Rafting the Mae Tang can be a hair raising experience but it’s certain to be one of the most exciting things you do in Thailand.

It’s been raining cats and Buddhas for the past three days, but today the sun is already beating down on us and it’s only 10am. But it isn’t enough sun to dry out the severe mud ruts that this old Landrover is busy grinding its way through as we patiently negotiate our way up the Mae Tang river. To our left the gorge falls away steeply, carpeted in lush jungle, and at the bottom we catch glimpse of a ferocious river that tumbles out of the mountains of Northern Thailand.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” my companion asks sceptically.

“Dunno, but the jungle up here sure is pretty” I meekly respond, trying to change the topic. It took me half a day to persuade her to come whitewater rafting and then the floods came down from the mountains and left Chiang Mai under a foot of water. But our guide, Jason, assured us that he never rafts an angry river and that our patience would pay off. The waters of Typhoon Damrey are now down in the valley he explains and the river has dropped to a safe level. To prove his point, we stopped at one point nearer the river and we inspected the rocks.

“See this boulder here” he points out, “when this is above the water level, it’s safe to raft this river”. He’s internationally trained in swift water rescue so we take his word for it. But the sight of the whitewater and sheer force of the grade five rapid he showed off to us has left butterflies in my stomach.

The awesome force of the recent floods have left an obvious calling card, and the banks are littered with forest debris and strewn with a destructive muddy mess several meters higher than the present level. It’s difficult to image a river more lively than this but clearly we are seeing it at in a tamer mood.

Up at the camp the river is more relaxed, and even after the traumatic preview we have not regrets about signing up for this adventure. Sop Kai is a charming little village situated on a flat part of the river, way up this snaking valley, and all around us the jungle sings with a mid morning chorus of nature as the water glistens and the sleepy community goes about its rural business.

We’re offered some snacks and fresh mountain coffee in the cool riverside bungalow of Siam River Adventures, and left to savour the wonderful experience of being up here in the mountains. This village is far away from the tourist traps and crowded temples. It’s all part of the day’s experience, Jason promised us. I’m tempted to ask if we can skip the rafting and simply go hiking up the banks of the river, it’s so lovely here. But that would be chickening out.

Before long he has us all kitted out and launches into a serious safety briefing and impromptu tutorial on how to react to an unruly raft. “Forward paddle! Back paddle! Lean left! Right! Get down!” he yells as we practice in the eddies of this impatient river. When it’s all over he offers us a reassuring; “ don’t worry, the guides will control the craft, just follow orders and you’ll be alright.” Before the safety briefing began he made a point of checking the swift water rescue gear and dispatching his staff to the most difficult rapids, so that they are ready to throw rescue ropes. He also points out that his is the only company on this river that has safety kayakers accompanying the raft to help rescue ‘floaters’, as he calls them. We feel just a little better now.

And, with little time to ponder what we are about to embark on, the guides push us into the main current and the camp disappears immediately as gravity tugs violently at us. That initial experience of sudden unstoppable momentum is perhaps the most impressionable memory as your adrenalin gets hold of your heart. You have little chance to concentrate on anything other than the rapidly approaching water immediately in front of your craft. It’s too late to turn back now but one certain thought that screams at your sense of logic is; ‘Oh my god, what have I got myself into!’

Within minutes we hit the first major rapids. Thunderous water sound a warning, my heart rate increases even more, and then we are on top of it. “Whooooaaah” we scream as the raft plunges headlong into the grade four rapid. The acceleration is scary, and with an exhilarating rush we splash through the bottom as our raft buckles and is thrown around. A sheer adrenalin high turns to relief as we coast out the other side and enjoy a breather on a tamer stretch.

But not for long, the gradient steepens again, we bumble over some smaller rapids and continue forward, without any respite or braking.

“OK, everybody ready” our guide shouts. “lean left! Left, left, left ” he yells desperately as we all try to avoid our craft being sucked into the wrong side of an even larger rapid. “Backpaddle!” He yells even louder, as he tries to steer the craft away from the insistent draft. A big pile of debris has split the rapid, the right side definitely looks dangerous. Everything happens quickly, we’re panicking now, but instinct takes over, water pours into the right side, miraculously we narrowly avoid the tough route and with one final strong paddle from the guide we plunge down the correct chute. Chiang Mai for adventurers

My god, this is pretty stressful, I think to myself as we emerge safely below. There is spontaneously laughter and cheering, relief turns fear into enjoyment, and in a nervous sort of way I find myself starting to really enjoy this.

“Well done” the guide tells us calmly, you have passed the tough first test, those were some of the toughest, it gets easier from here” he reassures us. And he’s true to his word. Just as I was beginning to loathe any more of this, we tumble down a series of fun small rapids that prove to us that rafting this river is exciting and enjoyable.

After 20 more minutes of tamer rapids, we all – as a team – seem to have the hang of this and soon we pull up into an eddy where we are reunited with the other rafts. “Time for a breather” our guide shouts, and we all loosen our protective helmets and life jackets. The road is just above us and a train of elephants trundle by with several tourists on board. Now that’s a far more sensible way to travel, I think to myself.

Before long we set out again for the most lively stretch of the river and unbeknown to us, a nasty surprise lies ahead. We hit the next rapid, a grade five with a name that sounds like something out of a violent Playstation game. This one is practically a small waterfall and as we hit the bottom the raft flips and into the water we all go. Pandemonium strikes. I recall seeing the swift water rescue guard standing on a nearby rock with safety rope ready but chaos reigns as I hold my breath and try, in a panic, to remember the safety advice. The water is keeping me under but I hold my breath and allow the water to ‘wash me out’ of the rapid. Sure enough I find myself downstream, surfacing and trying to gain control as the powerful river spirits me away. Luckily there are no further rapids and I manage to steer myself into an eddy. Fortunately everyone has recovered and we soon regroup and rescue the rafts. Chiang Mai outdoor activities

And so the day continues as we tackle one rapid after the other, interspersed with relaxing recoveries along tamer stretches of the river from where we can admire the wonderful forested gorge around us. A few more times we manage some hair raising escapes and the adrenalin rushes are addictive, leaving us nervously wishing for more. We have overcome our fears and eventually we approach the bottom of the stretch.

“Yeah! Bring it on baby” yells one of the people in our group and each time we plunge into another rapid the girls let out a loathing scream that soon turns to laughter. Even when it’s all over and we coast into the disembarkment camp we are all grinning from ear to ear, with scarcely any regret for signing up for the day’s adventure.

