Dramatic limestone caves, private lagoons, and coconut cocktails are just some of the hallmarks of the Thailand islands that attract travellers from across the globe. Though most of Thailand’s southern coastal regions fringe the Gulf of Thailand, it’s the smaller coastline touching the Andaman Sea that visitors flock to in droves. The waters of Phang Nga Bay that stretch between Phuket and Krabi are where a uniquely Thai version of paradise can be found. A choose-your-own-adventure kind of area, travellers are free to choose the precise tempo of their sun-soaked holiday. Whilst some may choose to flop on a beach, engaging in nothing more strenuous than a massage on a sun-lounge or a drift in the sea, others may find themselves experimenting with fragrant herbs in a traditional Thai cooking class or trekking to the top of mountain peaks to marvel at ancient religious sites. A thailand cruise need not confine you to the space of a boat, with most Thailand boat tours navigating the ocean for just a few hours every other day, offering plenty of time on land in between and overnight.

The incredible Phuket diving scene has put scuba diving in Thailand on the international stage, most notably with the mystical underwater statues found in Siam Bay by the island of Ko Racha Yai, less than 20 kilometres south of mainland Phuket. If seeing submerged religious monuments and stone elephants doesn’t satiate your underwater needs, a journey can be made further south in search of the elusive whale sharks known to visit Richelieu Rock. For many, a trip to Thailand is scarcely complete without attending an infamous full moon party. For this the island of Koh Phangan is where to go, best counterbalanced by a bout of mellow beach time on the postcard perfect Koh Yao Noi. No matter how you choose to tackle the multidimensional coastal regions of Thailand you are in for a holiday treat.