A First-Timer’s Guide to Southern Thailand

Southern Thailand gave us some of the most memorable scenery from our time in the country: clear island water, dramatic limestone cliffs, quiet roads, jungle-covered lakes and mornings that started before sunrise.

This guide is a starting point for bringing those places together. We’ll return to it with more detailed routes, practical recommendations and the small things we wish we had known before travelling through the region.

Where we travelled

Our time in the south took us through Phang Nga Bay, Khao Sok, Koh Yao Noi and several islands along the Andaman coast. Each place offered something different, from slow island days to early boat trips and long stretches surrounded by rainforest.

How long to stay

We would allow at least ten days if you want to combine the mainland with one or two islands without rushing. Two weeks gives you more room for weather changes, slower travel days and places you decide to stay longer than planned.

What stayed with us

The moments we remember most were often the simplest: riding quiet roads on Koh Yao Noi, watching the light change over Phang Nga Bay, travelling across Khao Sok by boat and finding beaches that felt far removed from the busier parts of Thailand.

More to come

We’re still shaping our notes and photographs into practical guides. We’ll add more detail here as we write about the individual places, stays and experiences from this part of Thailand.