Seaside Fun

Seaside Fun

executive summary by darmansjah

Perhaps one of the most pervasive images of Thailand is that of glistening clear water lapping pristine stretches of sand. Fortunately, this is easy to find. The western coast of the kingdom’s southern peninsula lies on the Andaman Sea. Where longtime holiday favorites such as Phuket, Krabi, and Trang offer luxury accommodation alongside powdery beaches, scenic views, and seas studded by dramatic limestone karsts. There are also good bases from which to explore the islands of Phang-nga Bay, which include Koh Phi Phi and Ko Tapu, better known as James Bond Island.

To the east is Koh Samui, surrounded by the warm blue waters of the Gulf of Thailand. Best explored by kayak, the island counts among its attractions Mu Kong Ang Thong Marine National park, home to a rich variety of reef life. Despite its status as a prime beach destination, Samui still possesses a certain far flung quality and is an intimate getaway that present some fantastic adventure opportunities. Arguably, some of the finest beaches in the country can be found here, though mountains dominate the bulk of the island.

The lower slopes comprise mainly coconut plantations, while the higher altitudes are draped in lush forest, studded with impressive granite boulders. Much of the interior remains untouched-and this iw where the fun starts. It is best to navigate the dirt roads by four-wheel drive; more memorable still is exploring the highlands on elephant-back.

For a different pace, the royal seaside retreat of Hua Hin, a two-hour drive from Bangkok, offers a quiet getaway where visitors can lazily stroll among traditional fishing villages and visit king Rama VI’s peaceful summer palace. The laid back town emerged as Thailand’s first beach resort and as a testament to its regal lineage many beautiful royal residences dot the coastline. A must-see is the Marukhathaiyawan Palace, meaning “the palace of love and hope,” which is situated just out site of Hua Hin on the way to Cha-Am. Those wishing to make the most of the town’s expansive beach can delight in many water sport options, yet a quieter, more relaxing alternative is Hat Khao Tao beach, south of the main strand.