Fancy joining the world’s biggest water fight? Your timing’s perfect, visitors to Thailand during April will have a chance to get involved with the famous Songkran Festival. All across Thailand for four straight days you’re going to get wet, but you’ll have a lot of fun.

Celebrated annually with great gusto and, oh yes, a lot of water, Songkran is the highlight of the Thai festival calendar. It’s an event all children and those young at heart look forward to as the country takes a break from the hot season. Everything grinds to a halt as city centres and villages across the Kingdom relieve themselves with a refreshing splash.

Areas like Bangkok’s Khao San Road, Chiang Mai’s moat, Pattaya’s Walking street and Patong central in Phuket descend into a chaos of ‘friendly fire’ – from water pistols that is – as crowds gravitate towards the fun. Others resolutely avoid them, and if you lack a sense of humour and fun, or would rather not ruin your hairdo, you’re better off retreating to a spa or your hotel room for the duration.

What the rest can expect is an exhausting but riotous few days of mayhem where everyone and everything is a target for a drenching. And with temperatures soaring into the 40s (Celsius) you won’t mind having a bucket of ice cold water dumped on you. Some streets are closed to traffic and are crowded with locals and foreigners alike whose only aim is to get everyone else wet. They use buckets, hoses, small pails, water pistols, cannons and all sorts of paraphernalia on sale. Most restaurants and businesses located in the thick of it provide large drums of water supplies, often laced with blocks of ice, and there are specially installed taps on hand to fill up your weapon of choice.

But there is far more to Songkran than just drenching others. Its roots in tradition mean there are a host of activities for all, including parades, pageants, sand castle building competitions, religious ceremonies and the all important lustrating of the Buddha. This is pious part of the festival when an important Buddha statue is paraded through each town for lay Buddhists to pour ‘religious water’ on. Wrap your camera up well in plastic covering and you will capture some wonderful moments of the Thai concept of fun, known as ‘Sanook’.

Songkran is in fact a time for Thais to visit their home villages, spend time with the family, enjoy hearty meals and help spring clean the house. Many will make house calls to visitors and present hampers to the elderly of the village. What started out as a beckoning of the rainy season with a gentle tipping of some water onto the shoulders of others has turned into a typically Thai celebration of fun. And even among all the chaotic splashing you’ll still experience old ladies coming up to you and softly tipping water from a pewter cup onto your shoulder.

And it’s not all a wet affair, it is possible to observe from the sidelines or to find quieter temple grounds where kids activities are taking place. However, if you want to go anywhere be prepared for a spoiling as someone defies your polite requests and drenches you anyway. Keep spare clothes in a waterproof bag, and put your phone and money in a ziplock. There are no rules during Songkran

That brings us to another point. Take care. With so many people enjoying themselves they tend to get carried away. Thais seldom let responsibility get in the way of fun, and there can be drunken and disorderly people about. Accidents are higher than usual, especially when kids line busy roads throwing buckets full of water at passing motorbikes. Use a car and you might find yourself stuck in congestion. Others fail to notice you might have a camera in your hand and cover you in water.

We suggest getting out for the first or second of the official days (12 and 13 April) when enthusiasm is at its best, by day three many have had enough and deserted the party, but there’s still plenty of water throwing about so plan your itinerary carefully. Travelling between the 11th and 20th of April is going to be congested, so book your flights, buses or trains now. There is also likely to be higher incidents of road accidents on each weekend buffering this festival, so drive with caution or preferably not at all. All businesses, except tourist related, will be closed. Fortunately, the splashing ends at dusk and you can move about freely.

Where to join the fun:

Chiang Mai: is considered the best place in Thailand to experience Songkran since its moat around the old city provides the ideal venue, with plenty of water. This historic town is popular with Thais and it fills up, so arrive early. Thapae Gate is the busiest but all around the moat you’ll find a great atmosphere. All roads leading there are usually congested. There is also a huge party held outside the Kad Suan Kaew Mall nearby the Northwest corner of the moat.

Bangkok: actually empties out during Songkran as many go back to their family homes, which makes it more pleasant and less congested. The pedestrianised Khao San Road near the Grand Palace is the place to be, it’s complete mayhem but the atmosphere is great. Alternatively head to Siam Square or parts of Sukhumwit road such Soi Nana. Silom road is also lively. Bangkok’s best festivals

Phuket: the Thais all celebrate in their adminstrative centre, Phuket Town, and the town’s central streets are full of local revellers. But tourists won’t escape the fun if they remain in Patong or Karon. Patong is perhaps the best place to be, centred on Bang La road. At resorts in the quieter areas like Bang Tao, Surin or Kata Noi you might miss it entirely, but each hotel puts up a small ‘fight’ for the tourists.

Pattaya: all along beach road lining Pattaya bay, and the popular Walking Street at the southern end you’ll find the action. The particular atmopshere here includes all the bar girls as the open fronted beer bars down all the lanes are ideal for retreating for a beer and break in-between splashing those passing by. Look out for the ladyboys who just love an opportunity to show off their busty bodies!

Samui: Chaweng and Lamai beach centres, along their main roads, are where you can join the fun. The other beaches have no real nucleus so you’re better off catching a taxi to the heart of the action on the West coast. You can always escape to the beach if you’ve had enough. Guide to festivals on Samui

Krabi: there are two choices here, Ao Nang beachfront road and Krabi Town. The former is for the tourists and likely to be full of fun if you couldn’t be bothered commuting 20 minutes to the provincial capital where all the Thais are enjoying themselves. But sometimes it’s better to join the locals in their city centre, afterall they really do know how to have fun.

Locals advise:

1. Rent a tuk tuk for the day (they take their canopy off), pick up a drum of water, squeeze in a prowl around the action – it will be slow going   however and you’ll be a prime target for pedestrians with water guns.

2. Go solo by abandoning all plans, and carrying nothing but some money. Pick up a water gun at one of the road side vendors and drift from one location to the next. When you’ve hadd enough exit the action on foot to a point where you can safely catch a taxi home.

3. Wrap your valuables: such as cameras, mobiles and money in a plastic bag and keep it safe.
4. Mind your drink: it’s easy to get carried away, but lots of others will be drunk too, including those driving vehicles which share the roads with all the water fighters.

5. Have a sense of humour: all sense of protocol disappears and you can expect to be a target everywhere, wet or dry, ice water or tap water.
6. Choose you weapon wisely: there are vendors on the spot, the biggest ‘cannons’ are often impractical to carry, if you are going to be mobile choose one with a large reservoir. The pump action ‘stick’s are supposed to be banned, but will be on sale anyway. By the end of the day you might have lost your gun, they only cost $5-10.

