These are the Thai islands to visit instead of Phuket
With miles of golden sand beaches stretching along its western flank; gorgeous temples, mosques and churches dotted around the villages and hillsides; internationally revered Michelin restaurants; a culturally rich and recently regenerated old town; a well connected international airport; plus an armada of long tail boats anchored on the shores ready to drive you out on trips around the inlets, it’s easy to see why Phuket has maintained its spot as Thailand’s most popular island for decades.
But in Phuket, where gridlock traffic jams on the roads and lack of space on the beaches are already frequent complaints, it makes you wonder: does this island need an influx? Is it time to swap Phuket for another Thai destination on your next trip?
The heir apparent, and seamless alternative, to Phuket is Koh Samui, the verdant palm-lined favorite in the Gulf of Thailand. There are strong parallels between the two islands. Firstly, Samui also has an airport – some would say the cutest airport in the world, consisting of quaint wooden gazebo departure gates surrounded by thriving flower beds – so notions of bumpy ferries and catamarans to reach the island can be cast aside.
More importantly, and very on-brand for Thailand at the moment: both islands have swathes of affordable luxury to indulge in but, unlike Phuket, on Koh Samui it’s easy to find a place that’s tucked away from the heaving crowds. It’s easy to relax into Samui, from family-friendly resorts such as Anantara Bophut, which has one of the largest and most zen spas on the island, and the Centara Reserve that sprawls along the shores of Chaweng Beach, to the bijou Avani+ Samui where floating breakfasts in your private pool are the norm, at their secluded resort in the remote southwest corner, Taling Ngam.
Samui is a bustling and vibrant island in places, though, particularly around the Fisherman’s Village night market, where excellent but inexpensive street food is aplenty, so don’t arrive expecting an undiscovered gem by any means. However, unlike Phuket, it is still possible to drive to quiet beaches and have pockets of the island to yourself. The sands of Coral Cove hemmed in by boulders, the quieter Bang Po Beach or the “secret” Ban Tai Beach are all worth exploring, to catch a few hours of sought-after beach bliss.
Getting there is a multi-transport game: hop on a bus or a very short flight from Bangkok to Trat, where you pick up a steampunk-style ferry that slowly chugs over to Thailand’s third-biggest island.
Koh Chang is an exceptional spot for trekking. Hikers are rewarded with one of the seven accessible, cascading waterfalls that are spread across the interior. The north side of the island is still pretty au naturel and generally untouched, particularly Long Beach, which is a must-visit. The south coast is lined with small hamlets and fishing villages where the accommodation, bars, and restaurants are found. Staying on the south side of Koh Chang and exploring the north by bike is the way to go – unless you plan to spend your days horizontal on a sun lounger.
Of course, there are more than 30 Thai islands to stay on (out of the more than 1,400 in the country), but if you’re looking for the Phuket factor without the hordes of tourists, Koh Samui or Koh Chang will keep your sun-drenched dreams fulfilled.