The southern region of Thailand is known for its beautiful beaches and stunning islands. When people think of Thailand, the islands of the south are the tropical paradise that comes to mind.
Explore: Andaman Coast • Far South • Gulf Coast
- Andaman Coast: Renowned for its dramatic limestone cliffs, clear turquoise waters, and stunning islands like Phuket, Krabi, and the Similan Islands.
- Far South: Offers a mix of thai-muslim culture, pristine beaches, and unique attractions, with highlights including Hat Yai, Satun, and the Trang archipelago.
- Gulf Coast: Famous for its idyllic islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, along with beautiful beaches and excellent diving spots.
Situated on the southwest coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea, Phuket, Phangnga and Krabi provinces are awash with magnificent blue waters and white sand beaches often set against spectacular limestone cliffs. The natural scenery in this area is breathtaking and has been the location for many international movies.
There is no shortage of world-class resorts and spas here, along with fine dining and international and local seafood restaurants. Activities range from scuba diving, rock climbing and trekking to just relaxing on the beach enjoying the sunshine. There are some fantastic boat tours that take you around the smaller national park islands and offer a look at untouched tropical paradise.
Located on the east coast, in the Gulf Of Thailand, the province of Surat Thani has many islands. The most famous of these are Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao. Ko Samui hosts an airport and many luxury hotels and resorts. The island has beautiful beaches and a busy nightlife.
Ko Phangan is well known for the full moon party, which attracts up to 10,000 partygoers monthly. Further north in the Gulf, the smaller island of Tao is a favorite with scuba divers and marine life enthusiasts. With many great dive sites, flourishing marine life and inexpensive scuba instruction, it is easy to see why.
The Ang Thong National Marine Park is a short boat trip from Ko Samui. These beautiful islands are untouched, with no development allowed and only day trips available. The islands have dramatic limestone walls towering hundreds of feet high and an abundance of tropical rainforests. Wildlife abounds, including long tailed monkeys, lizards, pythons, sea turtles and many different species of birds.
Southeast of Surat Thani, is the coastal town of Nakhon Si Thammarat with its clean beaches and great fishing. In the district of Sichon, architectural ruins dating back over 1,500 years can still be seen. With some significant and beautiful Buddhist temples, there is much to see and do here.
Where to Go
Top Cities
- Trang: An interesting working city in the heart of the isthmus and a good base for jaunts to the western coastline and its many islands.
- Nakhon Si Thammarat: This provincial capital is one of the oldest cities in the south, with some excellent temples and colorful markets.
- Satun: The place to catch boats to the far flung Ko Tarutao National Park.
- Hat Yai: The largest city in the south and a great air connection for budget flights out of Bangkok.
- Songkhla: Popular beach resort city with a distinctively Malay flair.
- Phattalung: A massive lake is the highlight of this city on the edge of the Deep South.
Regions
Boasting beautiful white sandy beaches, this is the gateway to islands such as Krabi and Phuket.
Krabi Province • Phang Nga Province • Phuket Province • Ranong Province
Bordering with Malaysia, this region boasts a rich history and is home to destinations such as Songkhla and Yala.
Narathiwat Province • Pattani Province • Phattalung Province • Satun Province • Songkhla Province • Trang Province • Yala Province
The white sandy beaches and sun-kissed islands of the Gulf are hugely popular with tourists, particularly Ko Samui and Ko Pha-Ngan.
Chumphon Province • Nakhon Si Thammarat Province • Phetchaburi Province • Prachuap Khiri Khan Province • Surat Thani Province
National parks
- Khao Pu Khao Ya National Park: Countless waterfalls cascade into lush tropical rainforest here.
- Mu Ko Phetra National Park: This archipelago off the coast near Satun is ideal for intrepid boaters.
- Khao Nam Khang National Park: Right on the edge of the Deep South, this park has a great mix of wildlife and flora.
- San Kala Khiri National Park: Rugged mountains run right down to the sea, where an amazing beach is protected within this park.
- Hat Chao Mai National Park: A mix of islands, beaches and lush tropical jungle filled with hot springs makes this one of the top natural spots in the south.
- Khao Luang National Park: A spectacular summit view point, a dozen waterfalls and plenty of wildlife.
Other Popular Destinations
- Samila Beach: Two kilometers of white sand right in the heart of Songkhla.
- Songkhla Lake: The only natural lake in Thailand is a massive body of water and good for a boat ride.
- Southern Thailand Botanical Garden: Stunning nature trails wind through this large park filled with the wonders of southern Thailand.
- Phra Borommathat Chaiya: This temple has been here more than 1,000 years and is one of the religious highlights of the south.
- Thale Noi Waterfowl Park: An amazing population of permanent and migratory birds live around this lovely lake.
- Rattaphum: A typical southern Thai town without a trace of foreigners.
Need to Know
- Worth it?: Absolutely, particularly for visitors who enjoy spending time on beaches, water sports, trekking and mountains.
- What to do: Snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, island hopping, dining on freshly caught seafood, jungle trekking, soaking up the sun on the beach.
- Best time to go: October until February, between the monsoon season and the hot summer months.
- How long?: At least five days and nights are needed to get a feel for this region of Thailand.
- Trivia: Southern Thailand is home to Ko Phi Phi, where the cult movie The Beach was filmed.