A Pocket Guide to the Thai Islands

From Travel Dudes
 

We all crave an island escape... and your choices on which Thai islands to visit are endless.

This comprehensive condensed pocket guide should help make picking which one to visit a little easier. I haven't visited every island in Thailand... Those missing from this guide include the Similan Islands, Koh Lipe, and Koh Lanta... time to start planning my next trip!

Here's a guide to Thailand's islands:

Koh Chang and Koh Samet:

The Bangkok crowds' best kept secret, Koh Chang and Koh Samet are favored for their proximity to the city - both under 300km away from BKK, perfect for a weekend getaway. Off the beaten path, they're less developed but still equally as beautiful as other islands. Think white sandy beaches and luscious tropical jungle... Paradise! Koh Chang is bigger, meaning more hotels and restaurants etc. It's quickly becoming a tourist favorite. The majority of Koh Samet is a national park; a recent 11pm noise ban sees the music stop before midnight… This isn't the place for all night parties.

Choose these if you want an undisturbed getaway and only have time for a quick trip - buses run from Bangkok, including Suvarnabuhmi, to the two piers servicing the islands.

Koh Tao:

Divers flock to Koh Tao, a dream surrounded by aquamarine waters and thriving coral reefs. Busiest around full moon - as backpackers trek over from Koh Phangan - it is hedonism's ultimate antidote... This doesn't mean that after a day spent submerged scuba diving, you can't let loose. Sairee is lined with beach bars, and most hotels/hostels in the island's smaller villages have their own bar set ups in place…

Choose this if you want to get PADI certificatied at a bargain price with the added reassurance of international dive instructors. It’s also perfect for a post Full Moon Party detox, the local nightlife's laidback and dissapointment free.

Koh Samui:

Koh Samui is one of Thailand's most well known islands. With an airport on the island (budget permitting), ferries can be skipped! A foreign tourist destination, enter the luxury resorts and fast food joints lining Chaweng. If you're mid gap year/backpacking across South East Asia, stay in Chaweng. Home to ArkBar (and their famous pool parties), and outdoor club Green Mango, it's the perfect Full Moon Party warm up. Bophut and Lamai are both under ten minutes away by taxi, close enough to the action but more exclusive.

Choose this if you want an island that doubles as a complete holiday; a great base to explore the surrounding islands and Ang Thong National Park. P.S. whilst not Bangkok's Grand Palace, Wat Plai Laem and Wat Phra Yai - the Big Buddha Temple - are both 10 minutes north of Chaweng and worth stopping at.