Exploring Satun

Located 973 kilometres from Bangkok, Satun is a very pretty province which can be found on the western coast in the South of Thailand. This small and tranquil province is near the Malaysian – Thai border and has an abundance of pristine nature and mountainous forests with more than eighty beautiful surrounding islands. This is a great place to relax for a while before you head into Malaysian and the province has an interesting mix of Thai and Malay elements to discover.

Most visitors head straight for the unspoiled islands of the Tarutao National Park. This is a landscape full of underwater peaks, exceptional beaches, calm and peaceful coves, jungles and mangrove swamps. There is snorkelling at Ko Lipe, while the neighbouring Ko Adang is stunning with forests, hills and gorgeous waterfalls.

Other stunning islands in the area include Ko Langkawi, Ko Klang, Ko Khai and Ko Rawi, whilst Ko Bulon Leh is very pretty and underdeveloped. Among the main activities on offer are snorkelling, fishing and sea kayaking. The nearby island of Ko Kradan offers couples an unforgettable experience. Every Valentine’s Day, lovers travel to this island to take part in an underwater marriage ceremony.

Other areas of intense natural beauty are the Moo Ko Phetra National Park, Thale Ban National Park and Khao To Phaya Wang Park, whilst sparkling waterfalls can be found all around Satun. Look out for Namtok Than Plio, Namtok Wang Sai Thong, Namtok Than Sawan, Namtok Panan and Namtok Ya Roi.

Satun is an area with an interesting cultural history as it combines elements of tradition Thais, Muslims, Malaysians and the Chao Le, better known as sea gypsies. A good place to find out more about this history is at the Ku Den Museum.

The large number of beautiful and intricately decorated temples also offers an insight into the area. Amongst those to explore are the Satun Central Mosque and Wat Chanathip Chaloem. Also of interest are the old buildings on Buri Wanich Road.

Visitors to Satun will never go hungry as there is a large range of food to satisfy every taste. The province’s speciality is probably its Muslim food, which is some of the best in Thailand. A great place to get a good, cheap meal and watch life unfold around you is at one of the lively night markets.

Don’t miss Narathiwat

Situated on the banks of the Bang Nara River, this friendly province can be found approximately 1,149 kilometres south of Bangkok near the Malaysian border. Malaysia can be reached from Narathiwat though a ninety-minute bus trip, and this is a good place to rest for a day or two before making the crossing.

75 percent of this beautiful province consists of jungles and mountains, and there is a lot for the nature lover to explore. There are also pretty beaches on which to top up your tan and magnificent temples to discover.

The name Narathiwat literally means “the residence of good people” in the Thai language, and visitors will soon find that the area lives up to its name as hospitality is as warm as the weather. The city of Narathiwat has preserved its traditional culture and authenticity and has a feel of village-like tranquillity. The residents of Narathiwat are mainly farmers and fishermen and the majority are Muslim.

If you love nature, a visit to Hala-Bala Wildlife Reserve should be top of the list. Established in 1996, the reserve covers the Sankala Khiri mountain range, Hala forest and Bala forest and is a good place to see a large selection of wildlife. Lucky visitors have the chance to see hornbills, gibbons, the large Thut frogs, and rhinoceroses.

Another area of great natural beauty is the Sirindhorn Peat Swamp Forest Nature Reserve, and you can combine a visit with a trip to the Khao Kong Buddhist Park, which is situated about 9 kilometres from town. Here you will find Wat Khao Kong and the golden Phra Phuttha Thaksin Ming Mongkhon Buddha image sitting in the lotus position atop a mountain. And the park offers spectacular views over the province.

Other interesting temples to explore include Wat Chon Thara Singhe, Wat Choeng Khao, the Old Central Mosque and Taloh-manoh Mosque, while Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace is situated on Tanyongmat Mountain, and contains throne halls decorated with an assortment of trees.

