The Far South
For the thrill of discovering a tropical beach before international vacationers do, the intrepid traveller should head to the far southern provinces of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Pattani and Narathiwat, all facing the Gulf of Thailand. Here, beaches such as Sa Bua, Sichon and Hin Ngam in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Ratchadaphisek, Talo Kapo and Thepha in Pattani, and Narathat in Narathiwat offer sandy stretches frequented, if at all, by only the local fishing communities whose brightly painted boats are characteristic of the region.

Getting There
Thai Airways International operates daily flights from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat, while all provincial capitals are served by buses from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal.