Islands of Thailand - a paradise vacation for every taste

Fans of ecological, extreme, historical tourism turn their gaze to southeast Asia, where the Kingdom of Thailand (abbreviated as Tai) is located on two peninsulas (Indochina and Malacca). From the west, the state is washed by the Andaman Sea, in the east - by the South China (Gulf of Thailand).

The country of smiles has bypassed the popular resorts of Egypt and Turkey for lucrative tourist offers. The magnificent beaches of the south, mountains and tropical wilderness in the north, lure tourists with any requests and desires. The state is rather big, there are more than two hundred islands alone. To enjoy the trip, you need to specify your requests in advance. Let's try to figure it out and choose the right point on the map of the state, which is increasingly called a paradise. We are talking about the best islands in Thailand for a vacation in 2024.

Paradise islands

Many land areas are found in the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand off mainland Thailand. Most of the smaller playgrounds are uninhabited. The big islands settled down and developed as tourist resorts. Most promoted today:

OFFICIAL NAME	LOCAL NAME	PROVINCES	ON THE SIDES OF THE LIGHT
Koh Chang	Chang	Trat	East, Gulf of Thailand
Coot	Kood	Trat	East, Gulf of Thailand
Lanta Yai	Lantayai	Krabi	South
Poppy	Mark	Trat	East, Gulf of Thailand
Khangan	Phangan	Surat Thani	South, Gulf of Thailand
Phi Phi Lei	Pee-pee-le	Krabi	South
Phi Phi Don		Krabi	South
Xichang		Chonburi	East Coast
Samet	Samed	Rayong	East Coast
Samui		Surat Thani	South, Gulf of Thailand
Tau	Tao	Surat Thani	South, Gulf of Thailand
Tapu	O. James Bond	Phangnga	West, Andaman coast
Phuket		Phuket	Southern thailand
Similan islands		Phangnga	South, Andaman Coast

The main advantage of the numerous beaches in Thailand is white sand, gilding under the bright sun, warm clear sea, palm trees and jungle, places not touched by civilization.

To choose the best island for yourself, you need to answer a few questions:

• private trip or with the help of a travel agency;
• purpose of the trip: beach, excursions, extreme, sex;
• family vacations, small children, honeymoon;
• price corridor: economy, maximum comfort.

Based on the responses received, you can explore the possibilities of Thai resorts.

Unique pearls

Of the mainland resorts, the most famous are Bangkok and Pattaya, and the most famous Thai island is Phuket, which is the largest among hundreds of fellows.

Phuket

A world-class tourist Mecca of 50 by 21 km - that's what Phuket is.The entertainment industry is developing to the maximum here. Located in the Andaman Sea near the mainland, so much so that they were connected by a 500-meter bridge. You can not only get here by bus, but also arrive - there is an airport. As for excursions and exotics:

• monkeys, crocodile, snake shows;
• elephant trekking, bathing elephants;
• Thai dances, boxing, colorful performances with the history of the country;
• pineapple plantations, pearl farms;
• night parties, festivals;
• travel by water to uninhabited islands and much more.

It will appeal to both party-goers and lovers of privacy, family and single, young and mature.

• availability of an airport, direct flight;
• beautiful virgin nature, waterfalls, rainforests, jungles;
• there are all the benefits of civilization;
• a huge selection of entertainment, from sports to striptease;
• incredible, but there are at the same time noisy funny places and completely deserted;
• children - a water park, a zoo, a butterfly garden and a lot more.

• in the Thai zone, Phuket is the most expensive resort in all respects;
• May-November there is nothing to do here: the rainy season, the sea is stormy;
• it takes a very long time to get to Bangkok, and there are many attractions.

Samui

The next largest is Samui (250 sq. Km), has a small airfield. You can get here by ferry from the capital. Located in the Gulf of Thailand. One of the most expensive land areas. Thai cuisine, massage parlors, gorgeous beaches, well-developed infrastructure. There are many natural masterpieces here:

• multistage waterfalls;
• rocks Grandmother and Grandfather;
• oceanarium;
• safari park, zoo;
• museum of seashells.

