Where to go in Thailand

Image by FriskoDude via Flickr

Thailand have long been a holiday destination with its sunny weather and long white beaches, and even more so in the last five years. As the country becomes increasingly popular the exploitation by both Thai and Western companies are on the raise, but Thailand still have a few hidden treasures.

As with every holiday, the place you want to visit depends on what you want to do with your time off. If you rather go sightseeing than sunbathing on a deserted island, you might enjoy the hustle and bustle of a town rather than a touristy resort.

These are some of the main destinations in Thailand:

1. Phi Phi Island; the most romantic and beautiful setting must be that of Ko Phi-Phi. Unfortunately, everyone knows it and it can feel very crowded. If you can overlook the crowds and soak in the beauty of this island, it is one of the best places to visit. The sea is lovely and blue, and all the usual water sports are available. You can walk up the mountain to get a view of the entire island and it is absolutely stunning. As it is so popular, it is vital to arrange accommodation prior to arriving, unless you expect to be there very early. It is normally booked out after the first couple if morning ferries arriving.

2. Railay; this is another treasure. The island is situated north of Ko Phi Phi and you get there easily by ferry from Phuket. The island is small and has no roads. You will have to take a long tail boat to get there and then wade in to shore, carrying your suitcase. Once you are settled in you will understand why you came. It is the most beautiful spot and very serene and tranquil. There are plenty of restaurants on the beach and places to enjoy a drink or two.

3. Ko Tarutao; if you like the idea of a deserted island or treading where no one ever trodden before, then take a trip down to Ko Tarutao National Park. You can take a speed boat from the mainland and stay on the island for a few days. There is a basic camp and one restaurant to buy your food. This is the island where they filmed one of the seasons of Survivor.

4. Ko Lipe; a bit further west of Tarutao is the island Lipe. It is not yet an established resort and therefore very low key. The bungalows have their charm and so has the little huts very you can relax and sip on a drink in the evening. There are a few bigger restaurants but apart from that, it's darkness once the sun has set. Often the restaurants will put out tables and chairs on the beach to create an even more beautiful setting. The beach is lovely and you can rent one of the long-tailed boats to go around to the other side of the island. There is a path leading from one side to another and it's nice to take the trip just before sunset.

5. Phuket; the main destination for many of the charter tourists. As Phuket is a big semi-island there are various resorts and places to choose from. The most famous one is Patong, but the smaller beaches such as Kata, Surin or Kamala is a better option if you want to relax and keep it more low key. You can then jump on one of the tuk-tuks and go in to Patong at night and so some shopping.

6. Ko Lanta; this is another island that has become popular lately. The beaches and the sea is not as nice as on the other islands so if you really want to just sunbath, you should perhaps choose another island. However, there are things to enjoy on Lanta too. The elephant trekking trip in the National Park at the southern end of the island is interesting and well worth the trip. The Thai people often drive fast and erratically, but on this island there were broad roads and less traffic than elsewhere. I would therefore recommend this island as a good one for renting a car or a scooter.

7. Bangkok; the capital of Thailand and your starting point if you arrive on a scheduled flight. It is a very polluted city and many tourists do not stop here for too long. If you do decide to stay for a couple of days, visit the Palace, Wat Poh and take a trip on the river.

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Where to go in Phuket, Thailand

Image via Wikipedia

Have you ever wanted to go to Phuket? The destination in Southern Thailand that has plenty to offer a sun worshipper. If so, you have made a great decision. Thailand in itself is an interesting county with a lot of different places to visit. From north to south, there is a vast range of tourist hotspot and Phuket is one of the best destinations to soak up the sun with its mile-long white beaches. Phuket is the name of a larger area as well as the main town itself. There are plenty of places to explore and nearby areas to venture out to. Some great places are;

1. Karon and Kata Beach; these two holiday destinations caters to everyone, from backpackers to charter tourists. There is a buzz about the place and plenty of shops and restaurants. It is a popular place for charter holidays so it is wise to book accommodation before you get here if you are travelling in high season. The beaches are white, long and the sea bluer than blue. You can rent parasols and beach chairs for the day for less than €10.

2. Patong; this town is not for everyone as it gets very crowded, but it makes for a nice evening out. It is especially the shopping that makes it worth the trip. There are plenty of market stalls on the streets, selling everything from souvenirs to clothes, to electronic gadgets. There are many late night bars and various clubs for the partygoer.

3. Surin and Kamala beach; if you are looking for a more relaxed holiday with less tourists, these are the beaches to go to. They are equally nice but more low-key. There is less hotels, restaurants and shops and cater for a few resorts instead. Ii is easy to get to Patong from here on one of the Tuk-Tuks.

If you feel like venture a bit further a field and leave the mainland there are great places to go to. These are more exotic and closer to paradise, some more popular than others.

1. Ko Phi Phi; the Phi Phi Islands used to be hidden gems, known to only a few, but that all changed when the movie “the Beach” was filmed here. Although filmed on the smaller of the 2 islands, the larger one still got great PR and it is now one of the main holiday destinations around the Phuket area. The island is so popular that it is in danger of becoming too overcrowded. Even so, the main beach is stunning. The setting, a secluded bay with greenery surrounding the beach. It is a good location for all water sports and diving tours leave the island daily. It is advisable to book hotels before arriving as it gets fully booked in the high season.

2. Railay; this island is a perfect getaway. It is so remote and secluded that you can only get here by boat. There are no proper roads connecting it to the mainland and it makes the place all the more special. There are various accommodations, restaurants and a few shops. This is a place to sit back and enjoy the scenery. The dinners at night are often eaten at the beach and there are plenty of beach bars.

3. Ko Lanta; although not really in the Phuket area, it is a great island to visit and there are plenty of ways to get there from Phuket and Phi Phi Islands. Ko Lanta is a larger island and although it is similar to the mainland, the pace is slower. If you feel like renting a scooter, this is probably one of the better places as traffic isn’t as intense as elsewhere. You can go elephant trekking in the rainforest, go scuba diving or take a cooking class. The beaches can be rocky and isn’t as good as in Phuket.

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