You can find great beaches all over the world: stretched across the tropics are many memorable strips of white sand. Some of my favorite have been Playa Blanca in Colombia, Nungwi in Zanzibar, Praia de Pipa in Brazil, Usisya on Lake Malawi, Kumejima beach in Okinawa and the beaches of Sihanoukville in Cambodia. They were all peaceful places when I visited with a minimum of development. They had clear warm oceans, lots of shady tree line and didn’t cost you an arm and a leg to stay near. Some of the places mentioned in the list of beaches will be new to the reader, others not. They were all quite hard to get to at the time (excepting the Japanese beach which was just expensive). In my opinion the best all-round beaches to be found in the world are in Thailand. They combine just the right level of development, pristine nature, affordable prices and friendly locals.
Whereas places like India, Colombia, Cambodia and Sri Lanka cause trepidation in the mind of many tourists, Thailand has a reputation for being safe and accessible. While the country struggles with political unrest for the visitor nothing changes. The main tourist areas of Bangkok, Changmai, Phuket, Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan remain trouble free. There is very little serious crime in Thailand involving foreign visitors to the land of smiles.
Despite the strength of the Thai Baht against other currencies the country remains a cheap place to travel around. There are both luxury hotels and cheap guest houses. On the many beaches of Thailand you can normally find a $15 a night bungalow as well as a $100 night resort room complete with communal pool and wi-fi. I have never needed to book a bungalow on the beach the many times I have visited Koh Samui and Koh Phangan. I normally find a good bungalow in under 20 minutes and have often managed to politely negotiate a discount.
The food in Thailand is not haute cuisine but it is delicious. Lots of healthy coconut dishes as well as the usual array of burgers, fries and sandwiches. The fresh fish barbecues although more expensive make a great treat.
What I particularly like about such Thai beaches as Thong Nai Pan Noi in Koh Phangan and Ao Yai in Koh Phayam is that they have a great atmosphere. The locals are friendly; the bars close when the last guest goes to bed. That addictive ‘sabai sabai’ mentality (relax, relax) pervades everyday life. The problems of money, work and family seem lost in the ambiance of tranquility. Such is the addictive nature of Thai beaches that many people end up marrying a Thai and never leaving.