Back to nature, don’t miss the stunning Ao Manao Park, which features a 4 kilometre sandy bay lined with pine forest to explore when you tire of soaking up the sun. Other beaches include Hat Narathat, Kubu Beach-Ban Khlong Tan and the small, peaceful island of Ko Yao.

Partying on Ko Pha-ngan

Take a trip to Koh Lanta

Just a short boat trip away from Phuket, Koh Lanta is comprised of two adjacent islands: Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi. The islands are popular for the beautiful long sandy beaches and are good places for scuba diving.

Koh Lanta Yai is home to the “Chao Le” or sea gypsies, who have preserved their traditional lifestyle and beliefs, such as the custom of setting a boat adrift to drive out evil and bring good luck, which is practiced during the full moon in June and November.

Most of the beaches on Koh Lanta Yai such as Koh Kwang, Khlong Dao, Phra Ae, Khlong Khong, Khlong Nin and Ba Kan Tiang can be found on the west coast of the island. They are easy to reach by road and offer a wide range of accommodation and restaurants.

The area is part of the stunningly beautiful Koh Lanta National Park, which contains 15 islands including Ko Rok Nai, with its very pretty coral reefs. You can camp on Ko Rok Nok and Koh Ha, whilst Ko Talabeng has attractive limestone cliffs, best viewed by taking a long-tail boat tour.

If you are interested in diving and snorkeling, the best place to go is the area around Ko Ha, where you can see sharks, tuna, whale sharks and manta ray.

A good way to explore the islands is to hire a motorbike and drive around at your own pace, stopping at the small stretches of sand as you go. Bikes can be hired easily for between 100-150 baht per day and petrol is very cheap. Walking is also pleasant and there are plenty of places to watch the sunset.

Ban Koh Lanta is also known as ‘Lanta Old Town’. Here you will find wooden stilt houses and shop fronts which are more than 100 years old. While there, pay a visit to Gypsy House, which is an old house made of driftwood. Here you can buy handicrafts and jewelry made on the island.

Tham Khao Maikaeo is a series of pretty limestone caves just waiting to be explored. There is also a large pool to swim in, filled with curious fish. Another interesting cave is Tham Seua, which means Tiger Cave in the Thai language. Here you will find a network of caves to explore, and one particularly interesting way to get there is by going on an elephant trek from the pretty white sand beach of Hat Nui.

Exploring Surat Thani

Surat Thani is the largest province in the south of Thailand and is located 685 kilometres from Bangkok. The name literally means “City of the Good People” in the Thai language and features high plateaus and richly forested mountains, low river basins and numerous pretty little islands. This is the perfect place for losing yourself for a week or two and simply drifting away for awhile.

Surat Thani Province is home to several great tourist destinations, including Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Tao and the stunningly beautiful Ang Thong Marine National Park.

Although to many people the town of Surat Thani is simply a stop off point on the way to one of the area’s beautiful tourist destinations, the town and surrounding area actually has a lot to offer and is worth looking at more closely.

Worth exploring is the tiny village known as Chaiya. In the village you will find Wat Suan Mokkhaphalaram, which is a tranquil forest temple founded by Ajahn Buddhadasa Bhikku, who is perhaps Thailand’s most famous monk. The temple holds monthly meditation retreats, and this is a perfect place to get in touch with your spiritual side and discover a sense of inner peace and harmony.

Also situated in the village is the Chaiya National Museum, which is a good place to discover the area’s interesting history. Another interesting place is the Folklore Museum, which is located around 300 meters from Chaiya, whilst Ban Phumriang is a small handicraft village, which can be found 6 kilometres east of Chaiya.

The stunning Khao Sok National Park features 646 square kilometres of thick rainforest and mountains. With its sparkling waterfalls, mysterious caves and cool lakes, this area has an ancient feel about it. Elephant trekking is a great way to explore, and you can spend the night on a floating lodge if you find yourself reluctant to leave and return to the ‘real’ world straight away.

