Travel Planning Around Thailand is the first step into an amazing adventure!
Thailand is a wonderful country to explore, but diverse from one province to another, so research should be the top priority.
Samui Explorer’s expertise is in Southern Thailand which is most diverse in its offerings. Southern Thailand is made up of 76 provinces which cover Islands and towns situated in close vicinity of one another, they’re perfect for Island Hopping.
The main provinces in Southern Thailand that generate more visitors from China, Europe, Australia, and the UK are Surat Thani, Phang Nga, Trang, Krabi, Trang, and Satun. The additional provinces in the South are popular with visitors from Malaysia and Malay.
Surat Thani Province has Islands such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Phaluai, and Koh Tao all of which can be easily reached from one another via ferries and speedboats. In addition, at Angthong National Marine Park which most travel to during day tours, it’s possible to stay in the Headquarters of the marine park. Forgetting not the awesome Khao Sok National Park
Getting to Koh Phaluai the ferry from Donsak town leaves daily at 1 PM outside of monsoon season. NB This is not to be confused with the ferries to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao. These ferries depart from Seatran Pier, Lipa Noi Pier, and Lomprayha Tapee Pier in Surat Thani
Phang Nga Province has the Islands of Phuket, James Bond Island, Koh Yao, Similan Islands, Surin Island, and Khao Lak Town. In addition, Phang Nga has two national Marine parks – Phang Nga Bay and Si Phang Nga National Park.
Recommended tours Phang Nga Province:
Krabi Province boasts even more Islands and a stunning coastline on the mainland. Islands such as Koh Phi Phi , Koh Phi Phi Ley, Koh Hong, Koh Jum (Koh Phu) Koh Lanta, Koh Poda, Koh Yao Yai, and Railay Peninsula in between Krabi and Ao Nang. Krabi has 4 main National Parks – Than Bok Khorani, Khao Phanom Bencha National Park, Hat Nopparat Thara, Koh Lanta, and Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary National Park.
Recommended tours Krabi Province:
Satun Province – A province less known than the others since it has only one island that most visit however it is in my opinion the most beautiful Island in Southern Thailand. Its other small islands include Koh Adang, Koh Tarutao, and Koh Ra Wii. Tarutao is its National Marine Park.
Trang Province – Trang itself has a splendid City to explore, with a mix of cuisine and its famous Frog-faced Tuk Tuks. Its Islands include Koh Mook (Koh Muk) Koh Ngai, Koh Libong, and Koh Sukon. Its national parks are Koh Rok, Koh Libong So Madam, and Hat Chao Mai National Park.
If a Travel Plan is to include Koh Lipe , Trang is the perfect location to stop over if heading to Satun province and over to Koh Lipe. This breaks up your travel, enabling Island Hopping, or a City break.
Getting to Koh Lipe from Trang – Take a private taxi or shared minivan to Pak Bara Pier. From Pak Bara Pier a speedboat to Koh Lipe. Hotels in Trang and Koh Lipe can organise the Speedboat ticket.
Recommended tours Koh Lipe:
Planning a holiday vacation within Southern Thailand can of course be daunting once you see the islands and towns that are equally amazing to choose from. The benefit to Travel Planning around Thailand is that adding one to two Islands, even three is easily done in a two-week holiday/vacation if planned correctly.
Below is a guide on which islands, Towns, and cities can easily be linked together during a two-week period holiday/vacation in Southern Thailand. The guide below will help with Domestic airlines and airport to use.
If visiting Bangkok City is not part of the Travel Planning flying directly to Phuket International Airport is the better option. Not so many options are available at Krabi International Airport and those that are, have a much higher ticket price.
Flying directly into Phuket International Airport the Krabi Islands, and transfers to Khao Sok can be easily arranged via Minivan Transfers or sea crossings.
If planning to explore Bangkok City the following budget airlines can be booked for the following Airports from Don Muang International Airport, Bangkok.
Surat Thani International Airport – Arrivals for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Phaluai and Khao Sok.
Nakhon Sii Tammarat – Arrivals for Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, Koh Phaluai and Khao Sok.
Trang Airport – Arrivals for Koh Lipe, and all the Trang Islands
Krabi International Airport – Arrivals for all the Krabi Islands
Phuket International Airport – Arrivals for all Phang Nga Islands
About Samui Explorer Tour Agency
Having lived in Thailand for over a decade, and traveled extensively around Thailand. Within Southern Thailand, every Island and province has been explored, and our expertise. In addition numerous road trips to Central Thailand, the North East, South East and Western Thailand. Thus allowing us to share our knowledge with others.
This is only a guide to help understand the logistics for Travel Planning around Thailand. Follow our blogs for more Travel Itineraries to include recommended tours and accommodation within Southern Thailand.
Southern Thailand is to be explored, entering into a country that grasps you, not ever wanting to leave or return as soon as you have left! Jump out of that comfort zone and have a truly amazing adventure.
