Getting Oriented

In the miles of sandy beaches in southern Thailand there is pretty much something for everyone, from secluded spots in the marine national parks to loud and gaudy resort towns where the bar scene is a bigger draw than the beach. Thailand has two shores: the eastern shore faces the Gulf of Thailand—also sometimes referred to as the Gulf of Siam—and includes the well-known destinations of Pattaya, Koh Chang, and Koh Samui, among others; the western shore fronts the Andaman Sea, where you'll find the islands of Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, and various marine parks.