5 Stunning Secret Beaches in Thailand
Thailand's nearly 2,000 miles of coastline is dotted with breathtaking beaches worthy of a feature slot on your bucket list. These stunning seaside spots are known for drawing a crowd, but if you know where you look, you can experience the natural beauty without the bustle. These less frequented islands and beaches offer everything the top stops offer, minus the crowds.
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1. Koh Lao Liang
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2. Long Beach
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3. Klong Chao Beach
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4. Klong Muang Beach
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5. Khao Lak
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6. Bang Saray Beach
![Koh Lao Liang, Trang, Thailand](https://img.oyster.com/production/Articles/5 Stunning Secret Beaches in Thailand/Koh_Lao_Liang_40ca2177d4.webp)
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The Thai Tourism Authority describes Koh Lao Liang as "a secluded paradise away from the crowds." Travelers who venture to the island via boat from Tasae Pier on the mainland will be rewarded with sights of rocketing limestone cliffs and spacious white sand beaches. Koh Lao Liang is actually two islands–the "Little Brother" island Koh Lao Liang Nong and the "Elder Brother" island Koh Lao Liang Phi. The coastlines of these islands are ideal for rock climbing and sunbathing in a tranquil setting.
Koh Lanta, an island just off the southern tip of Krabi province, is often touted as a laidback alternative to the popular (and packed) Koh Phi Phi. Long Beach has its fair share of crowds, but even at the height of the season, they don't compare to the bustling groups that flock to Koh Phi Phi's Maya Beach, which was recently shut down for two years to address conversation concerns due to overtourism. Paddleboard, lounge, or snorkel off the beach's 2.5-mile coast. Two other under-the-radar stops nearby are Bamboo Beach at the mouth of Mu Koh Lanta National Park and Relax Bay, also called Klong Dao Beach.
![](https://img.oyster.com/production/Articles/5 Stunning Secret Beaches in Thailand/Klong_Chao_Beach_db893a63b0.webp)
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Klong Chao Beach is the most popular beach on the tiny island of Koh Kut, yet it retains its relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere. Koh Kut, also written Koh Kood, is home to fewer than 5,500 year-round residents and attracts fewer tourists than more popular islands and mainland coastal areas. Only about a half mile long, this white sand beach is lined with palm trees, lounge chairs, and thatched beachside cabanas. The turquoise waters are incredibly still, making it an ideal spot for snorkeling or diving. If you’ve had enough of lounging in the sand, the island also has three waterfalls to explore: Klong Chao Waterfall, Klong Yai Kee Waterfall, and Huang Nam Keaw Waterfall.
You may know Krabi as the home of the famous Railay Beach, with its limestone cliffs jutting from the water and bathers soaking up the sun on pristine sands. However, this province is home to dozens of beaches where you can take in the scenery with fewer crowds, chief among them Klong Muang Beach to the northwest. Just under a mile long, this beach also highlights the region's natural beauty with limestone formations of its own surrounded by clear blue waters. Klong Muang Beach is also a popular departure spot for longtail boat tours of nearby islands.
![](https://img.oyster.com/production/Articles/5 Stunning Secret Beaches in Thailand/Khao_Lak_a948f97567.webp)
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Phuket is a popular, and consequently crowded, beach destination for visitors to Thailand. Although some seaside locales see fewer crowds, venturing outside the immediate area may bring an even more peaceful experience. About two hours north of Phuket is Khao Lak in Phang Nga province. The lowkey surf at Khuk Khuk Beach is perfect for catching a wave, although it may be too low-level for advanced surfers. Bang Niang Beach has spacious shores for daytime relaxation and, when the evening arrives, is only a ten-minute walk from the Bang Niang Night Market.
The Chonburi-Pattaya area is the closest beach destination to busy Bangkok, only about two hours from the capital. With such a prime location, it's not surprising that the area's beach towns and nearby Koh Lan get crowded with tourists and locals alike, especially during high season. For a less hectic experience, venture twenty-five minutes north to Bang Saray Beach, just across the water from Koh Lan. Its proximity to Pattaya means you're never far from the city's attractions like the Pattaya Elephant Village or the Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Gardens, home to over 12,000 plant species.