Thai Beaches: An indepth guide to white sand, crystal clear water and more.

Exploring the Andaman Coast of Thailand

Thailand’s most beautiful and alluring destinations can be found in its southern most regions along the Andaman Coast. There are several internationally revered beach spots that make this area one of the most desirable holiday choices in the world. Whatever your motivation for heading to the golden sands, be it to dive amongst vibrant aquatic life or search for your own glimpse of Arcadia, you can be assured that the Andaman coast has something that will appeal.

The scenery is breathtaking and far superior to many of Thailand’s more northern beach resorts. Most travelers come straight from Bangkok with one of the many private tour guides operating out of the city. It is quite remarkable to think that just one overnight bus ride away from the sprawling, heaving metropolis of the City of Angels there is Eden-like coast stretching from the southernmost tip of Myanmar to the first hints of Malaysia.

Khao Lak

A recurrent theme when talking of Thailand’s south coast is gorgeous diving sites. Khao Lak is no exception, and indeed every spot along the Andaman Coast has something to offer diving enthusiasts. Khao Lak is beautifully serene in its approach to life. Less frequented by travelers, it is peaceful and calm and during the low season it certainly won’t break the bank to spend a few days here. The nearby Lam Ru National Park can easily be done in a day, but the lush, inviting landscapes make it all the more worthwhile to spend a little more time in.

Similan Islands

Once again, renowned as an idyllic diving spot, the Similan Islands are nine of Thailand’s finest. After years of abuse at the hands of ruthless fishermen, the coral reef surrounding the islands has now been restored to its former glory following a ban on fishing within the confines of this marine national park. The islands themselves are yet to be fully inhabited and so much of their natural beauty remains intact for visitors to see. The Similan islands are fast becoming one of the most popular destinations along the Andaman Coast.

Phang Nga Bay

Quaint and satisfying in appearance, Phang Nga makes for a brief entertaining jaunt from the island resort of Phuket. It is probably not worth setting aside too much time for Phang Nga as there isn’t a huge amount to do. Phang Nga is only a stone’s throw from some of the more aesthetically pleasing spots in the region, but for a short stay it can be rather fun. If the Hollywood experience really is top draw for you, then be sure to visit James Bond Island. You may recognize it from its appearance in The Man with the Golden Gun. All this and more can be found on one of the longtail boat tours on offer to tourists.

Phi Phi Islands

It is probably not possible to mention Koh Phi Phi without making reference to Alex Garland’s 1997 novel The Beach. The 1999 movie has played no small part in driving throngs of tourists to the same spots where Leonardo DiCaprio graced Thailand with his presence. Truthfully though, the islands of Phi Phi have more about them than a Twentieth Century Fox tie-in. The reasons for Koh Phi Phi’s fame come from the beauty encased within the islands. Though it is popular, there is no escaping the natural wonder of Mother Nature in all Her splendour. The diving opportunities are some of the best in the world and will leave you in awe of life under the sea.

Koh Phi Phi is not renowned for being affordable, and as such many tourists only make fleeting visits to the islands. If money is no object then you won’t find many places better than this, but if you are trying to save a few pennies then a few days should suffice before you head onto your next destination.

Trang Islands

Trang is increasingly more popular form one year to the next and as such more and more developments are shooting up across the coastline. Don’t let this put you off, however, as Trang still has an awful lot to offer, including the unbelievably small island (covering less than less than five square kilometers) of Koh Ngai. Trang’s beaches are largely pristine and make up another jewel in the crown of the Andaman coast.

Also at Siam