Thailand islands names. Islands of Thailand: description and photos

16.08.2020

Thailand - the country of a thousand islands

Samui

The second largest island in the country, which can be reached either by plane from Koh Samui, since there is a small private airport on Koh Samui, or first by train or bus from the same capital, and then by ferry. Moreover, the latter option will cost the tourist much less. There are no direct flights from Russia to Koh Samui yet.

The island is washed by the Gulf of Thailand. Just like Phuket, it can boast of a very developed infrastructure: an abundance of excellent Thai restaurants, massage parlors with a wide range of services, picturesque beaches with fine sand make it a very popular destination among vacationers.

Among the main attractions it is worth mentioning the impressive Buddhist temple complexes, amazing multi-stage waterfalls, Khin-Ta and Hin-Yai rocks, the name of which translates as “Grandfather and Grandmother”. There is also a safari park, an aquarium with a rich collection of tropical fish, turtles and other marine life, a zoo with tigers and leopards, a shell museum and even a rum distillery where you can taste coconut, orange, lemon and pineapple rum.

But for lovers of vibrant nightlife, it’s better to go to Phuket - it’s not so intense on Samui.

The name of this island means “Elephant” and can only be reached by ferry. The nearest airport is on the mainland in the province of Trat.

The island is located on East Coast Gulf of Thailand and is ideal for beach lovers. Most it is occupied by the jungle. Here tourists will find the cleanest air and transparent sea water, tropical forests and spectacular Coral reefs, cascades of sparkling waterfalls and stunning landscapes. Chang has been given the status of a national park, so the nature here has retained its original appearance, and construction is carried out taking into account the integrity of the island’s ecology.

There are practically no hot spots on Chang such as nightclubs and bars, shopping centers and water parks. Aquatic species sports are also prohibited, but places amazing beauty more than compensate for the lack of usual entertainment.

Similan

The Similan Islands are a group of volcanic islands in the Andaman Sea, under the patronage of the king himself. They have been given the status of a National Marine Reserve, so you can only come to the Similan Islands on an excursion. There are no hotels for permanent residence of tourists here.

However, on some islands there are campsites and simple bungalows, as well as small restaurants for those whose excursion will last longer than one day.

The easiest way to get to Similan is from Phuket. The most popular transport option is a high-speed boat, also known as a speedboat. There is also a ferry going there. However, all tourists should know that it is not possible to get to the islands at any time of the year: in the period from May 1 to October 30, they are officially closed to visitors.

The Similan Islands are famous for their flora and fauna. More than forty species of birds, twenty-five species of reptiles and about thirty species of mammals live here.

But the main thing that tourists from all over the world come here for is amazing diving and snorkeling (snorkeling). The water on Similan is so clear that you can see 35 m deep! Here you can see entire gardens of corals and sea anemones of various types, admire bright tropical fish, stingrays, and, if you’re lucky, amazingly beautiful sea turtles.

Phi Phi

Phi Phi Island, in the footsteps of Leonardo DiCaprio

Mu Ko Surin

The Surin Islands include five islands that are located in the Andaman Sea and belong to

The archipelago is also a national reserve, so large buildings like hotels and shopping centers cannot be built here. For overnight stays, bungalows, tents and specially converted boats are offered here. And the fastest way to get here is from the town of Kura Buri, which is located on the mainland of the kingdom. From there, ferries and speedboats go to the islands.

The Surin Islands are attractive for snorkelers. They will be happy to open their magical underwater world to divers - corals, which are absolutely colorless here, rare species of sea turtles and many fish of various colors and sizes.

And in shallow water in the mangroves, standing knee-deep in warm water, you can admire the sharks fearlessly darting right under your feet, and take many beautiful photographs as a souvenir.

Koh Phangan

This island is located in the Gulf of Thailand near Samui, so the fastest way to get to it is from there. is one of the five largest islands in Thailand, and it is famous primarily for its grandiose night show under open air, which is called -. It takes place every month on the night of the full moon on the long beach of Haad Rin. A few days before the festival, young people from all countries come to Koh Phangan, wanting to have a blast under the full moon. As a rule, the party goes on for at least three days. Enveloped in the fresh breeze, thousands of tourists tirelessly dance to the music of trance, reggae, electro, house and techno. The fun is fueled by plastic buckets of alcoholic cocktails, which are sold in every corner of the beach.

