Still one of the most popular travel
destinations in Asia, Thailand is in easy reach from Singapore and makes for a
perfect short getaway. One island that is getting more and more popular with
tourists is Ko Samui. Previously the only way to get to Ko Samui was to fly
from Bangkok, but for the last few years flights have been flying direct from
Singapore. With a flight time of one hour and 45 minutes, it’s never been more
convenient. Ko Samui offers everything Thailand is famous for, from beautiful
beaches to wild nightlife. All styles of accommodation are available but
recommended is a beachside cabin. If you’re willing to go small you can one for
very cheap. With the front steps landing you on the sand, you can’t stay any
closer to the beach. A good idea while on Ko Samui is a trip to the nearby Ko
Pha Ngan. Not only great for swimming and snorkelling, the island is also home
to Thailand’s infamous full moon parties.
Roughly the same flight time from Singapore
is Phuket. Famous the world over, Phuket continues to be one of the most
desired and visited beach destinations on the planet. If you don’t like the
idea of massive crowds, there are still places in Phuket not suffering from a
constant influx of tourists. If its beaches you want then the west coast is
where most of them are, of course this is where most of the tourists are as
well, but the further away you go from the city of Patong, the less tourist
there will be. If you’re feeling adventurous, head to the south-eastern coast.
The main beach there is Nai Ham but if you can find Ya Nui there will be even
less people and a great opportunity to go snorkelling on the shallow reef that
that juts out directly from the beach itself. If crowds and partying are more
your thing then you’ve definitely come to the right place. Patong is known as
one of the party capitals of Asia, attracting thousands upon thousands of
people to its endless amount of bars and nightclubs. This has led to prices
being higher than normal for Thailand. In fact most places in Thailand not
located on the mainland will be more expensive. This is not just because they
are usually tourist destinations but also because they are out of the way and
thus things cost more to transport there.
For a quieter yet up-and-coming
destination, head east across the water from Phuket and you’ll find Krabi. For
years overshadowed by nearby Phuket, Krabi is growing in popularity, now
receiving 2 million visitors a year. The main area is Ao Nang. This is the main
beach resort and what most people will be talking about when they say Krabi. If
you want the beach without the shops and bars then head to Had Yao, also known
as Long Beach. This is the last untouched beach in Krabi offering some peace
and tranquillity on top of the beautiful scenery. One of the main attractions
of Krabi is the large karst rock formations. This has led to the area becoming
popular with rock climbers, with Rai Leh being the main hotspot. Climbers come
from all over the world come here just to take on the amazing karsts in the
area. If you find yourself there but you’re not a rock climber, you’ll still be
able to enjoy the beach and the breath-taking views. Krabi is also the scuba
diving capital of Thailand so if that’s your hobby then you’ll be spoilt for
choice.
With a roughly two hour flight time,
Thailand’s capital Bangkok is an obvious destination for a short trip from
Singapore, but if you want a real adventure, there’s another way to get there,
and it’s a classic. Travel for three days in pure luxury from Singapore to
Bangkok on board the Eastern & Oriental Express. Leaving from Woodlands station, the train makes its way over the Johor – Singapore Causeway into
Malaysia. The train will travel for the rest of the day before stopping in
Kuala Lumpur for an hour just before 11PM. It will then travel all night to
Penang, The train will be stopped for two hours in Penang while you take a
guided tour of historic Georgetown. The next leg will be a non-stop ride for 24
hours all the way to Kanchanaburi. Here you will take another guided tour, this
time by boat on the infamous River Kwai. Later that day you’ll be dropped at
your final destination, Bangkok. Three days of luxury travel and accommodation,
great food and amazing views. A trip on the Eastern & Oriental Express will
be something you’ll never forget.
Thailand is a country everyone should visit
at least once in their life. From people seeking relaxation to people that just
want to party, Thailand provides something for everyone. Whether you stay in
the jet age or go back to the golden age of travel on board the Orient Express,
the proximity and cultural contrast to Singapore means it’s an essential trip
for any traveller.
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