Bangkok is deliriously exciting. The street food, the frantic tuk tuk rides, the scent of incense around every corner.
There’s no question Thailand’s capital can be all-consuming. The answer? The beach. Always escape to the beach. Here’s how to combine Bangkok’s city thrills with a restorative beachside escape.
Beaches close to Bangkok
Swap cityscapes for palm trees
From golden Buddhist monasteries and gleaming skyscrapers to fancy hotels crowned with pools and an insanely delicious food scene, the Asian megacity carries a whole lotta fascinating stuff on its shoulders. Once you’ve had your fill and burned some baht, it’s time to head to the coast. To laze in a hammock, sip on a coconut shake, wallow in balmy turquoise water and land on unfathomably beautiful beaches. True, these sultry stretches are far from deserted. Do it right and you might just find your very own pocket of paradise.
What to expect on the beach in Thailand
Sand, sea, and sunsets
Market-snooping, noodle-eating, temple-stalking, tuk-tuk tripping – Bangkok is one hell of a city to explore. But after a few days, you’ll be craving respite and a slower pace of life. Pack up your gear and head to the beach, where the air is salty and cool and sea dips will leave you revitalised and ready for adventure.
Granted you’ll have to travel a little way to the beach. But this is Thailand. The land of swoon-worthy beaches. Lined with cool and fun beachside hangouts, dishing up just-caught shellfish and icy beers. Host of enduringly wild full moon parties, fuelled by buckets and boisterous dancing. And portal to plenty of adventure, from diving to kayaking.
Fancy a round of golf or a long shopping trip after a morning on the beach? Head to the resort town of Hua Hin. Looking for the quintessential backpacker vibe with superbly pretty jungle views? Hop over to Koh Chang. Ready to venture off-grid and find your own deserted beach? Hire a moped and explore Koh Kood, arguably Thailand’s prettiest island. Fancy chilling out on pearly white sands with a massage or three? Venture over to Koh Larn.
8 of the best beaches near Bangkok
Fly into Bangkok from Australia and explore the city, then hop to one of these sublime stretches of sand.
Pattaya
Party spot
150km from Suvarnabhumi Airport
Pattaya is where people go when they want to misbehave. It’s naughty, loud and raucous, filled with neon-lit go-go bars, seedy massage parlours and heady streams of tourists desperate to knock back beers and buckets of rum. But there’s plenty still to love about its supremely family-friendly beach with rows of sunbeds and water sports and superb beachside food joints.
Hua Hin
Locals’ spot
200km from Suvarnabhumi Airport
Thais have long holidayed in this resort town on the Gulf of Thailand, where the sand’s the colour of honey and the water is lovely and clear. And although it lacks the pristine quality of some of Thailand’s other renowned beaches, you’ll never be short of things to do if you like lazy, hazy beach days with a side of shopping, golf, water parks, market-rummaging, and street-food-seeking.
Koh Chang
Epic scenery
300km from Suvarnabhumi Airport
It’s a bit of a journey to ‘Elephant Island’ with a five-hour car ride, plus a 45-minute boat trip. But woah, once you’re spread-eagled on a sunbed, gazing at the forest-smothered peaks that cover the interior, it’ll be worth the journey. Head to the west coast for its prettiest beaches and you’ll find a low-key vibe with a hint of hippie: honey pancakes, rum buckets, and a Bob Marley soundtrack.
Koh Kood
Island paradise
330km from Suvarnabhumi Airport
When people say they’ve found Thailand’s prettiest island, you have to sit up and listen. And Koh Kood (or Ko Kut) is the latest island vying for the title with inconceivably clear waters and powder-soft sand. Amazingly it’s managed to avoid being overrun with obtrusive crowds and that hyper-touristy feel. Our advice? Hire a moped and head out for the day. You might just find your own (almost) deserted patch of paradise.
Koh Samet
Backpacker beaches
180km from Suvarnabhumi Airport
Tiny Koh Samet has been on the Banana Pancake Trail for years and up on its northern coast, you’ll find perfectly formed beaches that transform as night falls with tables edged into the sand for seafood suppers and riotous fire shows. But inch further south and the scene turns quieter, from Ao Hin Khok Beach on the east to the pearly white sands of Ao Tubtim Beach.
Koh Larn
White sand and sapphire waters
120km from Suvarnabhumi Airport
Cast off from Pattaya, Koh Larn is ringed by fine white sand and sapphire waters, drawing travellers to pitch up for a few days and seek out the beaches carving out its coastline. Most are dotted with sunbeds and stalked by fresh fruit sellers and masseuses, from the bone-white sands of Tien Beach to popular Samae Beach. Make time to walk up to the golden Big Buddha viewpoint for sprawling views of the island.
Cha-Am
Sumptuous seafood
170km from Suvarnabhumi Airport
This long vast beach stretches north of Hua Hin on the Gulf of Thailand, backed by a tangle of pines where locals hang out in the shade with picnics. Parasols and sunbeds are available to hire and if you fancy a bit of action, there are jet-skis, paddleboards, and kayaks. Feeling hungry? Nab a table in one of the seafood restaurants lining the shore for just-caught shellfish dishes, fuelled with punchy Thai flavours.
Bang Saen
Closest to Bangkok
80km from Suvarnabhumi Airport
Don’t expect a swoon-worthy beach when you arrive at this popular resort town. It’s not got the pearly white sand or the idyllic turquoise water. But in just 90 minutes from the frenetic rush rush rush of the city, you could be here with an ice-cold beer, dozing off during a pummelling massage and refuelling on cheap and delicious seafood.
Top tips:
Order fresh seafood with enlivening Thai flavours at waterside restaurants.
Save money by ordering local tuk-tuks or hiring mopeds.
Take advantage of the dry season and book your trip between November to April.
Combine a heady stop in Bangkok with a free-spirited adventure beside the beach for the ultimate holiday in Thailand. Think waterside massages, perpetual sunshine, icy beers, and thrilling sea dips.