| Lush tropical islands, dazzling palm-fringed
beaches, coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life, picturesque
fishing villages with distinctive hand-painted boats, remote national
parks, forested mountains, waterfalls, historic cities, ubiquitous
rubber estates, scenic wildlife sanctuaries, the juxtaposition of
temples and mosques clearly define the region's visual appeal.
Geographically, southern Thailand extends through the Kra Isthmus
from Chumphon, 460 kilometres south of Bangkok, to the ThaiMalaysian
border, and is bordered in the east by the Gulf of Thailand, to
the west by the Indian Ocean.
Chumphon has several lovely beaches, birds' nest islands and excellent
scuba diving waters, particularly around Ko Tao.
Ranong
to the southwest, 568 kilometres from Bangkok, has a Hot Spa Health
Resort drawing water from Thailand's sole potable Geo-Thermal Mineral
Water Spring.
 Surat
Thani
is best known for the beautiful Ko Samui, Thailand's third largest
island, 268 nautical miles south of Bangkok, and jewel of a sparkling
archipelago that contains the lovely Angthong (Golden Bowl) Marine
National Park.
Nakhon Si Tharnmarat
780 kilometres south of Bangkok, is an ancient city, home of
the historically important Wat Phra Maha That, and is the major
centre of southern Thai handicrafts such as black and gold neilloware,
yan lipao basketry and intricate shadow-play figures.
Songkhla
950 kilometres from Bangkok, a medieval pirate strong-hold, is a
historic, albeit sleepy town with a thriving fishing community and
the lovely Samila beach. The Great Songkhla Lake hosts the 520-square-kilometre
Khu Khut Waterfowl Park, home to some 140 species.
Pattani
some 100 kilometres further south, has Thailand's most beautiful
mosque and innumerable fishing communities with handpainted, lavishly
decorated boats.
Narathiwat
further south, bordering Malaysia, is noted for its Ba Cho Waterfall,
a massive seated golden Buddha at Wat Khao Kong, and the border
town of Sungai Golok with its liberated nightlife.
Hat Yai
933 kilometres from Bangkok, is southern Thailand's principal commercial,
communications and entertainment centre and regularly attracts visitors
from nearby Malaysia.
Phatthallung
some 95 kilometres north of Hat Yai, has the Talay Noi Nok Nam bird
sanctuary at the northwestern end of the Songkhla Great Lake.
Trang's Khao Chong Nature Reserve, some 65 kilometres further west,
contains one of southern Thailand, sloveliest waterfalls.
 Krabi
Major attractions are the beautiful Phi Phi islands, the 75-million-year-old
Susan Hoi shell graveyard, one of the only three in the world, and
the sweeping Noppharat Beach.
Phang Nga's major attraction is the eerily beautiful Phang
Nga Bay where verdant limestone islands, honeycombed with caves
and aquatic grottoes, soar perpendicularly to heights of 300 metres
and more from almost perpetually calm waters.
Phuket
862 kilometres from Bangkok, is Thailand's largest island (the approximate
size of Singapore). Phuket is a resort of international stature,
is blessed with a wide variety of magnificent beaches, hidden coves
and secluded bays, and has probably the best seafood in Thailand.
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