The first such party was held back in 1985, and since then it has not lost its popularity. Thanks to her, Phangan was even nicknamed Thai Ibiza. You need to book a hotel room several months before your intended visit. Full Moon Party. Besides it, there are other noisy discos on the island, but on a much smaller scale.

Samet

Samet Island in Thailand is one of the resort islands in the Gulf of Thailand in the east of the country. It is part of the province and at the same time part of the national Thai reserve - Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet, along with the neighboring islands (Platin, Kangkao, Kudi and Kruai).

Samet represents perfect place for a beach holiday combined with visiting the sights of the capital of Thailand, Pattaya and others major resorts and cities.

The island is an untouched corner of nature, the uniqueness of which is that there are no asphalt roads at all. The available beaches are small, sandy, surrounded by greenery. There may be several hotels or restaurants near the shore. Everywhere there is silence, comfort and the feeling of being outside the rest of the world.

The waters surrounding the island are very clean and warm, the beaches are not crowded, and the complete lack of attractions makes the island an excellent place for a beach holiday. family vacation far from the noise and din of civilization.

Who should go to Samet?

Anyone who prefers a leisurely holiday in quiet place, away from the crowds, lying on the beach and swimming in the crystal clear sea during the day and a relaxing dinner at a seaside restaurant in the evening, you will find Samet an extremely attractive holiday destination in Thailand. It would also be good for couples with small children.

As for partygoers, lovers of wild nightlife and Thai bar girls, they have nothing to do here, since there is no such entertainment on the island. Such tourists can visit the islands, coming here for a few days to enjoy the fine white sand of the beach and the azure sea.

The lack of entertainment is understandable: Samet is part of a national reserve, which means minimal construction on its territory, as well as preservation of the environment, natural wealth, pristine flora and fauna of the region.

ADVICE: If you are planning to visit Samet for a secluded and quiet holiday, then go here on Monday. Then you can enjoy your relaxing holiday until the weekend. On Friday and Saturday, Thais from the capital come to the island.

How to get there?

Naturally, there are no direct flights to Samet, since there is no airport here. The nearest one is in Pattaya (Utapao), but it will still be easier to get there through Bangkok.

Regardless of the point of arrival, you need to get to the small village of Ban Phe, where there is a pier from which boats and ferries depart to Samet.

Ko Kood

Ko Kood is pretty large island in the Gulf of Thailand, belonging to the province of Trat and located near the Cambodian border. Not far from it is Koh Chang, from where excursions to Kood are organized. They travel to and from.

It is quite far from the trodden tourist paths, so curious vacationers began to get used to it quite recently. You won’t find spectacular night shows, large supermarkets or nightclubs here, but the island has the necessary minimum - hotels, cafes, shops and even a hospital.

Holidays on Ko Kood are suitable for those who want to slowly enjoy incredible beautiful scenery, taking a break from the endless bustle of big cities and everyday problems and recharging with the life-giving power of the jungle. All local attractions are somehow connected with nature. This includes trekking to waterfalls, kayaking, diving and snorkeling, and fishing.

Particularly popular among tourists is the colorful Thai water village of Ao Yai, where you can watch the life of real fishermen and enjoy inexpensive, freshly caught seafood. Here on observation deck A nice gazebo has been built from which there is an excellent view.

Ko Lipe

Lipe Island is washed by Andaman Sea and is located in Satun province near the border with Malaysia. It refers to . You can come here from Phi Phi, Phuket and by speedboat or ferry.

As a rule, tourists come to the island with an overnight stay for a couple of days in order to fully enjoy the magnificent nature, which on Koh Lipe is like a picture - snow-white beaches and azure waters, small bungalows and cozy restaurants surrounded by lush greenery, traditional wooden boats and cute smiling Thais.

The indigenous population of the island are the sea gypsies, who live here to this day. The hand of civilization has not yet had time to properly embrace Lipe, therefore, when coming here, you need to be prepared for the fact that in a cheap room there may not be an air conditioner, but a fan, or even there will be no cooling system at all. There are also no ATMs here, and Wi-Fi in hotels is usually paid.

Tourists' favorite pastimes are, of course, diving and snorkeling, as well as trips to the secluded islands closest to Koh Lipe.

There are no cars or roads on Lipa, and the entire island can be walked around in a few hours. But it is in this comfort and some detachment from everything else that its special charm lies.