There are no noisy entertainment, night parties, a quiet corner of nature, where flora and fauna are the main inhabitants. Samui is the best place for romantic dates, honeymoon for newlyweds. Families with young children will love it too.

• awesome jungle, real, no decorations;
• there is no civilization, there are not even hotels in the center;
• the sea is cleaner than in Phuket and Pattaya, the beaches are clean;
• the air is clean, the ecology is good, there are few cars and moto;
• on the main beaches (Lamai, Chaweng) there are many hotels, shops, restaurants, ATMs, massage services, etc.
• water sports are excellent here: skiing, moto, diving, snorkeling;
• easily and quickly you can move to small uninhabited beaches, be alone.

• the airport is small, international ships are not accepted, it takes a very long time to get by land transport;
• here you will not have fun from the heart, and the prices are high;
• far from the main attractions in the north of Thailand.

Koh Chang

The island "Elephant" (as Chang is translated) can only be reached by ferry. The east coast of the Gulf of Thailand is an ecological fairy tale - pristine jungle, water transparent to invisibility, clean air. Add to this coral reefs, cascading waterfalls sparkling in the sun with transparent streams.

There are no bars, water parks, hypermarkets, water sports activities are prohibited. Here time stops and you can merge with nature. The status of a national natural park requires any action to be commensurate with the preservation of the integrity of the ecology.

It is at this resort that you can communicate with elephants: ride, bathe, feed, study. Very appealing to families with children, married couples of age, people tortured by the speed of life in civilization. Any tourist will find joy and pleasure here.

Khangan

"Dangling" in the waters of the Gulf of Thailand near Koh Samui, one of the five largest Thai surface areas. The place is youthful, every month an unforgettable Full Moon Party show is held here on the full moon on Haad Rin Beach. Party people dance house, reggae, techno all night. On other days, the usual noisy discos thunder here.

Phi Phi Archipelago

Another archipelago of the Andaman Sea has 6 volcano-tectonic formations. The largest are the inhabited Phi Phi Don, the cinematic Phi Phi Lei, where the filming of the film "Beach" with DiCaprio took place.

Little Don has restaurants, hotels, parties, shows.But the main visitors here are engaged in underwater fishing, diving, snorkelling, exploring routes on boats across all the islands of the archipelago. Sheer cliffs stick out around, underwater caves are visible. The aquatic world is full of sea monsters - barracuda, moray eels, leopard sharks. On Leia, you can retire and merge with nature, on Don - get rid of at a night party, age does not matter.

Koh Chang, the Phi Phi archipelago, Koh Phangan are far from each other, but very similar in infrastructure, have almost the same tourist reviews.

• not crowded, calm, quiet on the beaches;
• once a month in Phangan there is a Full Moon party, there are discos on the only beach in Phi Phi, they don't get bored with noise, it's even nice to participate sometimes;
• a paradise for divers, especially in the archipelago;
• very neat clean beaches, no plastic bottles, bags;
• at any time you can swim to an uninhabited beach - romantic, adrenaline;
• on the archipelago (Lanta) one can observe the life of the aborigines, real ordinary life, compare it with the noisy, advanced bustle of the metropolis and think about the eternal.

• it is difficult to get to any of these islands, with transfers to different types of transport, with surcharges;
• there are no attractions (temples, historical monuments, architecture), except for natural ones;
• boring nightlife: a few bars with folk bands, and sometimes a fire show;
• there is no shopping at all, only ordinary clothes and souvenirs can be bought;
• there is no water sports entertainment in Chang, the conditions of the reserve do not allow using a boat or diving.

Similan islands

This volcanic microarchipelago in the Andaman Sea is a national marine reserve. You can't live here, you can come on an excursion. As an exception, there are primitive bungalows and restaurants on several sites. A ferry goes here, you can hire a high-speed speed boat. Open to the public from November to May inclusive.

