Southern Thailand and Andaman Coast attractions

Known for its limestone rock formations rising out of the turquoise Andaman Sea, the protected Ao Phang Nga National Marine Park covers a large swathe of water in southern Thailand. Many visitors come to the area to enjoy the scenery and take part in watersports.

The prominence of Phuket’s beaches and out islands mean that Phuket Old Town is often overlooked. Yet, it offers a wealth of 19th-century architectural delights and fantastic photo ops. Beside the latticed windows of Malay-style shop-front buildings on Soi Rommanee, Old Phuket Town boasts temples, museums, and restaurants.

Phranang Beach is a sweeping curve of pale gold sand that’s backed by limestone cliffs and overlooked by the distinctly-shaped Chicken Island. Phra Nang Cave (Princess Cave) features a one-of-a-kind fertility shrine, while bioluminescent plankton create spectacular night-time effects when conditions are right.

As the most significant of Phuket’s 29 Buddhist temples, Wat Chalong attracts hundreds of visitors daily. A mountain backdrop emphasizes a golden spire, while wall paintings inside each temple depict vibrant Buddhist images. The main stupa, known as the Grand Pagoda, is said to harbor a splinter of the Buddha’s bone.

Surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and backed by thick forest, the interconnected fairy-tale beaches of Railay (Rai Leh) are accessible only by boat. The four beaches—Tonsai, Phra Nang, East Railay, and West Railay—offer powder-soft white sand, clear calm waters, and a decidedly bohemian vibe perfect for those looking to get away from it all.

Part of the tiny Poday archipelago off the coast of Krabi, Poda Island (Koh Poda) ranks among the most pristine of the islands that line the coast. Dramatic limestone formations are visible from the white sands of the beach and a nearby coral reef provides excellent snorkeling.

Step into the tropical forests of Phang Nga to visit one of southern Thailand’s most important temples, Cave Temple (Wat Suwan Kuha). Commonly known as the Cave Temple, it sits inside a large cave complex and features many religious statues—the most prominent being the 50-foot (15-meter) golden reclining Buddha in the Tam Yai cave.

Big, brash, and bold, Patong is a high-energy resort on the west coast of Phuket, Thailand. Patong Beach, a deep stretch of white sand on a crescent bay, holds natural charms. But many head here for the restaurants, cabarets, dance shows, Thai boxing matches, and the loud and lively nightlife that draws travelers young and old alike.

Just south of bustling Ko Lanta is the picturesque Thai island of Koh Kradan (Ko Kradan). Most of Kradan island is a national park—perfect for hikers—and the 1.25 miles (2 kilometers) of sandy beach offer visitors a serene place to relax. Plus Koh Kradan is surrounded by crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, great for divers and snorkelers.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park covers an area of 83 square miles (134 square kilometers). Encompassing a range of popular, well-maintained diving spots, the area is a rewarding place to explore for those willing or eager to get off the beaten track.

Jutting out into the Andaman Sea, crowned with a lighthouse and an elephant shrine, Promthep Cape (Laem Phromthep) is Phuket’s southernmost point. Sweeping views over sparkling waters, rugged islands, sailing boats, sugar palms, and maybe even a paraglider or two make the headland a favorite photo stop, particularly around sunset.

Thailand’s Similan Islands National Park (Mu Ko Similan National Park), a group of 11 islands in the Andaman Sea, is one of the most pristine places in the world for diving. The islands boast picturesque landscapes with white-sand beaches, large granite rocks jutting out from the earth, dense jungles teeming with diverse fauna and flora, and crystal-clear azure waters.

Racha Island (Raya Island) is, in fact, two islands—Ko Racha Yai and Ko Racha Noi—both known for their excellent snorkeling and diving. Whether for day-long underwater exploring trips or stays of a few days to relax on the unspoiled beaches, the southern Thai islands are popular with water sports enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Not far from Krabi sits Pa Phru Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam (Thai for “canal of two waters”, a natural area where freshwater springs meet saltwater mangrove forests. It’s popular with kayakers, but worth visiting even if you just want to take a stroll, with boardwalks lined with wooden chairs above the water offering great views.

The Krabi area is famous for its towering limestone cliffs, idyllic beaches, and peaceful mangrove forests, and Ao Thalane (Thalane Bay represents one of the most beautiful mangrove forests in all of Thailand. On this stretch of coast, dense mangroves shroud the karsts and cliffs, hiding caves, small inlets, and secluded lagoons.

