ASIA SOUTHERN THAILAND DESTINATIONS T


oo long overlooked in favour of Thailand’s glittering islands and sultry northern mountains, the provinces of Ranong and Chumphon receive only a handful of western tourists each year. But, with the Andaman Sea to the west and the Gulf of Thailand gently lapping the eastern shores, what they lack in fame they more than make up for in good fortune. Here powdery white beaches lie empty and the water is so clean that whale sharks live on the reef. Within an hour’s drive of the coast, you can be exploring mountains and rainforests resplendent with wildlife. Plus there are hot springs, rivers


and waterfalls, as well as a rich seafaring heritage that has left a unique cultural mix evident in everything from the sumptuous seafood to the language and dress. Best of all are the people,


unwearied by overtourism, who are delighted to welcome visitors to their homeland: whether you’re sharing a hot spring with Thai ladies in shower caps, or they are teaching you how to make a local dish. It’s no secret that in Thailand


there is a problem with overtourism. Airports are being built in Chiang Mai and Phuket to cope with the ever-increasing influx of tourists. Meanwhile – following an example set by


Best of all are the people, unwearied by overtourism, who welcome visitors to their homeland


the Philippines in Boracay – the government has closed Maya Beach (of Leonardo DiCaprio’s The Beach fame) to tourists. But these southern provinces reminded me of the


Thailand my parents took me to more than 30 years ago; life seems different here.


w ON THE WATER Pause: Take in the sweeping views of the surrounding ocean, mountains and rainforest from the top of Ranong’s lighthouse. Such is the proximity to Myanmar that it also doubles as the local customs and immigration office. Step down onto the jetty


below to board the Royal Andaman, a traditional wooden junk, where a refreshing lychee cocktail awaits. Lined with mangrove forests bowing to the ocean, we take a route once travelled by the king in


2 August 2018 travelweekly.co.uk 45


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70