KO SAMUI: HAT MAENAM, HAT BOPHUT AND HAT BANG RAK

Hat Maenam, Hat Bophut and Hat Bang Rak. These are all located along the north coast, and are ideal places for those who want to get away from it all. Bang Rak is often called “Big Buddha Beach” because of the huge Buddha image at the eastern end of the beach (particularly impressive at sunset.)

KO SAMUI: HAT LAMAI

Also on the east coast, just south of Hat Chaweng, the playful waters of Hat Lamai always attracts surfers, as they run a little deeper than any other beaches in Ko Samui. Behind the beach are several spas where visitors can treat themselves to an herbal sauna, a relaxing Thai massage, or even a mud facial.

KO SAMUI: HAT CHAWENG

Situated on Samui’s east coast, this is the island’s longest and most beautiful beach, a 6-km. strip of powder-soft sand fronted by crystal-clear water. At Hat Chaweng, there is plenty of accommodation, ranging from five-star resorts to simple bamboo bungalows. In the day time, Hat Chaweng is the centre for water sports such as windsurfing and jet-skiing and also a great social scene at night, when the dance clubs pulsate to the latest rhythms.

KO SAMUI

Ko Samui is Thailand’s third largest island at 247 sq. km., and during the last decade it has become one of Southeast Asia’s premier tourist destinations.Samui sits snugly in the Gulf of Thailand, surrounded by other
island gems like Ko Pha-ngan and Ko Tao, and is located 84 km. east of Surat Thani, the provincial capital on the mainland. With soft sandy beaches shaded by towering palms, delicious fresh seafood and a vibrant nightlife, Samui has a magical formula that seems to cast its spell on everyone. Many visitors are content to laze their days away on the beach, soaking up the sun and cooling off in the turquoise waters, but for action enthusiasts there are plenty of choices like diving and snorkelling, windsurfing and paragliding, beach volleyball, off-road driving, and other similar activities. One of the island’s most appealing features is the loop road, which makes a 50 km. circuit around the island, giving a glimpse of superb beaches on the north, east and west coasts. It runs past sleepy fishing villages and through seas of coconut palms, passing Samui’s most impressive waterfall and tempting turn-offs into the highlands along the way. Other attractions on or near the road include a butterfly garden, a snake show, a monkey training centre, and health spas dedicated to pampering the body.

There is plenty on Samui to keep even the most jaded traveller happy for a week or two, but for anyone spending even a few days here, an opportunity not to be missed is a trip to the emerald islands of the Mu Ko Angthong National Marine Park, which offers another perspective of a tropical paradise.

MUKO SIMILAN MARINE NATIONAL PARK

A group of nine islands set in the Andaman Sea northwest of Phuket, the Similans are renowned for their beauty, both on land and in the surrounding underwater world. Distinctive in their smooth granite rock formations, the islands are studded with inviting sandy beaches; otherwise, there is little to explore on land and the destination is most popular with scuba enthusiasts, the waters here boasting some of the world’s best dive sites.

In addition to remarkable visibility, scuba drivers can expect a fascinatingly varied underwater scene, with coral reefs, huge sea fans and barrel sponges, swim-throughs, cliffs, and stone piles, as well as an abundance of marine life.

Getting There

Public boats and boats for private hire to the Similans depart from Phuket and from Thap Lamu, on the mainland in Phang-nga province. Alternatively, visitors may join one of the organized dive tours that are available from various dive companies on Phuket.

YOUR CHOICE TO THE BEACHES

With a 2,500 km. coastline. Thailand offers such a profusion of sandy beaches, sheltered bays, quiet coves and idyllic islands that the choices for a holiday in the sun are near limitless. From the southern islands of Phuket and Samui, internationally renowned resorts boasting some of the world’s finest beaches and most luxurious accommodation to a fun playground like Pattaya or a classic family retreat such as Hua Hin, you’ll find your kind of beach. Complementing the well-known resorts re beautiful coastal stretches where sheer cliffs, offshore islands, sea caves and marine national parks are simply breathtaking. While if you are looking for seclusion, you also have every opportunity to get off the beaten track and discover pristine beaches as yet unexplored by world travelers. Such topographical variety is marvelously matched by differences in ambience and the style of beach holiday. Each location has its own distinct character, and whether the choice is for an action-packed vacation, a fun-filled party scene, or a lazy escape into a serene tropical paradise, all dreams of the perfect beach are wonderfully fulfilled. What remains constant is the year round sunshine.

