Thailand is a pretty big country, and that is why we tend to separate the north and the south. Depending on how long you are traveling, and what your interests are, you will probably have to make a choice. Check out Where To Go In Thailand – North or South? to help you make that choice.
If you are here, it’s because you made the same choice as me! Southern Thailand is incredible! In this article, I will tell you about the places I’ve been and loved. My trip was almost a month, so it was not possible to go everywhere, but my choices ended up being excellent!
1. Koh Samui
This island offers both budget-friendly accommodations as well as luxury. You will find crystal-clear water, fresh green forests, marine life and beautiful coral reefs to explore. It is well known for its luxury spas and beach resorts. Being the second largest island in the Gulf of Thailand, there’s a lot to do over there! Having an airport makes it really accessible, and it also makes it a center for other islands around, such as Koh Pha-Ngan and Koh Tao.
2. Koh Pha-Ngan
The famous Full Moon Party island! There’s plenty to enjoy on the island such as beautiful beaches, amazing restaurants and a lot of markets! It’s the 5th biggest island in Thailand, so there are a lot of options to stay at. However, the most popular one is Haad Rin for its wild party vibe. The island doesn’t have an airport, so it relies heavily on ferries from Koh Samui. As a young backpacker, I can definitely say this island was my favorite one. Having fun over there is as simple as breathing through your nose.
3. Ko and Thong National Marine Park
This marine park is a day trip you should really put on your itinerary. Booking a tour from either Koh Pha-Ngan or Koh Samui is your best option. This beautiful and protected archipelago made up of 42 islands is home to breathtaking viewpoints. Your day tour will include: island-hopping around these beautiful islands while enjoying a variety of activities including hiking, kayaking and snorkeling with, of course, some time to relax and eat.
4. Krabi
From amazing beaches to wild nightlife, Krabi is definitely one of my favorite places. This region of Thailand is actually huge. The most popular town people tend to visit and stay at is Ao Nang. What stood out to me was definitely the beautiful limestone rocks coming out everywhere. Riding my motorbike through these made me feel like I was in a fictional world like the Avatar movie. Adventurous activities like snorkeling, kayaking and rock climbing will keep you busy. It’s another “best of both worlds” type of place, since you can also choose to relax on amazing beaches and enjoy a relaxing spa day.
5. Koh Phi Phi
Home to the world-famous beach at Maya Bay! If you’re a fan of the Leonardo DiCaprio movie “The Beach”, you might want to visit where it was filmed! Knowing a successful movie was shot there, you can guess how incredible the scenery is. Travelers can only stay on Koh Phi Phi Don and you can only get there by boat from other places like Krabi or Phuket. The town is tiny, so there are no cars or motorbikes on it. It makes it unique from other islands or cities. The vibe is different in a good way. You can party on the beach or relax on other beaches. Some of the beaches you can’t access by foot, so it’s the perfect time to do some kayaking.
6. Phuket
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. It is both an island and a province. If you didn’t know, it is covered in mountains with 60% of it being forest, rubber and palm oil plantations. It is divided into many areas, with the most popular and crowded one being Patong Bay. It is popular for its crazy nightlife, especially on the famous road called Bang La Road. In my opinion, if you stay in Patong Bay, you get the feeling of the city while being so close to the beach and that is what makes it special.
