Tha 1-3 11/5/09 16:58 Page 51
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thailand knowledge
PHUKET.
A one-hour flight from Bangkok, Phuket
is a large island rather than just one resort.
Its mixture of busy beaches and secluded
bays makes it one of the most popular
destinations in Thailand, with something for
most types of holidaymaker.
The main holiday playground is lively
Patong, with plenty of shops, night markets,
bars and clubs.
There are lots of more relaxed options
along the sandy bays of Phuket’s west coast,
with accommodation ranging from budget
to upmarket brands such as Banyan Tree.
Elephant treks, canoeing in spectacular
Phang Nga Bay and boat trips to tiny islands
are among a wide variety of sightseeing
y of Thailand
excursions.
uthorit
Phuket Town is also worth visiting for its
temples and Chinese heritage. T
ourism A
“Phuket attracts all types of clients from Above: Phuket boasts busy beaches and secluded bays
backpackers to millionaires,” says Travel 2 Far left: Krabi offers beautiful beaches and limestone cliffs
Far East product manager Kerry Towers.
T
h
a
i
l
“It can be great value for money,
a
n
especially between May and October when
d
OPERATORS UPDATE
many hotels have special offers.”
Superbreak has expanded its Thailand offering to
include the new five-star Vijitt Resort in Phuket. The
KO SAMUI.
Bangkok
all-villa property is located on the beachfront and has
Thailand’s third-largest island is about
a real emphasis on cuisine. Prices are from £96 per
two-thirds the size of the Isle of Wight. Pattaya
person per night.
■ superbreak.com/agents
Its position on southern Thailand’s east
coast means its climate differs to west coast
Hayes & Jarvis has released its first dedicated
resorts such as Phuket. Hua Hin all-inclusive brochure, which includes a range of resorts
The rainy season is from October to
in Thailand. Popular resorts such as Krabi, Ko Samui and
January, as opposed to May to November on
Phuket are offered. In Phuket, seven nights’ all-inclusive
at the three-star Orchidacea costs from £1,015 per
the other coast.
e
a
The Gulf of Thailand
person, including flights.
Hotel development on Ko Samui has
Khao Lak
■ hayesandjarvis.co.uk
been heavy over the past few years, particu- a
n

S
Koh Samui
larly since the 2004 tsunami when many
m
a
Cadogan Holidays is featuring Thailand for the first
holidaymakers switched to the east coast
d
n
Phuket time. As well as properties in beach resorts such as Ko
from resorts damaged in the disaster.
A

Krabi
Lanta, Ko Samui and Phuket, the operator is offering
e
The main beaches of Chaweng and
h
touring, with experiences such as a champagne hot-air
T
balloon ride over Chiang Mai and the chance to train to
Lamai are within easy reach of the island’s be a mahout (elephant keeper).
airport. Lined by luxury hotels, they can get
■ cadoganholidays.com
quite crowded in the peak season.
Beaches on the south and west coasts are
more remote and therefore quieter.
Away from the beaches, Ko Samui’s Neighbouring Cha-Am is even quieter,
beautiful scenery is one of its great attrac- HUA HIN/CHA-AM. with a more restricted range of shopping
tions. Highlights include lush mountain About a three-hour drive from Bangkok, Hua and nightlife.
jungle, waterfalls, coconut plantations and Hin is the oldest beach resort in Thailand. It Facilities in the Hua Hin area include golf
traditional villages. is home to the Thai royal family’s summer and watersports, while popular excursions
“Ko Samui is for those who prefer to stay palace. take in ancient palaces and temples, hill
in a smaller hotel on an island which still Hua Hin has a good range of beachfront tribes, the River Kwai and Thailand’s biggest
has a paradise feel,” says David Carlaw, hotels, shops and restaurants but its royal national park, Kaeng Krachan.
Premier Holidays’ head of Faraway product. connections help to give it a more relaxed “Hua Hin appeals to those who are more
Flight time to Ko Samui from Bangkok is and genteel atmosphere than other resorts price-driven and looking for an easy beach
one hour 20 minutes. such as Phuket. extension from Bangkok without Turn to 52
15.05.2009 51
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