The islands are a powerhouse of Thai tourism.
Island jewels of the Kingdom, they are shared between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
You still have to choose carefully which one to approach.
Because each has its particularities: some are tourist nests, others preserved and claimed deserts.
Non-exhaustive overview to make the right choice, according to your desires.
From this selection, we have deliberately excluded Phuket, overhyped and saturated with tourists.
Further east, we recommend a stay in Koh Mak and Koh Kut, near Koh Chang, two gems already mentioned in these columns.
Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe can also be on the
traveler's ideal “
to do list ” in Thailand
.
Koh Chang: the most controversial
The Klong Phlu waterfalls, in the west of the island.
AdobeStock
Mixed feeling for one of the largest islands in the country after Phuket.
But the variety of panoramas and the hotel offer allow everyone to find something for themselves.
Many Russians have made it their favorite land in Asia.
Some beaches transform into open-air nightclubs in the evening, sometimes lined with snacks and kebabs, a far cry from Thai culinary standards.
On the other hand, Koh Chang, literally “the island of elephants”, has long taken advantage of the pachyderm to amuse tourists, with cases of animal abuse underlying it.
We are moving further today towards the protection and preservation of the elephant.
However, to the west, the beaches (Lonely Beach, Bailan, etc.), the Klong Phlu waterfalls, the Klong Prao temple and its night market are a great alternative to relaxing.
To the east, a stroll above the mangrove, a visit to the fishing village of Salak Phet or a snorkeling trip
to
discover the seabed of the protected park.
Getting there:
by boat, from the province of Trat, to the Laem Sok pier, allow two hours and around fifteen euros.
Koh Pha Ngan: the most festive
An hour by boat from Ko Samui, the island is a paradise for hikers and partygoers.
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Located opposite Koh Samui, an hour by boat, it offers a double face.
The north coast offers wild landscapes of jungle, mountains and deserted beaches.
It is a hikers' paradise with its marked paths.
To the south, another atmosphere: it's the Full Moon Party, with hundreds of revelers drenched in
bukkets
(buckets) of beer and techno decibels.
Getting there:
the quickest, by plane to Ko Samui, then allow 20 minutes by boat.
Koh Phi Phi: the most cinematic
Aerial view of Ko Phi Phi, an island which offers many activities between the jungle and its sublime beaches.
DR
It is divided between two main islands: Koh Phi Phi and Phi Phi Ley.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Virginie Ledoyen lit up the site in the film
The Beach
.
It is now a world-famous place, with its price to pay: overcrowding.
The legendary beach which stretches across Maya Bay is located on the island of Phi Phi Ley.
Almost invisible and almost entirely naturally closed by its karst cliffs, the bay is completely uninhabited and it is the tourists who storm the site.
So much so that the authorities had to ban access in 2019. It then welcomed nearly 6,000 visitors.
It has since been reopened, in 2022, but with visitor quotas.
Ko Phi Phi was hit hard by the 2004 tsunami, but it was able to rebuild and remains one of the most popular places in the country, with its bars,
resorts
and restaurants.
And its many activities: treks in the jungle, swimming on sublime beaches, scuba diving,
snorkeling
(fins, mask and snorkel) or motor boat rides.
Getting there:
direct flights Paris-CDG – Phuket or Krabi (or via Bangkok) with Thaï Airways.
Or by boat from Krabi (via Bangkok).
Koh Samui: the most French
Lively villages, sandy beaches, restaurants and natalia_maroz - stock.adobe.com
His strong point?
Certainly its airport, which connects Bangkok, the north of the country or even Phuket to the island, a flagship destination for Thai tourism.
You will hear a lot of French spoken there because many expatriates have chosen Ko Samui to settle in Thailand.
Lively villages, fine sandy beaches, restaurants and
resorts
galore, the island is overflowing with
farangs
(tourists).
However, to enjoy moments of calm, the south and north-east allow you to escape the hustle and bustle of Chaweng Beach, the legendary beach of Ko Samui - in reality a series of bungalows which attracts visitors from all over the world.
Be careful, we are far from authentic Thailand.
Getting there:
the plane is the quickest way from the continent.
Allow around 1 hour flight from Bangkok and around a hundred euros per person.
The boat also offers numerous connections with the continent (around thirty euros).
Koh Tao: our palm of gold
An upturned palm tree, on the beach of Koh Tao, “golden palm” of this selection.
ONT / Press photo
North of Kho Pha Ngan, accessible in 1 hour by boat (2 hours from Samui), Koh Tao is known as the “diving island” in Thailand.
In fact, it attracts a number of underwater enthusiasts, while maintaining its calm, alternative and friendly character.
It is to the west, on Hat Sairee beach, that we find the animation and nightlife.
To the north and east, many wild and superb coves.
The destination offers numerous opportunities for divers to explore magnificent reefs, wrecks, caves, and to encounter barracudas, rays and whale sharks.
The island is renowned for its warm, clear waters, its underwater depths and the excellent value for money of the diving clubs.
The other side of the coin: the sites suffer from very high attendance, to say the least…
Getting there:
bus, boats, ferry, from Bangkok, Ko Samui, Krabi or Phuket.
Please note, this is one of the most expensive islands in Thailand and it is imperative to book well in advance of your stay.