Think you know Thailand? It is certainly easy to feel that way after seeing images of the golden temples of Bangkok and the endless beaches of Phuket so often conjured up in luxury holidays to Thailand. Yet beyond these familiar highlights lies a quieter, more nuanced side of the country – one that we love to introduce to people. Whether you’ve travelled here before and are looking for new experiences, or are visiting for the first time but want to see the country through a different lens, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in our insider’s guide to Thailand beyond the well-trodden trail.
NAN PROVINCE – A hidden corner of northern Thailand
Emerald-green rice fields, bustling night markets, and jungle treks to hilltribe communities are fairly synonymous with northern Thailand. For a long time, Chiang Mai has been one of the most popular access points for northern Thailand, and it is somewhere I will always love. Chiang Mai also has the best choice of luxury hotels, which is well worth considering for those dipping a toe into northern Thailand for the first time. If you are looking for something a bit different, however, there is an alternative world to explore that offers similar experiences but with a less-discovered feel. Wedged in Thailand’s green ‘top hat’ on the border with Laos, Nan Province is a place to bask in invigorating views of forest-clad mountains, explore ancient temples, and visit peaceful villages which still preserve centuries-old traditions. I am so excited to recommend this area to my clients who I know will appreciate all the wonderful experiences northern Thailand has to offer but in an area that is, for now, still refreshingly under the radar.
Things to do in Nan Province
- Visit the 350-year-old temple of Wat Phumin to take in its exquisite Lanna-style murals.
- Browse Nan’s night market and sample the distinctive cuisine of the region.
- Follow the spectacular mountain road to Bo Kluea, visiting textile weaving communities, ancient salt wells, and the Sapan Waterfall.
A QUIETER SIDE TO THAILAND’S BEACHES
Few visits to Thailand are complete without some time on the beach. On my most recent visit, I was determined to investigate the Thai beach destinations that still feel quieter – but where you don’t have to make any compromises on comfort. I was delighted to discover that you can still very easily escape the more developed areas and find a luxury beach resort in Thailand that is both peaceful and authentic.
KHAO LAK
Having heard a lot about Khao Lak as a quieter haven on the Andaman Sea, my hopes were high. Thankfully Khao Lak more than delivered! The easiest way to get to this beach community on Peninsular Thailand is by taking a 1.5 hour private transfer from Phuket airport. As you travel north along the coast, modern development is gradually replaced by scenes of forested hills and small roadside fruit stalls. Even when you reach Khao Lak itself you notice a distinctive lack of high-rise hotels. The place has such a lovely, laidback feel that it really transported me back to the Thailand I always loved. You can simply wander along long stretches of golden sand, stopping for a cold drink or a delicious curry at a beach shack, or maybe even treating to yourself to a massage. It felt to me like the kind of place where, once you’ve settled into your daily rhythm, you’re unlikely to want to venture too far. However, if you do find yourself getting restless, Khao Lak is one of the best access points for the Similan Islands – home to some of the best diving and snorkelling in Southeast Asia. If you’d like to take advantage of this, it’s best to visit between November and May.
Best luxury hotels on Khao Lak
Devasom Khao Lak
Part of Khao Lak’s appeal is the fact that it is not overrun with hotels and resorts, but there are a couple of options that cater very well for those seeking luxury. For families I recommend Devasom, while for a more grown-up escape you should opt for The Sarojin. The Devasom’s spacious beachfront villas are ideal for those travelling children. There’s a huge swimming pool which looks out to the long, golden beach, a kid’s club, and a sheltered lagoon for kayaking and snorkelling. The Sarojin is a boutique resort that only accepts children over the age of 10. It looks out to over six miles of pristine beach, and the surroundings are beautifully green. You can take advantage of morning yoga, followed by a breakfast service that is available all day and even includes sparkling wine – what a lovely touch! Whichever option you choose, I’m sure you will love Khao Lak as much as I did.
