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The southern part of Thailand is a beautiful place, full of splendid beaches, bays, and temples. These fab places to visit in South Thailand have transformed in the last two decades into a hub for tourism and nightlife. If you are looking for a great vacation spot for your next tropical holiday, there are several popular as well as remote places for you to consider. Ranging from resort towns to remote islands, these places represent the best that Thailand has to offer.
10 Places To Visit In South Thailand In 2023
Read on to know more about the most stunning places to visit in South Thailand on your South Asian sojourn. Which one of these will you visit first?
1. Ko Tao
The island of Koh Tao, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is a favorite of divers who come here for the exotic marine life and coral formations. The island is only accessible from a ferry from the town of Chumphon. If you are not a diver, you will be able to find PADI certification courses at various places on the island. The Chumphon Pinnacle on the island is where most people go to see the famous bull sharks, but the evolutionary sculptures in the Val Tong Tao Bay are also popular with tourists.
Koh Tao attractions: Chumphon Pinnacle, Val Tong Tao Bay, Sai Nuan beach
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2. Mu Ko Ang Thong
Close to the island of Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand is the group of 42 islands called the Mu Ko Ang Thong. Now declared a national park, the archipelago is an amazing place to see via boat tours and one of the perfect places to visit in South Thailand with friends. The lush green forests that cover most of the islands are extremely photogenic, and you should be sure to visit the island of Ko Wua Talap.
Mu Ko Ang Thong attractions: Ko Wua Talap beaches, Buaboke caves, Ko Mae Ko beach
3. Ko Phangan
The island of Ko Pha Ngan is most well known among international tourists for its grand parties that are held in honor of the full moon. Swarmed by international backpackers, these celebrations have turned into a place for revelry and some very lively partying. While a haven for partygoers, the island has a number of other things to offer. You can get into the Ko Pha Ngan national park (with free admission) and hike up the various forest trails on the mountain island.
Ko Pha Ngan attractions: Scuba diving or Muay Thai training at the coast.
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4. Khao Sok National Park
While the popular image of Thailand usually includes beaches and nightclubs and booze, the Khao Sok National Park offers the polar opposite with its calm and natural beauty. The best way to explore this forested island is via guided tours if you are visiting for the first time. Besides the natural wildlife here, the Cheow Lan Lake is an especially beautiful place to see. The photo point above the lake is perhaps the best place to click pictures of the lake, set amongst the cliffs which makes it one of the must see in South Island.
Khao Sok National Park attractions: Cheow Lan Lake, Wing Hin waterfall, Tang Nam gorge
5. Railay
Located bang center between Krabi and Ao Nang, Railay is a peninsula, surrounded by mountains on one side and the beautiful ocean on the other. You can get here only by boat, and this is a haven for adventure seekers. The Phra Nang beach is noted not just for the beautiful beach but also for the surreal limestone structures that jut out from the coast. What is more, you can go swimming underneath the limestone formations.
Railay attractions: Phra Nang beach, Rai Leh West beach
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6. Phuket
Phuket is a tiny province in the southern part of Thailand and one of the busiest tourist places to visit in South Thailand. You can find the liveliest nightlife here on the stretch along the Patong beach, and also elsewhere in Phuket. This is the place to come if you are looking for wild parties, the most amazingly beautiful South Thailand beaches as well as great diving spots where you can go snorkeling as well as scuba diving. There are also some amazing temples at Wat Chalong and Wat Luang Pu Supha for a more diverse experience of Thailand.
Phuket attractions: Patong beach, Wat Chalong, Naka Kerd Mountain
7. Phang Nga Bay
The islands of this bay were put on the map of Southern Thailand by Hollywood movies, most famously the James Bond movies. Located between the towns of Krabi and Phuket, and accessible from either, the Phang Nga Bay is one of the best places to go in Southern Thailand. The hundreds of limestone formations that juts out from the beautiful water make for a truly wondrous site. Most tourists opt for boat tours to cover the waters but kayaking is also a popular and adventurous option.
Phang Nga Bay attractions: Khao Phing Kan (James Bond Island), Ao Phang Nga National Park
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8. Ko Lipe
The island of Ko Lipe is the perfect mix of natural wonders to explore and luxury resorts where you can cool off in comfort. The island is not crowded per se, so this is perfect for the casual holidayer. The Pattaya beach is the most popular attraction in Ko Lipe, and the Sunset beach offers the best views of the sun setting into the ocean. There are also some major diving spots – 8 Mile Rock and Yong Hua Shipwreck are where all the rivers converge. One of the best places to visit in South Thailand in December.
