14 Thailand resorts: which one to choose for beaches, islands and excursions

Since September 15, 2026, Thailand has reduced the visa-free stay from 60 to 30 days (as of 09/2026, Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs). You can extend your trip by another month once you are there (as of 09/2026, Thai embassy).

Thailand's resorts differ far more than photos suggest. Some islands live in silence, others in loud music until morning, and Chiang Mai and Bangkok get by without the sea at all.

Below are 14 destinations most often chosen for a first or second trip. You will see what season each has, how many people are around, and who each kind of vacation suits.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

How to choose a resort for your vacation

💡 In short:

• Beach season almost everywhere runs from November to May, and rains come in the summer months.
• Pick islands for beaches and diving, the north and Bangkok for temples and city life.
• Visa and entry rules: 09/2026, verified on the official Thailand portal.

The table below helps narrow the choice down to two or three options. Look at the season, the pace of the resort, and who you will be surrounded by most of the time.

1. Pattaya

Pattaya opens the list because of how easy it is. From Bangkok it is a two to three hour drive, no flight needed. The city lives on hotels: guesthouses sit next to large complexes, so you can fit almost any budget scenario.

© Sergey S. Dukachev · CC BY-SAPhoto: Sergey S. Dukachev, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

People swim in Pattaya less often than in other places on this list. For clean sea you go to the islands across from the city, the boat takes under half an hour. The dry season runs from November to May, but even August can be tolerable here. Prices rise over the New Year holidays, so book your hotel in advance.

• The catch: the city is noisy, and nightlife gets in the way for families with kids. Pick a hotel with a large grounds away from Walking Street.

Just outside the city begins Chonburi province with tropical gardens and waterfalls. There are plenty of excursions, and half of them head to Bangkok.

Find a hotel in Pattaya on Trip.com

2. Phuket

Phuket is the country's most versatile island. Direct flights from Europe, and from Bangkok the plane takes about an hour. The island is connected to the mainland by a bridge, so any day you can drive to another province.

© Subhrajyoti07 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Subhrajyoti07, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Accommodation fits any wallet: from private bungalows to large resort complexes. For seclusion you go to small bays in the north, for partying to the Patong area. Rivers, waterfalls, and rainforest appeal to kids, and diving and surfing here are considered among the best in the country.

• The catch: getting to know the rest of Thailand requires flights, there are few shops, and a vacation costs more than in Pattaya.

The season runs from November to April, with short rains starting in May. To get around the island, rent a car or scooter, there is almost no public transport.

Find hotels in Phuket on Trip.com

3. Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a large island in the Gulf of Thailand, and getting there is harder than to Phuket. There are flights from Bangkok, but tickets cost more because of the private airport. The climate, however, is milder: the rainy season is weak, and storms barely reach the island.

© Christophe95 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Christophe95, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Infrastructure is well developed: hotels, restaurants, spas, and dive schools are on almost every beach. Couples choose quiet bays in the north, young people head to the bars of Chaweng. The best time to visit is from January to May, when it is warm and dry here in winter.

• The catch: prices are above the national average, and the mainland is far. For big excursions you will travel by ferry and bus.

A vacation on Koh Samui is calm and predictable. Families get hotels with large grounds, romantics get beaches without bars or music.

View hotels on Koh Samui on Trip.com

4. Krabi

Krabi is a province on the southern coast with limestone cliffs and mangrove forests. There are fewer tourists here than in Phuket because the journey takes longer. But this is exactly where excursions to the most photogenic islands of the south depart from.

© Cooper · CC BYPhoto: Cooper, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

By staying in Krabi, you can easily see both Phuket and the province's national parks. Group and private tours are sold on every corner. The best period for a vacation is from late fall to late spring.

• The catch: beach infrastructure is weaker than at neighboring resorts, and there is almost no nightlife. Party lovers quickly get bored here.

It is more convenient to compare hotels in Krabi in advance rather than on the spot.

Compare hotels in Krabi on Trip.com

5. Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is located in the north of the country and serves as a base for exploring Thai culture. Planes fly here from Bangkok, and the night bus takes almost half a day. In the old town, Buddhist temples and festivals are everywhere, and nearby rises Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in the country.

© Yimsurawut · CC BY-SAPhoto: Yimsurawut, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Cafes, museums, exhibition halls, and markets fully cover the evening program. It is best to come here in winter: in summer, the mountains are hot and stuffy.

