Thailand's islands are world renowned for their beauty, their affordability and the friendliness of the people who call them home. It's hard to play favorites when there are so many to choose from, but for travelers who have no idea at all about where to go or what to expect, here's a guide to Agoda's Top Thai Island destinations.
Similan Islands
In the Andaman Sea northeast of Phuket, this archipelago of nine protected islands is renowned for its world-class diving. These little islands are uninhabited and undeveloped, three are even closed to the public (including one owned by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn) and they're closed from mid-May to November 1 every year because of monsoon. As inaccessible as seem compared to the rest of the Thai islands here, it's this inaccessibility that has preserved their authenticity as 'undiscovered' and untouched. Live aboard boats are a popular form of accommodation near the Similan Islands, and depart from Khao Lak and Phuket. Islands 4 and 8 have basic accommodation and camping facilities – from Taplamu Pier it's a 60-90min speedboat ride.
Koh Chang
Chang (Thai for 'elephant') is in the Gulf of Thailand, part of Trat province and is developed enough to have both luxury resorts and half-star beach bungalows. The roads can be winding and treacherous, but the beaches towards the bottom tip of the island, such as Lonely Beach, deliver seclusion and heart-stopping sunsets, making the nail-biting 30-minute songtaew ride there more than worth it. Chang can get very wet from April to November, with mud slides and loss of electricity known to occur, though even in the wet season there are idyllic sunny days. Chang's main pier is a 4.5-hour drive from Bangkok and minivans depart from National Stadium. The ferry from Laem Ngop pier takes 30 minutes and can transport cars, the last one departing at around 6pm. From Laem Ngop you can also take ferries and speedboats to the lesser-known Koh Mak and Koh Kood, which offer even more seclusion and quality snorkeling.
Koh Lanta
Part of the postcard-perfect Phang Nga Bay, Lanta Yai and Lanta Noi are quiet islands with wide white beaches, mangroves and lush forest. These islands are a bounty for divers, and even though they offer well developed beaches with resorts and plenty of tourist infrastructure, the atmosphere is geared towards relaxation rather than rowdiness. The Lanta islands have a mixed population of Muslims Thai-Chinese and 'sea gypsies', and its architecture and food reflect this melting point of cultures. You can get to Lanta Yai from Bangkok by air (1 hour) or taking a bus (12 hours) to Krabi, then transferring via ferry, or you can fly internationally to Phuket and take a ferry from there.
Koh Samet
Koh Samet is relatively unknown to international travelers, yet immensely popular as a weekend getaway destination for young Thai residents and expats. Samed offers both the serenity of National Parkland and the revelry of a party island, depending on which beach you choose, and as with most islands, the further away from the pier you travel, the more deserted and quiet the beaches become. The most populated part of the island by far is Sai Kaew beach, where restaurants, bars and hotels fill up even in the off-season and fire twirlers and dance parties light up the evenings. Koh Samed is 2.5 hours' drive from Bangkok – minivans make the journey from Victory Monument to Ban Phe pier for around 200-300 baht or you can hail a cab for around 2000baht. The ferry from the pier costs 50baht and takes an hour (these stop around 5-6pm) or you can take a speedboat for a few hundred baht per person, depending on the size of your group.
Koh Phi Phi Don
As the setting for The Beach, it would be an oversight not to mention the Kohs Phi Phi as an all-time top Thai Island destination. Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh – the smaller, uninhabited island – is the actual location from the film and is as stunning in real life as it is in pictures, though getting to see it free of speedboats and travelers might be a challenge. The larger island – Phi Phi Don – hosts a variety of different resorts, bungalows, restaurants and bars and though far more relaxed than Phuket's Patong beach, is still one of Thailand's most visited islands and finding a deserted area takes some effort. The Phi Phi Islands are accessible via ferry and speedboat from Krabi Town and Phuket – a ferry takes around 90 minutes.
Koh Phangan
True, Phangan is where the full moon parties take place, hence attracting a large contingent of backpackers and rowdy revelers but this is no reason to dismiss it as in any way sullied. Far less posh than its neighbor Samui (where the Beckhams now have a summer residence) and more developed than other neighbor Koh Tao (which is primarily a diver's destination) – Phangan offers much more than just bucket stalls and beach parties. Haad Salad, for instance, is a quiet bay lined with inexpensive bungalows and relaxed beach restaurants, the tiny Leela Beach near Haad Rin offers serene sunset views and solitude even though it's only a ten-minute walk from the main drag and from Haad Rin itself it's only a 10-15 minute long-tail boat ride to any number of remote beaches that are literally cut off from civilization by steep rocky slopes and thick vegetation. Phangan is accessible in a number of ways – via air from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Samui then ferry (the ferry takes 60mins) or speedboat (30mins). Private overnight buses also make the trip from Khao San Road (Lomphraya and Seatran are the most reputable) as do government buses from Sai Tai Mai eastern bus terminal in Bangkok (the VIP bus is the 'safest' and most comfortable). They take 12 hours and include a ferry ride of 90-180 minutes from Chumporn or Don Sak (Surat Thani) piers.
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