This eclectic strip of bars, discos, shops, and attractions is the epicenter of entertainment in Patong. It offers a taste of local traditions and access to plenty of Western amenities, such as high-end boutiques in the modern Bangla Mall and restaurants that serve everything from pizza to pad thai.

As one of the most glamorous cabaret shows in southern Thailand, the Simon Cabaret is a must for fans of glitz and drama. Shows are a flamboyant combination of costumed transgender performers, traditional Thai dance and music, and comedy routines. After the show, you’ll have the opportunity to meet the stars and take photos.

With hot spring pools flowing through landscaped grounds in graceful cascades, Wareerak Hot Spring Spa (formally, Wareerak Hot Spring & Wellness is a serene haven for relaxation. Available treatments range from hot-stone massage to Thai traditional medicine at the day spa or check in for a multi-day detox, yoga, or wellness retreat.

Though only a 10-minute boat ride from the bustle of Patong, Freedom Beach feels like a remote island. Known as Hidden Beach, the white sands of Freedom Beach offer a far quieter alternative to Phuket’s other beaches. Forested hills, palm trees, and translucent waters provide a scenic backdrop to the sands.

Located midway between Phuket and Krabi in Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay, Koh Yao Noi (Ko Yao Noi) is replete with mangrove forests and white-sand beaches. While the primarily Muslim island is home to a few high-end resorts and restaurants, it offers a much more relaxed alternative to its rowdy neighbors.

An acrobatic, dramatic journey through Thai history and culture, performed in a 1,740-seat theater, the Siam Niramit Phuket stage show is a visual feast. Around 100 performers in gorgeous, ever-changing costumes explore ancient kingdoms, Buddhist hell, traditional festivals, and more, backed by epic effects and sumptuous sets.

The calls of birds and monkeys can be heard throughout the leafy Ton Pariwant Wildlife Sanctuary, a 139-square-mile (224-square-kilometer forest in the southern province of Phang Nga. Hidden beneath the low-lying mountain forest are ATV trails, ziplines, boardwalks, and the bubbling Klong Song Phrek River.

Sister island to Koh Yao Noi, Koh Yao Yai (also written Ko Yao Yai) is an unspoiled gem that sprawls amid the karst seascapes of Phang Nga Bay (Ao Phang Nga). The coast offers white sand beaches, fishing villages (many on stilts), and mangrove forests; inland are timeless landscapes of orchards, rice fields, and rubber plantations.

One of a number of stadiums in Patong dedicated to the martial art of muay thai (Thai boxing), the 350-capacity Patong Boxing Stadium offers fights three nights a week. Fighters come from all around the globe, and the stadium hosts men’s, women’s, and junior bouts, including title matches. Drinks, french fries, and popcorn are for sale.

Set in the 3,000-seat Palace of the Elephants Theater at the Thai-themed Phuket FantaSea amusement park, the family-friendly Fantasy of a Kingdom stage show treats guests to a mythical story that combines traditional Thai dance, music, and costumes with colorful special effects, magical illusions, and pyrotechnics.

Kata Beach is both the name of a small town on Phuket’s west coast and its popular beach. The mile- (1.5 kilometer-) long, picture-perfect crescent of sand is lined with shade-giving trees and seafood restaurants and is a go-to spot for sun worshippers, families, and water sports enthusiasts.

Sold around the globe, Chalong Bay Rum is Thailand’s best-known rum brand. At the Chalong Bay Rum Distillery in Phuket, travelers can go behind-the-scenes to discover how the facility uses centuries-old French distillation techniques to transform freshly pressed sugarcane into smooth white rum.

While Krabi might bring to mind images of idyllic beaches, Ao Luk is more about the jungle, especially within Than Bok Khorani National Park. Here, you’ll find trails, waterfalls, caves, mangrove forests, and the swimmable Bok Khorani pond. The park also contains a series of small islands popular for kayaking, snorkeling, and diving.

Put yourself at the heart of the action in Phuket Trickeye Museum, one of the optical illusion galleries that have taken Asia by storm. Large-scale paintings turn 2D into 3D and deliver hilarious selfies. Scale a waterfall, extinguish a blazing superhero, cling to the ceiling to escape an alligator, or get the boot from a giant foot.

Encircled by jungle-clad mountains and lapped by turquoise waters, Nai Harn Beach is a far cry from the crowded shores of Patong. The horseshoe-shaped bay is home to only a few hotels and restaurants, which allows the beach to maintain a quiet charm—it's also a prime place to go kitesurfing or windsurfing.