Fancy joining the world’s biggest water fight? Your timing’s perfect, visitors to Thailand during April will have a chance to get involved with the famous Songkran Festival. All across Thailand for four straight days you’re going to get wet, but you’ll have a lot of fun.

Celebrated annually with great gusto and, oh yes, a lot of water, Songkran is the highlight of the Thai festival calendar. It’s an event all children and those young at heart look forward to as the country takes a break from the hot season. Everything grinds to a halt as city centres and villages across the Kingdom relieve themselves with a refreshing splash.

Areas like Bangkok’s Khao San Road, Chiang Mai’s moat, Pattaya’s Walking street and Patong central in Phuket descend into a chaos of ‘friendly fire’ – from water pistols that is – as crowds gravitate towards the fun. Others resolutely avoid them, and if you lack a sense of humour and fun, or would rather not ruin your hairdo, you’re better off retreating to a spa or your hotel room for the duration.

What the rest can expect is an exhausting but riotous few days of mayhem where everyone and everything is a target for a drenching. And with temperatures soaring into the 40s (Celsius) you won’t mind having a bucket of ice cold water dumped on you. Some streets are closed to traffic and are crowded with locals and foreigners alike whose only aim is to get everyone else wet. They use buckets, hoses, small pails, water pistols, cannons and all sorts of paraphernalia on sale. Most restaurants and businesses located in the thick of it provide large drums of water supplies, often laced with blocks of ice, and there are specially installed taps on hand to fill up your weapon of choice.

But there is far more to Songkran than just drenching others. Its roots in tradition mean there are a host of activities for all, including parades, pageants, sand castle building competitions, religious ceremonies and the all important lustrating of the Buddha. This is pious part of the festival when an important Buddha statue is paraded through each town for lay Buddhists to pour ‘religious water’ on. Wrap your camera up well in plastic covering and you will capture some wonderful moments of the Thai concept of fun, known as ‘Sanook’.

Songkran is in fact a time for Thais to visit their home villages, spend time with the family, enjoy hearty meals and help spring clean the house. Many will make house calls to visitors and present hampers to the elderly of the village. What started out as a beckoning of the rainy season with a gentle tipping of some water onto the shoulders of others has turned into a typically Thai celebration of fun. And even among all the chaotic splashing you’ll still experience old ladies coming up to you and softly tipping water from a pewter cup onto your shoulder.

And it’s not all a wet affair, it is possible to observe from the sidelines or to find quieter temple grounds where kids activities are taking place. However, if you want to go anywhere be prepared for a spoiling as someone defies your polite requests and drenches you anyway. Keep spare clothes in a waterproof bag, and put your phone and money in a ziplock. There are no rules during Songkran.

That brings us to another point. Take care. With so many people enjoying themselves they tend to get carried away. Thais seldom let responsibility get in the way of fun, and there can be drunken and disorderly people about. Accidents are higher than usual, especially when kids line busy roads throwing buckets full of water at passing motorbikes. Use a car and you might find yourself stuck in congestion. Others fail to notice you might have a camera in your hand and cover you in water.

We suggest getting out for the first or second of the official days (12 and 13 April) when enthusiasm is at its best, by day three many have had enough and deserted the party, but there’s still plenty of water throwing about so plan your itinerary carefully. Travelling between the 11th and 20th of April is going to be congested, so book your flights, buses or trains now. There is also likely to be higher incidents of road accidents on each weekend buffering this festival, so drive with caution or preferably not at all. All businesses, except tourist related, will be closed. Fortunately, the splashing ends at dusk and you can move about freely.

Where to join the fun:

Chiang Mai: is considered the best place in Thailand to experience Songkran since its moat around the old city provides the ideal venue, with plenty of water. This historic town is popular with Thais and it fills up, so arrive early. Thapae Gate is the busiest but all around the moat you’ll find a great atmosphere. All roads leading there are usually congested. There is also a huge party held outside the Kad Suan Kaew Mall nearby the Northwest corner of the moat. Chiang Mai events

Bangkok: actually empties out during Songkran as many go back to their family homes, which makes it more pleasant and less congested. The pedestrianised Khao San Road near the Grand Palace is the place to be, it’s complete mayhem but the atmosphere is great. Alternatively head to Siam Square or parts of Sukhumwit road such Soi Nana. Silom road is also lively.

Phuket: the Thais all celebrate in their adminstrative centre, Phuket Town, and the town’s central streets are full of local revellers. But tourists won’t escape the fun if they remain in Patong or Karon. Patong is perhaps the best place to be, centred on Bang La road. At resorts in the quieter areas like Bang Tao, Surin or Kata Noi you might miss it entirely, but each hotel puts up a small ‘fight’ for the tourists.

Pattaya: all along beach road lining Pattaya bay, and the popular Walking Street at the southern end you’ll find the action. The particular atmopshere here includes all the bar girls as the open fronted beer bars down all the lanes are ideal for retreating for a beer and break in-between splashing those passing by. Look out for the ladyboys who just love an opportunity to show off their busty bodies! Pattaya festivals

Samui: Chaweng and Lamai beach centres, along their main roads, are where you can join the fun. The other beaches have no real nucleus so you’re better off catching a taxi to the heart of the action on the West coast. You can always escape to the beach if you’ve had enough.

Krabi: there are two choices here, Ao Nang beachfront road and Krabi Town. The former is for the tourists and likely to be full of fun if you couldn’t be bothered commuting 20 minutes to the provincial capital where all the Thais are enjoying themselves. But sometimes it’s better to join the locals in their city centre, afterall they really do know how to have fun.

Locals advise:

1. Rent a tuk tuk for the day (they take their canopy off), pick up a drum of water, squeeze in a prowl around the action – it will be slow going however and you’ll be a prime target for pedestrians with water guns.

2. Go solo by abandoning all plans, and carrying nothing but some money. Pick up a water gun at one of the road side vendors and drift from one location to the next. When you’ve hadd enough exit the action on foot to a point where you can safely catch a taxi home.

3. Wrap your valuables: such as cameras, mobiles and money in a plastic bag and keep it safe.

4. Mind your drink: it’s easy to get carried away, but lots of others will be drunk too, including those driving vehicles which share the roads with all the water fighters.

5. Have a sense of humour: all sense of protocol disappears and you can expect to be a target everywhere, wet or dry, ice water or tap water.