There’s only one task left to do, and that is to pose as a team in front of the rafts, paddles raised in victory – for we have tamed the mighty Mae Tang river.

Like a big cosy duvet, mist shrouds the valley far below us. Away in the distance, a crowing cockerel gets the Hmong villagers out of bed, but the only other sound is the crunch of our bike tyres on the gravel track. With a soft click of gears, our group tackles a small incline but our attention is still riveted on the sweeping vista of forest immediately below us

Northern Thailand is a mountain bikers’ paradise. The prospect of spending a week in the saddle through some of Thailand’s most mountainous terrain left me with mixed feelings of exhilaration and exhaustion. Luckily, the Spice Roads’ tour is cleverly designed to take place over a leisurely nine days and somehow avoids the steep climbs but rewards the cyclist with some breathtaking back road routes between Chiang Mai and the Golden Triangle. Over the following week, we would meander through fruit orchards and careen down through lush rainforest. We splashed through delightful streams and crawled through caves, posed in front of unusual Shan temples and rode elephants. And we trekked to a Lahu village before finally coming upon on the escarpment of a wild frontier where the Shan State hills stretched far into the distance. But I’m getting a little ahead of myself here.

To the west of Chiang Mai loom the imposing Doi Pui and Suithep peaks, which act as a spiritual guardian for the city. They also provide a good indication of what the North has to offer mountain bikers and adventurers. And so we found ourselves way above the bustling tourist city, among the mist of the mountains and crisp morning chill. From Phuping Palace, near the summit, our group got to know each other as we gently climbed up through the pine trees heading for Baan Chiang Khian – a Hmong Village that enjoys unbeatable views of the Ping valley below. From here, the fun starts with a thrilling 20-kilometre off-road descent through the national park. There are a number of ‘fire’ roads that criss-cross this mountain, used regularly by the Hmong, and the one we take turns out to be a hair-raising experience – quite technical at times but suitable for anyone familiar with a mountain bike. The safety briefing at the start wasn’t overstated and eventually, buzzing with adrenalin, we emerge at the Huay Tong Tao reservoir in the valley. Not bad for a warm up!

Day two begins not on bikes but on a boat, as we are ferried to the far corner of the Mae Kuang reservoir north of Chiang Mai, and I’m intrigued by the prospect of being deposited on a far bank that no cars or motorbikes can reach. Today, we are told by our guide Woody, is mainly single track through forest as we head towards Chiang Dao. Adventure activities in Chiang Mai

“Mai pen rai, every year I get lost this part,” Woody mischievously explains as we plunge deeper into the sub-tropical growth, following tracks that are sometimes barely noticeable. This charade goes on for a couple of hours and we don’t care – riding a trail that hasn’t been used in ages adds to the sense of adventure. Eventually we pop out on to an asphalt road and follow it to Buatong waterfall, where lunch is waiting for us hungry cyclists. Northern Thailand is covered in gorgeous waterfalls but this particular one emerges from a spring and is covered in an unusual limestone deposit. From here, we hit the road, onwards to Mae Ngat dam before thankfully arriving at the Royal Ping Resort.

Every trip has its clowns, and the touring group you’re with always adds to the memory. For example, we have along with us a group of ever-polite Singaporeans who are so ridiculously kitted out that even NASA would be overwhelmed. They have shown up with every imaginable gadget, including GPS and two-way radios, heart rate monitors and cadence meters, enough portable tools to build a rocket launcher and their titanium full-suspension super-light bikes that cost more than the entire annual budget of some the villages we would be visiting. Of course, this was all proportionately opposite to their riding ability, but we were given a useful commentary of stats throughout the trip such as, “Altitude: 1440m la, bearing: 20, 52N, 98, 30E, wind speed…”.

On day two, as we entered the maze of single tracks, we were subjected to the likes of: “Ong Chee, ah, report position ovah,” squelch squelch, “OK roger that, ovah,” “We are approaching river with water in it, ovah,” along with periodic warnings like “Hole” and “Rut” and “Snake!”, which would echo down the line.

We set out early for Chiang Dao – a distinctive and isolated mountain about 80kms north of Chiang Mai, and the road to it meanders through a narrow cutting that is draped in morning mist with sheer rock faces looming on either side of the asphalt road. The caves at the base are a honeycomb of adventure and a 30-minute tour through the dark network is a welcome change from the saddle. Pressing on, we arrive in the small adjacent town in time for the Tuesday morning market, which gives us a fascinating glimpse into Northern Thailand country life. The colourful Lisu have come to town for the day, hawking their embroidery in a kaleidoscope of colour that matches our Lycra cycling gear. On display are some bizarre root remedies including one that promises to cure ‘all pocks and syphilitic eruptions around the neck’! Fruit is the mainstay of the economy in these parts and it becomes quite obvious as our route zigzagged for the rest of the day through undulating terrain covered in orchards.

After a night in which we had the entire Alpine-styled Chiang Dao Hills Resort to ourselves, we set out again on another nicely scheduled flat ride that skirts the massif of Doi Angkhang. This close to the Myanmar border, we observe a difference in cultural influences, most notably the multi-tiered roofs of the Shan’s Buddhist temples. It makes me feel like we have entered another country. Later in the afternoon, we finally approach the border town of Tha Ton, riding along dykes between irrigated fields, as we dead-reckon towards a giant Buddha on the hillside above the town.

Tha Ton is a tiny town that sits astride the Kok river as it enters Thailand through a gap in the adjacent hills. The following morning, we take to boats once more to negotiate the hilly terrain by way of river. It involves squeezing ourselves and bikes into these unstable boats, much to the bemusement of some loitering Kareni hill tribe folk who probably think we are absolutely crazy to be tackling this province by bike. Today we ride only 20kms. The route follows the river bank on a dirt road that passes several rural villages before arriving in Baan Ruammit — a hive of tourist activity with its elephant camp and handicraft shops. Bikes are now traded for elephants and the tour deviates from cycling to trekking. But 15 jolting minutes on the back of a lumbering elephant leaves me wishing I had never left my saddle. Before long, however, these stoic beasts are effortlessly trundling up steep unbikeable paths and I concede that cycling would’ve been a bad idea.

