Hotel Selection (Trang Islands & Deep South)

Koh Ngai (also written Koh Hai) is the most developed of the Trang islands, though it is still very low-key compared to other, more well known islands around Phuket. Half a dozen bungalow resorts enjoy a gently sloping beach of fine powdery white sand, a spectacular panorama of distant limestone outcrops and romantic sunsets. As any island in this area, snorkeling is very good and there are ample reefs within easy distance. There is no village on the island and most of it is still left to nature. Connection from and to the mainland pier at Pakmeng is by means of longtail or speedboat transfers provided by the resorts.

Koh Muk (also written Koh Mook) sits close to the mainland between Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan and sees far less staying guests than Ko Ngai. It does though see a lot of day-trippers who flock to Koh Muk to visit the famed "Emerald Cave". The cave is reached by swimming through a dark access tunnel that leads from the outside into the inside chamber that opens up like a chimney. Travelers who make it to Koh Muk will find a laid-back and easy going holiday atmosphere and just two bungalow resorts situated on the white sands of the west coast.

The beauty and tranquility of Koh Kradan is one of Thailand’s best kept secrets and over the last decade Koh Kradan remained best-known for its underwater-weddings that have been promoted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand each year on Valentine’s Day. If you are in the area and seeking an unspoiled island still untouched by mass-tourism, it’s definitely worth coming out here. The view from the beach looking out over the other islands, including Koh Muk, is spectacular.

Koh Sukorn is a small island located off the coast of Trang. Home to four small villages, a couple of cars and a handful of small resorts, Koh Sukorn (or Koh Muu as the locals know it) is a great choice for people wanting to escape the crowds of some of Thailand's other great islands. Don't expect luxury hotels and white sand beaches; instead you will have long dark sand beaches pretty much to yourself, along with spectacular sunsets and great hospitality.

The unspoilt Koh Tarutao National Park is the "last frontier" of Thailand's "Deep South" and, probably due to its relatively remote location, has remained one of Thailand's most unknown and most beautiful island destinations. Occupying about 1400 square kilometres of the Andaman Sea, Koh Tarutao National Park covers 51 mostly uninhabited islands of which only three offer accommodation for tourists and are easy to reach from the mainland. These are the main island Koh Tarutao, Koh Adang and Koh Lipe, probably the most frequented by tourists. Just a few kilometres south of Koh Lipe is Malaysia and the island of Langkawi. The mainland pier is in Pak Bara from where regular ferry boats depart to the islands.