Of course, the list is not limited to these islands - mysterious Thailand still holds a lot of interesting things, and every tourist can endlessly discover something new.

Thailand is an exotic country with many islands that are recognized in the world as best places for relax. Natural conditions, warm climate, clean beaches and beautiful hotels will allow you to have a great holiday. Islands are an ideal option to choose a quiet and cozy place or to settle in the center of discos and entertainment.

List of popular islands

Popularity and ratings of the islands

ratings are given on a 5-point scale

Island	Beach rating	Number of tourists	Excursions	Beaches	Prices (r)
Phuket	4	3	3	Patong, Bang Tao, Kamala Beach	85 912
Samui	3	4	3	Lamai, Chaweng Noi	114 564
Ko Lipe	4	3	2		97 890
Phi Phi	5	4	3	Phi Phi Don, Koh Jung	122 678
Koh Samet	5	3	2	Sai Kao, Noah Na	120 455
Koh Chang	5	3	2	Khai Mook Beach, White Sand Beach	106 876
Koh Phangan	4	3	2	Haad Rin	112 786
Koh Tao	5	2	2	Sairee beach	107 456
Tarutao	5	1	2	Ao Son	120 433
Lanta	5	1	2	Long Beach, Klong Hong	121 788

Description of the islands

Phuket

The largest island is Phuket, which is located in the southern part of the country. IN Lately and the island's hotels are becoming the most popular, especially among Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians. Therefore, in restaurants and cafes you can ask for a menu in Russian, but if you decide to buy souvenirs, do not forget to find out.

The island is constantly filled with a huge number of people, but the beaches remain pristine, and the exotic conditions make the holiday paradise.

The months from November to April are considered the most suitable time for vacation, since the rest of the time the rainy season begins, which is unfavorable for vacationing tourists.

Samui

The second rated island is Koh Samui, because tourists from all over the world come here to enjoy their holidays in five-star hotels with access to the sea. Despite not a large number of people, the authorities are trying to take care of the external environment so that recreation meets European standards.

The island is home to retail outlets and chain stores, as well as many entertainment centers. However, those who want a quiet and family holiday try to choose Samui. Tourists are offered a variety of entertainment, such as:

boat excursions to other islands;
diving, snorkeling;
inspection historical places and temples of cultural heritage.

On the island you can enjoy views of waterfalls, jungles, as well as the underwater world near the shores. Every the tourist will find something special and unique for yourself.

Ko Lipe

In Thailand, except big islands There are also a lot of small and uninhabited ones. One such place is the island of Koh Lipe. The main difference is the clean coast with white sand and clear water. Special waste processing plants were built on the territory, which makes it possible to monitor the environmental friendliness and cleanliness of the external environment.

Lipe belongs to the archipelago that is considered the Taratao National Marine Park, which includes about 50 islands. Most of them are considered deserted, however, you can book a tour of local attractions and enjoy the untouched nature. The journey can take from 2 to 4 days, depending on the excursion program.

Phi Phi

Phi Phi is a medium-sized archipelago located in the Krabi region and consists of several islands. These places are located between the famous island of Phuket and the mainland. You can sail to the island in 1 -1.5 hours, and the cost of the trip ranges from 400 to 1100 rubles, which depends on the conditions and speed of travel on the watercraft.

The archipelago includes part of the islands, the most popular are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, the rest of the places are quite difficult to reach and are considered uninhabited. The main island is Phi Phi Dan, the area of which includes two mountains connected by beaches. This area includes beaches, bungalows, as well as bars and restaurants. Despite the rather large island, many tourists visit it every year.

Samet

The island is located near the mainland at a distance of about 10 km, so getting to it is quickest and easiest. The number of tourists on the island is significantly lower than on others, and therefore natural conditions not disturbed by built hotels and bungalows. More than 80 percent of the land is occupied by tropical forests, the beaches are not crowded with people. Therefore, enjoying a holiday on Samet is recommended for those who love peace and tranquility.

The island belongs to National Park Therefore, local laws prohibit cutting down forests and disturbing natural harmony. The island is best known for its clean beaches, the best of which are located in the eastern part of the island. Popular beaches are Sai Kaew and Ao Hin Khok, where hotels, restaurants, entertainment centers and discos are located.

For lovers have a relaxing holiday It is advised to go to the southern region of the island.

