Southern Thailand has inspired the most beautiful shots of heavenly beaches to the point of showing them on movie screens with a James Bond and a Leonardo DiCaprio half-naked in his dream settings. Bands of fine sand piqué of coconut trees, a sea so crystalline that one can see with the naked eye its parade of coloured scales, a luxuriant vegetation brightened up by exotic flowers: the landscape is sometimes unreal in beauty
A real gateway to Southeast Asia, Thailand is a destination that appeals to a wide audience. Spoilt by a magnificent coastline, southern Thailand has naturally turned to seaside tourism. But some preserved places, buried in lush vegetation, still provide an atmosphere conducive to daydreaming, away from the beaten track. From Bangkok, the country's drop-off point, you can choose between different destinations depending on the time of year. We will therefore distinguish two areas: the Andaman coast (Phuket, Koh Lipe) where the favourable season is between October and March, and the Gulf of Thailand (Koh Tao, Koh Phan Gan) which enjoys clear weather from late December to early September.
Phuket, the ambassador
Phuket, Thailand's largest island, is located an hour and a half south of Bangkok by plane. VIP buses also provide the night journey in 13 hours from the Thonburi "Bus Terminal". The island is famous for its long, fine sandy beaches facing the sunset, which have propelled it as a key destination. Kamala, Patong, Kata and Naï Harn are the most welcoming for both windsurfers and cyclists who can enjoy mountain biking and the staggered views of the west coast. Further south, Chalong Bay offers a large anchorage that serves as a starting point for big game fishing. If the sea is the main tourist attraction, Phuket also counts on other points of interest. The Rang Hill Garden, for example, which offers an incredible view of the city from the terrace of its restaurant, or the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park, its animal and forest reserve. Wild monkeys and pigs frolic in the shade of secular trees from which flying squirrels spring! Phuket City has retained all its charm in the Chinatown district, on the facades of Sino-Portuguese residences, in the serene atmosphere of Thai temples or the bustle of the night markets. We immerse ourselves in an authentic local life with a wide choice of restaurants, scattered between Phuket City and Patong Beach. Don't rely on the most expensive establishments: modest restaurants are sometimes the best. So track down the Asian customers who will certainly lead you to the best addresses! This is an opportunity to evoke the delicious Thai cuisine, for many the best of Asian cuisines, with its aroma of mint, lemongrass, coriander and red basil. From the simple noodle dish to the refined dishes of the old royal cuisine, the palate is treated to a festival of flavours. Especially since the meals are decorated with several dishes placed at the same time on the table and shared by all, thus giving the opportunity to taste all the variations
We leave the calm of Phuket City to return to the liveliness of Patong Beach where a real urban area has developed along the beach framed by rocky promontories. Hotels and restaurants of all kinds surround the island's "red-light district" where countless night bars are concentrated
The butterfly island
Koh Phi Phi Phi, "the butterfly island", is the tropical island par excellence, dedicated to idleness and diving. Even if the night activity is limited to dinners by the sea and beach activities, the atmosphere is naturally friendly. Koh Phi Phi Phi is a charming place with remarkable underwater bottoms. The island has magnificent beaches bathed by an emerald sea where fishing boats seem to float in an unreal way. It will take 30 minutes of climbing to reach the top of its small wooded mountain, an effort rewarded by a surrealist panorama when the sunset iridesces the cliffs in ochre and golden tones. Here, we travel by foot or by fishing boat. Most of the island is accessible by radiant paths from the View Point. Sometimes it is necessary to bypass some rocks and splash around in the water at rising tide, so most visitors prefer to travel from one beach to another by hiring the services of a fisherman. Koh Phi Phi Phi has a reputation as one of the best diving sites in Thailand. The ideal time is from November to March: the water is perfectly clear. Beautiful spots - wrecks and isolated rocks - are spread over a wide area around the island. Several diving centres are located in Ton Saï and each has specially equipped boats.
Koh Lipe: off the beaten track
Koh Lipe, on the borders of Thailand and Malaysia, has a unique atmosphere: the serenity of an enchanting setting and a rusticity of good taste. The island is part of the Koh Tarutao Maritime Park, which includes some 60 islands that are part of UNESCO's World Heritage List. Only the rangers in charge of monitoring the park live in Tarutao, but accommodation has been provided for visitors. The other islands of the archipelago - Adang and Rawi - are accessible from Koh Lipe where the accommodation is located. Koh Lipe is not very extensive and can be crossed in 20 minutes by following small paths. The island, wooded in its centre, is bordered by fine sandy beaches, shaded by filaos and coconut trees. Most of the bungalows are lined up on the beaches and small gargotes and some beach bars are lit up in the evening. The calm reigns, briefly disturbed by the engine of a fishing boat... You wanted to rest on an island far from the civilized turmoil? You are in the right place with only swimming, diving, reading and grilled fish.
Koh Tao: diving objective
We are now in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Tao is now one of the best diving sites in Thailand. The landing takes place in the village of Mae Haad and its large beach of Saï Ri which extends just north, over three kilometers. This bay offers a friendly setting; romantics will find more peace and quiet towards Jansom Bay, a few hundred metres away. Charming establishments are also located in the middle of the rocks. The very pretty beach of Saï Nuan, in particular, is worth a visit. Chalok Ban Kao beach is easily accessible, but less extensive than Saï Ri and the buildings occupy all the available space. Koh Nang Yuan is located in the northwest of Koh Tao. An immaculate sandbank connects three islets. It makes it easy to swim around and diving is possible
Koh Phan Gan: "full moon party" or "idleness"
Koh Phan Gan is an alternative to nearby Koh Samui: it is the ideal place to spend a few days in love, hidden in one of the charming coves, far from the hustle and bustle of the nearby island. Had Rin Beach is world famous for its "Full Moon Parties" and the decibels rage once a month, much to the delight of an international youth. At each full moon, nearly 5,000 "raptors" gather in Rin Nok to celebrate several nights in a row. It's not always in very good taste, but at least it has the merit of making the local economy work!
It can be reached directly by boat from Buddha Beach, north of Koh Samui. The place is beautiful, but there are not many places available. Those who wish to sleep can go to Leela Beach, which is not easy to find but is in fact preserved in a truly enchanting setting. The bay of Thong Naï Pan (northeast coast) exudes calm and invites you to swim in an idyllic setting. Make way for a dream!
Smart info
When? When? On the Andaman coast, the best period is from October to March. In the Gulf of Thailand, the weather is favourable from December to September.
Getting there. Many international companies allow you to reach Bangkok several times a day. In direct flight, allow a minimum of 11 hours of travel time.