This place is an eden for biologists, divers, snorkelers. Forty species of exotic birds, 25 species of different-sized reptiles, 30 species of mammals. The main attraction is ... sea water! Its transparency is such that at a depth of 35 meters one can see coral gardens, rays, tropical bright fish, sea turtles.

Koh Tao

Hotels, bars, water skis, motorcycles, kayaks. The highlight is professional diving schools, even Russian-speaking ones.

Koh Kood

Waterfalls, diving, fishing, kayaking, snorkeling. The ethnic fishing village of Ao Yai, standing on the water, is an ordinary little wonder where you will be caught fish, cooked and fed.

These places have a rich underwater life and have identical reviews.

• very far from the beaten track of tourist trails and civilization, which saves nature, preserves its pristine nature;
• It is easy to become a real savage diver, even there is no asphalt and no cars;
• the best places to calmly explore the underwater world;
• Koh Kut is the cleanest sea and air in Thailand.

• very difficult road to the resting place;
• the beaches of the Andaman Sea are closed during the rainy season (May-November);
• there are no land-based entertainment, ATMs, bars, nowhere to spend money;
• there is no transport to inspect the entire land;
• attractions are only natural, there is nothing man-made;
• problems with electricity: can turn on for a few hours and that's it.

Samet

The resort island, which is part of the national reserve. This is an ideal beach holiday destination, from here it is easy to get to Bangkok and Pattaya with their attractions. Virgin nature, lack of asphalt roads, many small sandy beaches surrounded by natural vegetation. Silence and tranquility reign here, the beaches are not crowded, there are no attractions, hotels and restaurants are cozy, quiet.

A great place for couples, families with kids. The azure sea, white sand, the absence of the roar of civilization - everything is conducive to happy moments.True, on weekends Thais flock here, wanting to relax in nature, then it becomes crowded and fun, but only two days a week.

• a large selection of inexpensive guesthouses, hotels of different comfort;
• inexpensive delicious seafood;
• no problems with moving around the island: rent a motorbike, there is a taxi, songteo;
• the beaches are wide, clean, the sea is clear;
• wildlife, rocks, many viewpoints.

• protected area, so you have to pay 200 baht to enter the coast;
• all the sights of the island can be seen in one trip, then only the sea, sand, a restaurant with a gorgeous sunset and that's it;
• food, water, everything else is delivered to the island by boats, therefore the price tag is higher for all services than in neighboring territories.

How do you want to relax

1. If you go to Thailand to get rid of to the fullest, then you don't have to look at the islands, the most ebullient entertainment life, with excursions, dancing, night parties, is waiting for you on the mainland - Pattaya, Bangkok. Sex tourism and shopping are also here. The most civilized entertainment island is Phuket, but it is many times quieter than mainland cities.

2. Family vacation with children depends on various factors. If you need a connection with nature, sea, peace, you can choose any piece of land on the surface of the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, the question of the season will decide everything. Excellent options - Phuket, Koh Samui. The rest with children in Phangan, Chang will be worse, it is really bad - in Samet, Tao, Kut. If you intend to actively hang out with your child, stay on the mainland, in Pattaya.

3. Quiet rest on clean beaches, but with civilian living conditions, you will find on Koh Chang, Phangan, Samet, Samui.

4. "Wild" tourism is possible on Samet, Kuda, Similian, Mak, Surin.

5. The best diving and snorkeling is on Tau, the volcanic archipelagos of Similian, Surin, Phi Phi.

6. International youth party for the whole night and for several days - Phangan, where young people from many countries of the world constantly communicate, meet, dance, relax.

7. Honeymoon trips, honeymoons are best spent in the romantic corners of Phuket, Samui, Ko Chang, Phi Phi Don.

No bad weather

It is advisable to choose a place of rest here according to the weather. For any day, you can find an island where it will be warm, dry and comfortable.

