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The Holiday Ferret’s Guide to South Thailand

Fourteen provinces, called changwats, make up Southern Thailand, a region of the Malay Peninsula where jungle and mountains are sandwiched between the Gulf of Thailand and beaches along the Andaman Sea. Thai is the official language of the country, but tourism feeds a large part of the economy, and people working in the service industry usually speak some English. Visit during the green or rainy season, which runs from from May to October, or the hot season, lasting from November to April.

Phang Nga Province
Phang Nga province, north of Phuket, is a romantic destination and an area of extreme natural beauty. One of the top ten diving destinations in the world, as ranked by the National Geographic Society, is found near the Surin and Similan Islands. Travelers can scuba and snorkel at Similan Islands National Park, or visit  Phang Nga Bay, where The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed, and go sea kayaking to unspoiled beaches. Phang Nga Bay National Park has exotic animals and threatened species on view and contains archaeological sites and intriguing rock formations. At Mu Koh Surin National Marine Park, you have the chance to spot sea turtles and whales. The park offers shallow-water coral reefs and contains the village of the Moken Sea Gypsies, where tourists can buy crafts made by the Moken people. Boats to the park depart from Phang Nga. These parks are only open from November to the end of April.

Songkhla Province
Hat Yai is the largest city in Songkhla Province and a modern face of Thailand. Located near the Malaysian border, the city is the place to see if you want to mix with local inhabitants, visit markets and upscale stores, and participate in the nightlife of the country. The area is known for seafood, the markets carry local produce and delicacies, and the region’s food blends Thai cuisine with eastern influences from China and Malaysia. View the reclining Buddha, tour nearby caverns, or take the kids to Bhasawang Big Splash, a 15-meter water slide. The folklore museum of the Institute for Southern Thai Studies sits on the shore of the largest lake in Thailand, Songkhla Lake, while Southern Cultural Village offers demonstrations of traditional dance and folk art on display.  

Phuket Province
Phuket province, on the western coast of the peninsula, is a family destination and the center for adventure on and near the water. If you like excitement, kayak and surf at Patong Beach, parasail or attend a live concert at the four-kilometer-long Karon Beach, or head to Nai Yang beach, where you will find lessons and equipment for wind surfing, diving, snorkeling, and sailing. If you want romance, sunbathe or catch an excursion boat at Rawai Beach, try snorkeling and enjoy the relative privacy of Kata Noi Beach, or immerse yourself in the remote beauty of  Laem Singh Beach, which provides modern conveniences. Families will enjoy Kata and Nai Harn Beaches. Nai Harn has a lagoon, picnic spots and plenty of shade. Ride a banana boat or jet ski at Kata Beach, which has a picnic area, a more gentle slope -- making it suitable for small children -- and fewer people than busy sites such as Patong Beach. Travel during the fall, and you can attend the 9-day Phuket Vegetarian Festival, where guests can visit shrines and witness unique ceremonies and processions filled with daring feats, fireworks and the sound of drums. The province also offers Thai cooking schools and culinary workshops.

For South Thailand holiday rentals follow the link: South Thailand holiday rentals

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