By DANIELLE LANTH
The islands of Thailand offer many exotic and entertaining cultural attractions, events and festivals. From family friendly events, to those that primarily cater to adults – there are plenty of attractions located in Thailand to keep travellers entertained for the duration of their stay.
The preferred time of year among travellers to experience Thailand’s islands tends to be late September through to January. During this period, the weather starts out quite hot (but rainy), and ends warm and dry. September-January is also when all the fun and action takes place on the islands.
Travelling to and From the Islands
Since the islands all lie along the Thai coast - that is, there are none out in the open sea – travel between the islets is easily accomplished by ferry or long-tail boat, although a chartered long-tail boat is generally the preferred option as it allows you to negotiate a price with the captain and enjoy reliable transportation to more than one island.
Festivals
No visit to Thailand’s islands would be complete without visiting some of its famed festivals. During the September-January period, some of the festivals you can experience include the Elephant Roundup (a favourite festival of the northeast region), the Vegetarian Festival in the Phuket Province, Buffalo Fighting on Ko Samui, Elephant Trekking in Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park, the Loy Krathong National Festival (focuses on the Thailand waterways), the Phimai Festival in the Phimai Province, and the Birthday of his Majesty the King. And of course, there’s also the infamous Moon Party - an all night beach party that occurs on the first night of every full moon.
Beaches
Once you’ve enjoyed Thai life through its myriad of festivals and events, you’ll definitely want to check out some of the areas pristine beaches. If you have a penchant for diving you should definitely head to the Similan Islands. Located off southern Thailand, Similan Islands National Park offers keen divers some elite diving spots, such as Elephant Head Rock – named as such due to three large boulders that emerge above the water and resemble an elephant. Richelieu Rock is another recommended and popular diving hotspot, and is considered among divers to be the best place in Thailand to witness some of the country’s incredible sea wildlife – Manta Rays and Whale Sharks are a common site to behold here.
In addition to the Similian Islands, another favourite destination in the south of Thailand is Pattaya Beach. Be prepared for crowds here, as the Pattaya Bay area is particularly busy, second only to Bangkok for the number of visitors at any one time. Pattaya is also home to The Sanctuary of Truth, a monolith wooden structure dedicated to hand-carved religious art. The Sanctuary focuses on the teachings of Buddha and his message of enlightenment.
There is also a selection of islands to the west of Thailand, some of which are certainly worth checking out. Ko Tao, or “Turtle Island”, offers more diving and snorkelling choices. Less developed than some of the more popular spots, Ko Tao is fast becoming a favourite among outdoor adventurers. In addition to the diving and snorkelling in this area, boulder climbing is also a popular activity.
If you are travelling with your family and would prefer to stay closer to Bangkok, head to Ko Samet. This islet is a popular destination among both residents of Bangkok and its tourists, and allows for a quiet weekend getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. The islet is host to more than one beach, but by far the most popular is Hat Sai Kaeo, also referred to as “Diamond Beach”. If you are looking for a perfect, white-sand beach during your stay in Thailand, then look no further.
Of course, the greatest way to experience the islands of Thailand is to simply discover them for yourself. If you arrive on an island and cannot find what you are looking for, simply head to the next one. Explore the islands and see what you can find!
Danielle Lanth is a freelance writer who enjoys writing for a variety of travel and cooking websites. Danielle’s family first visited Thailand after taking advantage of one of the cheap flights to Bangkok that spring up from time to time, and now makes a point of visiting the country every few years. Her family personally recommends the street food and markets.
