Koh Tao, Thailand
Across the eight-square-mile island of steep, mostly undeveloped hills and stunning aquamarine bays that make up the island of Koh Tao, Thailand, there are no traffic lights, no international five-star resorts; building height is capped well below the tops of coconut palms, and jet skis are not allowed. The island is typically the end of a circuit for travelers who unwind at the beaches and restaurants of Koh Samui, then head to Koh Phangan for the full moon party or a meditation retreat, then cruise over to Koh Tao for diving and snorkeling. But visitors to Koh Tao these days are met by a banner proclaiming a new tourist fee — 20 baht, or about 55 cents, the price of a can of soda — in Thai and English stating that it is for “port management, waste management and the conservation of the environment, nature and biodiversity on Koh Tao.” The user fee was part of a rethink during the pandemic about the toll tourism was taking on the island`s marquee attractions — from snorkelers trampling on coral to boats spewing oil in the sea to erosion from construction. The pause also led to regular beach and underwater cleanups by community and diving groups, as well as new coral restoration projects around Koh Tao. “The nature brings the customers,” said Vie Boursmui, a diving instructor, as groups of divers from Britain, the Netherlands, Australia, Israel and Spain filled the tables at Ban`s Diving Resort for a post-scuba sunset drink. “So we have to protect nature.”
Top places to visit in THAILAND – Complete Travel Guide with location and timings.
Thailand is such a country on this earth that people from every other country wish to visit. Thailand is a South-East Asian country that is famous for its beaches, lavish royal palaces, ancient caves, Buddhist temples, and the nightlife. Thailand is a very popular tourist attraction among Indians and the entire world. Thailand’s currency is Baht and its capital city is Bangkok which we all know is how much popular among Indians. Koh Chang Island Koh Chang Island is one of the biggest islands in Thailand and it is situated in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Chang Island is famous for its amazing beaches, and marine environment. Koh Chang Island is spread across an area of 217 km and it is very much less crowded compared to other islands. Where people come for Snorkeling and Scuba Diving quite often. Koh Chang Island is just 350kms away from Bangkok. If you take a flight then it will take 45 minutes and if you take a car then it will take you 4-5 hours. You can easily spend 2-3 days at Koh Chang Island. Koh Larn Island Coral Island also famous by the name Koh Larn Island, is just 45 minutes away from Pattaya. It is one of the best tourist attractions in Pattaya. One day is enough for you to visit Kohral Island and you can take a public boat or motorboat to reach there. A whole lot of water sports are available at Kohral Island like Snorkeling, Water Skiing, Para-gliding, and windsurfing. On this Island, you can try the authentic food of Thailand. To visit Koh Larn Island, you will get many packages at numerous merchant websites. Koh Tao Island Koh Tao Island is famous for its restaurants, nightspots, and food and night parties. From Koh Tao Island you can visit the tropical Coral reeves where you might glimpse Blue Whale and Sharks. It’s a perfect place for swimmers. It might take you 12 hours to reach Koh Tao Island from Bangkok for which you have to take a bus from Lumparaya Island which departs at 9 pm. And after that, you will have to take a ferry for 3-4 hours. One day is enough to explore Koh Tao Island in which you can visit the beaches till the afternoon, you can enjoy the food in the evening and at night you can enjoy the nightlife. Railay Railay also famous by the name Rai Ley is a small island that lies between the City of Krabi and Ao Nang. You can only use a boat to reach Railay because there are gigantic limestone cliffs that separate the main island from the city. Rock climbing on these cliffs is famous across the world But this area is very much famous for its beautiful beaches and relaxing atmosphere. Railay is distributed in 4 parts. The first one is East Railay, West Railay, Phra Nang, and Ton Sai. The most expensive and luxurious hotels are situated in West Railay. But if you want a budget hotel then you should go to East Railay. And it might take you 2-3 days to visit Railay. Khao Sok national park Khao Sok national park of Thailand is spread across an area of 740 square km. Khao Sok national park is the biggest virgin forest in Southern Thailand which is even more ancient than the Amazon forest. Khao Sok national park is situated near Krabi. That’s why if you are planning a trip to Krabi then you can also come to Khao Sok National Park. There are many adventurous activities for tourists at Khao Sok National Park like trekking, Bamboo rafting, and boat tours. You get a chance to explore many caves while trekking like diamond caves, Khang Khao caves, and Nam Talu Caves which are spread across an area of 12 km. Khao Sok national park, except for the adventurous activities, it’s a very relaxing place so it’s worth coming here. Ayutthaya Ayutthaya is a very famous city in Thailand which is just 80kms away from Bangkok. Ayutthaya is the capital of the Kingdom Of Siam and it’s a very big international trading port. Here you will find the old city ruins at Ayutthaya Historical Park which is an archaeological site where you find many palaces, Buddhist temples, monasteries, and statues. The best time to visit Ayutthaya is between November and February. If you want to know the history of Thailand then Ayutthaya is a perfect place. It will take you 3-4 days to visit Ayutthaya. Chiang Mai Chiang Mai is the best destination in Thailand for those tourists who wish to see a concealed picture of Thailand. In Chiang Mai you will find many ancient constructions, the tropical rainforest here is popular across entire Thailand and here you will get to do amazing trekking. Yes, to visit the wild side of Chiang Mai you will have to go to Doi Inthanon National Park which is a part of the Himalayan Mountain Range. And here you will get to see amazing viewpoints. The most number of Buddhist Temples in Thailand is situated in Chiang Mai, Thailand. And here many tour operators organize a tour for you so that you could explore this entire place. Phuket Situated on the west coast of Thailand at the Andaman Seas, is the most visited place in Thailand that is Phuket. The best way to explore Phuket is by walking. The best scenic views of Phuket will be found at Kata Noi Beach. And the most vivid and clean water will be found at Nai Harn beach. If you are searching for luxury resorts then you will get that at Surin Beach. In Phuket, you will have a glimpse of the 45-meter big statue. Most of the tourists who visit Thailand do come to Phuket. Pattaya City Pattaya City is just 6kms away from Bangkok, Thailand. It might take you 2-3 days to explore Pattaya City. Pattaya City, situated in Thailand’s eastern Gulf, is an extremely famous city where tourists
