The islands of Thailand are world renowned for their stunning scenery and pristine beaches. Millions of tourists travel to Thailand every year and many foreigners have settled down permanently after falling for the charms of this island paradise. The major islands of Thailand such as Phuket and Koh Samui have only become major tourist destinations over recent years but the rapid development in buildings and infrastructure, coupled with a huge rise in tourist numbers, provides major challenges to this fragile ecosystem.

Thailand is easily accessible by air and sea with Bangkok serving as a major hub for flights within south east Asia and beyond. Visitors from a variety of countries are offered a thirty day visa after arriving at the airport but this can vary depending on your country of origin. For longer visits, tourist visas for two months can be obtained within certain countries and therefore it is essential to check visa requirements before planning your trip to Thailand.

Travelling within Thailand is made much easier through the country’s excellent transport facilities ranging from overnight trains and air conditioned coaches to short flights between Bangkok and main islands and resorts. Overall costs of hotel rooms, food and entertainment are lower than in western countries but costs have risen steeply in popular destinations such as parts of Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui.

With hundreds of islands on offer, there is something for everyone including backpackers, divers, families, singles, couples, groups and gap year students. To the west of Thailand in the Andaman sea lies Phuket which is the largest island in Thailand. Phuket has an international airport as well as great hotels, restaurants and beaches. The island is very popular with families and people of all ages as well as serving as a base for exploring Koh Phi Phi and the Similan islands which is a popular destination for divers. No trip would be complete without a trip to stunning Koh Phi Phi and Maya Bay which was the setting for the film ‘The Beach’ starring Leonardo Di Caprio.

For visitors looking for a quiet holiday, Koh Lanta offers a less developed island with pleasant beaches and no crowds. For island hoppers, Krabi province offers the ideal destination with many small islands near one another and various activities on offer including snorkelling and scuba diving.

On the east coast of Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand lies Koh Samui which has been transformed from a backpackers paradise to an island catering more for mainstream tourists and families. Koh Samui also has an international airport and is only just over one hour’s flight from Bangkok. The main beach resorts at Chaweng and Lamai are very popular with most the islands nightlife taking place at Chaweng.

Just a short boat trip from Ko Samui lies the world famous full moon party island of Koh Phangan which is smaller in size and less developed than Koh Samui. Accommodation is dominated by budget hotels and bungalows and the island is very popular with a younger crowd looking for parties and paradise on a lower budget. The island of Koh Tao also lies near Koh Samui and has become very popular in recent years as a major centre for diving as well as for travellers.

The above is just a small taste of what Thailand has to offer and for many visitors, the islands offer a truly magical and wonderful experience unmatched by any other part of the world.

Author Bio: Lalit Rastogi is editor of Thailand Islands and Gap Year Travel websites. He is the owner of all said material in this article. You can distribute material on a non-exclusive, royalty-free basis, while he retains full rights.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Thailand, islands, Koh Samui, Phuket, Koh Phangan, Krabi, Phi Phi, gap year, travel, full moon party