Within an hour, we come upon Baan Ya Fu — a Lahu village that will host us for the night. Here there is no electricity, no road access in the rainy season and few conveniences, yet the locals seem content and busy. Our usual four-star accommodation has been traded for a bamboo long house, short on comfort but rich in atmosphere. This tiny hamlet of 400 really is something to write home about. To the metronomic thud of a foot-driven mortar, we wander around the small lopsided village. There are kids following us around curiously, playful puppies tumbling in the dust, chickens aimlessly strutting around, and dogs and ducks keeping an eye on each other. An exhausted sow lies helpless as a clutch of hungry piglets attack her shrivelled udders. The locals regard us suspiciously, for the Lahu are one of the shyest of the hill tribes, and I can’t help thinking we have turned their village into a human zoo.

Day six starts with a trek down the hillside to Mae Sa waterfall, where we pick up a transfer to the base of Doi Mae Salong. Today we will tackle the first of the hills, with a bet to see who wimps out. Mae Salong is an interesting community of tea growers of Chinese descent. Their previous generation arrived here as Kuomintang exiles who were unable to reach Taiwan when they fled Mao’s communists in 1949. Apart from all the tea fields and obvious Chinese character, the town enjoys wonderful views — earning itself the description ‘Little Switzerland’. Fortunately, the climb is all on asphalt and the ordeal is over in less than two hours. We are rewarded with a fantastic panorama from the striking Wat Boromathat perched on a nearby hill.

By now we were craving more of the exhilarating downhill that whet our appetite on day one and right on cue we descend Doi Mae Salong on seldom-used dirt roads that pass through more hill tribe villages. It’s a deliberately short day because we are to stay at one of the area’s most luxurious resorts: Phu Chai Sai, with bungalows constructed entirely of bamboo and a sweeping restaurant area that commands excellent views. It’s ideal for relaxation in preparation for the final, and most demanding, day of the journey. Besides, by now we have covered more than 400kms and could do with a rest.

The final leg sets out on dirt roads and single track through some unusual karst scenery interspersed with rice paddies. But ahead of us, the imposing Doi Tung mountain has a 1000m ascent. Doi Tung is the northernmost elevated position in the country and was the scene of some cross border spats with the Burmese in 2002. It also attracts plenty of Thai tourists to the flower gardens developed by the late Princess Mother who had a winter home here.

With trepidation, we tackle the steep inclines to reach the revered temple at the summit, which apparently houses a clavicle bone of the Lord Buddha. When you’re moving at 5kph with a seemingly endless climb around each corner you have plenty of time to question why you volunteered for this madness. But the sense of achievement and satisfaction of summitting unaided is fantastic when you see the views. To the southeast is the whole Chiang Rai valley. After a further short climb, we are humbled by the stretching expanse of Myanmar to the north. With scarcely a sign of human habitation anywhere, we feel like we have reached the edge of a frontier. In fact, the very edge. The road we are on demarcates the border as we pass both Thai and Burmese checkpoints facing-off metres apart. Spotting some tempting single track to my left, I feel the urge to take a sudden dive down the hillside into Myanmar.

Instead we descend on some hairy switchbacks before coasting into the dusty frontier town of Mae Sai – popular with visa runners, gamblers and porn VCD shoppers. No one is interested in hopping over the border and we are eager to press on to the Golden Triangle. And so we follow a single track along the banks of the Ruak river until we eventually reach the mighty Maekong and the end of our journey. Exhausted after 500kms, we all pose under the famous ‘Golden Triangle’ sign in the little tourist town of Sop Ruak. Behind us is the distinctive sandbar that indicates the point where three countries meet – the symbolic centre of an area once famous for opium production and smuggling. All there is left to see now is a couple of museums, tacky souvenir shops and the interesting historic town of Chiang Saen, 10kms south. But we’re all done with touring and collapse into the minivans for the easy route back to Chiang Mai.

Many visitors come to Thailand to fulfil their imagination. They come to stuff their mental photo album full of impressions and memories. Perhaps they go home with exotic images of glistening temples and ancient chedis, or the unusual odours of a bustling food market and incense soaked shrines. It could be a heart-melting Thai smile or a breathtaking coastal vista – whatever your adventure here it’s almost impossible to leave Thailand without, at least, something to think about.

But, I left with nothing. Well, not entirely nothing, but certainly very little in the way of memories. And if I had, then surely I would’ve failed in my endeavour. While others were out toting cameras and riding elephants I was seated perfectly still. As they tucked into sumptious Thai curries I fasted, and while they amused themselves with go go bars and cultural performances I stared blankly into the recesses of my mind – spring cleaning it with an imaginary feather duster that took every inch of my discipline to wield.

Entering a temple for a meditation retreat is an increasingly popular activity among foreigners to Thailand, and several temples across the country have developed programmes specifically for English speaking practitioners. And so I came to spend a week confined to a small kuti (hut), eating a single meal per day and meditating for up-to ten hours each day. Believe me, it wasn’t easy or relaxing.

“Your entire focus should remain on your breathing” the Ajarn (instructor) told us on our first day, “not just the intake of air but the actual point it enters you nose, so that you feel the draft on your nose hairs, that is the only thing in the whole world you should be aware of”. With that in mind we were left to get on with it. There was no further instruction or team work exercises, for the teachings of this particular monk were both simple and subtle. “Breath in slowly on a count of three. Pause for two counts. Breath out on the count of three. Pause for two counts. Breath in on the count of three…” and so it went on. If this was the way to some enlightenment or revelation then I had better find a lot more patience.

In hindsight I came to understand his wisdom, for meditation involves very little in the way of action. There are methods, yes, but the essence of many them is quite simple – to empty your mind or keep it focused on a single thought. Of course I hadn’t found that insight just yet and so I followed the instructions, somewhat bewildered and frustrated. We had all been given a quick tutorial on how to sit comfortably, for it is important to be comfortable in the lotus position if you are to spend ten hours of the day wrapped up like a human piece of origami, but most of us appeared to struggle immediately with numbed legs and aching backs. Herein lay another hidden lesson that Ajarn was later to reveal to us, but for the time being we suffered.