• The catch: there is no sea, so you will have to look for a beach vacation in the south. There are no loud parties either; nightlife thrives by the sea, not here.

Choose a hotel in Chiang Mai on Trip.com

6. Hua Hin

Hua Hin is a respectable resort on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand that the Thais themselves love. It takes a couple of hours to get there from Bangkok, and buses and trains run frequently. There are many hotels, and almost all of them are designed for a quiet vacation: buildings stand on their own grounds, and you cannot hear music or neighbors.

© Rsa · CC BY-SAPhoto: Rsa, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

The beaches are wide and clean, with a gentle entry into the water. The swimming season runs from early November to mid-June. For families with children, this is one of the most convenient options in the country.

• The catch: prices are relatively high, and young people find it boring here. In the evening you will find a market and restaurants, but not bars open until morning.

Book a hotel in Hua Hin on Trip.com

7. Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan lies between Koh Samui and Koh Tao, and it is the most youth-oriented island on the list. Most of the island is covered in tropical forest, and the beaches are divided into developed and wild ones. Once a month, the Full Moon Party takes place here, lasting three nights in a row.

© Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy · CC BYPhoto: Fabio Achilli from Milano, Italy, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The season lasts from January to May; in other months, the wind picks up and rains arrive. Hotels are more expensive than the national average, but cheaper than in Phuket.

• The catch: infrastructure for families is weak, and the journey to the mainland is long. You will not be able to get out to other provinces every day.

Find a hotel on Koh Phangan on Trip.com

8. Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a tiny island of about twenty square kilometers, a half-hour ferry ride from Koh Phangan. The name translates as "Turtle Island," but few of the animals themselves remain due to the influx of tourists. The corals, clear water, and stone turtle sculptures, however, are still there.

© kallerna · CC BY-SAPhoto: kallerna, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

There are plenty of places to stay here, from guesthouses to hotels with pools. Shops, cafes, pharmacies, and ATMs are also available. The dry season runs from December to May, while November brings downpours and storms.

• The catch: the island is small, and you can cover all of it in a couple of days.

The viewpoint, the monument to King Rama V, and the Fishing Museum take half a day. Divers head out to the Diamond Caves and nearby reefs.

See Koh Tao hotels on Trip.com

9. Koh Samet

Koh Samet is the closest to Pattaya, about eighty kilometers away. You can reach Ban Phe Pier in Rayong Province in two and a half hours (as of 09/2026, ferry crossing), then take a ferry or speedboat to the island.

© Bjørn Erik Pedersen · CC BY-SAPhoto: Bjørn Erik Pedersen, CC BY-SA (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/), Wikimedia Commons

The beaches and water here are cleaner than in Pattaya, and the forests look decent even during the rainy season. The island has comfortable hotels, spas, and beach activities. Couples and anyone looking for peace and quiet feel most at home here.

• The catch: young people get bored, and there are few excursions. The itinerary comes down to a sightseeing trip, sunset at the viewpoint, and night fishing.

Find a Koh Samet hotel on Trip.com

10. Koh Chang

Koh Chang got its name from its shape, which locals say resembles an elephant. It is a large island in the east of the country with spacious beaches and scenic sunsets. Walking along the shore at low tide is especially pleasant: crabs and small sea life are all around.

© Slyronit · CC BY-SAPhoto: Slyronit, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Inland, you will find waterfalls and viewpoints. You can reach them on foot or by jeep, but tourists more often rent a scooter. Accommodation ranges from upscale hotels to tent camps for those on a budget.

• The catch: in high season, crowds arrive, and prices rise along with the influx.

Groceries are cheaper at chain stores, and you can cook on site or eat at cafes. Night markets stay open late, so you can find dinner at any time.

Choose a Koh Chang hotel on Trip.com

11. Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta belongs to Krabi Province and has been developing as a resort since the 1990s, when electricity was also installed here. The season is short: from December to April. In the other months, it rains, the beaches are not cleaned, and there is almost no entertainment.

© Dronepicr · CC BYPhoto: Dronepicr, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Life is concentrated in the north, while a national park begins in the south. The closer you get to the park, the fewer hotels and shops there are, and the more forest and monkeys. The beaches stretch along the west coast, where you will also find ATMs, souvenir shops, and restaurants.

