Thailand is one of the most popular destinations among travelers from around the world who want to enjoy a pampering vacation on Magical beaches With a chilled fruit smoothie in their hand and a breeze caressing their tanned bodies. Indeed, although there are so many more places to see and explore in Thailand, the bathing beaches have become one of the iconic symbols recognized among vacationers and as such they invite millions of tourists every year.
The most beautiful and popular beaches in Thailand are found, of course, in the many exotic islands belonging to the Kingdom of Siam, which can be roughly divided into the eastern and western islands. The eastern ones are actually "Gulf of Thailand Islands"And among the largest and most well-known where you can find the islands Kosmoy, Copenhagen and cut off. In addition to these in the territory of the bay is Khao Sok National Park Which is a major tourist destination in its own right and you shouldn't miss visiting it.
The depth of the bay is considered relatively shallow when the average depth is a total of 45 meters, but already near the beach you can enjoy spectacular coral reefs and around recommended diving sites and kite areas. Accordingly, the main branches of the economy are the fishing industry and businesses that rely on tourism.
This region of Thailand is divided into several large provinces, the best known of which is the province of Surat Thani (Surat Thani) where the popular islands are located.
Surat Thani District
This province is the largest and most central in the southern region of Thailand and is home to some of the most famous and popular islands among travelers in the Kingdom of Siam who are interested in a pampering belly-back vacation.
In addition to being a favorite destination for vacationers in the region, the Surat Thani district also serves as a point to reach in order to continue from there to nearby places, go on a day trip or go on an adventure in the magical nature reserve located in its territory - Khao Sok National Park (Khao Sok National Park).
Other districts in the region - Songkhla District, Nakhon Si Thammarat District, Pattani District, Narathiwat District and Yala District.
Major islands and activities you won't want to miss
Kosmoy
Kosmoi is the largest island among the group of eastern islands, the third largest among all the islands in the kingdom, and if in the past it was considered an island with pristine beaches offering a relaxed vacation, today it is considered one of the most visited islands in the country and attracts crowds of tourists every year.
As expected from a island of this magnitude, in Kosmoi there are Quite a few beaches in which plenty of Activities and attractions Which will be enjoyed by young and old - many types of water sports (diving, snorkeling and surfing), temples, jeep tours, yoga and meditation workshops and hotels and restaurants in a wide range of prices. However, due to its size, the transition between the different beaches is sometimes not possible via footpaths and requires a journey that lasts at most 20 minutes.
Since it is a touristic island visited by families with children, honeymoon couples and young groups - if you want to get to Kosmoi during the peak of the tourist season, it is recommended Reserve the accommodation in advance, otherwise you are likely to encounter the phrase "full occupancy" or be disappointed due to the price increase that characterizes these months of the year. In addition to this, the main attractions may also be busy, so if you are able to visit an island that is not exactly at the peak of the season - your profit.
Main sites and activities in the area: Canopy Cable Ride, The Monk's Mummy (Wat Khunaram), Ang Thong Marine Park.
How to get there?
There are several recommended ways to get to Kosmoy - all of them are relatively convenient so the differences involve the time and money you have at your disposal:
- flight - departs daily from major destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket And more.
- a train - departs daily from Bangkok and arrives in Surat Thani from where you have to take a ferry. The average travel time is 9-10 hours.
- ferry - Goes out several times a day From Surat Thani, Ko Phangan and Koh Tao. The duration of the voyage is half an hour to two hours, depending on the port from which you departed.
Copenhagen
Known as the "Party Island" but despite its hectic nightlife scene, Copenhagen also offers quite a few activities for those who want to enjoy a more relaxed vacation.
If we dwell a little longer on the theme of the parties, then it is a paradise for revelers and anyone who is young at heart and wants to enjoy music, dancing, acrobatics and fire and an electrifying atmosphere alongside young people from all over the world. The highlight of the parties on the island are of course The Full Moon parties which are held every month, so the island is especially busy, which also affects the occupancy in hotels and the main tourist sites and is reflected in a jump in prices.
If you are visiting the island at this time of the month, or in general, and are looking for quieter places, you can reach beaches that are considered more peaceful such as Bottle Beach Or enjoy wonderful hiking trails that go through the tropical jungle on the island - where you can surrender to the silence, to the sounds of the wild animals living among the trees and enjoy wild currency not far from the hotel.
Main sites and activities in the area: bathing beaches (Laem Hat Rin, Haad Khuat, Thong Nai Pan, Ko Ma), Wat Khao Tham temple And quite a few waterfalls (Than Sadet, Than Prapat, Phaeng, Than Prawet).
How to get there?
The most convenient ways to get to Copenhagen are by flight or ferry.
- ferry - Goes out every day From Surat Thani, Kosmoy and Kotau. The duration of the voyage is between half an hour and two and a half hours, depending on the port of departure.
- flight - leaves the central fields Like Bangkok, Kosmoy and Chiang Mai.
Kotaw
A small island compared to its neighbors which, according to legend, got its name thanks to the flocks of turtles that used to nest there in the past (freely translated "Turtle Island"). Another story surrounding the name of the island tells that it was named precisely because of its special shape that looks like a sea turtle. Does the island really resemble a turtle or is it a "draw me a sheep" style? We'll let you decide.
Be that as it may, despite its size, it is one of the most touristic islands that attracts mostly diving enthusiasts and that's because of it The spectacular diving sites which are nearby suitable for beginners to experienced divers and are considered by many to be among the most beautiful diving sites in Thailand.
Scattered throughout the island Accommodations of different degrees And in a wide price range so whether you are backpackers who want to spend the night somewhere on a tight budget or families and couples who want to pamper themselves - you will find what you are looking for in Kotau.
Major sites and activities in the area: diving safaris and diving courses (including a free diving course!), beaches (Ban Hat Sai Ri, Ban Mae Hat, Mango Bay, Ko Nang Yuan), pleasant hiking trails in the hills of the island, cliff climbing.
How to get there?
The most popular way is by ferry that departs from Copenhagen and Koh Samui daily. The length of the voyage depends on the port from which you depart and is between two and four hours.
The area can also be reached by flying to the airport in Kosmoi, from where you will need to board a ferry to reach the island.
Khao Sok National Park
The most visited national park in Thailand attracting millions of visitors every year. During your visit to the park you will be able to enjoy many hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, starting with the appropriate ones for families with small children and including routes designed for those with high physical fitness.
These routes will lead you to the hidden and magical corners scattered throughout the park - ancient rainforests, beautiful tropical vegetation and thousands of species of birds, insects, reptiles and wild animals. The landscapes in this area are also considered particularly beautiful and if you want to enjoy the wild Thai nature with jagged limestone cliffs, spectacular waterfalls and mysterious caves - you are expected to have a great time.
Other activities that take place in the area of the reserve: river rafting, canyon and elephant trips, boating on the lake and also guided treks that last a few days and include accommodation in the area.
How to get there?
Between the hours of 07:00-14:00 a bus leaves from Surat Thani that arrives at the site. The travel time is two hours and the entrance fee to the site is 400 baht per person.
Chaiya
Chaya is a small town located north of the capital city of Surat Thani in the Surat Thani district, at a distance of about 50 km from it. Although it is not a large town, it attracts many visitors thanks to the meditation workshop held there every month at Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram ( Buddhist meditation center).
The place which covers over a thousand dunams of rain forest lasts about a week and a half during which you will gradually deepen meditations and hopefully, you will find a real relaxation for the soul.