Suffering, he taught us on day two, was part of human nature. It was the first of four noble truths taught by the Buddha. That was the second day’s lesson. I hadn’t slept well on the hard wooden floor of the kuti and certainly wasn’t feeling comfortable or relaxed, but I guess I wasn’t exactly here on vacation. Ajarn had politely enquired after our thoughts on how day one had gone, but it was brief and so was lesson. Back to the meditating. “It is perfectly normal for thoughts to enter your mind while you are meditating. This is human nature” he said in a droll, matter-of-fact voice “the objective is to catch those thoughts before your imagination and mind do something with them. Softly let them go and return to a state of emptiness.” Guide to Thai Buddhism

But day one hadn’t been quite that easy. Thinking back, for remembering what I was experiencing at the time wasn’t exactly encouraged, the first few days were certainly the toughest. Within 10 minutes I wanted to give up. I became restless and uncomfortable. Thoughts of my real life, out ‘there’ somewhere, kept jumping into my mind – excitement of a strange and unusual place full of new sights, smells and sounds. Of course it’s nearly impossible to suddenly sit down for an hour at a time staring at your navel when you’ve never done this before. I took a break after 10 minutes. Ten minutes became fifteen. Then more breaks, sitting silently while around me in the small temple where others sitting motionless and oblivious to me as they too ‘wound down’ the clock.

It wasn’t long before my mind began to become philosophical I guess. I thought about how fast paced our lives are and how obvious it becomes when you can’t even get through ten minutes of nothingness. By the end of the day I was suffering some pretty strong emotions. I was already dreaming up excuses and lies on how to make an early exit from the retreat without losing face. At the end of the session no one spoke to each other, as you would on a conventional camp, for that would simply ‘fill your mind with garbage’ as one of the junior monks had aptly put it. It was a lonely task. There was no ‘break out’ relief, just the dull anti-climax of returning silently to the rock hard floor of my claustrophobic 8 square feet kuti in the forest.

So why would anyone put themselves through this unpleasant ordeal. The answer to this would take a few days yet to arrive, and by now I was counting hours in boredom – there were still five whole days left of this. But the first glimpse of appreciation is the moring meal you take after the abbot and monks have helped themselves. There is a heircarchy here and women eat last, it’s nothing personal but Buddhist establishments are strictly traditional. I’ve never been an avid vegetarian but this simple food never tasted so good. When you’re seated and inactive all day your apetite fades anyway. After breakfast we each had an assigned chore and herein lies another meditation lesson.

“Like this” the junior monk shows me kindly, with a genuine smile. He demonstrates the sweeping motion of the broom. I notice his meditative focus, the way he deliberates on the patch of leaves beneath him, and I start to understand the concentration he places on the steady movement of the handle and the small perfect path it leaves on the ground. I realise that my mind had been on rock music as I absently swished away. Later, in a moment of further contemplation I realised that his smile wasn’t a deliberate act of friendship to gain my interest, but a concerted effort of focus to keep positive and happy and it reminded me of the grinning face of the Dalai Lama on the cover of his books. Then I realised that this too was a distraction of thought and I returned my attention to the leaves. Now I was beginning to get it.

Day three and I was beginning to get used to the endless hours of sitting motionless. Everything improves with practice and so it was that I could now shut out everything from my thoughts for long periods. My existence had become boring, my outside world forgotten and now I was beginning to feel the benefit of meditation. Ajarn now began to unravel his cryptic lessons, as if it was all methodically planned. He explained that our minds are endlessly challenged by the influence of thoughts. They arise from the experiences around us and we find ourselves thinking about anything but the present moment.

Ah, ‘the present moment’. Now there’s a key element of meditation. In my ‘pre-retreat’ interest I had taken the time to read up about Buddhist meditation and ‘living in the present moment’ seemed to be a central theme. Ajarn was right of course. We spend our lives deaydreaming on memories or future wishes and we fail to concentrate fully on what we are presently doing. We make mistakes, forget things, say and do wrongly to those around us. His morning lecture – as we sat at his feet like kindergarten children – was certainly astute. He let us with the thought of ‘remaining mindful at all times’.

And so the days ticked by, with mindfulness uppermost in our minds, so that we had little room for anything else going on around us. Soon we were to even learn walking meditation as a tool for the Vippasana Buddhist meditation techniques we were practicing. So mindful were we, that we end up spending long periods simply concentrating on our walking, each movement of the feet, the feeling of grass against our soles, the pace of movement – counted out in fours – and above all, an empty mind focused on a single present movement.

If I had expected some kind of peaceful, friendly, relaxing course, then I was wrong. Getting through the week wasn’t easy but I succeeded where several others failed. Every day another of the kutis around me became empty as others gave in and left early. Others, I came to learn, spent a whole month there. The cost was minimal, just a small donation, but the basic facilities were clean and hygienic. All I arrived with was two sets of lose white cotton clothes and some toiletries.

Finally, by the fifth and sixth day I was achieving almost 10 hours of proper meditation, mixing the various techniques we had been taught. All monks arise at 4am to begin, and so it was with us. Sitting silently in your kuti meditating in the dark takes a little courage and discipline but by sunrise you certainly feel like you have achieved something. After breakfast the walking meditation would help us get focused, then there would be seated meditation and maybe group meditation and chanting in the evenings, using the mantras we had been taught. Of course, along the way we learnt some valuable lessons in Buddhism to help understand the nature of human emotions, but never did the religion encroach on our own personal beliefs. Even when we returned to our beds we were encouraged to meditate on our every movements. And so, gradually, we descended deeper into an understanding of our true selves, my emotions became more settled and any fear, anxiety or negativity I had brought with me seemed to fade. Thai culture guide

On a bright sunny morning, after a final chat with Ajarn, I checked out. There was nothing ceremonious about it. Together with four others we silently filed out of the temple grounds and into a waiting mini-bus. We spoke little – I for one was cherishing the noticeably peaceful demeanor – and took away with us a unique and rewarding experience. I recall the lovely silence in the temple, the sense of space and expanse of lawn. The was the large Bodhi tree and simple forest temple, clearly designed for low key practical use. I noticed all these things now, there was time for this as I had little else on my mind. At last I felt I could really see. And despite the tough challenge of spending a week on a meditation retreat I really had no regrets I had done this.

Koh Samui has emerged to become one of Thailand’s top travel destinations. The island offers some truly wonderful attractions and has some of the country’s most breathtaking natural areas. Comprised of waterfalls, forested areas lined with mangrove and lush vegetation and gorgeous beaches, Koh Samui is a natural paradise.

This child-friendly destination holds a wealth of attractions geared towards little ones. Whether the kids frolic in the crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea or feed the monkeys at the national marine park, they won’t run out of things to do on Koh Samui.