Ko Lipe attractions: Pattaya and Sunset beach, 8 Mile Rock, Yong Hua Shipwreck
9. Similan Islands
The Similan islands are renowned for their corals, and that makes these group of islands one of the best diving spots in all of Thailand. Among the best things to do in South Thailand, the Horseshoe Bay beach is a surreal mix of white sand and lukewarm waters perfect for swimming and a relaxing day in the sun. The Fantasy Mound here is the most sought-after diving point where you can see manta rays, whale sharks and barracudas, besides the obviously beautiful coral formations.
Simian Island attractions: Horseshoe Bay Beach, Fantasy Mound
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10. Ko Phi Phi
If you take a look at the map of southern Thailand islands, then the islands of Koh Phi Phi are located just off Krabi which is the largest of South Thailand cities and are one of the most beautiful places to be in South Thailand. The six islands have some of the most amazing white sand beaches and fun activities to offer. You can find a place to stay easily on the Ko Phi Phi Don, the largest island in the group.
Ko Phi Phi attractions: Ko Phi Phi Leh, Maya Bay, Patong
These amazing places to visit in South Thailand offer the perfect mix of revelry and relaxation for a great Thailand holiday. You can go island hopping here, and see both the amazing beaches and stunning marine as well as animal life at these places. Browse from our range of tailor-made Thailand tour packages and get going on the most amazing holiday of your life!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In South Thailand
Where is the nicest place in Thailand?
Some of the best places to explore in Thailand include Chiang Mai, Phuket, Ayutthaya, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Ratchaburi, Sukhothai, and Phang Nga.
What are some precautionary measures that are needed when travelling to Thailand after the Covid-19 pandemic ?
Some of the key information for the travellers travelling to Thailand after or during the covid pandemic are: Wear a mask when in public and make sure it completely covers your nose and mouth . Maintain social distancing at public gatherings of at least 6 feet which is approximately 2 meters.
When should I visit South Thailand?
The best time to travel to South Thailand is between November and April when the weather is cool and dry.
What is the best Thailand island to visit?
The best islands in Thailand include Koh Samui, Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Phangan, Koh Samet, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Yao Yai, and Koh Yao Noi.
Which is the most beautiful city in Thailand?
Chiang Rai, Kanchanaburi, Krabi, Sukhothai, Pai, Chiang Mai, Ko Samet, and Ayutthaya are some of the most beautiful cities in Thailand.
How expensive is Thailand?
Thailand is not an expensive country to visit. The hotels, food, and traveling will generally be manageable within your budget. However, most of the markets in Thailand charge high rates for handicrafts and local products, so shopping will definitely go hard on your pocket.
What is the cheapest month to fly to Thailand?
March is considered to be the cheapest month to fly to Thailand.
What is the coldest month in Thailand?
December is the coldest month in Thailand with an average temperature of about 79°F (26°C). The weather is quite pleasant during this time and it’s also the best time to visit for a grand New Year party in Thailand!
Where should you go in Thailand?
Some of the most wonderful places to visit in Thailand include Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Chiang Rai, Phang Nga, and Ko Chang. You should also visit the various offbeat places in Thailand like Wat Pariwar, Wat Mae Kaet Noi, Wat Rong Khun, Sam Phan Bok, Death Railway in Kanchanaburi, War Cemetery, and Phaya Kankak Public Park.
Where is South Thailand?
South Thailand is located on the Malay Peninsula, covering an area of approximately 70,714 square kilometers (27,303 square miles). Its northern part is bounded by the Kra Isthmus, the narrowest peninsula. This place has some of the most iconic resorts , beaches and islands in the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.
What are the provinces in southern Thailand?
The southern Thailand provinces are:
1. Chumphon
2. Prachuap Khirikhan
3. Ranong
4. Surat Thani
5. Phang Nga
What is South Thailand known for?
South Thailand is known for their:
1. Beaches : Patong beach and Nai Harn Beach
2. Islands: Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan , Ko Tao etc .
3. Temples: Wat Arun, Wat Pho, White temple etc.
4. Exotic resorts : Como Point Yamu , Sandalwood, Four Seasons Resort etc .
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