May it be dancing with total strangers, getting completely wasted or a quiet holiday to take in some of that Thai culture, it doesn’t really matter what you’re going to Thailand for because you can find the best of both worlds on any of the islands. If you’re the kind of human that really loves to be surrounded by water, then Thailand is the perfect destination for you as both the east and west of this amazing country have plenty of breathtaking islands to offer. Not too sure on which island to go to on your next Thai getaway? Maybe this listicle of ours might be able to help you.
Koh Lanta
It’s pretty damn close to Phuket, but like most of you who have been to Phuket, you will know that it has lost its charm. In fact, the last time I decided to go on a trip to Phuket, I left in a pretty unimpressed state. However, Koh Lanta (pictured above) is far more quiet and less developed. You’ll also find that the Thai locals are a lot friendlier on the long island of Koh Lanta as opposed to how jaded they have become in other parts of ‘touristy’ Thailand.
Koh Samet
Out of all the Thai islands, Koh Samet is definitely the closest to Bangkok. Although it’s extremely developed, most of tiny Koh Samet is all luscious jungle and it even has a small national park. Usually, Koh Samet is filled with locals that love to have a weekend getaway and tourists that come from the city.
Koh Phangan
You may have been pronouncing the name of this island wrongly. It’s actually pronounced as ‘Koh Pawn Gone’ and was declared as the King of Thailand’s favourite island. It is also a favourite of many backpackers who love to party and live their lives according to the hook-up culture. The Full Moon Party is a monthly occurrence and sometimes 15,000 people get together to dance and all sorts on this pretty paradise. But don’t be worried, if partying is not your scene then you’ll be glad to know that the party is mostly contained to Haad Rin. The rest of the island has plenty of serene and breathtaking resorts to offer.
Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is a favourite for many of those who prefer remote islands. There are no cars and hardly any motorcycles that would mess with the serenity of this island. The clear, calm and mostly shallow water makes this place a perfect spot for families to go swimming.
Koh Tao
Koh Tao has really transformed itself into a popular island destination from what it used to be, which was a place that mostly brought in scuba divers and backpackers. Even though this island is a lot smaller and also cheaper than Koh Samui, there are some upscale resorts available if you’re not into the whole backpacking scene. It is also one of the most popular islands to get a PADI certification for diving but if that’s not your type of thing, then snorkel instead and marvel at the many reefs.
