Gulf of Thailand Travelers Recommend

Koh Samui is one of the most spectacular getaways in all of Thailand – and the world. Your best bet is to begin your stay with an island tour. Koh Samui’s most salient landmarks are the Big Buddha statue and the “Grandpa and Grandma Rocks.” The former reaches 15 meters tall and presides over a nice beach; like many of Koh Samui’s beaches, restaurants and shops abound here. On your second day, book a Sea Kayaking Tour at Ang Thong National Marine Park. Koh Samui is ringed in small islands, and a “sea canoe” is one of the best ways to experience them. Paddling under and around a fantastic array of granite arches and outcroppings, you’ll explore the park and head to Tai Nalay, an amazing saltwater lake and marine habitat. Spend your last day in the jungle. Viator can book you a tour in which you will explore the island’s interior in an open-air 4x4.You’ll get lunch at the restaurant on the mountain, in addition to an amazing view from atop.

Party-town Pattaya likes to stay up late and sleep it off on the beach the next day. Pattaya’s nightlife is second only to Bangkok and has to be seen to be believed! When the sun goes down the lights come on and you’d be forgiven for thinking that the whole town is just one big party. The main action, however, is in South Pattaya, where you’ll find the densest concentration of bars, go-go bars, massage parlors, and discos along the famous neon-drenched strip known as Walking Street. Coral Island is a popular excursion from Pattaya that can be visited in a day. With its pure white sand and translucent water, the island offers a chance to relax on its beaches or go water skiing, parasailing and windsurfing. There are opportunities to meet and even ride elephants in the jungle just outside of Pattaya, where you can also take a trek through the jungle and float down the river on a raft. Tigers can also be observed at the Sri Racha Tiger Zoo.