6. Choose you weapon wisely: there are vendors on the spot, the biggest ‘cannons’ are often impractical to carry, if you are going to be mobile choose one with a large reservoir. The pump action ‘stick’s are supposed to be banned, but will be on sale anyway. By the end of the day you might have lost your gun, they only cost $5-10.

After a widely publicised nomination process, the Bangkok Post has announced the shortlist in its nine month quest to find Thailand’s top nine destinations as voted by its readers.

More than thirty of Thailand’s favourite destinations are now vying for the final list which will be announced in February 2009, following a six month second round voting process. These finalists were selected by popular vote from scores of nominations made during the last three months. The final nine will be made by a panel of travel specialists based on second round public votes.

As featured on their website 9destinations.com, some of the tourists’ perennial favourites have taken an early lead. Not surprisingly Krabi, with its stunning Karst scenery, is currently tops, claiming more than 10 per cent of all votes. It’s followed closely by a locals’ favourite Kaeng Krachan National Park in Petchaburi, near Hua Hin.

Chiang Mai province’s Doi Inthanon is further back in third place, offering visitors the highest point in Thailand and some wonderful waterfalls. The North claims fourth spot at present too, with the popular bohemian town of Pai.

Koh Turatao, a pristine and seldom crowded island near the southern border comes in fifth in the early voting stages, and then it’s back North again to the remote and pretty mountain clad town of Mae Hong Son. Chiang Mai is weighing in once more at seventh with Doi Chang Dao, a striking massive described as the ‘last tooth of the Himalaya’

The remaining two are in the Southern Provinces, comprising the popular uninhabited diving islands of the Similan archipelago, and Khao Sok National Park on the mainland between Khao Lak coast and Surat Thani.

Although the order is likely to change over the ensuing months there are some notable early exceptions such as Koh Chang, Doi Suithep temple in Chiang Mai, Samui and Pha Nga Bay. However, with most of the voting coming from within Thailand, particularly among locals, there has been a clear tendency to vote for some of the less touristy or obvious sites, especially getaway parks and natural beauty areas. Although Phuket town has been nominated, it’s crowded beaches have not, and the shortlist contains some names that are little known outside of Thailand, such as; Phu Soi Dao National Park, Phu Hin Rongkla National Park, Wat Phumin and Phanon Rung Historic Park.

The full list of short listed candidates for the Bangkok Post/Today’s Thailand 9 Destinations is (in no particular order):

Doi Inthanon National Park – Thailand’s highest peak, in Northern Thailand, with fabulous waterfalls and chilly weather.

Doi Luang Chiang Dao – one of the highest peaks in the country, just north of Chiang Mai with excellent cave systems.

Turatao Marine Park – a pristine and unspoilt Andaman island in Satun Province south of Krabi.

Krabi Sea and Islands – a tourist favourite near Phuket comprising of Phi Phi islands, Railay peninsula and other lovely islands and beaches.

Lam Klong Ngu National Park – cavernous caves and subterranean rivers to explore in the Kanchanaburi region.

Pha Taem National Park – noted for its prehistoric rock paintings and spectacular rainy season waterfalls, near the banks of the Mekhong.

Moo Ko Similan Marine Park – a lovely uninhabited chain of islands offshore from Khao Lak, great for diving.

Kaeng Krachan National Park – dramatic scenery on the Burma border near Hua Hin, a favourite with Bangkokians.

Khao Sok National Park – a tourist favourite midway between Phuket and Samui with striking inland karst topography set around a large reservoir.

Hala-Bala Wildlife Park – a premier bird watching venue in the trouble Southern provinces which has kept tourists away from this one since 2004.

Rattanakosin Isle – the historic section of Bangkok which

Khao Yai National Park – one of Asia’s finest and Thailand’s largest and oldest sanctuaries, northeast of Bangkok.

Si Satchanalai Historic Park – understated ruins of the Sukhothai era on the Ping river banks, near Sukhothai.

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall – a neo Baroque palace in the Dusit neighbourhood of Bangkok popular for official ceremonies.

Wat Phra That Lampang – one of the country’s most important and historic temples in this Northern town.

Mae Hong Son – possibly Thailand’s most remote town, a charming mountain enclave along the inaccessible northwest border.

Pai – also in Mae Hong Son, a popular backpacker destination and lately with Bangkokians looking to go hippie.

Phu Soi Dao National Park – a mist shrouded highland area on the Laos border noted for its wild flowers and waterfalls.

Sukhothai Historic Park – a must on all Thailand tours and a World Heritage site dating from Thailand’s golden era of the past in the 15th C.

Phanom Rung Historic Park – outstanding elevated Khmer ruins in the Northeast entered by 15 celestially planned gates.

Ayutthaya Historic Park – ancient Siam’s great seat of power before falling into ruin, a vast preserved city on an island of the Chao Praya, North of Bangkok. Ayutthaya visitors guide

Amphawa Community – responsible for the popular floating markets on the Klong river in Samut Songkham southeast of Bangkok

Phu Kham Khao Dinosaur park – as the name suggests, a wonderful theme park for the whole family, on the Korat plateau.

Klong Suan 100 year old market – the floating market to get to if you’d rather not rub shoulders with loads of tourists, in ChaChoengSao province near Suvarnabhumi airport.

Phuket Town – grand old mansions away from the tourist beaches that suggest the original wealth and importance of the city.

Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao – Another Lampang temple on the list, this Burmese styled templed housed the famous Emerald Buddha for centuries. Great for cameras.

Wat Phumin – one of the country’s oldest temples, somewhat understated in the sleepy remote Northern province of Nan – the Thailand of yesteryear.

Phra Kradueng National Park – is in Loei, one of the kingdom’s lesser visited and more remote corners, lofty scenery near the Mekhong Northeast. It’s a gruelling hike to the top.

Phu Hin Rongkla National Park – unusual moonscape highland scenery in Phitsanulok, once the bastion of the Communist insurgency in the seventies.

Ancient City – Bangkok’s best kept secret, a wonderful theme park of Thailand’s most famous sites replicated and packaged into a convenient single day trip. Bangkok highlights

After a widely publicised nomination process, the Bangkok Post has announced the shortlist in its nine month quest to find Thailand’s top nine destinations as voted by its readers.

More than thirty of Thailand’s favourite destinations are now vying for the final list which will be announced in February 2009, following a six month second round voting process. These finalists were selected by popular vote from scores of nominations made during the last three months. The final nine will be made by a panel of travel specialists based on second round public votes.