Koh Chang

The second largest island is Koh Chang, located in the Gulf of Thailand. Favorable climatic conditions and a small number of vacationers allow you to enjoy a quiet and secluded holiday. Local infrastructure includes hotels, small shops, restaurants where you can order European and local dishes.

Hotel prices are quite reasonable, and you won’t see crowds of drunk tourists here. As a rule, such an island is visited by couples with children, as well as older people who prefer quiet and secluded areas for relaxation.

Denis

There are more than one hundred islands in Thailand. Most of them do not have any infrastructure and, accordingly, are not suitable for recreation. Therefore, we would like to list thai islands, the most popular among tourists. Phuket and Samui are not included here. Since they are the most favorite among tourists, separate categories are organized for them.

Before we start talking about them, I would like to note an important fact that islands in Thailand considered the most beautiful in the whole world. Still would! Where else will you find such luxurious beaches, snow-white sand, azure sea, wild jungle and amazing nature!

The island of Koh Lipe is part of the Adang Rawi archipelago, located in the Andaman Sea at a distance of 70 kilometers west of the coast of Satun province (bordering Malaysia in the south). On the map its name can be indicated in different ways: Koh Lipe, Ko Lipe or Ko Lipey. Directly...

James Bond Island in Thailand appeared after one of the rocks in the Andaman Sea, located twenty kilometers northeast of the Phuket coast, became the setting for the film “The Man with the Golden Gun.” She was chosen for this role for many reasons:...

Not all resort towns and the islands of Thailand are equally noisy and crowded. There are such protected corners where you can indulge in relaxation as such - soak up Thai beaches, scuba dive, taste the pleasure of communicating with tropical nature. One...

The island of Koh Lanta is located in the Krabi province not far from mainland Thailand. From the island to the provincial capital it is only 80 km, and to Bangkok – 930 km. Lanta is not even one island, but a group of two land areas, the closest to the mainland - Lanta Noi is inhabited by Thais,...

The Similan Islands sound like Mu Ko Similan in Thai. They occupy a relatively small area, in which all the features of the local underwater environment are concentrated. The archipelago is considered the most beautiful corner Thailand. Nature connoisseurs flock to its lands...

Koh Larn Island is only 10 km away from the shores of Pattaya. IN resort area he leads as perfect place to commit day excursions and regular trips to clean beaches And clear waters. This piece of land is quite small - it takes less than...

There are a lot of islands in Thailand: small and large, uninhabited and densely populated. When going on vacation, first of all you need to choose a country, then a resort. Which island in Thailand should you choose for your holiday? First of all, when choosing, you should focus on the goals of the vacationer... As a rule, people travel to the islands specifically for a beach holiday. Which is reasonable - where else? White sand and a blue sea, like on an island in the ocean? But nevertheless, the island is different from the other.

Paradise Island Phuket

Phuket is perhaps the most popular island in Thailand. Why? Because, along with beach holidays, the infrastructure for tourists is maximally developed here. There are also big ones shopping centers for full-fledged shopping, discos and nightclubs that allow you to dance until the morning, and numerous restaurants with a wide variety of cuisines from the world and much, much more. If you are ready to combine beach holiday with an excursion, and in the evening you will plunge headlong into the nightlife of the island, then Phuket is your choice.
Don’t think that Phuket is only suitable for active travelers; the island is also suitable for families with children. If you don’t want to go “to the city” for entertainment, almost every hotel will offer you to spend the evening in the hotel restaurant. Excursion holidays It is also aimed at little tourists; there are water parks, zoos, and various shows for kids. And of course, an abundance of fresh fruit and sun. What else do you need for a successful holiday?!

The mysterious island of Koh Samui

Samui shares the pedestal of popularity among holidaymakers with Phuket. The island also has an airport for the convenience of travelers. But the islands still have differences. Firstly, the bodies of water washed by them and the location. Phuket is located in the very south of Thailand, close to the border with Malaysia and is washed by the Andaman Sea. Samui is a smaller island and is located east of the “elephant’s trunk”. Koh Samui is called the island of romance. There are noticeably fewer local settlements here, but nevertheless night life and evening activities are quite developed. There are also many restaurants on the island in the popular areas of Lamai and Chaweng, there are fewer excursions than in Phuket, but nevertheless there is something to see here. Diving and snorkeling are very developed. In general, Koh Samui is an island for romantic travel, there are not many places where you can be active, and the island itself can be circled around in 40 minutes.

