Travel + Leisure USA - 09.2019

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Nearly 300,000 Travel+Leisure readers voted

Thailand as one of their favorite destinations in

Asia. From Ko Samui’s beach resorts to Chiang Mai’s

luxury mountain havens, T+L readers are impressed

by Thailand’s food, culture, natural beauty, standout

service, and warm hospitality. Here are some of the

must-visit spots from the World’s Best Awards.

CITY & BEACH

For a taste of Thailand’s beaches, head to Hua Hin,

a seaside resort town located about a 2.5-hour

drive or a 4-hour train ride south of Bangkok.

This onetime sleepy fishing village is now a

fashionable escape for well-heeled urbanites

looking to swim, kitesurf, and savor fresh seafood.

You’ll find high-end hotels, golf courses, spas,

and tennis courts, as well as natural gems like the

nearby Pala-ou Waterfall.

ISLAND HOPPING

Heading to the peninsula’s southern reaches, the

Kra Isthmus is a thin strip of land situated between

the Gulf of Thailand to the east and the Andaman

Sea to the west. On the gulf side, Koh Samui is

DISCOVER WHY TRAVEL+LEISURE READERS LOVE THAILAND.

BEYOND

BANGKOK

the country’s second largest island and has become

a hub for ultra-plush wellness resorts, palm-lined

beaches, and outdoor adventure. Relax in high style

at sanctuaries designed for relaxation, pampering, and

general de-stressing. For an easy day trip, pop over to

Koh Phan, a small offshore island, and visit Wat Phra

Yai, a Buddhist temple housing a nearly 40-foot-high

golden Buddha.

On the southwest coast facing the sparkling

Andaman Sea, Krabi is both a province and a town.

It’s famous for its vibrant street food scene, sandy

beaches, and undiscovered vibe. Island-hop through

the stunning Phi Phi Islands, or hide away in Koh Lanta,

an under-the-radar island district home to a national

park spanning several islands, snorkeling nooks, and

a semi-nomadic seafaring group known as the Chao

Leh. Stay in a small luxury hotel tucked between

mountains, one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets.

Midway between mainland Krabi and Phuket in

in Phang Nga Bay, sister islands Koh Yao Noi and 

Koh Yao Yai are quiet escapes known for their

secluded beaches and private-island feel. In the

early 2000s, Koh Yao Noi became a hot spot for its

homestay programs offered by local residents. Today

that hospitality extends to upscale resorts designed

to blend into nature. Off the resort grounds, these

islands are virtually untouched by tourism—you’ll find

water buffalo grazing on the roadside, home-grown

restaurants, and traditional houses.

Beautiful
Railay
peninsula,
Krabi.