Beach at Phuket

Phuket

The largest and most popular of the Thai Islands has as many different personalities as it has beaches — and that’s quite a few! Pay no heed to those who say Phuket is past its prime: there are pockets of paradise here to compete with anywhere in the world.

Google Phuket and you’ll soon find that this desert-island idyll par excellence is no stranger to mass tourism, but that doesn’t mean you should give it a miss. You wouldn’t avoid France just because you don’t like Paris — so why avoid Thailand’s biggest island when there’s so much palm-fringed beauty to go around?

Your experience of Phuket will depend entirely on where you choose to stay. Phuket has 36 different beaches — ranging from pearly white to rich gold — all fringed with casuarina trees and lapped by the Andaman Sea. The southwest coast is the most developed, but you still can find a sense of isolation at the wonderfully calm Nai Harn Beach, secluded Cape Panwa, Coconut Island or northern Mai Khao. If you’re after a little more action, there’s chilled-out, village-like Sirinat, family-friendly Kamala and Karon, and trendy restaurants and a party vibe on Kata and Kata Noi (though without the excesses of notorious Patong Beach). Finally, there’s Phuket Town, lined with Sino-colonial mansions and shophouses, and with a rich culture shaped by centuries of trade with Peranakan, Dutch and English merchant ships.

Whatever your style, one thing’s for certain: you won’t find better accommodation anywhere. The options are staggering — particularly at the swankier end — so discover Michelin-standard food, world-class spa treatments, and barefoot luxury tucked away from the crowds. The tropical climate, soft sand, and calm seas teeming with colourful sea life come free.

Connects with

Thailand

Krabi’s coastline is the stuff travel dreams are made of. Emerald vegetation clings to dramatic, gravity-defying cliffs, towering limestone pinnacles teeter precariously over the sea, and hundreds of little islands lie waiting to be explored.

Ko Yao Noi

Known for its low-key tourist scene, ultra-luxurious resorts, and peace-loving Muslim culture, Ko Yao Noi is an island idyll hidden among the famous party islands and backpacker beach towns of the Andaman Sea.

Thailand

Bangkok is an assault on the senses. Clouds of aromatic steam battle with exhaust fumes, neon signs blink jarringly alongside confection-like temples, and 30-degree heat and humidity heightens the sensation that you’re simmering in a heady, spice-laden stew.