Southern Thailand

Southern Thailand includes many of Thailand's most famous resorts on both the west-facing Andaman Sea coastline, and the east-facing Gulf of Thailand coast south of Chumphon. Regions Regions of Southern Thailand Central Gulf Coast The prime tourist destination of the Gulf Coast with the beaches of Ko Samui, the full moon parties at Ko Pha Ngan, diving at Ko Tao, the natural splendor of the Ang Thong Marine Park and the Khao Sok National Park. Northern Andaman Coast Some destinations include Khao Lak, Similan Islands, Surin Islands, the southern Ko Chang, and Ranong for its quick visa-runs to Myanmar. Phuket The original Thai paradise island, now very developed but still with a lot of beautiful beaches. Also includes the wonderful limestone rock formations of the Phang Nga Bay. Krabi Province White sandy beaches, crystal clear water, fascinating coral reefs, caves and waterfalls, as well as numerous islands. Southern Andaman Coast Some truly picture-postcard tropical islands in the Ko Tarutao archipelago, as well as the Trang islands. Southern Gulf Coast Beautiful beaches and nature, popular among Malaysian tourists. Due to separatist struggles, the three deep southern provinces might be better avoided. Cities Hat Yai — the largest city of Southern Thailand Krabi — base for plenty of beaches and islands Nakhon Si Thammarat — provincial capital historically known as Ligor Chumphon — gateway to Southern Thailand with four daily ferries to Ko Tao Patong — party capital on steroids on the island of Phuket Phuket Town — administrative town of the popular beach island Ranong — border town with Kawthoung in Myanmar, often used for visa runs Songkhla — popular beach resort among Malaysian and Singaporean travelers Surat Thani — main city of the Srivijaya Empire, gateway to the Samui archipelago Other destinations Ao Nang — top beach destination in Krabi Province Khao Sok National Park — spend the night in one of the jungle's huts Ko Lipe — set in the middle of 52 uninhabited islands with Thailand's best dive sites and beaches Ko Pha Ngan — home to the infamous Full Moon Party and miles of unspoilt beaches Ko Phi Phi — Thailand's largest Marine National Park and backpacker favorite where The Beach was filmed Ko Samui — coconut and paradise island quickly moving upmarket Phang Nga Bay — famous for its limestone cliffs, caves, mangroves, fishing villages and James Bond Island Rai Leh — a peninsula with stunning limestone cliffs, beaches and no motor vehicles, rock climbers mecca Similan Islands — national park with spectacular views over and under water Understand Parts of the west coast of Thailand were hit hard by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, but all infrastructure has long since been repaired and it takes a careful eye to spot any remaining damage. Talk Get in By Air There are international airports in Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai and on the island Ko Samui, although you are more likely to reach the region by flying to Bangkok and taking a connecting flight. By Boat The final leg of journeys to most of the islands as well as some of the more isolated coastal spots will be by boat. Long distance boats from near Bangkok are also available. It is now possible to travel by ferries in hi season (Nov-May) from Phuket and island hop your way down the coast all the way to Malaysia Indonesia. This can now be done without ever touching the mainland, Phuket (Thailand) to Padang (Indonesia). Islands en route: Ko Phi Phi Ko Lanta Ko Ngai Ko Mook Ko Bulon ko Lipe-Koh lipe being the hub on the border between Thailand and Malaysia having a Thai immigration office. Langkwai- Malaysian immigration here. Penang Thai portion could be done in a day, although chances are you'd want to stop on some of the islands. Another possibility for island hopping is by sailing boat. You will find some companies in Phuket offering this kind of tours. Island Hopping with a sailing yacht is more expensive, than by ferry. If you are traveling in a group, you will be able to share the costs and charter a sailing yacht with skipper. Phuket-Yacht-Charter By Bus The region's major cities are served by frequent long distance buses run by both the government and tour operators. By Train Trains from the north pass through the region en-route to Malaysia. Get around See Do Diving The reefs around Ko Lipe are largely intact; As they have been protected by being within Thailand's oldest National marine Parks. Castaway Divers, (Sunrise Beach), ☎ +66 (0) 811 707 605 (lipe-divers@castaway-resorts.com), [1].  edit Golf - see Golf in Thailand - Southern region Sailing / Island Hopping The islands in the southern Gulf of Thailand including the Ang thong national marine park provide a beautiful sailing ground. Island Hopping sailing cruises between Koh Tao, Koh Phan gan, Koh Samui</do> On the west coast you also will be able to find many beatiful sailing areas, like Phang Nga Bay, Similan islands, Phi Phi islands,... Some charter companies offering day trips and overnight tours from Phuket to Phang Nga and other islands around Phuket. There are hundreds of islands just at Phang Nga Bay and you will need more then just a day trip to explore them all. The best way to explore this sailing ground is to charter a sailing boat for several weeks. Phuket-Yacht-Charter Eat Perhaps unsurprisingly for a coastal region, seafood features prominently on the menu. Traditional southern Thai food includes milder coconut-milk based curries popularly associated with Thailand: the dry, Malaysian-influenced Panaeng curry and Indian-influenced Massaman (Muslim) curry with potatoes and nuts. A wide variety of international cuisines is available in the many resort towns, visited by millions of overseas tourists every year and home to many expats. Tourism has also brought migrants from other parts of Thailand, and their food with them. Drink Stay safe In 2004, long-simmering resentment in the southern-most Muslim-majority provinces burst into violence in Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala provinces. All are off the beaten tourist trail, although the eastern rail line from Hat Yai to Sungai Kolok (gateway to Malaysia's east coast) passes through the area and has been disrupted several times by attacks. Hat Yai (Thailand's largest city after Bangkok and its Nonthaburi suburbs) in Songkhla has also been hit by a series of related bombings, however the main cross-border rail line connecting Hat Yai and Butterworth (on the west coast) has not been affected, and none of the islands or the west coast beaches have been targeted. In September 2006, three foreigners were killed in bombings in Hat Yai. Some rebel groups have threatened foreigners, but while targets have included hotels, karaoke lounges and shopping malls, westerners have not been singled out for attacks. Get out Central Thailand - to Prachuap Khiri Khan West Coast of Malaysia - to Kedah, Perak, or Perlis East Coast of Malaysia - to Kelantan Myanmar - to Tanintharyi Division via Ranong and Kawthoung This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!