WESTERN THAILAND

Why Western Thailand

Western Thailand is the Kingdom’s quieter, greener flank, where forested hills roll down to two very different coastlines within easy reach of Bangkok. Hua Hin’s laid-back royal seaside charm makes it a favourite escape on the Gulf, while inland, Khao Sok National Park’s ancient rainforest, limestone karsts and Cheow Lan Lake protect one of Southeast Asia’s oldest ecosystems. Over the hills on the Andaman side, Khao Lak’s long, uncrowded beaches serve as the gateway to the Similan and Surin Islands’ celebrated diving, and the sheltered waters of Koh Yao Noi and Koh Lipe carry that same barefoot, low-key luxury further along the coast. Cooler hill country, teak forests, mangroves and some of the country’s most pristine reefs sit side by side here, making Western Thailand equally suited to a slow nature escape near the capital or a final, unspoilt chapter on the Andaman Sea.