As featured on their website 9destinations.com, some of the tourists’ perennial favourites have taken an early lead. Not surprisingly Krabi, with its stunning Karst scenery, is currently tops, claiming more than 10 per cent of all votes. It’s followed closely by a locals’ favourite Kaeng Krachan National Park in Petchaburi, near Hua Hin.

Chiang Mai province’s Doi Inthanon is further back in third place, offering visitors the highest point in Thailand and some wonderful waterfalls. The North claims fourth spot at present too, with the popular bohemian town of Pai.

Koh Turatao, a pristine and seldom crowded island near the southern border comes in fifth in the early voting stages, and then it’s back North again to the remote and pretty mountain clad town of Mae Hong Son. Chiang Mai is weighing in once more at seventh with Doi Chang Dao, a striking massive described as the ‘last tooth of the Himalaya’.

The remaining two are in the Southern Provinces, comprising the popular uninhabited diving islands of the Similan archipelago, and Khao Sok National Park on the mainland between Khao Lak coast and Surat Thani.

Although the order is likely to change over the ensuing months there are some notable early exceptions such as Koh Chang, Doi Suithep temple in Chiang Mai, Samui and Pha Nga Bay. However, with most of the voting coming from within Thailand, particularly among locals, there has been a clear tendency to vote for some of the less touristy or obvious sites, especially getaway parks and natural beauty areas. Although Phuket town has been nominated, it’s crowded beaches have not, and the shortlist contains some names that are little known outside of Thailand, such as; Phu Soi Dao National Park, Phu Hin Rongkla National Park, Wat Phumin and Phanon Rung Historic Park.

The full list of short listed candidates for the Bangkok Post/Today’s Thailand 9 Destinations is (in no particular order):

Doi Inthanon National Park – Thailand’s highest peak, in Northern Thailand, with fabulous waterfalls and chilly weather.

Doi Luang Chiang Dao – one of the highest peaks in the country, just north of Chiang Mai with excellent cave systems.

Turatao Marine Park – a pristine and unspoilt Andaman island in Satun Province south of Krabi.

Krabi Sea and Islands – a tourist favourite near Phuket comprising of Phi Phi islands, Railay peninsula and other lovely islands and beaches.

Lam Klong Ngu National Park – cavernous caves and subterranean rivers to explore in the Kanchanaburi region.

Pha Taem National Park – noted for its prehistoric rock paintings and spectacular rainy season waterfalls, near the banks of the Mekhong. Guide to Northeast Thailand attractions

Moo Ko Similan Marine Park – a lovely uninhabited chain of islands offshore from Khao Lak, great for diving.

Kaeng Krachan National Park – dramatic scenery on the Burma border near Hua Hin, a favourite with Bangkokians.

Khao Sok National Park – a tourist favourite midway between Phuket and Samui with striking inland karst topography set around a large reservoir.

Hala-Bala Wildlife Park – a premier bird watching venue in the trouble Southern provinces which has kept tourists away from this one since 2004.

Rattanakosin Isle – the historic section of Bangkok which includes the Grand Palace, Wat Po, National Museum, Temple Mount and many other of the capital’s attractions.

Khao Yai National Park – one of Asia’s finest and Thailand’s largest and oldest sanctuaries, northeast of Bangkok.

Si Satchanalai Historic Park – understated ruins of the Sukhothai era on the Ping river banks, near Sukhothai.

Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall – a neo Baroque palace in the Dusit neighbourhood of Bangkok popular for official ceremonies.

Wat Phra That Lampang – one of the country’s most important and historic temples in this Northern town.

Mae Hong Son – possibly Thailand’s most remote town, a charming mountain enclave along the inaccessible northwest border.

Pai – also in Mae Hong Son, a popular backpacker destination and lately with Bangkokians looking to go hippie.

Phu Soi Dao National Park – a mist shrouded highland area on the Laos border noted for its wild flowers and waterfalls.

Sukhothai Historic Park – a must on all Thailand tours and a World Heritage site dating from Thailand’s golden era of the past in the 15th C.

Phanom Rung Historic Park – outstanding elevated Khmer ruins in the Northeast entered by 15 celestially planned gates.

Ayutthaya Historic Park – ancient Siam’s great seat of power before falling into ruin, a vast preserved city on an island of the Chao Praya, North of Bangkok.

Amphawa Community – responsible for the popular floating markets on the Klong river in Samut Songkham southeast of Bangkok.

Phu Kham Khao Dinosaur park – as the name suggests, a wonderful theme park for the whole family, on the Korat plateau.

Klong Suan 100 year old market – the floating market to get to if you’d rather not rub shoulders with loads of tourists, in ChaChoengSao province near Suvarnabhumi airport.

Phuket Town – grand old mansions away from the tourist beaches that suggest the original wealth and importance of the city. Guide to Phuket Town

Wat Phra Kaew Don Tao – Another Lampang temple on the list, this Burmese styled templed housed the famous Emerald Buddha for centuries. Great for cameras.

Wat Phumin – one of the country’s oldest temples, somewhat understated in the sleepy remote Northern province of Nan – the Thailand of yesteryear.

Phra Kradueng National Park – is in Loei, one of the kingdom’s lesser visited and more remote corners, lofty scenery near the Mekhong Northeast. It’s a gruelling hike to the top.

Phu Hin Rongkla National Park – unusual moonscape highland scenery in Phitsanulok, once the bastion of the Communist insurgency in the seventies.

Ancient City – Bangkok’s best kept secret, a wonderful theme park of Thailand’s most famous sites replicated and packaged into a convenient single day trip.

If there is one thing Thailand is really famous for, it must be its beaches. Forget the cheap shopping and fiery food, or beguiling Thai smile and nightlife, it’s the sunshine, sand and sea that attract the majority of the country’s tourists. As there’s good reason, the Andaman coast boasts some of the world’s most remarkable seascapes, rimmed with gorgeous white sand and aqua waters.

Here’s our pick of the 10 best beaches in Thailand to laze on. Of course you could find some hidden tropical paradise miles from anywhere but we’ve chosen those that have a place to stay and are less than five hours travelling time from Bangkok by air and transfer. We have, however, reserved three places on the list for exceptional beauty spots that don’t meet these criteria. They’re revealed here in no particular order.

Kata Noi, Phuket
There are plenty of superb beaches on Phuket, by some are heavily developed and get crowded, this one doesn’t. It’s a lovely small beach, separated from the main Kata resort area by a small headland and is easily reachable for a day of exclusivity if you can’t afford one of the half dozen resorts that are squeezed in here. The beach is nice, the waters swimmable and the facilities all on hand if you need them. More about Phuket beaches.