SNORKELING IN THAILAND

Friendly snorkeling trips and basic lessons are available throughout Phuket, Ko Samui, Pattaya, and all other beach destination in Thailand and, are usually combined with great sea kayaking experiences and picnics on isolated islands and marine national parks. Basically, wherever there are small islands, you can bet that there is a tour company that will be able to take you on about ride to visit them as well as recommend great snorkeling sites. Snorkeling is a great activity for those who have younger children accompanying the group as the risk of an accident is almost non-existent. Moreover, all trip operators do offer life vests for those who are not strong swimmers. In fact, because of the life vests, those who cannot swim have found that snorkeling can be enjoyed.

BEACHES & BAY IN PHUKET (2)

Hat Patong Phuket’s most developed beach offers numerous leisure, sporting, shopping and recreational options along its 3 km. crescent bay. In addition to its daytime attractions, Patong is also known for its vibrant nightlife among which seafood restaurants prominently feature.

Hat Karon & Kata Both beaches are impressive, peaceful and eminently suitable for swimming, snorkelling, windsurfing and sunbathing.

Hat Nai Han This white sandy beach fronts a shallow lagoon between rocky headlands. Conditions for swimming, windsurfing, sailing and sunbathing are all excellent. Hat Rawai The palm-fringed beach is best known for its village of “Sea Gypsies”, formerly a nomadic fishing minority believed to be of Melanesian descent.

BEACHES & BAY IN PHUKET (1)

Phuket’s glory is its magnificent coastline. Beaches ranges from gentle crescents of white sand to rocky headlands. Counter-clockwise, from the island’s northern tip, where the Sarasin Bridge connects with the mainland, the major beaches and bays are:

Hat Mai Khao

This pine-fringed stretch of sand is Phuket’s longest beach.Each year,from November through to February, giant sea turtles struggle ashore to lay their eggs here.

Hat Nai Yang

This forms part of the Sirinat National Park and is backed bycasuarina pines, as well as a mangrove forest. The tranquil surroundings are ideal for relaxation, picnics, swimming and snorkelling.

Hat Kamala

Another fine stretch of sand. The northern end, which is partly shaded by casuarinas, is suitable for swimming.

PHUKET ISLAND

Located 867 kilometres south of Bangkok, Phuket is Thailand’s largest island, shaped like an irregular pearl and measuring approximately 21 kilometres long. Connected to the mainland by a causeway, it has a coastline fringed with white sandy beaches and quiet coves, bathed by the clear blue waters of the Andaman Sea and set against a backdrop of green hills, coconut groves and rubber plantations.

Phuket formerly derived its wealth from tin and rubber, and has a rich and colourful history. The island was on one of the major trading routes between India and China, and was frequently mentioned in foreign ships’ logs. The Portuguese, Dutch, English and French came to trade during that time.

Phuket’s most famous monument is the memorial statue of the heroines Thao Thep Krasattri and Thao Sisunthon, who rallied the islanders in 1785 to repel Burmese invaders. Blessed by nature and the smiling hospitality of its people, and supported by superb tourism facilities, Phuket is today one of the world’s premier tropical resorts. Palm-fringed beaches, an island-studded sea, superb accommodation, delicious seafood, numerous sporting and leisure opportunities and, of course, year-round sunshine, to conclude the perfect recipe for a truly memorable holiday.

Climate Phuket has two main seasons: rainy from May through to October and hot from November to April. However, there are sunny days throughout the wet season, showers customarily lasting little more than 2-3 hours. The best months to visit are November to February. Average temperatures range between 22 and 34 degrees Celsius.

Cha-Am Beach

This straight sea pine-lined beach lies 40 km. south of Phetchaburi or 20 km. north of Hua Hin, with which it is often paired as a traditional seaside destination favoured by the Thai upper class. Cha-am was originally a fishing village. After King Rama VI had Maruekhathaiyawan Palace built, the area was taken up by the Royal Family and the elite for beachside sojourns. Today, it is very popular among Thais who love superb seafood and comfortable hotel or bungalow accommodation.

Hua Hin Beach

Prachuap Khiri Khan province’s capital, Hua Hin, is located 281 km. south of Bangkok. The old town was abandoned during the fall of Ayutthaya in the 1760s and a new settlement was established in 1845.

Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s most popular seaside resorts among overseas visitors as well as Thais. Located on the sunrise (west) side of the Gulf of Thailand, Hua Hin lies some 200 km. or a three-hour drive southwest of Bangkok and is renowned as Thailand’s most traditional beach resort. It was here, in the 1920s, that King Rama VII built a summer palace, thus creating a vogue among high society for Hua Hin as a favourite retreat from Bangkok’s summer heat. Today the Royal Family continues to reside at Hua Hin for part of the year.

