Where to go in Thailand's islands
Map
List of regions
Largely undeveloped Koh Phangan is famed for its bohemian atmosphere and youthful outlook. Powdery beaches, calm bays, accessible corals, excellent dive sites and a forested interior make it perfect for nature lovers.
Koh Samui is a tropical island paradise in the Gulf of Thailand; it's quickly making the transition from backpackers' retreat to sophisticated beach resort with the arrival of major hotel and spa projects.
The small seaside resort of Khao Lak is a popular departure point for live-aboard scuba diving trips out to the Similan Islands, part of a marine park that contains some of the world's most famous dive sites.
The chance to see wild elephants, tigers, deer, gibbons, cloud leopards and other wildlife in their native habitat is a great reason to visit the vast Khao Sok National Park, where limestone peaks rise up to 900 metres and numerous streams and waterfalls sparkle among the greenery.
Koh Lanta Yai (big Koh Lanta) and Koh Lanta Noi (small Koh Lanta) are the main islands in a group of 50 islets off the Lower Andaman Coast.