• The catch: you cannot drive around the island in a loop. What is accessible to you is the national park, the west coast, and the town of Saladan with motorbike rentals.

Find a Koh Lanta hotel on Trip.com

12. Phi Phi

Phi Phi is an archipelago of six islands, but you can only stay on one of them, Phi Phi Don. Don buzzes with hotels, shops, and taxis, while Phi Phi Leh remains a corner of untouched nature with a convenient bay. Leh and the other islands are uninhabited, and you can only get there on a tour.

© Luxure · CC BYPhoto: Luxure, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/au/deed.en), Wikimedia Commons

Many people recognize these landscapes from the movie "The Beach" with Leonardo DiCaprio. Maya Bay still delivers the best shots of the trip today. Fishing, diving, and swimming fill the whole day, and regular boats shuttle tourists between the islands.

• The catch: accommodation options are limited to one island, so in high season prices and boat queues grow.

Compare hotels on Phi Phi on Trip.com

13. Rayong

Rayong occupies the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand and hasn't been discovered by Western tourists yet. The beaches stretch for almost a hundred kilometers, with small bays tucked between them. Prices here are lower than at the well-known resorts.

© PattayaPatrol · CC BY-SAPhoto: PattayaPatrol, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The sand is white, mountains rise on the horizon, and in the rainy season greenery grows lush and fruit ripens. You can buy durians and mangosteens here right at the plantations. When the rains end, the water becomes clear, and you can easily snorkel near the shore.

• The catch: the infrastructure is simpler than in Phuket, and there's almost no evening entertainment. But people come here for peace and treatment at the geothermal springs.

Koh Samet is just a stone's throw away, so Rayong is often combined with it.

See hotels in Rayong on Trip.com

14. Bangkok

Bangkok closes the list, although the city has no sea. The capital sits on the Chao Phraya River, and canal trips replace regular transport here. Even if you're vacationing on an island, set aside a couple of days for the city.

© Preecha.MJ · CC BY-SAPhoto: Preecha.MJ, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Plan your sightseeing for winter: summer is too hot and humid. Must-see places include the Grand Palace, the Giant Swing, and Wat Pho with its dozens of stupas. Kids will enjoy the aquarium and amusement parks, adults the floating markets and evening lights.

• The catch: the city is big and noisy, and getting between districts takes time. Pick a hotel closer to the center and with breakfast included, you'll be having lunch in the city.

Find a hotel in Bangkok on Trip.com

Thailand resorts on the map

The map below shows all 14 destinations from the list. Plan your route in advance: transfers between the north and the islands take a full day.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Where should you go in Thailand for the first time?

For a first trip, Phuket or Pattaya are the easiest options. Phuket gives you beaches, diving, and straightforward infrastructure, while Pattaya is cheaper and closer to Bangkok. If you want peace and quiet, look at Hua Hin or Koh Samui, but getting there takes more time.

When is the best time to go to Thailand?

The main season runs from November to May. From January to April, most resorts are dry and sunny, and short rains arrive from May. The north of the country, including Chiang Mai, is most comfortable from November to February, when it is cool there.

Where in Thailand should you vacation with kids?

Hua Hin works best: wide beaches, a gentle entry into the water, and calm hotels with large grounds. Phuket and Koh Samui are close behind, with hotels that have pools and activities for children. The noisy Pattaya and Koh Phangan are less suitable for families.

How much does a vacation in Thailand cost?

The final amount depends on the season, the resort, and the hotel category. The islands are more expensive than the mainland coast, and New Year dates are the most expensive of the year. Compare prices in advance.

Where should you go for diving?

The best spots on the list are Koh Tao, Phi Phi, and Phuket. On Koh Tao, dive schools operate on every beach, and Phi Phi adds cliffs and Maya Bay. Koh Samui and Koh Phangan also have dive centers, but the weather there depends more on the season.

In short: what to book

If this is your first trip, go with Phuket: the island covers beaches, diving, and excursions all at once. If you need a short transfer from Bangkok, choose Pattaya or Koh Samet. Hua Hin suits families, and Koh Phangan suits younger travelers.

Plan your route for the end of the dry season and book accommodation in advance, especially for New Year. Excursions around Thailand are easy to browse on GetYourGuide.