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Thailand

How to Find the Best Beach in Thailand for You

It’s no secret that Thailand has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches -- which is great, but can make choosing one you'd like to spend a few days on painstakingly difficult! Whether you’re looking to relax and soak up the sun, are interested in hiking, climbing or diving, or just hope to party all night long, our expert breakdown of Thai beaches will help you choose which sliver of paradise will truly be paradise for you.

  • If You Want To Be Off the Grid: Koh Kood

    • Espen Aaeng/Flickr

    Head east from Bangkok to the island of Koh Kood (also called Ko Kut), just off the coast of the city of Trat. Koh Kood is the definition of paradise. There are no ATMs on the island, and there are usually so few travelers here that you’re likely to see starfish on the beach in their natural habitat.


    Related Link: Paradise Unplugged: Our 10 Favorite Tech-Free Havens

  • If You Want to Party: Koh Phangan

    • Tomas Barrios/Flickr

    Make your way south to Koh Phangan, home of the infamous full moon parties. If you’re here to party, you’ll need to book far in advance -- hotels on Haad Rin beach, home to the event, get booked out months in advance for each party. The COAST Resort is a solid option, just minutes from the party. If all-night debauchery isn’t your thing, Bottle Beach on the northern end of the island is slightly removed from the madness.

  • If You Want Natural Beauty: Railay Beach

    • David Russo/Flickr

    In Krabi you can find my all-time favorite Thai beach, Railay Beach. The limestone cliffs here are stunning, and it’s easy to get back and forth from mainland Krabi via a longtail or speedboat.

  • If You Want To Be Close to Bangkok: Koh Si Chang or Koh Samet

    • d.aniela/Flickr

    Your closest options are Koh Si Chang and Koh Samet. Koh Samet is definitely busier, but has some great beaches. Koh Si Chang is bigger and has fewer tourists; it's pretty tropical, with lots of growth after rainy season, but due to its size you'll need to rent a motorbike. 


    You Might Also Like: The 5 Best Boutique Hotels in Bangkok

  • If You Want To See the Beach from The Beach: Maya Bay

    • Kullez/Flickr

    The beach made famous by Leonardo Dicaprio in The Beach is Maya Bay, located on Koh Phi Phi Le. To get there, you’ll need to rent a longtail or speed boat from Koh Phi Phi Don (the main island), or sign up for one of the many tours available.


    Have you visited any of these beaches? Which is your favorite?