Set in the Gulf of Thailand, off the coast of Surat Thani and accessible by air from Bangkok, Ko Samui is a tropical isle that vies with Phuket as the country’s most popular beach destination. Like Phuket, it combines natural beauty with an exceptionally good standard of hotels, spas and other tourism facilities that afford the luxury, the dining and the entertainment to complete the perfect holiday in the sun.The Kingdom’s third largest island, after Phuket and Ko Chang, Ko Samui lies 84 km from the coast and covers an area of 247 sq km. A mountain ridge runs east to west and most of the hinterland comprises forested hills and coconut plantations, while the coast is dotted with palm-fringed beaches and quiet coves.

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Located an easy three-hour drive from Bangkok, the resorts of Cha-am and Hua Hin are just 25 kilometers apart and present a choice of beach venues characterized by the broad sweep of a casuarina-fringed shore, Cha am is the smaller of the two but it is nearly all beach. Facing the sea is a wide choice of hotel accommodation, ranging from deluxe resort style, with full recreational and entertainment amenities, to inexpensive but comfortable bungalows.

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Lying on the coast of Krabi, the twin phi-phi islands, made famous as the location for the movie ‘The Beach’, more than match the scenic wonder of the mainland.The larger, Phi Phi Don island, is shaped like a lopsided butterfly with a thin strand joining the two wings, the left side is a sheer scrub-covered cliff soaring hundreds of feet above the sea, while the right-hand span is formed of a jungle-clad spine flanked on either side by palm-fringed beaches. The centre of the island and main access point, Tonsai Bay, has been considerably developed in recent years, sprouting a cluster of bungalow accommodation, restaurants and souvenir shops.

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The small, laid-back coastal town of Songkhla is a relaxing beach resort, captivating in its total lack of pretensions and ideal as a hideaway for a quiet time by the sea.The main beach of Hat Samila beach, famously signposted at one end by a bronze mermaid statue, is a 3 kilometers stretch of soft white sand backed by casuarinas. Behind rises Khao Noi hill, which has a small topiary garden and commands panoramic views of the town.

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Lying north of Pattaya, Ko Si Chang offers an easy weekend excursion from the capital. Located 12 km off the coast at Si Racha, the island has one small town but otherwise the landscape is rugged and mostly deserted, thus offering a wonderful sense of escape. If Ko Si Chang lacks the classic tropical beauty of islands in the south, it possesses its own charm and character.

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A part of Rayong Province, Ko Samet is well established as a popular destination for overseas visitors and weekend excursionists from Bangkok. The island was, however, famous long before the advent of tourism, being immortalised by the classical Thai poet, Sunthon Phu, who set part of his epic ‘Phra Aphaimani’ on the island, where the hero of the tale defeats a giant by playing a magic flute.

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The five islands that comprise Mu Ko Surin Marine National Park offer, like the Similans, excellent conditions for scuba diving and snorkeling. Lying north of the Similans, about 70 km off the coast of Khura Buri District in Phang-nga Province, the islands are well suited to both on land and underwater exploration.

For the hiker, there are a number of trails, especially on the northern island, while the southern island has the added attraction of a village of sea gypsies who maintain a traditional lifestyle and preserve time-honored customs. Then, the underwater world is not only excellent for scuba divers, but also for snorkellers who can explore a wealth of shallow coral reefs.