Tham Phra Nang, Krabi
Perhaps the most stunning seascapes in all of Thailand with a dramatic overhang right above your head and gorgeous waters in front of you as you stare out at karst islands offshore. The accommodation here doesn’t come cheap but it’s a five minute walk from Railay beach which comes in a close second. Fairly exclusive, never gets too crowded and no beach loungers or vendors. More about Railay Beach.

Loh Dalam, Phi Phi Don
Everyone who comes to Andaman ought to visit the Phi Phi islands and this beach is a gorgeous crescent facing a deep bay with stunning karst to stare at from your deck chairs. It can get a bit busy in the season but they are mostly day trippers and there is accommodation on the island. The Tsunami returned it to a more natural state, at low tide the water is shallow and warm though. You can find quieter alternatives elsewhere on the island with even better views. More about Phi Phi beaches.

Khantiang Bay, Koh Lanta
This island is full of unspoilt beaches where most of the resorts enjoy beachfront locations, free of touting tuk tuk drivers, noisy girlie bars or street vendors. This particular beach sits in a gorgeous bay with a modest selection of natural resorts, giving you enough choice but without more than a handful people on the beach at any one time. It’s at the southern reaches of the island and full four hours from Phuket airport. More about Koh Lanta beaches.

Choeng Mon, Samui
A curious choice among the many lovely beaches of Samui but much quieter than popular Chaweng, yet only a 10 minute ride away. It’s a small exclusive beach, with a limited number of resorts, nice water and picturesque views. Stop here for lunch if you’re staying elsewhere. More about Samui beaches.

Thong Nai Pan, Koh Pha Ngan
This island is one of the least spoilt and most down-to-earth of the popular islands, and if you arrive outside of the full moon party week you get exceptional value for budget travellers. This sweeping beach in the northwest is quiet, perfect for swimming and has a decent selection of places to stay and eat. No parties, just a nice relaxing time. More about Koh Pha Ngan.

Klong Prao, Koh Chang
Thailand’s so called eco-island is beginning to feel the strains of tourism on White Sands beach, which is its most popular. Klong Prao is the next one along and comprises miles of sandy beach all to yourself. Lined with casuarinas trees and hidden resorts it also has several pretty mangrove lagoons emptying onto the beach and these make for gorgeous resorts. More about Koh Chang beaches.

And the three undeveloped beaches…

Maya Bay, Phi Phi Ley
Perhaps Thailand’s most famous beach, since it featured in the Hollywood blockbuster The Beach, this gorgeous karst bay almost seems like a private lagoon, rimmed with sheer rock faces. The beach is pristine (when the tour groups have departed), the water aqua and the nature stunning. Don’t forget to wander through the small valley to the tidal cove on the other side.

Hong Island, Krabi
Similar to Maya Bay, the beach here is stunning and only ever sees day trippers. The waters are beautiful and the scenery stunning, with a small nature area to explore. It’s just off Ao Nang and part of a popular day tour which includes a spin around the enclosed lagoon in the island centre which is reachable only at low tide through a sea cave.

Beacon Beach, Similan islands
Few people get the privilege to visit the beaches of the Similans other than those who can afford a live aboard dive trip, or make the arduous trip to the National Park camp and charter a longtail boat for the day. Therefore these beaches are all but deserted and see only a few visitors, they are real ‘Robinson Crusoe’ experiences, with the added attraction of crystal clear water, great beaches and strewn with boulders for ideal snorkelling.

Getting the most out of Thailand’s beaches depends on your expectations, tolerance for crowds (afterall everyone else is seeking the same), need for facilities like loungers, beer vendors and watersports, as well as the hassle needed to reach them. Obviously the more difficult it is to reach the beach the more likely you are to have it to yourself. You might even get a bit lonely!

Phuket provides plenty of gorgeous weather for enjoying the coastlines and the Andaman Sea. Water sports are of course plentiful, ranging from banana boat rides and scuba diving to kite-boarding and surfing. However, the most rewarding water activity is sailing.

Phuket is renowned for its excellent sailing, and the marine industry has been flourishing since the government reduction in boat import tax from 200 per cent down to 0 per cent. Sailors have the best of both worlds on Phuket: the deep blue seas and stellar boating conditions in the high season off the west coast, alongside the year-round shelter and unique features of Phang Nga Bay off the east coast.

The west coast of the island is popular for its white, sandy beaches and deep blue seas. More recently, the east coast has started to boom with spectacular high-end developments offering amazing views across Phang Nga Bay.

“The sailing here is incredible,” says Bob Welders, a tourist from Australia, “I spend most of my time on the water and the rest eating the great seafood and partying in Patong – you can’t beat Phuket.”

Marinas are springing up everywhere to accommodate all the new yachts coming here from around the world and those that are moored here as their base. Phuket is shaping itself as a major international marine destination, and you’ll find no shortage of ways to get on a sailboat. More on sailing in Phuket

It’s easy to hire a boat if you’re a seasoned sailor, or you can opt for sailing lessons if you’re a novice. A range of sailing companies provide ASA and RYA certification. There are also plenty of sailing trips lasting from overnight to 10 days.

For those who are just looking to cruise the Andaman for one day, there are lots of great options. Probably the most spectacular place to head for on a daytrip in the high season is the Similan Islands. You’ll cross the most beautiful deep blue waters of the Andaman and head north to this stunning collection of nine islands, technically located in Phang Nga province.

The Similans are located within a marine national park and have retained a pristine appearance that is so stunning you must visit in person to believe it. Above the water, you’ll find the finest, powdery white sands contrasted with lush green forests. Off the shores and into the deep are clear waters filled with amazing tropical marine life and bright corals, perfect for snorkelling or scuba diving.

Visitors should take note that the islands close during the green season (April to October) and if you are visiting Phuket in the high season, you shouldn’t miss out on the unique experience of visiting this beautiful marine park. Be sure to pack drinks and food, as there are no restaurants here!

Any time of year, you can enjoy the sailing off the east coast of Phuket, in Phang Nga Bay, and most daytrips will take you in and around this area as there’s so much to see. Hundreds of islands and karst rock formations jut out of the waters here, providing spectacular scenery unlike anywhere else in the world.

As well as sailing to the tiny uninhabited rocks and beaches, and exploring the ‘haung’ (‘rooms’ open to the sky and surrounded by rock, accessed by walking or wading through a cave entrance), there are some excellent inhabited islands where you can tie up and have a picnic or stay overnight at a resort.