KOH YAO NOI
One of the other quieter beach regions our clients particularly enjoy is Koh Yao Noi. Though sharing the same mesmerising outlook of blue-green waters pocked by the silhouettes of limestone karsts, the Koh Yao archipelago delivers an altogether quieter experience of the legendary Phang Nga Bay. Koh Yao Noi itself benefits from easy access to both Phuket and Krabi airports, whilst retaining a beautifully untouched feel. Development is strictly controlled here, and landscapes away from the beach characterised by rice paddies and peaceful fishing villages. Beaches on the island are calm and sheltered, and activities for your free time include scuba diving, visits to batik workshops, and cruises around Phang Nga Bay by longtail boat.
Best places to stay on Koh Yao Noi
ANI Thailand
Again, this is a corner of the Andaman Sea that is not overrun with hotels and is all the better for it. The best places to stay on Koh Yao Noi are the Six Senses, for a classic luxury resort experience and wonderful spa, or ANI Thailand for an exclusive private villa stay. The latter includes no end of benefits as standard, from island tours, yoga classes and personal training to all meals and drinks – and up to 10 spa treatments a day! Babysitting and a full children’s programme is also included in the rates, allowing parents to take full advantage.
KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK - Glorious nature with a Bill Bensley twist
Immersing yourself in nature is another popular activity on a luxury holiday to Thailand. Once again, we are always on the lookout for places that offer something a little different and Khao Yai National Park provides just that. You might not necessarily expect to find one of Thailand’s most pristine national parks less than three hours’ drive from Bangkok, but this area is full of surprises. Khao Yai is actually one of the country’s oldest national parks, but it more recently gained recognition by UNESCO due to the scale of its intact forest ecosystem and the biodiversity to be found here (which includes a number of endangered species). The park’s vast expanse of forested hills, waterfalls and open grasslands is home to wild elephants, gibbons, hornbills and over 300 species of bird. The more recent acknowledgement of the park's environmental importance – not to mention the addition of an exciting new luxury hotel in the area – mean I suggest Khao Yai more and more to my clients seeking nature experiences in Thailand.
Where to stay in Khao Yai
InterContinental Khao Yai
Until recent years, hotel options around the Khao Yai National Park were a little uninspiring. Thankfully 2022 saw the arrival of a much more tempting addition. Award-winning designer Bill Bensley’s long-standing love of train travel has found a surprisingly natural home in Khao Yai, one-time significant rail gateway for northern Thailand. Having previously collaborated with Bensley on other projects, the owners of the InterContinental Khao Yai invited him to design their new hotel around the theme of the golden age of rail travel. The result was a true labour of love for Bensley, who commissioned the restoration of salvaged train carriages to create the hotel’s suites, and fashioned the lobby in the style of a classic ticket office. The Poirot restaurant and Papillon bar are also housed in exquisitely restored railway carriages. If you are considering a visit to Khao Yai National Park, this is your number one place to stay!
BANGKOK REIMAGINED
Whether you are a first-time visitor to the city or passing back through, Bangkok is always a place that draws you in. If you have already covered classic sights such as the Grand Palace and Wat Arun, you may be ready for some new perspectives. We can arrange no end of fascinating experiences in Bangkok from street food tours and flower market visits to private boat trips to explore the historic klongs of the Thonburi district. Another activity I love to organise for my clients looking for something different in Bangkok is a cycling tour of the inner-city oasis of Bang Krachao. This glorious green peninsula feels like a soothing island within the heart of the city, and it is completely free of large-scale development. The cycling tour we arrange with a private local guide takes you along flat, paved roads through cool mangroves and paths shaded by jungle. You’ll be able to stop along the way to explore the small communities, temples and markets that make Bang Krachao such a lovely place to explore.
Inspired by Alternative Thailand?
I’ve travelled extensively throughout the country and would be delighted to design you a luxury tour that includes some of Thailand’s lesser-visited gems. Contact me today on +44 (0)1242 787 804, or toll free from the US on +1 855 468 5555.