Spring

It's hot 10 months a year in Bangkok and Pattaya, the most predictable area for the weather. The air warms up to +35, water - +28. Precipitation is short-lived, pleasantly cooling the air. Bad weather for tourism happens here in September-October.

In March, southern Thailand pleases with good weather. April is an unstable month. The weather is hot, but the Andaman Sea is stormy: Phuket, the southern islands, Krabi are more comfortable for surfers catching the wave. Frequent but short rains. And in the Gulf of Thailand in March - peace and paradise grace.

Thai north in spring is dry season. Forests are burning, constant smog, stuffy and no one talks about comfortable rest. And at the end of May, the rainy season starts here.

Summer

Phuket, the Andaman Sea in the summer months do not invite tourists. June-August is frankly rainy here, the sea is worried, it is impossible to swim.

It is sunny, pleasant and comfortable in the Gulf of Thailand at this time.

Fall

September-October Thailand rests from tourists, prolonged rains, floods, lack of navigation between the islands, sometimes there is not even electricity. But there are corners where the weather will be good: during these months you can safely order a vacation to Koh Samui, Phangan, Tao.

November is on the list separately, because the beginning of the month is a transitional period in the weather. The weather is improving, the rains are going away, the Andaman Sea is becoming kind and peaceful. Navigation opens. The tourism season begins in November in the south.

At this time, the Gulf of Thailand receives rain baths, floods, sea waves on the coast. In the north (Chiang Mai) - dry, pleasant weather.

Winter

The winter Andaman Sea is calm, sunny, no rain. The best time to travel to this part of Thailand is December-February.That is why tourists from the northern countries go to Thailand in winter, in the Thai January summer - Krabi, Lanta, Phi Phi, Phuket.

In the Gulf of Thailand in December - rains and stormy weather are not for swimming. Powerful short tropical showers are not conducive to sea travel and relaxation in sun loungers. The wettest month here is January. And only at the end it becomes dry and sunny here.

It's cool in January in the north of the state: from evening to morning, you may need a warm jacket, a windbreaker.

The last month of winter - February - is excellent for tourism, dry, sunny throughout the territory.

Summarize:

• The most comfortable weather in the whole kingdom is February, March.
• The hottest month in the Siam Sands is May. The rainiest point is the eastern beaches of Samui in January. From February to mid-October - paradise islands.
• In the north, the best vacation is in December-February. The worst period is March-April.
• The Andaman Sea will delight beach goers from mid-November to mid-March. In April it is already very hot.
• Phuket has nothing to do in September-October. From July to October there is also "no ice" here - it rains.
• Pattaya and Hua Hin are open to tourists ten months a year. September-October - pause.

Why choose Thailand

The land of smiles - this is how this area with palm trees and bounty beaches is positioned. Thais are constantly coming up with new stories, quests. A walk in the jungle on elephants can be decorated with "bathing the pink elephant". Instead of an ordinary boat, a bamboo raft suddenly appears on the river crossing. Beautiful Thais, performing incendiary but graceful dances, suddenly turn out to be transvestites, and the monkeys are wild.

• Excellent opportunities for ecotourism. Exciting trips to small uninhabited islands, the purest water in the sea, waterfalls and ancient Buddhist temples - everything breathes with primordiality, a calm passage of time, relaxes, strains, heals body and soul.
• Inside Thailand, very comfortable prices are available to tourists with a minimum budget.
• A separate point in favor of Thailand will be Thai massage, known all over the world. Relaxing massages, restorative, healing massages on different parts of the body - Thai masseurs are unsurpassed masters of their craft.

• Thais are a very hospitable people, peaceful and kind. They bow to tourists, rejoice at the meeting. Unobtrusive good service and friendliness make the kingdom more interesting than boorish Turkey, ripping money out of Egypt's hands. Here they are charged with positive.
• Thai cuisine is spicy, for an amateur, but there is always a lot of food, it is inexpensive.
• Accommodation - for every taste, both in terms of price and comfort. You can live in high-rise apartments, or in a bungalow on the seashore.

