Away from It All - Amazing fresh new beaches await discovery, where a number of unspoilt beaches afford the opportunity for a quiet escape…

Chumphon

As the gateway to the South, Chumphon is blessed with a long coastline facing the Gulf of Thailand, where a number of unspoilt beaches afford the opportunity for a quiet escape. The best is Hat Thung Wua Laen, which offers resort accommodation and a dive centre. This is also a hopping-off point for Ko Tao.

Ko Thalu, Chumphon

Hat Thung Wua Laen, Chumphon

Getting There
Chumphon can be reached by bus or train from Bangkok, the journey taking 7-8 hours.

Ranong

Flanking Chumphon on the Andaman coast, Ranong is best known for its natural hot springs, although it is also characterised by dense tropical greenery, picturesque waterfalls and coastal waters dotted with islands. The beaches are not the best in the country, but Ranong is fascinating as somewhere different, the style of holiday offered being one of exploring an intriguing stretch of coast, including excursions by boat into neighbouring Myanmar.

Getting There
Phuket Air and Bangkok Airways operate flights between Bangkok and Ranong (flying time 1 hour). Air conditioned buses to Ranong depart from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal, the journey taking about 12 hours.

Trang

Ko Ma, Trang

South of Krabi, Trang is poised to establish itself on the international travel map. As yet little developed, although international-standard hotels are opening up, Trang has both mainland beaches and a whole string of offshore islands just waiting to be discovered. Cruising the coastal waters, visiting such notable sights as the enchanting Emerald Cave, accessible only by water, is a major attraction.

Tham Morakot, Trang

Getting There
Thai Airways International operates a daily service from Bangkok, with a flight time of little over 1 hour. Trang can also be reached by overnight train or bus from Bangkok.

The Far South

For the thrill of discovering a tropical beach before international vacationers do, the intrepid traveller should head to the far southern provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani and Narathiwat, all facing the Gulf of Thailand. Here, beaches such as Sa Bua, Sichon and Hin Ngam in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ratchadaphisek, Talo Kapo and Thepha in Pattani, and Narathat in Narathiwat offer sandy stretches frequented, if at all, by only the local fi shing communities whose brightly painted boats are characteristic of the region.

Hat Khae Khae, Pattani

Getting There
Thai Airways International operates daily fl ights from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat, while all provincial capitals are served by buses from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal.