last edited Dec 11, 2019
What to See in Southern Thailand
Contributionsversion #1created Dec 11, 2019Latest contributions in this guideContributors to this guide
Location
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Southern Thailand has no sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Cities and Cultural Heritage
Warning: The far south of the country, from Hat Yai to the Malaysian border, is currently advised against for security reasons by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Ban Krut :
- Cha-am :
- Chaiya :
- Chumphon :
- Hua Hin :
- Khao Lak :
- Krabi :
- Ranong :
Islands and Archipelagos
- Ko Lanta :
- Ko Lipe :
- Ko Samui :
- Ko Tao :
- Phuket :
- Tarutao :
Natural Heritage
Must-see & highly recommended
Phang Nga Bay
★★★★ Between Phuket and Krabi, the town of Phang Nga is renowned for its bay, one of the most beautiful in Southeast Asia. This unique landscape…
Recommended
Ang Thong
★★★ This archipelago forms the national marine park of the same name and is popular with visitors for its landscapes, including cliffs and…
Similan Islands
★★★ Offshore in the Andaman Sea, this national-park archipelago is renowned, beyond its beaches, as one of the world’s top diving spots…
Ko Lipe
★★★ A small island in the Andaman Sea near Malaysia, inhabited by the Sea Gypsies. It is known for its white-sand beaches and diving…
Ko Phi Phi
★★★ These are actually two islands—Ko Phi Phi Don (the larger, inhabited one) and its satellite Ko Phi Phi Leh (uninhabited)—which…
Ko Tao
★★★ Once a penal colony, the island has become the world’s diving mecca. Ko Tao is also a favorite spot for deep-sea fishing enthusiasts.
Khao Luang National Park
★★★ Beautiful landscapes, the highest point in southern Thailand (1,835 m), waterfalls, forests, and orchids offering a stunning setting for…
Khao Sok National Park
★★★ One of the country's most beautiful parks, renowned for its landscapes, caves, and waterfalls, as well as its rich wildlife (birds…
Tarutao
★★★ A group of around fifty islands forming the marine park of the same name. The area is known not only for its beaches and landscapes but…
Worth a look / Other
Ban Krut
★★ A small seaside resort on the Gulf of Thailand coast, primarily frequented by local rather than international tourists.
Ton Nga Chang Waterfalls
★★ Located about thirty kilometres from Hat Yai, these waterfalls are among the most impressive in the country.
Surin Islands
★★ These five islands form a national park open only from mid-November to mid-May. Like many others in the region, the site is renowned for…
Khao Lak
★★ This cluster of villages along the west coast forms a seaside resort renowned for its beautiful beaches. It's also the departure point for…
Ko Lanta
★★ Part of an archipelago that shares its name, Ko Lanta actually consists of two islands connected by a bridge. Its main attractions are its…
Ko Samui
★★ Located just below Ko Pha Ngan, this is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand and the third-largest in the country. It’s also…
Krabi
★★ A major tourist hub, known more for its location and services for the Andaman Sea islands than for its own attractions, though there are…
Kaeng Krachan National Park
★★ Thailand’s largest national park. Amidst stunning landscapes, it is home to a rich wildlife, including tigers and elephants. Several…
Phetchaburi
★★ The capital of the province of the same name, Phetchaburi is one of Thailand’s oldest cities. For tourists, it offers several temples…
Phuket
★★ With its beaches, diving spots, varied landscapes, and fishing villages, Phuket is the country’s best-known beach resort…
Cha-am
★ This is a beach resort on the Gulf of Thailand, more popular with Bangkok residents than with foreign tourists.
Chaiya
★ Touristically, this small town near Surat Thani has several temples and archaeological sites.
Chumphon
★ While the surrounding coast will delight beach and diving enthusiasts, Chumphon offers few tourist attractions beyond its national museum…
Hat Yai-Songkhla
★ Two distinct cities often associated due to their proximity. Their tourist appeal is limited (especially considering security concerns)…
Hua Hin
★ Thailand’s oldest beach resort... despite what its waterfront might suggest. It remains very popular.
Ko Pha Ngan
★ One of the islands in the Gulf of Thailand, known for its beaches and especially its "Full Moon Party". Snorkeling is also popular here.
Nakhon Si Thammarat
★ One of Thailand's oldest cities and the second largest in the southern part of the country. Touristically, Nakhon boasts several remnants…
Thale Ban National Park
★ Located on the border with Malaysia (not always the safest), the area is known for its landscapes, waterfalls, and caves.
Ranong
★ While the surrounding area offers some beautiful landscapes, the main appeal of the city lies in its location at the Burmese border…
Surat Thani
★ With no particular tourist appeal, the city is purely a stopover for the islands of the Gulf of Thailand. This is indeed where the ferries…
- Phuket
- Ang Thong
- Ko Tao
- Tarutao
- Ko Lanta
- Ko Pha Ngan
- Ko Samui
- Ko Lipe
- Ko Phi Phi
- Similan Islands
- Surin Islands
- Thale Ban National Park
- Ban Krut
- Kaeng Krachan National Park
- Khao Luang National Park
- Khao Sok National Park
- Cha-am
- Chaiya
- Chumphon
- Hua Hin
- Khao Lak
- Krabi
- Phang Nga Bay
- Phetchaburi
- Hat Yai-Songkhla
- Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Ranong
- Surat Thani
- Ton Nga Chang Waterfalls