• high air humidity, you need to adapt;
• Asians' concept of purity differs from European standards not for the better;
• there are obsessive sellers of all sorts of nonsense sticking around on the beach, on the street, in the store;
• the sea has the purest salt water, you cannot drink water from the tap.

What you need to know about the country and its rules

Thailand is the territory of summer. It is always warm here, there are seasons, but there are only two of them, they are called "dry season" and "rainy season". Officially, this is a kingdom, here all the beaches, natural resources belong to the king, are called municipal and are absolutely free. The crime rate is low, but in the crowds of tourists petty thieves are sneaking around, ready to appropriate even what lies unattended on the beach mat.

The capital is Bangkok, a city of contrasts. According to the time zone, the country lives 4 hours earlier than Moscow. Ancient Buddhist temples sit side by side with skyscrapers, Buddhist drums - with fun night parties. Thais are deeply religious people, but there is sex tourism in the excursion prices.

Language, writing

Language - Thai, in the alphabet - 72 letters, no cases, gender, plural. There are four tonality of pronunciation, the interpretation of a word can change from intonation. Therefore, it is highly discouraged to raise your voice when communicating - it can be regarded as an attack or insult.

Thais do not speak Russian, they learn English, but it is also difficult to understand it.Alternatively, install a translator on your Google smartphone in advance that translates voice text into the language you need (Thai). There is an application for smartphones "online photo translator" with which you can translate menu texts, signs, announcements through the camera.

Religion

Buddhism is the main religion of Thais, the state one. Islam and Christianity are also professed here. They enter the temples barefoot, without leaving open their chest, arms and legs, you can take long clothes to visit a functioning temple. Important: women are forbidden to talk to monks, touch them.

Border inspection

To come to Thailand for 10-29 days, you do not need to apply for a visa, it is enough to have a passport. You should have air tickets, insurance, bank cards (at least two), cash, international driving license (A, B). A first-aid kit with the drugs you need is obligatory; buy conventional medicines on the islands if necessary.

Thai customs have their own rules for import and export. Without declaring, you can transport $ 20 thousand in both directions, or another currency in equivalent. You can take out the local currency from the country no more than 50 thousand baht.

Customs does not welcome drugs, electronic cigarettes, especially vapes. Regular cigarettes can be smuggled across the border no more than 200 pieces. By the way, since 2018, bans on smoking on the beaches began, recreations for smoking have been set aside, measures for violation have been announced (a year in prison, a fine of $ 3,000). It is forbidden to import pornographic magazines, erotica, toys for adults.

Large images of the national flag, quicklime stamps, sand, earth, corals (only a finished souvenir), precious metals and stones cannot be exported from the country. Only a small buddha can be taken away as a keepsake, no higher than 12 cm. A separate rule for exotic durian is that only in a vacuum, in a suitcase, the rest of the fruit can be carried in hand luggage.

Transport

You will have to get to Thailand from Moscow by plane, the flight duration is 8-10 hours. Next, by taxi, ferry, sleeping boat, longtail you will move to your island. These are very interesting trips in themselves.

The transport system in Thailand allows tourists to travel independently. Most of them rent bikes, cars and ride wherever they want. Public transport includes buses, tuk-tuk: trucks with benches in the back for transporting passengers. In the capital, they are called songkhteo.

Money

The state currency is Thai Baht. One baht contains 100 satang. At the beginning of the year, 1 baht was equal to 1.8 rubles. The course is floating, tourists multiply the price by 2 to understand how much it costs in rubles. 1 dollar = 32 Thai baht, 1 euro = 36 (the rate is floating, the numbers are approximate).

