Thailand, a country blessed with tropical weather, with more than 1400 islands and countless beaches, from the longer tourist beaches to the more remote ones accessible only by boat is a destination not to be missed for anyone looking for a laid-back vacation.
Thai food is internationally renowned and so it’s the Thai welcoming people.
From all the beaches, which are mainly on the islands but there are few also on the mainland worth noting, here is the author’s top pick for Thailand’s best beaches.

Koh Chang Island

Koh Chang Island (เกาะช้าง) is one of the biggest islands in Thailand and the biggest in the east, and it lies close to border with Cambodia, it offers a set of white sandy beaches with plenty of accommodation near the beach.
Koh Chang is geared both toward families as well as the backpackers looking for a budget option.

  • White Sand Beach  (หาดทรายขาว) is a long narrow beach, and the biggest beach near the pier. It has a Night food market nearby and a viewpoint up the road that leads to the arrival pier.
  • Klong Prao Beach  (หาดคลองพร้าว) is a long beach fringed with palm trees and seafood restaurants with an enjoyable view.

Koh Chang it’s too big to be walkable, however, there are plenty of songthaew circulating around the island. Songthaew is the only form of public transportation on the island.
Koh Chang’s proximity to the Cambodian border makes a visit to Angkor Wat Temples on the Cambodian side a perfect visit to include to your vacation package.

Places to visit in Koh Chang Island

Among the places in the island worth visiting, the following are the author’s top picks:

  • Klong Plu waterfall  - This popular waterfall with restful lagoons suitable for a swim.
  • Bang Bao Pier  - This pier ends with a lighthouse and it provides good photo opportunities due the colorful fishing boats harbor on its sides.  

Ko Samet Island

Ko Samet Island (เกาะเสม็ด) is much smaller than Koh Chang, closer to the mainland and not close enough for a day tour from Pattaya, and about 200 km (124.3 miles) from Bangkok with public bus access from Bangkok to the mainland pier.
Not to be confused with Ko Samet, named after the tiny island in the south of Thailand.
It has gentle sandy beaches, with some at a walkable distance from the arrival pier.
This laid back island is much in the backpackers radar who seek an island away from the crowds and still close to bangkok.
Ko Samet has its own climate with lower rainfall than Bangkok.
Ko Samet is the home of the Phra Aphai Mani statue.
Although small in size, the island has a large number of beaches.

  • Sai Kaew Beach  (หาดทรายแก้ว) - this is the closest to pier and the town packed with hotels.
  • Ao Hin Khok  - this beach is adjacent to Sai Kaew Beach.
  • Wong Duean Beach - this smaller beach is located inside the bay, providing shelter from the side winds. The beach has a small pier, providing access by speedboat.

Hua Hin

Hua Hin (ตำบลหัวหิน) is a first class mainland beach, in the south of Bangkok, accessible by 2h in minivan.
Hua Hin has it all: a long white beach with pristine and calm waters, night markets, international cuisine, horse rides, and all year round nightlife and massages.

Best places to visit near Hua Hin

Hua Hin has plenty of nearby sites to discover, best access by motorbike rental:

  • Mrigadayavan Palace (พระราชนิเวศน์มฤคทายวัน) - Summer presidential palace.
  • Siam Venezia (สยามเวเนเซีย) - Shopping mall with architecture and layout resembling Venice, Italy.

Ko Tao Island

Ko Tao Island (เกาะเต่า), also written as Koh Tao, is the ultimate backpackers island hangout, and the smallest of three popular islands on the Central Gulf Coast.
Sairee Beach, also called Sai Ri Beach (หาดทรายรี) is where all the action happens, sunbathing during the day and partying all night.
At night, night fire spinning shows are also popular on the beach, usually near the beach restaurants with outdoor seating.
Many backpackers flock to Ko Tao to take their scuba diving courses. Ko Tao is known to have one the best prices for an open water package including the certificate, however, many of the diving outfitters aren’t PADI.
Snorkeling in Shark bay is one of the most popular tours.

Ko Pha Ngan Island

Ko Pha Ngan Island (อำเภอเกาะพะงัน) is the home of the worldly famous biggest trippy beach rave party in Asia, the Full moon party, on Hat Rin beach.
The Full moon party is a unique and unforgettable experience, and a must for any partygoer who visits the islands, but be warned that accidents are common including deadly. This party doesn’t always occur during the full moon, it can be shifted a day or two for respect of the religious which have also religious meaning.
During the party and the days before, the prices skyrocket and a cheaper approach might be to stay in Koh Samui Island or Ko Tao Island and take the speedboats to Hat Rin and return in the next morning.
On the other days, Hat Rin beach is much calmer, yet be advised that there are plentiful broken bottles buried on the beach.
But, Ko Pha Ngan is much more than the party and Hat Rin, it has many beaches along the island coast, the more remotes are only accessible by longtail boat.

Ko Samui Island

Ko Samui Island (อำเภอเกาะสมุย) is the largest island Central Gulf Coast and geared mainly towards family and honeymooners.
Ko Samui has an airport making it convenient for those whose time is limited.

Railay Beach

Railay Beach (หาดไร่เลย์) is the Thailand’s postcard beach due the karst backdrop and colorful longtail boats selling eateries.
It lies in the peninsula near Ao Nang and is only accessible by boat.
The name of Railay Beach means both the main beach as well as the narrow strip area which also includes Railay East beach and Phra Nang Beach.
Colorful longtail boats moor at the beach, selling seafood to all the beach dwellers.
At certain times during the day the beach gets crowded with tourists visiting the beach for a few hours to take pictures and try out the seafood.
Railay Beach is also a top-notch rock climbing spot with several outfitters providing both climbing gear as well as lessons.

Best places to visit in Railay Beach

  • Phra Nang Shrine - Small cave at the far south of Phra Nang Beach populated with wooden phalluses. Monkeys prowl around that area.
  • Lagoon - A trail near the shrine has easy to miss signs leading to the lagoon.
  • Viewpoint - The trail leading to the lagoon forks into this viewpoint with a stunning birdseye view to the peninsula.
  • Ton Sai beach - Accessible by the beach, this the budget version of Railay Beach, also popular among rock climbers.

Ko Phi Phi Islands

Ko Phi Phi Islands (หมู่เกาะพีพี), pronounced as Ko Pi Pi, become even popular with the backpackers with the adventure movie “The Beach” featuring Leonardo DiCaprio which tells the story of a backpacker searching for the paradisiacal beach Ko Phi Phi.
This island has traditionally been a place for backpackers to chill out and party, but in recent years with the popularity of Maya Bay, it attracts all kinds of crowds in hope of visiting the location of the movie shooting.

Author’s Notes

Thailand has beaches for every tastes, the author’s top picks beaches and islands per each traveler type:

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