You can sail to Koh Yao Noi and visit The Paradise, where lunch is served in an open-air pavilion on the beach. Koh Yao Yai is the largest island in Phang Nga Bay and it takes roughly an hour to get here by sailboat. Koh Yao Noi is the most developed of the two islands, but it still has a refreshing sleepy fishing-village feel and unspoilt beaches. The nightlife is virtually non-existent and is limited to quiet dining and resort bars.

There’s also Phi Phi Islands, just a few hours sail away. Lined with cute bungalows and more than enough dive shops, Phi Phi Don is the largest island and popular with a younger crowd. The pristine national park beaches of Phi Phi Leh, the location for the filming of the 1990s movie The Beach, have a laid-back and enjoyable atmosphere.

Beyond Phi Phi is Krabi. Reminiscent of a more peaceful Phuket of the 1980s, Krabi is a great destination for families and couples who want to enjoy the beach and relatively untouched nature. The main strip of Ao Nang has all the amenities you require, while Railay Beach is only accessible by boat and is famous for its rock-climbing.

Koh Racha Yai and Noi can be seen from the southern end of Phuket as they lie just 20kms offshore. They are still delightfully undeveloped for the most part, and only Racha Yai offers accommodation. There are two beaches on Racha Yai, one deep and one shallow – but both lovely. Racha Noi has just one tiny beach with the rest of the shoreline being rocky; however, the waters surrounding it are nice enough to be used for diving. Koh Khai is just a 20-minute sail from the eastern shore of Phuket and is a tiny island with coral and white sands. This is a great place for snorkelling on a daytrip.

Where ever you choose to go, you are sure to enjoy a day sailing trip from Phuket.

Visitors’ guide to Phuket

Learning how to scuba dive is possible year round in Thailand and there are many places where you can gain PADI certification. NAUI and SSI certifications are also available but rare.

If you are just starting out, you might want to try the easier diving off the east coast of Thailand, at Koh Tao, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Koh Samet or Koh Chang. More experience divers will want to go to the west coast and head for the Similan Islands, with jumping off points at Phuket and Khao Lak. Fortunately, high seasons for diving at each of the coasts is different, so you can come to Thailand and find good diving all year round.

Koh Tao is probably the most popular place among young backpackers to learn how to scuba dive. PADI Open Water classes are very affordable here, as are subsequent dives. In the past, the dive sites around Koh Tao were well known for whale shark sightings, but these have been fewer each year as the underwater environment has been very poorly monitored, over-fished and over-dived.

With the cheap diving comes some issues that more experienced divers would not be willing to put up with. There is no restriction on the number of dive boats on a dive site, and it is not unusual to find several dive boats on the same site at the same time – some boats releasing as many as 50 Open Water divers into the water simultaneously.

The dive sites surrounding Koh Tao are mostly shallow and without currents, making them suitable for beginners. The low cost of dive courses extends into the higher levels, making this a good place to take PADI Advanced, Rescue Diver, Dive Master, Master Scuba Diver and Instructor courses as well. Some people arrive on Koh Tao to take an Open Water course and end up staying until they become instructors. There are dozens of dive shops on Koh Tao, offering you a range of choices. Guide to Koh Tao

It’s best to choose very carefully to suit your needs and what you can afford. Not all dive instructors are created equally, nor are all shops the same. Inquire into the background of the instructors, check out the quality and maintenance of the rental equipment and ask about the insurance policy of the shop should you have an accident and require treatment in the hyperbaric chamber on the island.

The most popular places to take PADI Open Water courses on the west coast of Thailand are Phuket or Khao Lak. Before the 2004 tsunami, Khao Lak was a concentrated dive community much like Koh Tao. These days, it has built up again and is full of dive shops. It is the closest point to the Similan Islands where you can take dive courses, and therefore quite convenient.

Along with plenty of accommodation, shops, restaurants and entertainment, the selection of dive shops in Khao Lak makes it a great place to take an Open Water course. You can take a speedboat daytrip or a liveaboard of three days or more to get to the best dive sites. It takes a bit longer to get to the Similans from Phuket; however, there is more to see and do in Phuket and unless you are a hardcore diver, you might prefer to stay here. Phuket is also surrounded by many other dive sites for daytrips, although these are mediocre in comparison to the Similans.

Experienced divers will probably only want to dive at the Similan Islands, technically located in Phang Nga province. The nine islands are located within a marine national park and have retained a pristine appearance. Above the water, the islands have the finest, powdery white sands imaginable. Off the shores and into the deep are clear waters filled with amazing tropical marine life and bright corals. Even seasoned divers are impressed by the 40 to 50m visibility. The best way to enjoy the Similans is by liveaboard. Diving companies in Phuket

The most luxurious dive experience can be had on a boat like the Ocean Rover, operated by Fantasea Divers. You’ll barely have to move at all, with a professional crew tending to your dive gear and preparing gourmet meals and snacks. The company offers 8 to 10-day trips with private en-suite cabins to the Similans, Burma Banks and Mergui Archipelago.

If you’re on a tighter budget, it can be fun to try operators like Similan Diving Safaris and Sea Dragon Dive Centre, both located in Khao Lak. They both offer less expensive 4-day dive trips.

Most liveaboard dive operators will offer an Open Water dive course on board, with the paperwork done ahead of time; you should book early if you want this option. Keep in mind that many of the dive sites in the Similans are beyond the recreational limit of 40m and some have currents that are not suitable for new divers, so you should be aware of your abilities and dive with a qualified professional. Also note that the islands close during the green season (mid-June to August).

EmergencyPolice: Tel: 191

Tourist police: Tel: 1155, 0-7621 9878

Marine police: Tel: 076 215 438, 076 211 883

Fire emergency: Tel: 199

Phuket tourist rescue centre: Tel: 076 383 907-9

Hyperbaric services: Tel: 09 871 2335

Bangkok Phuket Hospital
2/1 Hongyok utis Road, Phuket Town, Phuket. Tel: (66-76) 254 421, email: info@phukethospital.com

Phuket International Hospital
44 Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Road, Phuket (Between Big C and Tesco Lotus on the bypass road) Tel: (66-76) 249 400, email: info@phuket-inter-hospital.co.th

Guide to Phuket

Government agencies

Tourism Authority of Thailand (Covering Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi) Southern Office: Region 4, 73-75 Phuket Rd, A. Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: 076-212213, email: tatphket@tat.or.th

Provincial Immigration Office
Phuket Road, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: 076-212108, email: phuket_imm@thaimail.com

Public Library
Phuket Road, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: 076-212465

Provincial Health Office
Narisorn Road, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: 076-212297

Provincial Court
Damrong Road, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: 076-212995

