Phuket Island and Krabi on the west coast of southern Thailand and Samui in the Gulf of Thailand offer an idyllic combination of a sunny climate, stunning beaches, lively nightlife and extraordinary natural beauty.  

The west coast of Phuket, the largest island in Thailand, has the most beautiful beaches including Patong, Karon, Kata and Surin, all with azure waters and white sand. Most of the island’s resorts and night-time entertainments are to be found here. The east coast has excellent marinas, where sailors competing in the prestigious annual Phuket King’s Cup Regatta drop anchor. Inland, Phuket Town has a charming historic centre with well preserved examples of Sino-Portuguese shophouses and mansions now serving as elegant guesthouses, boutiques and restaurants. Krabi, with its fabulous beaches, clear waters, picturesque limestone outcrops, tropical rainforest and protected national parks has a well-deserved reputation as one of the world’s most beautiful places. Koh Samui with its exotic resorts offering serious spa pampering is also the ideal destination for sun-worshippers. 

For those seeking to explore the undersea life, the region has world-class dive sites. And throughout, the region’s bountiful and varied catch of seafood provides the ingredients for the delicious cuisine. 

Enchanting Phuket, Samui & Krabi takes an illustrated tour of the region introducing the best inland sites to visit and the most exciting beaches, both for those who want to chill out and those who want to party.

Mick Shippen is a freelance writer and photographer who has lived in Thailand since 1997, first in the northern city of Chiang Mai and currently in Bangkok. He travels extensively throughout Asia conducting research for articles and taking photographs for local and international publications. He is the author of The Traditional Ceramics of Southeast Asia, and a keen biker who spends his spare time motorcycling - he has toured extensively on- and 0ff-road in northern Thailand and Laos.