The Gulf of Thailand is the area where Thai tourism began in resorts like Pattaya and Hua Hin and it has continued in the idyllic offshore islands like Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan. Resorts here span the entire spectrum of budget and taste from cheap to expensive, backpacker style to six star luxury, quiet and idyllic to brash and boisterous. The islands themselves differ too. Koh Samui is by far the most developed and a good choice if you want a lively holiday with good beaches and a big choice of activities and facilities. Koh Tao is much quieter and extremely popular with divers and watersports enthusiasts. Koh Phangan still has a backpacker flavour to it - reflected in its Full Moon Parties and simple accommodation. Diving is very popular on all the islands and there are some excellent sites and many operators.
Koh Samui This beautiful island off southeastern Thailand is covered with coconut plantations and circled by palm-fringed beaches. Like Phuket, it was once an 'untouched' backpackers' mecca, but is now well on its way to becoming a fully-fledged tourist resort with hotels ranging from the basic to six star luxury. The most popular beaches are Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai: both have good swimming and snorkelling but are getting a little crowded. For more peace and quiet, try Mae Nam, Bo Phut and Big Buddha on the northern coast. The main town on the island is Na Thon. Diving: The Samui archipelago has just about everything....... except wrecks, however there are some spectacular caves and swim-throughs offering similar experience to wreck diving. Note: The Whaleshark migration takes place in spring but they're seen sporadically throughout the year, as are humpback, minke and pilot whales. Several species of shark are seen regularly, as are turtles, sea snakes and the notorious titan triggerfish; the latter being an aquatic 'pit-bull' (it can be comical when they attack someone else, but quite daunting when you're on the receiving end!) Samui caters for non divers too, they can participate in a number of activities, including; Frizbee golf (a 'golf' course through jungle using frizbees), Thai cookery classes, beach activities, various zoological centres, jungle trekking, elephant safari and a conventional golf course. You're advised to bring an international drivers permit (available from provincial post offices in UK or from the AA at a cost of ?5.50) if you intend to drive. 'Chicken-chasers' (small motorbikes) should be avoided (Samui has the highest RTA rate in the entire kingdom, most of which involve motorbikes). Note: Jeeps cost around THB 800-1200 per day. Rooms vary from THB 300 to THB 5000 per night depending on taste/budget.
Koh Phangan Koh Phangan is located in the Gulf of Siam a little north of Koh Samui. About 75% of the island is mountains covered by tropical jungle. The island is famous for its "Full Moon Parties" which still continue. However these days there are many tourists of all types on the island, who come for the fabulous beaches and the exotic coconut grove scenery. The main town is Thong Sala where you will find a good range of shops and restaurants. There are no large hotels on the island but there are small guest houses and bungalows for rent. Many of the beaches are still undeveloped, but this is likely to change.
