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Southern Thailand is an exciting area boasting the best beaches, rainforests, and colorful island life. It sprawls over the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand and offers a paradise to both natural and adventure lovers.
This ultimate itinerary will take you from the natural wonders of southern Thailand – starting with the lush, green rainforests of Khao Sok National Park and finishing off in idyllic island heaven, Koh Samui. Get ready for inspiration through the region's many faces of landscapes, soak up local culture, and forge really memorable memories for a lifetime. Let’s set up everything with Asia King Travel!
A coastline on Koh Samui Credit: iStock
The best time to visit Khao Sok National Park and Koh Samui will be according to your preference of places and the purpose of your trip to Thailand. Certainly, the best time conditions for weather are dry months—November to April—containing the least amount of rain. In this respect, it is perfect to enjoy outdoor activities, beach days, and the splendors of nature. During the peak season, there are also more people and higher accommodation and airfare costs.
The best time conditions for weather are dry months—November to April Credit: Tripadvisor
May-June or September-October are the best times to travel if you're looking to get away from the overcrowded periods of heavy tourism. During these periods, you will be privileged to enjoy a fine balance of desirable weather with somewhat favorable prices. At times, it might rain sometime in the month, but most times, the temperatures are at their best, and most parts of the islands are deserted.
Getting away from overcrowded tourism periods on May-June or September-October Credit: Shutterstock
Located right in the middle of Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand, Khao Sok National Park boasts one of the oldest evergreen rainforests in the world and stunning limestone landscapes. This is a conservation area that brings one abreast with nature, where ancient trees tower and form a verdant roof above, through which the light of the sun filters down to dance with shadows.
Khao Sok National Park Credit: Freepik
One of the jewels of Khao Sok Park is Cheow Lan Lake, a vast emerald-hued body of water that mirrors the surrounding limestone karst formations. Swing on a boat tour and cruise across these serene waters, keeping an eye out for the many types of wildlife. Monkeys, gibbons, and lots of different kinds of birds—can be seen in between the densely wooded foliage, showing visitors a bit of the great biodiversity of the park.
Moreover, individuals can experience the real beauty of nature in Khao Sok by spending the night on Cheow Lan Lake (or Cheow Larn Lake) in a floating raft house. Imagine spending your evenings gazing at the stars with the serene tranquility of the rainforest around you from the comfort of your floating abode, then waking up from the quiet laps of the water against the raft and the sounds of the birds as they welcome the new morning.
Floating Raft House at Cheow Lan Lake Credit: Thailand Magazine
Actually, the tours with boats in Khao Sok National Park are very interesting, the channels between the cliffs and the jungle’s walls will never leave anyone indifferent. Have your camera handy to take pictures of the beautiful sceneries to be seen as well as the wildlife occasionally encountered during the hike.
A corner of Khao Sok National Park Credit: Khaosok Discovery
Koh Samui is the shining star of the Gulf of Thailand, combining both the enchanting beaches with luxurious resorts, deeply rooted in a rich cultural heritage. Spend four to five nights getting soaked into the irresistible charm that it beholds.
Koh Samui Credit: My Phuket Pass
Begin your Koh Samui experience in the best way by basking on one of the island's famous beaches. Chaweng Beach is sure to impress with its powdery white sand and turquoise-colored waters—the perfect combination for any visitor who loves the sun and anything to do with the water. For a quieter pace, head over to the eastern side of the island to Lamai Beach, apt for those who want to remain in isolation and just need a private place to recline.
Chaweng Beach Credit: Vinpearl
Besides the beautiful beaches that can be found in Koh Samui, it is really a huge cultural treasure. Visit the iconic Big Buddha, a 12-meter-tall golden statue perched atop a small rocky island with panoramic vistas around it. Or, you can visit other ancient temples of the island, like Wat Plai Laem and Wat Khunaram, where you can immerse yourself in the rich Buddhist heritage and find intricate architectural details.
Big Buddha Temple Credit: Thai Adventure Club
For the more daring, Koh Samui has a lot of water sports. You can go for a snorkeling or diving escapade into the underwater world; the corals and marine life colors are a beehive of activity. Kayak around quiet bays and secluded coves or try paddleboarding standing up—the best way to get a whole new perspective on the coastline of the island.
Water sports in Koh Samui Credit: My Guide Koh Samui
As the day wanes, take a brisk stroll along the busy Walking Street in Chaweng, visit local markets, experience delicious Thai food, or simply enjoy the nightlife. Or else, head to one of the quiet beaches of the island and experience an incredible sunset in this part of the world, coloring the sky with its orange and pink tones.
Chaweng Walking Street Credit: Tripadvisor
In addition to its relaxed atmosphere, Koh Samui is the gateway to the exploration of the secret coves, colorful coral reefs, and profusion of natural beauty and adventure that abounds on the many remote isles dotting the Gulf of Thailand.
One of the most popular day trips is to the Ang Thong National Marine Park, which displays the fascinating 42-island archipelago a short boat ride from Koh Samui. This protected zone boasts limestone cliffs, pure beaches, and emerald waters teeming with life. Activities include the exploration of hidden lagoons, trekking to various viewpoints, snorkeling, and kayaking in its crystalline waters.
Ang Thong National Marine Park Credit:: Klook
Yet another place that most people find very delightful is Koh Madsum, known as Pig Island. This tiny island derives its name from the friendly population of wild pigs that roam the island freely. The beaches are marvelous, one can go snorkeling, or just watch the cute pigs in their natural habitat.
Koh Madsum Credit: magic-travel
Those of you who are a bit more adventurous should never miss an opportunity to do some exploration of the untouched coves and raw beaches around Koh Samui. You could hire a longtail boat for your private use or simply take a tour out on the water to seek out these jewels hidden off the well-traveled path where, on an uninhabited stretch of sand, you can soak in the sun, swim in bright green seas—and enjoy your picnic lunch, of course.
Sun Bathing on Chaweng Beach Credit: Daily Travel Pill
When it's time to say goodbye to the tropical paradise of Koh Samui, you're well-served and conveniently located to connect to other parts of Thailand or the rest of the world.
The international airport closest to Thailand, while leaving the country, would be the Phuket International Airport situated on the island of Phuket. It is easily accessible by a combination of ferry and bus from Koh Samui, in case traffic is good it would take about 5-6 hours. Or take a flight from Koh Samui airport to Phuket for 1 hour but is perhaps slightly more costly
Depart from Koh Samui Credit: LUXE Phuket
If you're traveling to Bangkok, Thailand's capital, you can hop on a flight directly from Koh Samui Airport, which also takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Or simply take one of the ferries at Koh Samui to the mainland, where you can catch a bus or a train that takes you to Bangkok. It would take somewhere around 8–10 hours, depending on your choice of transportation and the number of links.
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Your Thailand travel through natural wonders, from ancient rainforests in Khao Sok to idyllic islands in Koh Samui, has been simply extraordinary. As you leave these sites, let the impressions be just an incentive for more knowledge of the natural wonders our world has.
Feel the adventurous spirit which got you through this unforgettable experience, and let it lead you to your next extraordinary destination. With Asia King Travel, the world is yours to gaze upon, and Thailand has just given an inkling of how life-defining that journey might turn out to be. Contact us now and start your dream trip!
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