10 Best Places to Visit in Thailand
Thailand is a collage of animated scenes that comprise bustling modern cities crowded with tuk-tuks, Buddhist temples tended by orange-robed monks, hill tribes selling handicrafts, lush landscapes dotted with traditional farming villages and stunning coastlines peppered with gorgeous beaches and blue lagoons. Such a captivating portrait explains why Thailand is Southeast Asia’s most popular travel destination. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Thailand. Ko Chang Located near the border with Cambodia, KoChang is the third largest island in Thailand and the biggest in the Ko Chang Marine Park archipelago. It is a mountainous island known for several waterfalls, thriving coral reefs, rain forests and long white sandy beaches. In less than ten years, Ko Chang has become a major tourist destination in Thailand although still far quieter than islands like Phuketor Ko Samui. White Sand Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the island. Located on the island’s northwestern corner,it’s the longest beach on Ko Chang. Chiang Rai The northernmost city in Thailand, ChiangRai serves as the main commercial hub of the Golden Triangle, which contains the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. A busy town offering something for everyone, Chiang Rai is often used as a base for exploring the surrounding region. The town itself is quiet during the day, when most of its package tourists are out on day trips, but at night the neon lights flash on and souvenir stalls and restaurants spring into action. Ko Tao Ko Tao is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, and it is accessible by a high-speed ferry from the mainland city of Chumphon. For travelers who enjoy diving, the island of Ko Tao is the perfect vacation destination. Around 7000 new divers get certified on Ko Tao each year making it one of the most popular destinations in the world to learn to dive. Diving allows you to see bull sharks, underwater evolutionary sculptures at Ocean Utopia and plenty of turtles, among many other marine species. Other popular activities include cycling and sailing around the beautiful island. Railay Railay is a small peninsula that is only accessible by boat due to the high limestone cliffs cutting off mainland access. These cliffs attract rock climbers from allover the world, but the area is also a popular attraction in Thailand due to its beautiful beaches and quiet relaxing atmosphere. Accommodation on Railay ranges from inexpensive bungalows popular with backpackers and climbers, to renowned jet-set resorts. Khao Sok National Park Considered by many to be one of Thailand’s most beautiful wildlife reserves, the Khao Sok National Park covers jungle forests, limestone karats, rivers and lakes in the Surat Thani province of southern Thailand. The reserve is home to some of the most amazing wildlife in Thailand such as Asian elephants, tapirs and gibbons. There are several trails in the park from which visitors can choose to enjoy trekking through the jungle to spot wildlife, photograph beautiful waterfalls, swim in natural pools and admire stunning vistas. Ayutthaya Founded in 1350, the city of Ayutthaya sits on an island surrounded by three rivers connecting it to the Gulf of Thailand. Once declared the most magnificent city on earth, the ancient Siam capital was an impressive site, with three palaces, more than 400 temples and a population that reached nearly 1,000,000. In 1767, the Burmese attacked and conquered Ayutthaya however and the capital was moved to Bangkok. The ruins are now a major attraction for those visiting Thailand. It is just 50 miles north of Bangkok, and is easily reached by train or boat. Kanchanaburi Located in western Thailand, Kanchanaburi is best known for the Bridge over the River Kwai that is linked with the historic Death Railway to Burma in which thousands of Asian laborers and POWS died during World War II. Several museums and war cemeteries all presentin formation about the city and its bridge during the 1940s Japan occupation. Outside of Kanchanaburi are several national parks, including Erawan National Park, which offers beautiful scenery, waterfalls and caves. Chiang Mai Surrounded by the mountains of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a flourishing city often used as a base among both backpackers and tourists wishing to explore the lush landscapes, hill tribes and outdoor adventures of the region. Nevertheless, Chiang Mai itself is a large and culturally important city where historical and modern Thai architecture and traditions coexist. A walk around the historic center bestows views of old city walls and dozens of Buddhist temples. However, the most famous of these temples,lies outside Chiang Mai on a mountainside overlooking the city. Bangkok Thailand’s capital city and by far the largest city in the country, Bangkok, is a buzzing cosmopolitan of high rise buildings, ancient temples and glittering nightclubs. While the city is sometimes described as a concrete jungle jam-packed with noisy traffic and air pollution, Bangkok is not without its natural beauty that is seen in its remaining canals, green spaces and flowering tropical plants. The famous tourist street, Khao San Road, is a good place to begin with its cheap shopping, dining and nightlife. Also not to be missed is the sacred Temple of the Emerald Buddha on the grounds of the Grand Palace. Ko Phi Phi Ko Phi Phi is possibly one of Thailand’s most famous archipelagos. It is most notable for a stunning natural bay that was filmed in the movie The Beach, starring Leonardo DiCaprio. But while many come here and have this renowned bay at the top of their to-do list, there are many more reasons to tempt you to Phi Phi beyond Maya Bay. The six islands of Phi Phi are jaw-droppingly beautiful, with pearl-white sand beaches and emerald waters. Spend your days swimming and snorkeling among extraordinary marine life or hire a long tail boat. The surrounding islets like Monkey Beach are worth a visit, home to a plethora of cheeky tree-swinging monkeys.