Elephant trekking
What kid doesn’t love elephants? A ride on these gentle giants can prove to be the highlight of any trip. On an elephant trek, children can sit back and see the island’s interior from amazing heights (for children anyway) and enjoy the ride. A typical trek last for about 30 minutes, but longer trips can be arranged. There are elephant trekking venues located throughout the island which are very reasonably priced. Activities and sports on Samui

Sports
Junior golf enthusiasts can try their hand at Treasure Island Mini Golf. This pirate themed mini golf course makes for a perfect outing for the entire family. Situated just a stone’s throw from the Beach road, the venue offers nine and 18 hole courses and is ideal for kids. Phone: +66 77 41 3267.

A slightly messier sport is paint ball. Samui Paintball is located in close proximity to the Samui International Hospital in Chaweng and is another spot that makes for a wonderful time for the whole family. Phone: +66 77 42 2538.

Extreme sports
For a more adrenaline-filled day, there are a number of activities that will excite the young and young at heart. For the truly brave, bungee jumping is an adventure sport that has become extremely popular in Koh Samui. One of the top jumping sites is Jungle Bungy Catapult on Lamai beach. This activity will satisfy thrill-seekers and also makes for great photo opportunities. However, this sport is geared towards older kids. Phone: +66 8 91 3314.

Another action-filled sport that both younger and older children can participate in is go-kart racing. There is a wonderful racing course called Samui Go-Kart, which is situated just off the 4169 Ring road west of Bo Put village. Phone: +66 7 72 45041.

Jungles and waterfalls
The opportunity to explore the jungles or play near a thunderous waterfall is a dream come true for most children. The Hin Lad Waterfall offers a jungle walk along its picturesque path and also has one of the most beautiful waterfalls on Koh Samui.

Ang Tong National Marine Park
Just a 45-minute drive from Koh Samui is Ang Tong National Marine Park. The park is comprised of over 40 tiny islands and offers visitors wonderful white sand beaches and hidden lagoons. The park makes for a perfect daytrip for the entire family and gives kids an opportunity to run wild and explore an unspoilt island. More on Ang Thong Archipelago

Monkeys, butterflies and reptiles
On Samui, gibbons are everywhere and primarily for working purposes. For centuries, local monkeys have been used for climbing the trees to pick ripe nuts on coconut plantations. Now, with tourism on the rise, many of the monkeys have hung up their coconuts bags and now entertain visitors with their cuteness and dexterity. There is a fantastic theatre on the main road behind and between Chaweng and Bo Put village.

For those who prefer to visit more menacing creatures while visiting Koh Samui, head to the Samui snake or crocodile farms. These farms delight and spook children at the same time with their snakes, crocodiles, killer scorpions and creepy spiders.

There is also a spectacular butterfly farm on the island offering a wonderful way to see these beautiful insects in their natural habitat. The Samui Butterfly Garden is situated near Laem Natien and is home to hundreds of butterfly species. A trip to the butterfly farm is a definite ‘must-do’ if you have children. Phone: +66 77 418 367.

The Playroom
The Playroom is situated on South Chaweng beach road and is undeniably one of the most exciting places for kids and video game junkies. The Playroom offers a vast number of toys and the latest games. Phone: +66 77 230 626.

Samui’s beaches are the primary reason why so many visitors choose the second largest island in Thailand as a holiday destination. Before the 1970s, this unspoilt island and its astounding natural wealth were untouched by outside influences. Since the first tourists found their way here however, the island has been continuously built up and now offers all sorts of exciting activities away from the beach.

Every side of this almost circular shaped island has its own paradisiacal strand of white or golden sand accessorised with palm trees and calm waters. The balmy oceanic breezes heighten the sense of perfection, while the mysterious peak covering the centre of the island soars in stark contrast to the gently lapping waters below.

Add to these already glorious features the infrastructure that has gradually been built up to suit the diverse needs of a range of foreign tastes and Koh Samui is an island ready to accept visitors with the most varying idyllic visions of what an island getaway should be.

Each of the island’s beaches is quite different in style, character and what is has to offer tourists. Your senses will be hit with a burst of sounds, smells and sights upon arrival at one of the large, crowded centres of Chaweng or Lamai, where shopping and partying possibilities are endless. Samui’s beaches.

The quaint charm of Bo Phut or Mae Nam offer peaceful and picturesque respite to wind down and relax. At one moment it may seem like you are in the heart of Torremolinos, Spain, while the next in a secluded sanctuary, not unlike those beaches captured in the box office hit based on the Alex Garland novel The Beach.

If you are serious about getting out and seeing the sights on Koh Samui, you may want to consider hiring a motorbike. Although taxis are widely available, especially on the busier and bigger beaches, using a motorbike is often the most efficient and cost-effective mode of transport and it also gives you the freedom to go where you like for as long as you want. Some of the roads can be quite dangerous however, with gravel patches and potholes appearing as if by magic as well as sharp curves and steep hills so careful attention needs to be paid when driving.

Once you have figured out how you will travel, next you must decide what there is to see on Koh Samui that may interest you. As with most destinations in Thailand, wat, or temples, on Koh Samui give an interesting insight into the architecture and traditions of Buddhism, the country’s main religion.

Probably the most visited of the island’s temples is Wat Phra Yai, or Big Buddha Temple, with its enormous golden Buddha statue peering majestically out over the headland. Wat Ban Plai Leam is another interesting site, a recently constructed temples that was designed by a Thai artist who himself spent 3 years working on the fine details of the intricate ornamentation. If you read up on Samui history, you will undoubtedly come across the revered monk Lung Padaeng. His shrine and preserved body, still sitting in position for meditation, can be seen at Wat Khunaram on the island’s southern strip.

If you are feeling a little adventurous, a trip up the steep, winding roads of Ban Saket mountain is worth the slightly nerve racking journey. Not only will you be afforded spectacular views of the Samui seascape, but you will also find a curious trail of sculpted figures hidden away in a small valley – recreations of the dreams of an old Buddhist monk.

Among Thailand’s most comical natural sites are the rock formations called Hin Ta and Hin Yai. Visitors flock to the area to check out the rocks that over the years have been moulded to represent the male and female genital organs.

Driving around the island you will come across a number of villages that have managed to retain their old world charm throughout Samui’s period of rapid expansion. Most of these are located on the quieter southern strip. The Muslim fishing village of Laem Set is a picturesque little town and a visit here offers insight into the reserved, quiet lives of this community.