Juvenile and Family Court
Phuket Road, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: 076-250351, email: phkj8.1@judiciary.go.th

Khao Pra Taew Wildlife Conservation
Thepkrasattri Rd, A. Thalang, Phuket 83110. Tel: 076-311998

Tourist guide to Phuket

Clubs and associations

PAWS (Phuket Animal Welfare)
10/24 Kwaang Road, T. Wichit, A. Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: 076 263 737, 01 597 9416, email: paws@loxinfo.co.th

Childwatch Phuket
Rubber Technology Bldg, Prince of Songkla University, Kathu, Phuket 83120. Tel: 076 202 940, 01 719 5690, email: cwatch@mail.com

Phuket International Women’s Club
PO Box 407, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: 076 236 550, email: piwc@phuket.com

Phuket International Men’s Society
Tel: 076 245 353, 01 891 4539, email: pims@phuket-town.com

The Wine Lovers Society of Phuket
48/5 Moo 7 Sai Yuan Rd, Rawai, Phuket 83130. Tel: 076 289 314, email: dontek@loxinfo.co.th

Hash House Harriers (Every Saturday at 3:00pm at the Expat Hotel )
Expat Hotel, Soi Sunset, Patong, A. Kathu, Phuket 83150. Tel: 076 342 143, email: hhh@phuket.com

Phuket Expat Golf Society
Email: expatgolf@expatgolf.com

Phuket Yacht Club
P.O. Box 418 A. Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: 076 211 470, email: yindi@phuket.com

Living in Phuket

Business organisations

International Law Office
17/6 Chaofah Road, Taladnuea, sub-district, Muang District, Phuket 83100. Tel: (66) 076 222 19 1 to 5, email: info@phuket-realestate-law.com

Express Visa Extension
52/2 Moo 6 Rawai Beach, Viset Road Muang, Phuket 83130. Tel: (66) 076 289 201, (66) 01 535 2637, email: keng_pim@yahoo.com

Phuket Paradise Properties
59/1 Soi Playboy, Patong Beach, Phuket 83150. Tel: (66) 01 087 5828, email: homes@phuketpp.com

Phuket Home Services
63/ 12 Moo 1, Cherngthalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110. Tel: 076 324 400, email: info@phukethomeservices.com

British Business Association-Phuket
Email: honsec@bbap.org

Phuket Chamber of Commerce
1/1 Montri Road, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: 076 217 567-8, email: chamber@phuket.ksc.co.th

International Business Association of Phuket
P.O. Box 208, Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: 076 340 218, email: info@ibap-phuket.org

Transportation

Phuket International Airport
222 Moo6, Mai Khao District, Amphoe Talang, Phuket 83140. Tel: +66 (0) 76 327 23 0 to 7

Phuket Airlines
74/147 Poonphol Plaza, Poonphol Rd, Muang, Phuket 83000. Tel: +66 (0) 76 220 184, email: info@phuketairlines.com

Thai Airways International
78 Ranong Road, Phuket Town, Phuket 83000. Tel: +66 (0) 76 212 946. Domestic: +66 (0) 76 211 195. International: +66 (0) 76 212 499, email: kanlayapha.p@thaiairways.com

Bangkok Airways
158/2-3 Yaowarat Rd, Phuket Town, Phuket 83000. Tel: +66 (0) 76 225 03 3 to 5. Airport office: +66 (0) 76 327 114, email: reservation@bangkokair.co.th

China Airlines
Phuket Intl Airport, 3rd Floor, Room 331, Phuket 83140. Tel: +66 (0) 76 327 099, +66 (0) 76 327 100, email: calhkt@phket.ksc.co.th

Bus Terminal (Intercity)
City Park Complex, Phang-nga Road, Phuket Town, Phuket 83000. Tel: +66 (0) 76 211 480

Thailand tourist information

While most visitors to Thailand come looking for sea, sun and sand, there are plenty more thrilling activities on offer throughout the kingdom.

In the south and among the islands, water sports are popular and include sea canoeing and kayaking as well as game fishing. In the north, the most popular option is mountain trekking, but there are dozens of other choices including mountain biking, hot-air ballooning, ATV riding, microlight flying, river rafting and caving.

Most visitors who have safely negotiated the adventure that is Bangkok head south for the beaches and islands. Here, there is plenty to do if you tire of lounging around on the beach all day. Sea canoeing is a soft adventure option which can be done at Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, Trang, Khao Sok and Koh Tarutao among other places.

Of you want to go sea kayaking, it is advisable to go on a guided tour, as local weather conditions, sea life and other factors make experience vital to guarantee a safe trip. Tours are available from one day up to one week in length. You will explore sea caves and hidden lagoons only accessible by kayak. Accommodation is in tents or national park lodgings. Krabi is the best place to go kayaking and since it’s close to many intriquing seascapes found in nearby Pha Nga bay. Kayaking can also be arranged from Phuket to these same areas with their limestone sea caves. More on kayaying in Krabi

Those looking to catch a big one are well catered for on Phuket, where game fishing trips take in the Andaman Sea. Catches include blue and black marlin, sailfish, dog-tooth tuna, giant trevally, jacks and even swordfish. There is a strict catch-and–release policy in place, ensuring a sustainable supply of fish. Daytrips, night-fishing and multi-day tours can be booked with a number of reputable companies.

In the north, the most popular adventure choice is trekking in the mountains combined with visits to local hill tribe villages. The best place to book a tour is from Chiang Mai, with a multitude of different tour operators of varying quality. The best way to choose a tour is to ask fellow travellers about their recent experience. Some tours keep what they promise and steer clear of areas overloaded with other trekking groups; others promise the world but deliver very little.

Trekking tours usually involve a few hours drive to your starting point and then a few more hours spent walking to the first village, where you will make an overnight stop. River rafting and elephant trekking are mainstay components and visiting a variety of tribes are normally on the agenda.

River rafting on the northern rivers can be an exhilarating experience. The Pai River near Mae Hong Son and the Nam Wa River near Nan are popular, as is the Mae Cham River near Chiang Mai. New options opening up include the Mae Klong near Tak. Whitewater rafting in Northern Thailand

It’s important to choose a reputable company which puts emphasis on safety and doesn’t cut corners. You are required to wear a helmet and life vest to protect you in case you fall overboard, something that is more likely to happen than not. The level of the rapids depends on the season and ranges from wild in the rainy season to impassable in the hot season.

The best time is from mid-June to end of January, when the water levels are favourable, with the months of August and September boasting the highest levels. You can see local wildlife such as birds and even monkeys swimming across the river.