Thailand has an excellent ATM network at every corner. Please note that the commission for withdrawing money from the card (with transfer to baht) is not a percentage, but a fixed amount - from 150 to 220 baht in different banks. The minimum commission (150 TNV) - at AEON ATMs. It is more profitable to withdraw large amounts. The maximum withdrawal is 30 thousand baht.

Without commission, you can withdraw money from the card at any branch of the bank, having a passport with you. It is more profitable to change to local currency, euros, dollars, the ruble exchange rate is not profitable. Any currency is exchanged here only for baht, it will not work to get hold of dollars.

One more point - in small shops and shops, no currencies, except for the local one, are accepted. Only in large shopping centers you can pay with a bank card. Have cash on hand if you want to buy souvenirs, drink or eat.

Traditions

The royal family is sacred to every Thai. Even jokingly, one cannot say a nuisance about the royal family - this is a criminal offense. The portrait of the king is depicted on all banknotes, so money must be treated with respect.

A funny story here with a calendar. The chronology in Thai comes from the death of Buddha, now the country is not in 2024, but in 2562. And the new year comes to them on April 13-15. Dousing with water is a tradition of the holiday. But they are happy to celebrate the European, Chinese New Year, of course, for tourists.

Eastern "sweets"

Thai cuisine is a separate attraction.Alcohol is treated calmly here, served for lunch, dinner. Beer is served with ice. They make their own good wines from fruits and berries, have their own rum, whiskey. Alcohol is sold by the hour: 11:00 - 14:00; 17:00 - 24:00.

The hotels provide breakfast, sometimes dinner. "All inclusive" is not quoted here, except in five-star hotels. When choosing a restaurant to dine, go to a place where there are many Thais. The food will be cheaper, the service will be faster. The portions are made very large, you do not need to order several dishes, you can not cope. When making an order, be sure to clearly say "no spicy", otherwise it will be so sharp that you will not take it in your mouth.

Street food is popular in Thailand. Makashnitsy - kitchens on wheels with a stove and grill roll around the streets, offering food for a snack. It is always fresh, often prepared in front of the buyer. Can be found on trays of fried insects. But those who often visit or live in Thailand are sure that Thais do not eat it, they expose it for the exotic.

As for prices, you can dine in a cafe for 150-300 baht, in a restaurant - 600. The main thing is that there is a lot of food everywhere, at every step, you can choose the taste and price. Experienced tourists are advised to try the most delicious dishes (price per serving in baht):

• fried rice - 60-100;
• pad thai (fried noodles) - 60-100;
• tom yam (soup) - 80-120;
• kebabs (meat / fish) - 10-20 for 1 skewer;
• spring rolls (spring rolls) - 70-100;
• sweet rice with mango - 80-100;
• Thai pancakes - 40-50;
• freshly squeezed fruit and berry juices - 50-70.

How much to spend, what to save on

Can I calculate the budget for my trip to Thailand? The amount will depend on which island you are going to, how long you will be there, what you will do, what living conditions will suit you. Where can you save painlessly:

• a short trip does not require a visa;
• cheaper tours at the end of August, first half of September;
• in Pattaya, all prices (housing, fruits, transport) are reduced in June-September;
• you can live in star hotels or in a tent;
• you can swim, sunbathe, without shopping, excursions;

• an independent trip will require the cost of housing, transport, food, you can think that it is cheaper - a tour or savages;
• don't forget about round-trip air tickets;
• by buying a local SIM card, you can save half of your Internet costs;
• European food in the kingdom is more expensive than Thai cuisine;
• excursions by boats are twice cheaper than by speedboats.

More than ten million tourists come to Thailand every year. In the kingdom, they are actively exploring new territories for guests, building paths to uninhabited land and bays. Inquisitive tourists will explore the Khmer ruins, admire ancient Sukhothai, children frolic in water parks, young people at night parties, introverts will find harmony on uninhabited islands - everyone will find their piece of happiness here. Difficult to describe, easier to see once. Hospitable Thailand will greet you with a kind smile, will remain in your memory, will beckon and wait again.