There are a number of beautiful waterfalls located in the mass of foliage that makes up Samui’s inner jungle. Na Mung is easily accessible, while Hin Lad falls are reached by a tiresome trek along a jungle path. During the months of the dry season, March through September, these waterfalls are dry but the trek still offers good nature spotting and physical exercise. The peaks of the mountain jungles offer spectacular views of the surrounding archipelagos and indeed of mainland Thailand.

Muay Thai boxing is the country’s national sport and can be seen in villages, towns and cities all over the country. Koh Samui is no different, and fierce and furious kick boxing matches are held almost daily in the large stadiums located on Chaweng and Lamai beaches. Matches take place in the evenings and are well worth the exorbitant ticket prices for serious entertainment, both inside and outside the boxing rink.

As is fitting for any seaside tourist destination, Koh Samui has a range of companies that take tourists to the best locations for some of the most exciting water activities. For an enchanting insight into a whole new world underneath the surface of the ocean, snorkelling and diving trips can be easily arranged from a number of travel agents across the island. Jet-skis can be hired and speed boats chartered off both Chaweng and Lamai beaches for exhilarant, high-speed exploration off the coast. Activities on Samui.

Kite surfing is another popular sport, with companies offering equipment hire and lessons for beginners. The fishermen on Samui have also learned a quick way to earn some cash. For a fee, these fishermen will provide boat transfers to the best fishing spots, lunch and a fun day out.

If you are the type that gets more of a thrill from on land adventure, then Koh Samui will not disappoint. Mountain biking in the wild interior is a great option for heart-stopping fun. Or take it to a further extreme and hire an off road motorbike for hours of wheel-spinning, dust-raising adventure.

Koh Samui is becoming more of a family orientated destination. Of course, building sand castles, collecting sea shells and playing among the tame waves could easily keep any small child occupied for an eternity. But for a fun day time outing, Koh Samui has a number of animal attractions including elephant back rides, a crocodile farm, an aquarium, a butterfly farm and a monkey theatre, the latter being a favourite for hilarious entertainment.

Shopping all across the Land of Smiles is a real treat, with prices in general far below those in most developed countries. Chaweng Beach is certainly the shopping hub of Koh Samui, with shops, stalls and boutiques filling every nook and cranny of available space. Between the vast array of restaurants and bars, there are shops and stalls whose merchants will use their perfectly practiced charm to entice you to buy anything from fake designer handbags to the best in authentic designer goods and traditional handicrafts. Lamai Beach is a close runner up to Chaweng in the way of shopping, while on some of the quieter beaches you will find some fantastic boutique stores with real character.

Many people not only want to be active on holiday, but they want to be productive too. Courses are available on many of the beaches across Samui, including in yoga, Thai massage, Muay Thai boxing, meditation, reiki and Thai cooking. Scuba diving is a popular sport on the island and PADI courses are on offer from a number of companies.

Koh Samui is part of the archipelago that includes Koh Pha Ngan and Koh Tao, two of the most popular island destinations in Thailand. Both islands can be reached by boat in a matter of hours from Samui. Koh Tao is renowned for some of the best dive sites in the Gulf of Thailand, while Koh Pha Ngan is not only the party capital of the south but a stunningly unspoilt island with many secluded beach sanctuaries off the main strip. The three islands and its surrounding waters are part of the Ang Thong National Marine Park and daytrips from Samui are available to some of the park’s most spectacular locations. Attractions on Samui

Krabi’s central location along the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand puts it right in the heart of one of the planet’s top 10 diving scenes. Thailand is an ideal place to learn to scuba dive, add a new certification to your PADI card or simply brush up on rusty skills. Apart from a friendly and colourful culture as well as truly amazing underwater scenery and marine life, the costs of learning to dive in Krabi are among the lowest in the world.

Thailand’s low diving prices don’t translate to poor service or unqualified dive instructors. In fact, many foreign dive masters are lured to the sunny islands of southern Thailand to spend a winter (or five) kicking back and teaching newcomers how to dive. An enthusiastic cadre of local Thai dive instructors and support staff round off the crews of the dozen or so dive companies that operate out of Krabi. Diving in Krabi

The remarkable variety of underwater terrain around Krabi is what makes this region so special. From the stunning psychedelic reefs of the Similans to fathomless headwalls, shipwrecks and gently sloping sandy coral gardens, there’s something here to please every level of diver, from newbies to jaded veterans. Krabi’s diving operators take full advantage of this wide range of environments to create a complete menu of diving courses.

At the beginning of the list is the PADI Bubblemaker Programme, designed to teach young children aged eight years and up the basics of scuba diving. This wonderful concept allows whole families to experience the magic of diving. Next up is a selection of half-day and full-day courses geared towards newbies 10 years and older. PADI Discover Scuba Diving is the precursor to becoming a fully certified diver. Diving basics are covered in a shallow pool at the dive shop, followed by one easy tandem dive with an instructor.

PADI Scuba Diver is the foundation level of certification, offering two days of in-depth dive training and two dives with an instructor. After completing this level, students can train for their PADI Open Water Diver certification. This is where the adventure of diving really begins, as it allows you to go on dives up to 18 metres deep. This is the most popular level of PADI certification and is recognised all over the world. Phi Phi guide

If you really fall in love with the thrill of scuba diving, you can take the Advanced Open Water course which covers five different underwater terrains and allows you to dive up to 30 metres. Additional certifications include Emergency First Response and Rescue Diver courses. If you want to step into the teacher’s fins, you can even take a full PADI Dive Master course. These run for several weeks and are only for the truly dedicated. The great thing about getting certified in Thailand is that even a Dive Master course costs just a fraction of what it does in most other countries.

In addition to the low costs of the courses, accommodation and food at the beaches are quite reasonable. Once you’re certified, you’ll find that the dives in Thailand are among the cheapest in the world. When you’re not underwater, the beauty of Krabi and the laid-back attitudes of the Thais will show you why so many people come to this region winter after winter. The prime diving season in the Andaman Sea around Krabi runs from November to April, although it’s possible to dive all year round. So, if you’ve always wanted to learn to scuba dive but were put off by the high costs of certification, Krabi offers the perfect solution.

Once qualified, or your upgrade course finished, the Andaman’s your oyster with more than two dozen excellent sites, some a mere 15 minutes offshore from Railay beach, others at among the breathtaking beauty of the Phi Phi islands. There are plenty more sites near Koh Lanta if you prefer avoiding the crowds, or you can venture as far as Phuket and beyond to the Similan islands. Sign up for day or night trips or spoil yourself with a live aboard cruise.