Hua Hin is noted for its traditional fishing port with many seafood restaurants, and a splendid sandy beach which starts from a rocky headland next to the port and curves gently for some 3 km. to its southern point where Buddhist temples surmount hilltops. Hua Hin is a well-established beach destination, with full facilities. But in contrast to Pattaya, the long-established resort on the opposite shore of the Gulf, Hua Hin provides a quiet, relaxed retreat amid surroundings which preserve a typical Thai ambience. Hua Hin is thus well suited for families or those who wish simply to escape the city bustle.

KO CHANG

This island’s status on the world’s tourism barometer has risen a few degrees in recent years because of its stunning natural beauty, and the fact that its once-rickety infrastructure has been solidified. More than 70 percent of the mountainous island is still covered in untouched rainforest, and there are many secluded beaches, complete with that vital tropical isle trinity of white sand, palm trees, and warm blue water, where you can really get away from it all and leave your troubles on the mainland.

Ko Chang, or Elephant Island, is part of the Mu Ko Chang National Park. This national park is comprised of an archipelago of 52 islands, of which Ko Chang is the largest. Wealthy with greenery, wildlife, and marine creatures, its most scenic beaches are located along its western flank. Moving from north to south, the beaches are generally more secluded, less crowded and pricey, with the aforementioned Diamond Sand towards the northern tip, and Hat Khlong Phrao and Hat Kai Bae, in the middle. Further south is a lively backpacker’s enclave at Lonely Beach, or Hat Tha Nam, where you can stay in a tree house.

Other than swimming and sunbathing, the island offers inland adventures such as rainforest trekking. Many of the bungalow operations around Hat Sai Khao and Hat Kai Bae have kayaks, boogie boards and mountain bikes for rent. Booking a day trip, or an overnighter, to nearby islands is another attractive option.

KO SAMET

Located within the Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park and 6.5 km. off the mainland, the island of Ko Samet, covering 6.72 sq. km., is Rayong’s most popular destination. Blessed with lovely scenery and beaches, it is easily accessible, while there is a considerable range of accommodation available. Triangular-shaped, most of the land area is forested with beaches

dotting intermittently on the north and east sides of the island. The south side tapers into the sea with small isles of rocky formations offshore serving as a habitat and egg-laying grounds for seagulls. There are daily ferries to Ko Samet from 6.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and the trip takes about 30 minutes. Contact the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department

Tel:0 2562 0760 Website: http://www.dnp.go.th/

RAYONG BEACHES

Explore beyond Pattaya and discover the quieter shores of the East Coast. From a traditional provincial capital to the charm of beaches, coves and offshore islands. The province of Rayong, covering 3,552 sq. km., is situated on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Thailand, the provincial capital located 179 km. from Bangkok. Less developed than the Pattaya area, it combines an attractive 100-km. coastline, with beaches and offshore islands, and a green fertile interior. Rayong town has a few attractions, while the most famous destination is the island of Ko Samet, although beaches along the mainland coastline are becoming increasingly popular.

PATTAYA BEACH

A famed international playground in the sun where the action is non-stop. Enjoy yourself to the max in a dazzling kaleidoscope of sports and entertainment. Pattaya is a phenomenon. Once a tiny fishing village, it has developed into a renowned international playground. Colourful and alive with activities, it is unrivalled as a beach resort, offering more attractions in greater profusion than any other single destination in Southeast Asia.

Located just 150 km. southeast of Bangkok and facing a wide bay and a long majestic sweep of beach, Pattaya has been groomed for international visitors over more than three decades, and today it boasts the unique distinction of a beach resort with a city status. This near paradoxical situation holds the key to Pattaya’s rare attraction - it has something for everyone. Whereas most other beach resorts rely simply on natural surroundings for their charm, Pattaya makes an all-out attempt to provide the best of everything in an exhaustive mix of facilities. To the basic ingredient of a superb coastal location, it adds just about every other amenity one can think of for recreation, entertainment, sightseeing and fun. The main beach at Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, is a majestic 3-km. curve fronted by a road shaded with refreshing tropical greenery. The northern section of the beach is largely tranquil and is the favoured spot for tourists for swimming, relaxation, and various water sports. The central and southern parts of the beach are packed with hotels, restaurants, department stores, gift shops, nightclubs and various amusement centres.