Thailand Vacations | Hotel Deals Thailand | Thailand Travel Guide
- Krabi
- Phuket
- Hua Hin
- Koh Chang
- Koh Samui
- Pattaya
- Chiang Mai
- Bangkok
Krabi is located some 800km from Bangkok the on the mainland opposite Phuket and south of Phang Nga, Krabi province has perhaps Thailand’s most scenic coastline, characterized by karsts outcrops which form sheer cliffs on land and islands offshore. The interior is typified by densely wooded hills, palm groves and rubber plantations. The area’s beaches are now being developed for tourism, but Krabi remains for the moment a fresher choice than Phuket or Samui.
Ao Nang is Krabi’s main beach, a long sandy strand readily accessible by road. Offshore are numerous islands while at the southern end of the beach is Laem Phra Nang. This enchanting headland can be reached only by boat and offers three stunningly beautiful beaches. Also on the headland are Phra Nang Cave, on the beach and housing a shrine to the spirit of Phra Nang, and ‘Princess Pool’ high up in the cliffs.
Thailand’s largest island (albeit linked to the mainland by a causeway), Phuket is a province in itself and the country’s premier beach destination some 900km (560 miles) south of Bangkok, From being a backpackers Mecca in the 1970s, the island has rocketed to tourism stardom and today host annually more than one and half million visitors who flock the island’s superb beaches and fine resort hotels. The rapid growth of the travel industry has had some negative impact (Patong Beach for example, is now overbuilt), but at 48km long 32 km wide, the island can sustain considerable development without sacrificing essential characteristics.
For the most part, Phuket remains tranquil and easy-going. The island’s interior is one of forested hills and valleys chequered with rubber, coconut and pineapple plantations. The land drops to a rugged coastline on the east side, while the gently sloping western shore harbors a succession of magnificent beaches.
The beach destinations of Cha-am and Hua Hin respectively lie 40km (25 miles) and 67km (41 miles) south of Phetchaburi. Characterized by a long, casuarinas-fringed beach, Cha-am is the smaller of the two resorts. Uncrowned during the week, it steams at weekends when a typical Thai holiday atmosphere prevails.
Hua Hin is larger and more up market. It similarly has a long uncluttered beach which separated at one end from a still-active fishing village by a rocky headland, curves gently for some 3kmto its southern point, where a Buddhist temple clings to the cliffs. Beyond lays another beach, Hat Khao Tao, pine-fringed and more secluded. The main attraction of both Cha-am and Hua Hin is the opportunity both offer for simply lazing by the beach.
Hua Hin Map | Hua Hin Hotels | Hua Hin Vacations Guide
Koh Chang is Thailand’s second largest island, yet it has only a sparse population (mostly fishermen), no towns and scarcely any road. It is the principal isle in the 52-island archipelago which forms Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park, established as a nature preserve in 1982. Ko Chang itself has a mountainous interior which accounts for the name, ‘Elephant Island’; a fanciful notion have it that from a distance the mountain ridges look like the backs of several elephants. The rugged interior, peaking at 744m remaining roughly 70% virgin rainforest, and the dense, lush greenery contrasts with a coastline characterized by small bays and exceptionally fine white sandy beaches. The best spots are on the western side of the island, notably, from north to south, at Ao Khlong Son, Hat Sai Khao, Hat Khlong Phrao and Ao Kai Bae.
There is little in the way of organized activity on Koh Chang, but that is what a visit is all about – a blissful escape into a world where the sky is bluer and the colors of nature more vivid.
Koh Chang Map | Koh Chang Hotels | Koh Chang Travel Guide
Top spot on the Gulf Coast is Koh Samui, Thailand’s third largest island, located some 650km (400 miles) south of Bangkok and 35km (21 miles) off the coast of Surat Thani. The island covers an area of about 280 sq km (108 sq miles), and measures 21 km at its widest point and 25 km in maximum length. 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.
With its picture-postcard beauty, Samui is everyone’s dream of Tropical Island. Until recently, actually living that dream was limited mostly to backpackers, but now up market travelers are attracted by the ease of air access and the availability of deluxe resort hotels. Despite this, beach bungalows and a youthful, casual atmosphere still predominate.
Koh Samui Map | Koh Samui Hotels | Koh Samui Vacations Guide
Today, Pattaya beach is bloated by success and with full city status. Water population is a serious problem and the resort is further marred by entertainment. But, despite it all, Pattaya’s all-out effort to provide the most and the best of everything a beach destination should have and more besides, still has a certain attraction for those who like their resorts brash, bold and bawdy with a dizzying kaleidoscope of activities to choose. Pattaya vacations offer you the most of everything - beach, golf, attractions, cabaret shows and luxury accommodation at reasonable prices.
Expanded in all directions from its original core, the resort is centered on the 4km Pattaya Beach, crowded, cluttered and largely populated. Pattaya Beach Road runs along the shore and is paralleled a little way inland by Pattaya 2nd Road. Both roads and their numerous linking sois are packed with a jumble of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, fast-food outlets, shops and department stores.
Chiang Mai city is situated mostly on the west bank of the Pink River and lies in a fertile valley ringed by lush green hills. Its layout is dominated by a square moat which encompasses the old city, entered via five now restored gates: Chang Puak Gate in the north; Ta Pae Gate in the east; Chiang Mai Gate and Suan Prang Gate, both in the south; and Suan Dork Gate in the west. Today, the city has expanded well beyond the moat and the modern town centre lies to the east between Ta Pae Gate and the river.
Aside from relaxation and shopping for handicrafts, Chiang Mai’s main attractions are its temples, which much older than those in Bangkok and stylistically quite different. Chiang Mai has 36 wats standing within the moat and more than 80 throughout the city.
Chiang Mai Map | Chiang Mai Hotels | Chiang Mai Travel Guide
Bangkok or the “City of Angels” is not a beautiful city, nor at first glance is it obviously Oriental. But it is unquestionably captivating, exerting an irresistible charm as the epitome of all Thai. Bangkok vacations are unforgettable, the strange mix of luxury skyscraper hotels and golden temples, extreme nightlife and alms giving ceremonies.
Alec Waugh captured its essence perfectly in his book on the Thai capital: ' Bangkok has been loved' he wrote, 'because it is an expression of the Thais themselves, of their lightheartedness, their love of beauty, their reverence for traditions, their sense of freedom, their extravagance, their devotion to their creed - to characteristics that are constant and continuing in themselves.'
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