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Southern Thailand is at its climax as a trendy and picturesque Thai tourism destination. Thanks to the unique natural scenery and the upcoming summer vibe in Thailand, various expats choose this spot as their ideal paradise to experience the authentic scorching summer in Southeast Asia.
By all means, if the thought of a busy itinerary stresses you out and you just want to escape work for a true break in the sun, then the land in the South is for you. However, planning a short but definitive Southern Thailand 5 days tour may take a lot of work for our beloved travelers, because this vast region has diverse tourist sites to add to the bucket list, but the limited break time for the vacation.
Southern Thailand offers diverse tourist sites for travelers @Agoda
In this topic, Asia King Travel will suggest the best attractions for 5 days so that travelers can easily explore and experience the local culture. Let’s find out now!
The best time to visit Southern Thailand is during the dry season, from December to February next year, when temperatures are cooler and more comfortable than during other times.
During the dry period, the days are warm with lots of sun and light winds. Only the occasional shower occurs, and certainly nothing to waylay serious vacation plans. For those who love water activities, this season also boasts calmer seas, making it the perfect time for snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, and sailing.
Yet, this peak-season goodness also means that you’ll find this region more crowded at this time than any other, and you can also expect to encounter higher rates for hotels, excursions, and other activities.
Visitors should consider traveling during the dry season @Pinterest
You will begin your day trip by arriving in Phuket, the biggest province in the South of Thailand. Phuket is a more metropolitan city with a more diverse range of attractions in terms of food and activities.
To understand authentic Southern Thai religion, you can visit some well-known Buddhist sites in the town, such as the Big Buddha Statue, with the must-see impressive 45-metre marble-crafted statue, and the 360-degree views overlooking the South of the island, or the Chaithararam Temple (Wat Chalong) to experience the spiritual culture and admire the gilding sculpture of Luang Por Chaem, a hero in Thai history.
The Big Buddha Statue, Phuket @Phuket Scuba Club
Otherwise, you can spend your first day immersing yourself in the daily life and culture of Phuket, by taking some time to taste these cuisines in the local night markets like Chillva Market, Phuket Weekend Market, etc, or explore some unique entertaining activities which only occurred here such as carats, transgender show, etc.
The Phuket Weekend Market @Agoda
On your second day, you will temporarily stay far from Phuket by having a waterway trip to Krabi on the west coast. Usually, it takes about 3 hours to travel to Chao Fah Pier in Krabi by ferry, but if you want to shorten your moving time to 1 hour, you can hire an express boat.
Krabi is famous for scenic views and breathtaking beaches and islands. Its coral reef vistas are also one of the world's most beautiful, which makes the city a great spot for coral diving. From the author's perspective, Krabi is a cheaper location, more relaxed, and more tranquil for a trip than Phuket.
Fine meal on Krabi’s coastline @iVIVU
After setting foot in Krabi town, travelers can proceed to Railay Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. Railay Beach has everything for everyone, including white sandy beaches, stylish cafés, restaurants, stunning rainforest walks, lagoons, caves, etc. It would be better to have an overnight stay if you have the time, as the atmosphere on Railay is vastly different after sunset.
A part of Railay Beach @tawatchaiprakobkit
Furthermore, the Emerald Pool in Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve is also an optimal option for natural lovers, because this tourist spot is about an hour's drive from Krabi town. Although the pool is narrow, around 100 square metres, and about 2 meters deep depending on the season, the cool thing is that when the water’s temperature changes, the water color goes from light green to turquoise!
In addition, the Blue Lagoon is about 400 meters further along the boardwalk from the Emerald Pool. However, they don’t allow people to swim and dive right in there, but I think nature is beautiful and photogenic enough to take gorgeous pictures!
The Emerald Pool, Khao Phra Bang Khram Nature Reserve @PInterest
It’s time to say goodbye to the mainland, and welcome to these most beautiful archipelagos in Thailand. On your third day, you will take a one-way boat trip and board from Kong Ka Pier to Koh Phi Phi, an island group in Thailand between the large island of Phuket and the Straits of Malacca coast of Thailand.
Koh Phi Phi @Bangkok Attractions
When arriving in some neighboring islands around Phi Phi, although they are permitted to dock, tourism boats usually stop for a while and drop off their customers, so it’s an opportunity for visitors to have quick sightseeing in sites like Monkey Island and Vikings Cave.
Monkey Island @Royal Vacation
Then, travelers should take chances to experience some activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, etc, because the island is home to among the world's most abundant coral reef systems, with plentiful and astounding sights. You can encounter these extraordinary species when diving in Maya Bay or Hin Klang.
Maya Bay @Agoda
Moreover, Phi Phi offers beachside parties and open-air parties, Muay Thai matches, fire shows, pool parties, and many bars and nightclubs, so don’t worry about the lack of vibrant and energetic atmosphere here, especially the nights at Phi Phi Island when people let loose.
Before moving to the next tourist site, it would be better for travelers to take a speedboat to optimize their schedule and fully explore these remaining attractions.
On the fourth day of the tour, you can venture to Phang Nga Bay, renowned for its emerald-green waters and limestone cliffs, and visit the famous island Khao Phing Kan, widely referred to as “James Bond Island”. This island was featured in the movie "The Man with the Golden Gun," which includes many stunning and majestic beauties waiting for travelers to explore.
James Bond Island, Phang Nga Bay @Pelago
After that, consider visiting Koh Panyee, a remarkable village built over the water on stilts, with a giant rock monolith guarding its rear. At lunchtime, many tourists on the James Bond Island tours stop by to eat and shop for handicrafts. You can stay here, taste the local chicken, and wait for the romantic sunset over the picturesque bay scenery.
Koh Panyee Raft Village @Backpack Adventures
Just one day in Phuket is not enough to explore the hidden beauty of these cities, so it’s time to travel back to the most popular city in Southern Thailand.
You can continue your morning exploration at the beautiful Than Bok Khorani National Park. This tourist site covers an abundance of trekking routes, hence, you can have some opportunity to wander through the park's serene trails, discover its picturesque waterfalls, and explore its intriguing caves. The park is also home to diverse wildlife, with various interesting flora and fauna.
Than Bok Khorani National Park @Tripadvisor
If time permits, travelers can walk along the street for some last-minute shopping at the vibrant local markets or modern shopping malls. Pick up some souvenirs, and local crafts, or enjoy a final taste of Thai cuisine at a nearby restaurant.
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To sum up, this reference has offered travelers the best recommendations for a 5-day trip in southern Thailand. We hope these diverse options can help you and your companions seek out unforgettable moments in the land of smiles.
You can start planning your dream getaway to the south of Thailand by contacting us, we'll help you craft your personalized itinerary based on your interests, budget, and time. Let's turn your Thailand dreams into reality!
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