Ang Thong Marine National Park
Gulf Islands
Known officially as Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine National Park, this series of jungle-covered islands – the inspiration for Alex Garland’s cult classic novel,…
Must-see attractions in Ko Samui & the Lower Gulf
Songkhla Province
Wander through narrow historic streets where quaint old houses in the Sino-Portuguese style rub shoulders with traditional wooden Chinese buildings. Some…
Ko Samui
Spilling down from the island's highest points, this is the first of two waterfalls – close to each other – that are lovely in full spate, pouring frigid…
Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihaan
Nakhon Si Thammarat
The most important wát in southern Thailand, stunning Wat Phra Mahathat Woramahawihaan (simply known as Mahathat) boasts an imposing 77m white chedi …
Nakhon Si Thammarat
If you want to really understand Nakhon, this is the place. A series of interconnected rooms housing stunning artefacts with detailed displays in Thai and…
Songkhla Province
The tomb of Songkhla's most famous sultan, revered by local Muslims and Buddhists, sits beneath the shade of two intertwining trees in a serene cemetery…
Hat Yai
Located 7km northeast of Hat Yai, this huge, green oasis of hilly, landscaped gardens is home to several stunning temples, an observatory, southern…
Surat Thani
Park up in impressive Wat Bang Mai Bai, and cross the river along the tiny bridge with an ornate green and gold archway to enter a network of pathways…
Ko Pha-Ngan
This lovely beach of leaning coconut trees has the royal seal of approval, literally. Behind the collection of shacks that line the sands and azure waters…
Hat Yai
Túk-túk drivers and tour operators all over Hat Yai will offer tours to this vibrant and colourful weekend floating market that straddles the river Mae…
Songkhla Province
This stunning Chinese-style mansion was built in 1878 for Phraya Sundranurak, the vice governor of Songkhla, and is home to 12 rooms where displays – in…
Ko Tao
With crystal-clear waters and superb snorkelling, pretty Ao Tanot on the east coast also affords excellent rock-jumping opportunities from the huge…
Ko Samui
This concentration of narrow Chinese shophouses in Bo Phut has been transformed into cool boutique hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars. The accompanying…
Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
For a real escape, head as far down the main beach road as you can, till it joins the 4073, and turn left to follow the coast further south past Hat Nai…
Ko Tao
These three lovely islands off the northwest coast of Ko Tao are linked together by a sandbar, with superb views from the island's highest points. Boats…
Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
Known for beautiful hiking trails, cool streams, waterfalls and wildlife, this national park, named after the tallest mountain in the south, is a soaring…
Ko Pha-Ngan
This lovely, secluded cove has a stretch of soft sand overlooked by green hills and is a superb choice for a relaxing day of swimming and snorkelling…
Ang Thong Marine National Park
This viewpoint might just be the most stunning vista in all of Thailand. From the top, visitors will have sweeping views of the jagged islands nearby as…
Ko Samui & the Lower Gulf
The tallest seated-Buddha image in southern Thailand is at Wat Khao Kong, 8km southwest of town on the way to the train station in Tanyongmat. Located in…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Nam Tok Phaeng is protected by a national park and is a pleasant reward after a short but rough hike. After the waterfall (dry out of season), it's a…
Shrine of Our Lady Guanyin Phangan
Ko Pha-Ngan
This colourful Chinese temple cascades down a serene jungle-covered mountainside overlooking the Island's green canopy. Dedicated to Guanyin, the Buddhist…
Ko Pha-Ngan
Thrusting 54m into the heavens near Wat Pho, Ko Pha-Ngan's tallest Yang Na Yai (dipterocarpus alatus; ยางนา), said to be over 400 years old, is an…
Ko Samui
At Samui’s northern end is Wat Phra Yai. Erected in 1972, the modern golden Buddha (sitting in the Mara posture) stands 15m high surveying an area…
Ko Pha-Ngan
The oldest temple on the island, Wat Phu Khao Noi or 'temple of small mountain', near the hospital in Thong Sala, is believed to have been founded by…
Ko Pha-Ngan
With resident female monks, Wat Khao Tham, near Ban Tai, sits in shade among the trees high up on a hill. A bulletin board details meditation retreats at…
Ko Samui
At the south end of Hat Lamai, you’ll find these infamous genitalia-shaped stone formations (also known as Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks) providing…
Ko Samui
Framed against the sea, Laem Sor Pagoda, at the southern end of Samui, is home to an intriguing, highly venerated old Srivijaya-style stupa with scenic…
Ko Samui
The (high) entrance fee here reflects visitors desire to support a project genuinely caring for rescued elephants, and the half-day experience is more an…
Songkhla Province
This quaint mosque built in 1850 sits in Songkhla's historic Muslim area, displaying fascinating architectural features. The gabled roof, that once…
Ko Samui
This photogenic green and gold, domed mosque, built in the Mughal style, sits in the heart of Ko Samui's historic Muslim village. Arrive outside of prayer…
Nakhon Si Thammarat Central Mosque
Nakhon Si Thammarat
This huge, golden-domed mosque on the outskirts of Nakhon Si Thammarat is a big statement that you are now very much entering Thailand's Muslim southern…
Orthodox Church of the Ascension
Ko Samui
Ridiculously photogenic, this beautiful, baby blue, Russian orthodox church with gold onion domes (similar to the nearby mosque) sits halfway up a…
Ko Samui
The lush jungle-covered hills surrounding the bright yellow onion domes of this tiny mosque is an idyllic picture. Built in 2013 by Imam Adam, for the…
Nakhon Si Thammarat
There are two styles of local shadow puppets: năng đà·lung and năng yài. At just under 1m tall, the former feature movable appendages and parts; the…
Ko Samui
This vibrant little village is home to Ko Samui's historic Muslim community, where the headscarf and pâh sîn (male sarong) count peaks. You get a genuine…
Songkhla Province
A train enthusiast's dream. Start by walking north along partially dismantled tracks to locate the original station sign, then wander through the…
Songkhla Province
Stroll this beautiful strip of white sand, especially at sundown to enjoy the kite-flying and admire the bronze Mermaid sculpture, in tribute to Mae…
Ko Tao
The only gallery on Ko Tao displays the photography of long term resident Chris Clarke who specialises in capturing the island's stunning night sky,…
Ko Tao
In the lee of the headland, this secluded and sheltered little white-sand beach in the middle of the east coast, north of Ao Tanot, is a delightful place…
Hat Yai
High up on the hills overlooking Hat Yai in the municipal park this cable car offers stunning panoramic views over Songkhla Province as it climbs from the…