From Samui you can take a ferry to another island, Koh Phangan, which is famous for its full moon parties, the so-called “Full Moon Parties”. Parties take place every 3 months; it is during these periods that the island becomes most popular. As a rule, they stay on the island for a couple of days to attend this event, and then return to Koh Samui or back to the mainland.

Elephant Island Koh Chang

The third place in popularity goes to the island with the symbolic name “Chang”, which means elephant in Thai. Koh Chang has quite mountainous terrain and a large number of beaches. It is generally accepted that Koh Chang Island is suitable for a more relaxing family holiday. There are no large shopping centers on the island. There are a lot of small restaurants for evening gatherings near each beach, but there are no real night discos on the island. The sea is quite clean; tourists are mainly attracted to bungalow-type hotels, because it is in a bungalow on the seashore that you can truly enjoy the relaxed holiday of Koh Chang.

Small “bounty” islands

Along with popular and populated islands, Thailand can offer travelers a completely serene holiday. As a rule, these are not large islands, often Thai national reserves. These are places where only hotels and beaches are located, nature remains virtually untouched, and local residents they carefully take care of the flora and fauna, trying to preserve their originality. On such islands you will not find either shopping centers or discos; moreover, in some places, especially in bungalow-type hotels, the lights are turned off after 7 - 8 pm and torches with open fires are used as lighting devices.
You can get such a harmonious holiday, for example, on the islands adjacent to Phuket in the Andaman Sea.

Closer to the most popular Pattaya resort You can also have such islands.

When going on holiday to the islands of Thailand, be sure to take with you sunscreens with a protection factor of at least 30, for children 50. Do not leave your room for the beach without applying cream. Remember that on the islands, especially in the hot season, the sun is not just scorching, but scorching. By using the cream every day, you can protect yourself from burns and, as a result, always be in a good mood on your island vacation.

Welcome to the islands of Thailand!

For example, there is Phuket, where infrastructure and entertainment are no worse developed than on the mainland. Some places on Samui also have busy traffic, a large selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, massage parlors, etc. But still, these are definitely beautiful islands Thailand is rather an exception to the rule, but Phuket has long been connected to the mainland by a bridge and can be called a peninsula.

But still, the location on the open sea makes its own adjustments and life on the islands is noticeably different from life in cities:

There are very few Thais here and almost all of them are involved in the tourism business.
It’s more difficult to get here (only Phuket and Koh Samui have airports), you have to go first to ground transport, and then on the ferry. This means that not every person will want to deal with such transplants.
The nature here has been well preserved for the simple reason that many islands began to be populated only a couple of decades ago, with the development of tourism in the country.
A small number of man-made attractions: temples, ancient houses.
The Internet is also not always good and the tap water is often dirty, suitable only for showering (it’s better to buy it in stores for drinking).

But still, these disadvantages are insignificant and the advantages far outweigh them - clear sea, half-empty or even wild beaches, natural attractions, waterfalls, beautiful views, the opportunity to live right on the coast. Each has its own characteristics and is different from others.

The best islands in Thailand

First of all, I would like to talk about the most popular resort islands among tourists - and. There is everything that is on the mainland: a developed network of asphalt roads, public transport, hospitals, shopping centers, a large selection of hotels, entertainment (bars, discos, shows), attractions, excursions, for single men - available girls. They are also united by ease of accessibility, since there are airports (and in Phuket there are generally). And since they are one of the largest in the country, those who wish can choose a beach to their liking - some will want to be in the thick of events and parties, while others will prefer to retire on a deserted coast. But in general, Phuket is more developed than Samui and is similar to. We can say with confidence that these are the most best islands Thailand for 99% of tourists.

You can find a detailed comparison of these popular resorts in the article.

Hard to reach islands

Another group includes islands that are more inaccessible, and therefore less popular among mass tourists. These are Koh Chang, Samet, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Lanta and Phi Phi. They are united by well-preserved nature, a small number of cars and motorcycles on the roads, sparsely populated beaches and moderately developed infrastructure.

The wildest islands of Thailand

The sparsely populated Thai islands stand apart. There are very few hotels on them and they rarely give a discount for long-term stays (i.e. a month there will cost around 20,000-30,000 baht, while average price throughout the country - 5000-7000). There are almost no restaurants and bars, let alone accessible girls, nightclubs and discos. These are the Similan and Surin archipelagos,