Dive sites near Phuket

So, you’ve seen the gorgeous beaches and stunning karst cliffs on the brochures, but just what is there on offer in Krabi. Which beach has the best resorts, which are away from it all, and how do you find those paradise spots that caught your eye in the travel shop.

Krabi is actually a whole province with the southern Thai city of Krabi Town at its centre. But the real tourist spots are on the coast and islands, with half a dozen different options on where to stay. Picking the right beach is important for getting the most out of your holiday but you can hire a bike or boat to experience some of the others.

The most important and busiest of all the beach resort areas is Ao Nang, which isn’t that busy really. It’s located on the coast about 15 minutes from Krabi Town and an hour from Phuket airport. Ao Nang doesn’t have the best beach along this brilliant tropical coast but if you’re stepping off the plane from cold and rainy Europe you’ll still be very impressed. The largest selection of hotels, including budget choices are found here, along with plenty of restaurants and bars, a few shops, and a good selection of tourist services. There’s even a bit of a nightlife here. The beach is pretty good too, lengthy, with part of it backed by sheer cliffs. Offshore you have a great view of small islands. More on Ao Nang.

Nearby is Railay, perhaps the most spectacular coastal beach in Thailand. It’s cut off from the mainland by karst rock and reachable by a short longtail boat ride. Most visitors come for the day from Ao Nang to lie on the lovely beaches and gaze at the jaw-dropping scenery or swim in the lovely clear water. But there are some resorts on the small strip of land here, at a range of prices although they book out well in advance of the busy season. Next door is Ton Sai beach which isn’t very swimmable but has budget bungalows and attracts the climbing crowd. More on Railay.

Perhaps the most famous of Krabi’s locations is surely the world famous Phi Phi islands. The Tsunami of 2004 completely flattened the tourist infrastructure on the small sandwich of land between the two picturesque bays and although some have been rebuilt, the selection is much more limited. Actually the island is now much nicer, since over development had spoilt it and a day trip from the mainland is a much more sensible idea. There are however a range of options for all pockets and out of season you won’t have problem finding a place at short notice. Only Phi Phi Don is inhabited while Phi Phi Ley and the others are national parks for day-trippers only. Guide to Phi Phi islands.

If you insist on being on the islands, then Koh Lanta is a good alternative. Although it’s not as dramatic as Phi Phi or Railay, it has miles of good beach and almost all the resorts front the beach, giving you a true island experience. It’s 90 minute ferry ride south of Ao Nang and has escaped the mad atmosphere of tuk tuks, touting tailors, and troublesome bar girls. There’s plenty of choice here on about five main beaches than run down the West side of the island. Guide to Lanta.

Noppharat Thara beach is really just an extension of Ao Nang, around a small headland. It’s far less busy or developed although the beach is tidal and the facilities less. This is a great alternative if you don’t want too much company but find it convenient to be close to the action, and there are plenty of resorts here too.

There are a few other beaches that are wonderful, but restricted, so that you cannot stay on them. These are mostly found on the offshore islands such as the lovely Koh Hong, which are pristine and worth a day trip to get away from the crowds. Ultimately, where you stay depends on whether you seek solitude, family friendly areas, exclusivity and great views, or a lively atmosphere.

Book hotels in Krabi.

In 1960 Pattaya was still a peaceful fishing village. Today South East Asia’s most famous and notorious seaside resort attracts a strange blend of tourists, consisting out of huge crowds of single men as well as entire families. The first type of traveller mainly visits Pattaya for pursuing their hedonistic desires. Nowadays there’s many other reasons to come to Pattaya and golf is one of the highlights. With nearly 20 courses within reach of Pattaya, no other place in Thailand offers such a big choice in a convenient area. The courses are brilliantly maintained, challenging and not too expensive.

During the last two decades golfing has become one of the most popular sports in Thailand. This sport’s fast increasing popularity was most likely also influenced due to the world’s best player, Tiger Woods, having a Thai mother. Recently Thailand organised several international golfing tournaments. Each year new courses are constructed. Destinations such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Kanchanaburi, Hua Hin and Khao Yai offer well designed world-class golf courses too, but it is Pattaya that truly appeals to the golfer, since it’s so close to Bangkok and with its hospitality and nightlife creates a perfect boys weekend away.

Today Pattaya undoubtedly provides a haven for both the beginning and advanced golfers. You’ll also be pleasantly surprised by the cheap green fees, the golf equipment’s rental rates and several other necessary expenses. Enjoying a very reasonably priced golf day has become very popular among tourists. The person who will teach you the essential golfing skills is usually a professional player. In general the green fees will be between 400 and 1,000 baht on weekdays and between 600 and 1,700 baht on weekends. The hire rates for clubs vary from 400 to 600 baht and a pair of shoes and umbrella (highly recommendable during the afternoon) can be rented for 100 baht each.

Early in the morning is the most convenient time to arrive at the course of your choice as about three hours later it might become too crowded. The cooler weather conditions during the early morning hours along with the more laid-back atmosphere are benefits as well. If you still prefer to play around afternoon than you should keep in mind that the heat often reaches unbearable heights, which often seems to be the cause for other players to behave rather annoyingly.

You shouldn’t have any difficulties finding a travel agency in your country or in Thailand, which organises a selection of various golf trips. They also provide the option to experience plenty of world-class courses in two or three days, while Pattaya’s renowned Thai hospitality and vibrant nightlife may be enjoyed as well.

Most of the clubhouses at the golf courses are well-facilitated and often feature a bar, restaurant, golfing equipment shop and a service offering traditional Thai massages. At the majority of the courses it is possible to rent the necessary equipment. The International Pattaya Golf Club issues membership cards, which only cost 200 baht and are valid for two years. Many ex-pats and even tourists make use of this popular golfing. Once registered as a member you are allowed being a player in the club’s tournaments, which usually take place twice monthly on various course locations.

I recently had a most enjoyable golfing holiday in Pattaya and some of the courses I truly enjoyed playing included the Rayong Green Valley C.C., which is a scenic and superbly, by Thompson & Wolveridge, designed course. This golf course houses an outstanding clubhouse along with several accommodation options. Another of my personal favourites is Laem Chabang. This well situated 27 holes course enjoys the reputation being one of the finest in the country. Finally I would like to mention Siam C.C. Many golfers will tell you that this course offers Thailand’s most difficult challenge. The combination of narrow fairways, sand, water features and mature landscapes create an unforgettable golf course.

