Thailand is on most people’s bucket list. It’s the crown jewel of Southeast Asia and offers many exciting things to see or do. If you’ve never done your research into Thailand before, then it might surprise you to learn that this country is actually made up of many islands. There’s the main bulk of Thailand - which borders Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar - plus a smattering of much smaller islands in the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea.
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I'm happy to officially announce that I am headed to Thailand for my first time later this year! I am going with my fiance and his family, as his mom suggested us do a travel group through 100treks. I've never done this before, so I'll be sure to report back about our trip to Thailand and this tour group.
Here are some of the highlights we are going to be doing on our trip:
- Visit Phi Phi Island (yes, from Leonardo Di Caprio's movie The Beach).
- Snorkeling at the Racha Yai islands.
- Visit James Bond Island
- Go on Hong by Starlight, one of the most amazing tours in Phuket.
- Visit an elephant sanctuary and a tiger sanctuary!
- Seeing The Big Buddha, Wat Chalong, Bangla Road, Phuket Old
Town, Night Markets, and other unique things to Phuket.
- Watch a gorgeous sunset from Promthep Cape
- Have a day to do super fun activities such as ziplining, ATV, GoKart, Wakeboarding and even FlowRider Surfing!
- Go to unique Thai night shows such as Siam Niarit, and Simon Cabaret Show .
Of course, before any trip, I always do TONS of research. A lot goes into planning a trip, especially to a foreign country. Even though we are traveling for the first time with a group with a built in itinerary provided for a good amount of the time, I still do my own research.
Unbelievably, there are 1430 islands in total here! Talking about all of them would be insane, and a lot of them aren’t tourist spots anyway. Instead, here are the top three islands to visit during your bucket list trip to Thailand:
Phuket
Everyone knows about Phuket; it’s Thailand’s biggest island and is full of awesome things to do. Most people visit Phuket when they want to experience modern Thai culture. It’s always abuzz with activity and is known for its thriving nightlife and countless restaurants. Despite being a very lively place with plenty of tourists, Phuket also offers some more relaxing and historic experiences.
If you want to see something marvelous, take a trip to Nakkerd Hill, where you’ll find the Phuket Big Buddha. It’s the third-largest statue in Thailand and a masterful work of art. You should also visit Old Phuket Town while you’re here. It’s a lovely portion of the island frozen in time with old architecture painted in beautifully vibrant colors.
Ko Samui
Fancy a five-star experience in Thailand? Jet off to Ko Samui for one of the most luxurious times of your life. This beautiful island is famed for palm-fringed beaches, gorgeous coconut trees, and stunning aquatic life. You can lay back and enjoy the ocean here - or head to the Samui Elephant Kingdom Sanctuary to get up close and personal with these wonderful creatures.
You won’t struggle to find a luxury resort in Samui, as so many are dotted around the island. You’ll enjoy a pampered lifestyle for a few days, and it feels like you’re a movie star while you’re there. Ko Samui has many other things to do and explore - like the countless waterfalls throughout the island.
Ko Lanta
Ko Lanta is a lesser known island in Thailand on its Andaman coast. It doesn’t have the same hustle and bustle of Phuket, nor is it as popular with tourists as Ko Samui. This puts it in the unique position of being one of Thailand’s hidden gems.
Visit this island if you want a more relaxed travel experience in this part of the world. Its idyllic beaches are fringed with colorful coral, while limestone outcrops tower above to make majestic cliffs. It’s an Instagrammer’s dream - and the perfect place to unwind and enjoy the sun, sea, and beaches. There’s also the Mu Ko Lanta National Park, which is home to wild monkeys, jungle trains, and much more.
If you can manage more islands during your Thailand trip, then feel free to explore some of the other beauties around the area. But if three is your maximum limit, you’ve got to go for these. Make sure you bring all your travel essentials, and you’re ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
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