Ko Chang
#1 in Best Places in Thailand
Named Ko Chang (or «Elephant Island» in Thai) because of its elephant-shaped headland, this large island is more secluded than Phuket but no less beautiful. Its west coast is dotted with stunning coastlines, small towns and a variety of accommodation options, while its interior offers tropical jungles and gushing waterfalls to trek through and to. But remember, Ko Chang’s tourism infrastructure isn’t as well developed as other Thai islands, so getting here is a bit more of a trek.
Khao Sok National Park
#2 in Best Places in Thailand
Even if you don’t consider yourself an outdoorsy person, a trip to Khao Sok National Park is sure to take your breath away. Home to limestone cliffs, awe-inspiring waterfalls and the world’s oldest evergreen rainforest, Khao Sok is an incredibly bio-diverse area. Here, you’ll find roughly 200 kinds of flora and more than 5% of the world’s animal species, including tigers, elephants and 300-plus varieties of birds. The park sees a lot of rainfall year-round, so for the best chance of staying dry, time your visit during the dry season, which runs from December to April.