Land rats may prefer a spot of mountain biking among the lush hills of the north. The best time for biking is November to February, when the weather is cooler. Several companies offer well-organised biking tours, with most include guides and back-up vehicles carrying food and overnight equipment. Bikes can also be rented in major tourist destinations at very reasonable rates on a daily basis. Daytrips can easily be self-organised; all you need is a good map. Mountain biking tours of Chiang Mai

One of the most rewarding adventures however is perhaps caving. Thailand’s northern provinces have a huge number of caves, some developed and easily accessible by tourists while others require treks of several days to reach. Probably the best known cave network is in Pang Mapha district of Mae Hong Son Province.

The Tham Lod lodge is operated by an Australian, who has been instrumental in exploring and opening up the vast network of caves, many of which are traversed by rivers and require rafts to negotiate. This is one place where ecotourism is not just a marketing ploy but actually practiced, and caves that are too sensitive to receive visitors are off-limits.

From below ground to high above. Fancy a hot air balloon flight over the Chiang Mai Valley? No problem, you can even top it off with a champagne breakfast on touchdown. If that’s too slow, try flying as a passenger on a microlight plane and get your picture taken in-flight to show folks back home.

The Mae Sa Valley, just 20kms outside of Chiang Mai is also called Adventure Valley. It offers a plethora of activities including bungee jumping, ATV riding, paintball arenas and archery. No matter what your preference, adventures can easily be found in all parts of Thailand to spice up your holiday.

Jewel of the Andaman they call it? Or is it the prime jewel in Thailand’s tourism crown? Either way, Phuket is just the centre of a vast beautiful playground. And the rest of the ‘crown’ is worth exploring, even if the beaches you find yourself on seems so perfect you never want to leave. Tours of Phuket are a must.

Taking day trips from Phuket is an absolute must when visiting this Asian tropical paradise. Within a few hours drive or boat ride are a number of world class landscape attractions including the famous Phi Phi islands, the jaw-dropping Pha Nga Bay, exclusive diving off the Similan islands, the Khao Lak coast and the amazing karst-scapes of Krabi. There are lush forested national parks, curious fishing villages, fantastic waterfalls, azure waters, private little islands, exclusive beaches and pristine mangroves to seek out.

Phuket is undoubtably Thailand’s most popular and best developed island, a world class, jet-set destination that has gone very upmarket in recent decades. If you’re heading for Phuket for your next vacation you’ll invariably find yourself based at one of the half-dozen gorgeous bays that line the West Coast. From here you can either hire a car or take tours on Phuket to any one of a dozen different day trip destinations. This is the essence of a Phuket holiday and travel agents and options numerous. Phuket Guide

For starters exploring the island itself is highly recommended. There are so many beautiful and exciting eaches. The best are clustered towards the south from Kamala, past popular Patong, and onwards to the sweeping Karon and posh Kata. Each of these is worth stopping at for a few hours to work on your tan or pick up a piquant spicy Thai papaya salad for lunch. Keep going south and you’ll end up at the undeveloped Nai Harn beach, and avoid the crowds. All the Phuket beaches have their own special character.

It takes a full hour to drive to the North of the island, which has escaped the rampant tourism development and the mangroves of the east coast offer an altogether different idea of the island. While in the area you may want to drop in on the ‘singing gibbons’ at the Gibbon Rehabilitation Centre and cool off in the Bang Phrae Waterfall of the Khao Phra Thaeo National Park. It’s one of several pretty falls on the island. Tours to this part of Phuket are unstated but rewarding.

But the best scenery is offshore, and number one on all itineraries is a trip to Phi Phi Island. This remarkable craggy butterfly-shaped island, featured in the blockbuster The Beach and Tsunami tragedy, never dissapoints. There are actually several islands, and most trips stop off for a snorkelling adventure en-route. Packed lunch is usually served once you reach Phi Phi Ley’s paradise-like Maya bay. Since no one but park rangers and campers are allowed to stay overnight, you’ll have this pristine beaches all to yourself, unlike Phuket Phi Phi Don is more drammatic and was frightfully overdeveloped before the tsunami washed it all away. The resorts are found on a small sandwich of coconut palms between two pretty bays, with towering karst cliffs all around. You’ll not want to catch your tour boat back to Phuket! Phi Phi island guide

Equally impressive and popular is the the unique karst seascape of Pha Nga Bay, made famous in the Bond movie, The Man with the Golden Gun. The renamed James Bond Island is an obligatory stop on all tours from Phuket but it’s all part of a massive theatre of pillars that dot this huge bay and must be among the most photographed in the entire Andaman. A lunch stop at the fishing village of Koh Phan Yee, which sits in the water on stilts, serves fresh fish. Don’t forget to buy a few souvenirs and wander around this curious community. Kayaking among the caves and karst cliffs is particularly rewarding and often part of the the tours from Phuket.

If you into diving and have only one chance to see the best, then you might want to sign up for a few days on a live-aboard dive trip to the Similan islands – West of Phuket. These are a protected marine reserve and day trips or diving excursions are the only way to have the priviledge of visiting the unspoilt reefs of the area, or swim in its pristine waters. If you haven’t quite got around to getting your dive certificate, there are plenty of courses on offer. Alternatively take tours to Hong Island, between Phuket and Krabi and simply snorkel and chill out. This remarkable island has a hiddle lagoon inside, accessible through a cave tunnel at low tide only.

Hiring a car for a trip into the hinterland is also rewarding. Phuket is connected to the mainland by a short causeway and after that you’re free to roam Southern Thailand’s lush isthmus provinces. Head up to Khao Lak, an hour’s drive north, to experience a more unspoilt and wild coastline, and some wonderful coastal parks. A bit beyond this is Khao Sok National Park with its large lake, fantastic rainforests and remarkable landscapes. You can even spend a night in the park chalets here. Thai tropical national parks are wonderful ecosystems full of waterfalls, streams, nature trails, birdlife and a few animals (if you have aneagle eye).

If you’re heading out of Phuket by car you may want to spend several days exploring the region, with its rubber plantations and bizarre landscapes. Dropping in on little-visited but enchanting parks such as Sa Nang Manora Forest Park and Than Bokkharani National Park as you pass through Pha Nga en-route to Krabi town, is rewarding. All around you are more of the numerous lofty karst mounds that make the area famous for tours from Phuket.

Even though Krabi is a destination unto itself, it’s easily reachable by car from Phuket (90 minutes) and boasts some of the region’s most remarkable landscapes. But that’s a whole other destination!