When it comes to eating, just about anything is possible in this province of plenty. If you love oysters, pay a visit to the Oyster Farms, where you can buy large fresh oysters for a bargain price.

Discover Krabi

Welcome to Krabi, said by many to be the ‘most beautiful province in Thailand’. in the south of Thailand and consists of more than 150 attractive islands and beaches. There is plenty to see and do in this province, and it is easy to lose yourself here for more than a month as you hop from island to island and beach to beach. Popular activities are sea kayaking and canoeing, whilst diving and snorkelling are always popular in Thailand’s crystal clear waters.

Ao Nang is the closest beach to Krabi Town. This area is mainly occupied by large, upmarket beach resorts. You can hire a sea kayak or long-tail boat and explore the uninhabited island of Ko Hong.

Just 6 kilometres away from Ao Nang is the well loved are much talked about Hat Noppharat Thara, which is a famous 3 kilometer long white sandy beach, perfect for taking it easy and soaking up some rays. Elephant trekking is popular in this area, while the hot springs at Khlong Thom are a good place to ease aching muscles. Whilst there, check out the informative Wat Khlong Thom museum.

Railay is perhaps the prettiest beach in this area. This is a great place for rock climbing, and the sunsets at Hat Rai Leh West are spectacular.

There are some interesting limestone cliffs to explore. Tham Phra Nang is named Princess Cave after a local legend. The cave is hidden in the lagoon of Sa Phra Nang (Holy Princess Pool). Climb the cliff top for spectacular views.

Nearby, Tham Phra Nang Nai (Inner Princess Cave) is a series of illuminated caverns of high beauty. A feature point is the unusual ‘stone waterfall’, which is made of sparkling golden quartz.

Khao Phanom Bencha National Park consists of 50 square kilometres of virgin rainforest and a whole host of pretty waterfalls including Nam Tok Huay To, Nam Tok Huay Sadeh and Nam Tok Khlong Haeng and it is possible to swim in most of the waterfalls. The park is also home to the cave of Tham Khao Pheung, which contains stunning shimmering mineral stalactites and stalagmites.

Another area of natural beauty is the large Than Bok Khorani National Park, where caving is the main activity. Caves of interest here include Tham Hua Kalok, Tham Lawt and Tham Sa Yuan Thong.

Hop on over to Koh Samui

Located in Surat Thani Province in the south of Thailand, Ko Samui is Thailand’s third largest island and has an area of 228.7 square kilometers. Ko Samui is a very popular tourist destination and has much to offer. There are several beaches located around the island, all with distinctly different characters set to appeal to different desires, entertainment needs and paces of life.

Hat Chaweng is the island’s longest and most popular beach. This area is party central and you will find restaurants catering to every taste, large beach bars and theme pubs and clubs. Although not as large as those on Ko Pha-ngan, there are often lively beach parties at Chaweng, especially around the full moon.

Also popular is Hat Lamai, which is famous for the Grandfather and Grandmother rocks and the slightly seedier night life.

Hat Bophut is a quiet and romantic fisherman’s village. This area is relaxed and more traditional than the larger communities, and has a number of very good French-owned cafes and restaurants.

Nearby, Ao Bang Po is a quiet bay perfect for snorkeling, swimming and meditation, whilst Ao Tong Takian is a small cove north of Lamai beach. Also known as Silver Beach, this is a good place for people who crave tranquility.

Bang Rak, is situated just two kilometers east of Bophut. The big attraction in this area is the 19-metre gold tinted statue of Lord Buddha, which overlooks the entire bay. Climb the steps to the top for an excellent view over the island.

Getting to Ko Samui is pretty simple as there is a large airport on the island with regular flights from Bangkok. The flight takes just over an hour, or you can choose to travel by train or air-conditioned bus to Surat Thani and then take the ferry.

