Sandy beaches. Vibrant local cuisine. Fascinating history and culture. Visitors who decide on a tropical locale often must choose one of these features and sacrifice the others. Not so in Thailand, where lush, craggy islands burst out of a turquoise sea and offer seemingly endless coastlines. Abundant seafood from oceanfront restaurants is served up grilled or wok-seared along with colorful vegetables, fragrant herbs and spicy sauces. And towering temples, golden Buddha statues and opulent palaces date back a millennium. The islands in the Land of Smiles will make the beach lover grin, indeed, and they promise plenty to explore.
Phuket, though Thailand’s most developed island, yet offers quieter, more laid-back spots, too, especially up north. Spend an afternoon in tucked-away, cove-like Banana Beach, where you can order grilled skewers and cold bottles of Singha from a beach shack and lazily nap under a palm tree. Later, lean back on pillows and catch sunset sea views during a multicourse dinner at Dee Plee, where dishes incorporate ingredients from the restaurant’s spice garden. If you crave a buzzier scene, head south. There you’ll encounter raucous Patong Beach on the west coast, with its bevy of bars, nightclubs, hotels and restaurants, and Phuket Old Town to the east. The latter is home to legendary Blue Elephant’s set menu of royal Thai cuisine. Also check out the bustling night market bursting with souvenir finds including flowy elephant pants, silk scarves and hand- carved soaps; be sure to break for a foot massage.

PHOTO: © TELNYAWKA | DREAMSTIME.COM
The country’s second-largest island, Koh Samui actually lies on Thailand’s east coast on Phang Nga Bay. Hop on a songthaew to explore the coconut plantations and rice paddy fields, or board a long-tail boat to visit a local fishing village. After a seafood lunch, take to one of the island’s top beaches: Chaweng boasts powdery white sand and a wide bay, crescent-shaped Lamai’s deep water proves perfect for snorkeling, and Mae Nam’s calm surf matches its low-key vibe. For a more ambitious island adventure, sea-kayak through the caves winding within those imposing rock formations — both the region’s signature geographical feature and the perfect Instagram backdrop.
LODGING
Kimpton Kitalay Samui
This new resort overlooking Choeng Mon Beach pays homage to Thailand’s seafaring people. Many of the accommodations tout private pools, fat-tire bicycles inspire nearby exploration, and five restaurants tempt with local seafood and a laid-back vibe.
10/79 Moo 5, Bophut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani
$$$$
Trisara Resort
Sanskrit for “garden in the third heaven,” this oceanfront resort features 60 spacious, private-pool villas on three tiers. A palm tree-dotted beach, saltwater infinity pool and signature six-hand massage join exquisite dining, including the Michelin-starred PRU.
60/1 Moo 6, Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket
$$$$$
V Villas Phuket
The 19 luxurious villas with 24-hour butler service and private pools perch atop Ao Yon Bay. Spa treatments harness the benefits of Andaman pearl powder, and Yon | Ocean House serves creative fusion European-Thai coastal dishes.
39/39 Moo 8 Wichit, Ao Yon Road, Amphoe Muang Phuket
$$$$$
DINING
Dining Room & Chef’s Table
The main culinary concept at Six Senses Yao Noi offers sweeping vistas of Phang Nga Bay and fixed-price experiences featuring classic, modern, Southern and royal Thai dishes like star anise-braised pork belly, red curry grilled Wagyu and herb-steamed sea bass.
Six Senses Yao Noi, 56 Moo 5 Tambol Koh Yao Noi, Amphur Koh Yao, Phang Nga
$$$$$
Juumpo
Named for the owner’s grandfather whose recipes pepper the menu, this restaurant in Phang Nga celebrates the cuisine of the local Baba (Chinese- Thai) people through dishes like Baba-style coconut milk soup with Thai herbs, and shrimp and fried fish with sweet and sour sauce.
1/96 Mu 5, Petchkasem Road, Khuk Khak, Phang Nga
$$
PRU
Phuket’s only Michelin- starred restaurant (Plant. Raise. Understand.) uses locally sourced and garden- grown ingredients for five- and seven-course tasting menus. Try the black crab and lemongrass, vanilla- scented lobster or aged duck and velvet tamarind.
Trisara Resort, 60/1 Moo 6, Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket
$$$$$
INFO TO GO
To reach Thailand’s islands, visitors generally connect through Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport; carriers serving this airport include Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways and Delta Air Lines. From Bangkok, you can book a flight to either Phuket (HKT) or Krabi (KBV) — each about a 90-minute flight — on Cathay Pacific or one of Thailand’s regional airlines like Bangkok Airways, Thai Lion Air or Thai Smile. Reach Koh Samui by ferry or private speedboat, and get around Phuket by taxi or tuk-tuk.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 31, 2023Italian Mansion, Winery Locanda La Raia Available for Private Stays
Looking for luxury in Italy’s Southern Piedmont Region? In the wine hills of Gavi, north and west of Genoa, Locanda La Raia offers 10 splendid guestrooms and two apartments on a 180- hectare estate. Once a countryside inn and post station serving travelers journeying through the area on horseback, the space has been meticulously restored by the Rossi Cairo family to showcase original features such as vaulted ceilings and exposed brickwork. Each guestroom has been individually decorated and now features enormous windows overlooking the surrounding landscape of lush gardens, rolling meadows and organic vineyards.
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
Daily
Mar 30, 2023The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach’s Wellness Experiences
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach offers travelers a new immersive wellness experience: Healing in Hawai’i.
Daily
Mar 30, 2023NoMo Soho Introduces New Private Event Spaces, Return of Rose Garden
NoMo SoHo recently announced the return of Rose Garden as well as the introduction of two new event spaces, The Penthouse and Nina’s.
Sponsored Content
Enter to Win $500 and Get Six Months’ Free Access to the New GT App
Now through May 8, sign up for a free six-month trial of the Global Traveler app and be automatically entered for a chance to win a $500 gift card of your choice for Amazon, Apple or American Express.
Daily
Mar 30, 2023A New Type of Art Experience: Rotterdam’s Depot Boijman’s Van Beuningen Opens
A little more a year ago, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, designed by architectural firm MVRDV, opened to the public in Rotterdam. At Depot, everything revolves around the interaction between the visitors and more than 151,000 works stored in various areas of the unique building.
4 Spring Hotel Openings
Daily
Mar 29, 2023Elk Cove Inn & Spa Review
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 29, 2023eFlyer Deals
Mar 29, 2023Last-Minute Spring Deals from SIXT
SIXT invites customers to book some spring and summer deals. Book a midweek deal for up to 30 percent off rentals of two–four days starting on a Sunday, Monday or Tuesday and ending by Thursday. Book the midweek offer by June 30. Blackout dates of April 2–22 apply.
eFlyer Deals
Mar 29, 2023Andaz Mayakoba Welcomes Summer with 20 Percent Off All Suite Stays
Just in time for summer travel, Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya launches its Suites on Sale promotion. During the summer months, the resort offers travelers 20 percent off a stay in a suite.
ShareThis