Thailand boasts some of the most beautiful beaches along its southern coasts. Some of these beaches are along the coast, others are out on the many islands that are a short boat ride away. In the Thai language, Koh, pronounced /gok/ ~ without actually pronouncing the ‘k’ as a hard /k/, is literally translated to ‘island.’ The more affluent locals flock to the beaches during holidays, making a coastal vacation the most popular among the Thai. During other times of the year, many tourists from all over the world visit the popular Thai beaches for some rest and relaxation, climbing adventures, or simply to relax at one of the many spa resorts available.
Phuket Island
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand and is a popular tourist destination. Despite the damage caused by the tsunami of 2004, rebuilding began almost immediately. Patong Beach, a popular, commercial stretch of gentle-sloping sand was hit and several blocks worth of water came spilling on land, reaching the second floor in many buildings. Many businesses opened back up within three to four months creating an extraordinarily short recovery time. Within a year, the area was pretty much back to normal.
The attraction to Phuket begins with the long, white-sand beaches that stretch along its west coast where there are a series of bays for beach-lovers. These little bays allow people to enjoy smaller, more intimate sections of beach rather than one giant one.
There are a vast array of activities for people to participate in, ranging from fishing and boating to hiking and swimming. Sea kayaking is fun to do as you can explore the tall limestone walls and go into some underwater caves at the right time of day. There are also people on waverunners and jet skis having a blast in the sun.
The most crowded, commercial area in Phuket is Patong Beach, where tourists swarm for cheap bargains and interesting nightlife activities. Kamala Beach is a much quieter spot for those who desire true rest and relaxation. Kata Bay is usually teeming with activity as it houses Club Med. Nai Thong Beach is one of the quietest spots on the island, away from the tourists and visited mostly by the local Thais.