Take a trip to Koh Phi Phi

An area of incredible natural beauty situated in Krabi Province, there are actual two main islands of Ko Phi Phi; Ko Phi Phi Don and Ko Phi Phi Leh. The Phi Phi Islands are believed by many to be among the most beautiful tropical islands in the world and have become one of Thailand’s most popular tourist attractions.

Ko Phi Phi Don is the area’s tourist hub. This is where you will find the majority of the hotels, beach bungalows, bars and restaurants. Ko Phi Phi Don covers an area of 28 square kilometres and features the twin bays of Ao Ton Sai and Ao Lo Da Lam with their stunning curving white sandy beaches, the perfect picture of an exotic tropical paradise. A great way to get an idea of the island’s true beauty is to tackle the 1000 foot vertical climb to Viewpoint. Although slightly challenging, the climb, which takes you through a lush leafy jungle, and the view more than make up for it.

There are many interesting activities to engage in on Koh Phi Phi Don, and it is easy to spend a week or more there. Fire jugglers and beach bars make up the evening entertainment, and there are plenty of restaurants showing western movies throughout the day and late into the night. There is dancing on the beach most nights. To experience a true touch of hedonism, visit the island around the full moon.

The sunset yoga classes on the beach are a good way to unwind, and you can learn a new skill and impress your friends by taking Thai cookery classes.

When it comes to food, just about every taste can be catered for, whether you fancy a fish barbecue on the beach, an all-you-can-eat feast or traditional Thai cooking. There is also a small market where you can eat with the locals at dramatically reduced prices and this is a good place to buy fresh fruit.

The clear waters, beautiful coral and colourful fish mean that the area is popular for diving and snorkelling, whilst many visit the island to climb the limestone cliffs. Boat trips are extremely popular and are usually combined with snorkelling and a visit to the extremely striking island of Ko Phi Phi Leh.

Meet the ladies of the Simon Cabaret

One of the most interesting and unique evenings that that Phuket has to offer, the Simon Cabaret show is a vibrant song and dance show that features some of the best ladyboys in the business strutting their stuff on stage.

However, while this I one of Thailand’s biggest and brightest transvestite shows, there is no seedy side to the show and this is something that all the family can enjoy. In fact, the nightly audiences generally comprise a broad spectrum of people, including young couples, families and work colleagues of every nationality.

The stage shows are simply spectacular as they feature lavishly decorated stage sets. The performers step onto the stage dressed in amazing outfits and are the envy of every woman in the audience. While the musical numbers are mimed, the elaborate dance moves that accompany them are step perfect and not a toe is out of place.

Shows are held twice each night at 19:30 and again at 21:30. Advanced booking is essential and the Simon Cabaret shows are extremely popular. Bookings can be made through the website: www.phuket-simoncabaret.com or by calling +66 76 340437 and the address is 8 Sirirach Road, Patong Beach, Phuket 83150

The festivals of Phuket

While vibrant festivals are held all over Thailand, they often seem to be at their biggest and brightest and people travel to Phuket from all over Thailand as well as much further afield to witness the fun of these special events. As well as national festivals, Phuket has a number of its own unique festivals. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Phuket Gay Mardi Gras Festival

Usually held in April, this festival mainly takes place around Patong and features a vibrant parade of ladyboys wearing wild costumes.

Phuket Bike Week

Bikers from all over Thailand parading through parts of Phuket and the festival features a week of events related to motorbikes.

Phuket Race Week

One of two sailing regattas that are held in Phuket, this event attracts international racing class yachts as well plus lots of local amateurs at the Evanson Resort Marina.

Phuket Fireworks display

This spectacular affair is best enjoyed from the top of Rung Hill near Phuket town.

Phuket Annual Vegetarian festival

One of Phuket’s weirdest and wildest festivals features parades through the streets and stalls selling delicious vegetarian food for a total of ten days in October.

Patong Carnival

Put on your glad rags and join in the fun of this lively festival, which features parades, beauty competitions, water sports and plenty of eating and drinking in central Patong over a weekend in early November.