Beaches in Thailand

During the mid-90s, a young British traveller journeyed through a Southeast Asian nation teeming with unspoilt beaches, beautiful and exotic. He found a map to one, ‘and settled down to a life in paradise.'

That was the setting of Alex Garland’s The Beach, a novel-turned-movie in 2000. And although the story has presented the consequences of living in seclusion, it also has brought interest to where tourists and travellers alike can enjoy—Thailand.

For most of its regions has a beach. The world knows that there’s Kata bay and Mai Khao Beach in Phuket, Ko Adang in Satun, Mae Nam in Surat Thani, Chaweng in Ko Samui, and Ta Pho in Koh Kood.

Likewise popular with Thais and its neighboring countries are the Patong Beach and Karon Beach in Phuket, Khao Lak in Phang Nga, and Railay Beach in Krabi.

The world in Thailand’s shores

Guess where those visiting in Thailand go?

Surfers head for the Kata Bay. It usually hosts the King's Cup Regatta, the Asia's premier sailing event, and offers lobsters, tiger prawns, plump fish, and steaks in its restaurants.

There is Kata Yai (Big Kata) and Kata Noi (Small Kata) in Kata Bay, separated from each other by a small headland. Lined with palm trees in white sands and mid-rise buildings, it is unsuitable during the low season for families with young children.

In a distance is a deserted beachfront that is actually the longest beach on Phuket. Mai Khao Beach has only one resort in its 17km-shore, and is less than a party site after the hundreds of baby sea turtles are released into the ocean in April.

The only one resort is the JW Marriott Phuket Resort. It is adjacent to the Sirinath Marine National Park on the edge of the Andaman Sea. ‘Most exclusive of resorts,’ JW Marriott Phuket Resort offers guests about 11 hectares of lush tropical gardens they can wander upon.

Up north of the country is Mae Nam, ‘where the sands may be narrower, but you’re not sharing them with the crowds.’ The water here is clear and calm, the palm trees shady. There is also a flotilla of blue-grey islands in the distance establishing Mae Nam as the ‘last predominantly backpacker beach’ drifting over Samui.

Mae Nam, which means river (Mae means mother; Nam means water), is ‘the place to be’ if tourists and travellers alike are on a low budget. At its end is the Santiburi Resort, which is known for its Royal; Pansea Napasai, a premier decadent getaway; and Health Oasis Resort, which offers new age treatments and ‘more puritanical holiday experience.’

At its east is a beach known for its ‘nightlife infrastructure’ laden with Thai and seafood eateries where ‘a small town full of life’ lurks behind.

This is Chaweng, the largest and most popular beach in Thailand. It has three sections: North Chaweng, Central Chaweng and Chaweng Noi (Little Chaweng). It is 7 km long bordered by emerald-blue waters and two small islands near a coral reef. Its waters, usually between 25-28°C, can be only accessed through the hotels.

Ta Pho Beach in Koh Kood is more exclusive, though. It is ‘unpeopled’ (population is less than 2,000), with sugary-white sands, a rainforest, fishing villages, coconut and rubber tree plantations, and snorkeling spots.

The best time to visit the island where it is on is between November and February. Koh Kood (sometimes spelled as Ko Kut) is the easternmost island before Cambodia with its highest peak—Khao Phaenth—measuring 315 meters only.

Several more…

Patong Beach is the largest beach on the island of Phuket. Once a fishing village, it had been Thailand’s number one beach destination stretching 4 km of silky white sand and warm water.

Second largest is the Karon Beach offering a full range of beach facilities and activities as well. There are also dining areas, with ‘a gorgeous stretch of coral reef perfect for snorkeling’ in its south.

One of Thailand’s peaceful resorts lies in the north of Phuket, however. Khao Lak actually has a ‘gorgeous coastline’ embracing three national parks, a tropical forest, infinity pools, beachfront accommodations, and lotus ponds.

Although small, Railay Beach has clear blue waters nestled among limestone peaks surrounded by a jungle. It can only be reached by boat, which compounds the mystery for beach lovers looking for a quiet vacation.