There are too many to mention here, but a list of golf courses in Pattaya can be found here, with full descriptions.

As one of Thailand’s most famous beach resorts, Pattaya is proof that scuba diving is possible a mere two hours from bustling Bangkok. Pattaya may not be known as a top diving spot in Thailand, but its mind-boggling array of activities, combined with its uncontainable energy, keeps divers coming back for more.

Several islands are easily reached from Pattaya Bay, including Koh Larn, Koh Rin and Koh Krok. Divers of all levels can find a suitable course, with open water certification and introductory courses being particularly popular in Pattaya. As Thailand’s first recreational diving spot for tourists, Pattaya has a large number of reputable diving programmes from which travellers can choose. Guide to diving in Pattaya

More advanced divers can opt for one of the widely available specialised programmes, including wreck diving. Wreck diving is a popular attraction here, with the Petchburi Bremen and Hardeep wrecks being two top-notch spots. The unique atmosphere and the concentration of marine life make wreck diving a special experience that all divers should try.

The Hardeep, a 42-meter freighter situated between Koh Chuang and Koh Samaesan, is considered the best wreck diving spot here. Several types of tropical fish are on view here too, and divers can explore the inside of the ship as well as the exterior.

Also to the south, the Bremen is a good choice for deep diving. This 300-foot steel ship rests 25 meters below the surface and attracts interesting marine life as well. South of Koh Phi, the newly sunk HTMS Khram is quickly gaining popularity for its diverse marine life.

Aside from wreck diving, there are plenty of diving sites near the various offshore islands. Several types of coral and marine life are on display, including barracuda, blue spotted stingrays, porcupine puffer fish and tuna. Visibility ranges from 2 to 25 meters, which means that conditions can be unpredictable.

Koh Larn’s accessibility and large size make it one of the more popular offshore islands of Pattaya. Koh Rin is one of the better areas for diving, boasting high visibility and interesting rock formations. Koh Krok offers a lovely coral dive that is perfect for beginners, with the added bonus that there are no jet-skis allowed on this private island.

The reputable Mermaid’s Dive Centre is a PADI National Geographic Five Star CDC Center that offers diving programmes at 20 different sites. Their diverse course menu includes instruction in wreck diving, recreation diving and technical diving, with full-day trips offered daily. The Aquanauts Dive Centre is a British-owned company that is also a PADI National Geographic Five Star CDC and offers various diving programmes and scheduling. Watersports in Pattaya

No province in Thailand is more blessed with natural beauty than Krabi. It’s the home of the world famous Phi Phi islands, the stunning Railay Beach, unique Hong Island and lovely Koh Lanta. These are all on the water, yet the incredible karst topography stretches across miles of hinterland, offering plenty of other treasures that few foreign tourists ever get to.

Within an hour’s drive of Krabi Town or Ao Nang beach are national parks and extraordinary scenery which begs to be discovered by hired car or moped. For a day away from the beach, make time in your itinerary for these gorgeous sites;

Tiger Cave Temple: this is one of the more popular inland attractions in Krabi which gets a steady stream of tourists. Most come to see the cave temple, rather than meditate, but few dare to climb the 1,200 steep stairs to the top of this karst pillar to find the chedi with the best views of any Buddhist site in Thailand. Climbing to the chedi is a great way to get an aerial view of the karst landscape. There are no tigers, but it is famous among Thais based on a personality cult of abbot Ajarn Jamnien. The grounds are surrounded by towering rainforest dipterocarps. It’s located northwest of Krabi Town; turn off the airport road. Minimal entrance charge.

Than Bokkharani National Park: is possibly one of the most delightful nature spots in the region, when it isn’t crowded with locals who like to come and bathe in the many ponds here. Sandwiched between two 50 foot cliffs, this grove consists of a series of pools that cascade into each other, with the water emerging from a mysterious looking cave at the rear. As a result of the limestone, the water is an aqua colour and the cascades calcified so they’re not slippery. A series of pathways and boardwalks meander among the ponds, streams and lush vegetation – certainly worth the 200 baht entrance fee, and with restaurants on hand. It’s great for kids in their swimsuits, but avoid the busy weekends. Turn off to Ao Luek after 40 minutes drive on the Pha Nga/Phuket main highway. Guide to Krabi’s coast

Tha Pom Mangrove boardwark: less seen by foreigners than Thais, who have been beating a path to this new attraction since it was featured in the Unseen Thailand travel series. A limestone spring flows through the mangrove among the hilly landscape to create two symbiotic eco-systems and an interesting crystal clear water course. A boardwalk takes you on a 500m tour of a real mangrove. This site is a bit tricky to find, though signposted as you drive away from Krabi towards Phuket – just follow the directions into the dense karst hills. Entrance is 100 baht.

Phanom Bencha National Park: one of the main national parks in Krabi and easily reachable just north of Krabi Town and Ao Nang. It comprises of 50km2 of virgin rainforest over a hilly landscape (up to 1,530m) and includes camping facilities, picnic spots, a couple of lofty waterfalls and some nature trails. Several species of native animals and lots of birds and reptiles can be spotted if you have an eagle eye. Entrance is 200 baht.

Crystal Lagoon: part of a much recommended tour that includes the Tiger Temple and hot springs/waterfall, this is a charming pool formed by the volcanic activity (hot springs) in the area, and offers a refreshing dip in its aqua coloured waters which are surrounded by mangrove and forest vegetation. The rocks form a natural pool and it’s an ideal lunch stop when travelling around the nearby sites in the heat of the day. Turn off at Klong Thom, 30 minutes drive south of Krabi heading towards Koh Lanta. Entrance is 100 baht.

Hot stream waterfall: one of many hot springs in the region, but with a difference. This particular hot water pool comes with a natural waterfall for an added difference, and is set in a lovely environment of gushing water and forest. It’s also featured in the Unseen Thailand series so expect to find lots of Thai tourists here. Located on the same turnoff as the Crystal Lagoon. Entrance is 100 baht.

Caving: with so many limestone karst pillars scattered across Krabi province, it’s not surprising that there are endless caves to be explored. Most of the good ones are located among the really stark landscape found near Ao Luek and beyond in Pha Nga. It’s best to pick them out on a local tourist map. Even if you do get lost, it will be among some remarkable scenery. Forty minutes drive north, towards Pha Nga and Phuket, mostly free. What to see – Krabi highlights

So you see, there’s a lot more to Krabi than its lovely beaches and seascapes.