Many are dreaming of white sand beaches, sunshines and turquios water, but still are confused where to go. With so many islands in Thailand to choose from, planning a trip can be overwhelming. The most difficult thing about travelling is about choosing a destination that fits your personality and your own needs. Each island has its own character and style and is suitable for different types of travellers. Wherever you are in the phase of your life, either families with children, just newly married or already in your late midlife, Thai paradise islands can offer different travel experiences for you. With this guide, we aim to give you our in-depth knowledge to help you map an island that suits your type and needs. Here is an ultimate Thailand island guide for your next vacation. Koh Lanta – cozy and convenient Long stretch beaches and laid back atmosphere make this stunning island a favorite island for many. Koh Lanta is not for party-goers or extreme adventurous enthusiasts. Instead the island is for those who are looking for a relaxing vacation in a local Thai lifestyle yet convenient enough to get all you need on a tropical island. Activities There are many activities to choose from; swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, stand up paddle boards, kayaking, bicycling around the island or observing elephants in their natural surroundings. Interested in the local wisdom i.e. learning the versatile bamboo plants, there are a few workshops you can join.  Combine work and holiday For those who want to combine work and vacation, Koh Lanta has a tropical and modern coworking space for freelancers and entrepreneurs with WiFi and a convenient tropical working lifestyle as well as international schools for families with children who plan to stay longer on the island and combine family life with tropical vacation, school and your entrepreneur life. Koh Lanta Yai is the main tourist island and is about 30 km long and 6 km wide with a bridge connecting to Koh Lanta Noi. Kilometers long beaches are scattered on the west coast of Koh Lanta Yai. Most accommodation and restaurants have located mostly around seven beaches and leave four secluded beaches almost untouched. In general the bays become quieter and more secluded the further south you go. Klong Dao in the north is the most developed area and the beach is almost completely rock free and shallow, suitable for families with young children.  Koh Ngai – authentic simple island life Koh Ngai (Koh Hai) is a small paradise island on Andaman Sea between Krabi and Trang province. It is an unbeatable charming island, almost nothing developed here; no roads, no cars and no 7-Elevens nor ATMs. The island is quieter than Koh Lanta and is perfect for those who are looking for some timeout or relaxing. Make sure to bring enough cash with you.  Activities Basically, there are not many things to do on Koh Ngai but that’s where it gets its charm. There is no need to plan your day. Simply get out of bed and enjoy sunrise, chill out on the beach, go snorkeling. Finish your day with a fresh coconut or a beer, hit the bed early and repeat the next day. The main place to go snorkeling on Koh Ngai is along the east and south coasts off Main Beach and Paradise Beach. You can reach the reef directly from the sand. On the island, there are 3 main beaches. The Main Beach is about 2.5 km long and this is where you find most hotels. Paradise Beach is more secluded and located at the end of the island. Ao Muang is located between Main Beach and Paradise Beach. There is a trail connecting the beaches.  Koh Yao Noi – eco-island with a sense of luxury Located midway between Phuket and Krabi lies Koh Yao Noi, an idyllic and unspoilt island perfect for a relaxing vacation. There is a sense of preserved authenticity, a feel of slow, peaceful and serenity here. Koh Yao Noi’s idyllic backdrop with limestone formations that juts out from the emerald water has caught the attention of honeymoons and couples who want a romantic vacation. Unlike Koh Ngai, you can find exclusive resorts and villas on this island, featuring a boho-chic island life welcoming visitors on the island.  Activities Koh Yao Noi’s beaches are appealing. At low tide, the muddy, rocky shoreline is exposed – great for chasing crabs, but not so good for swimming. Diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking and boat trips around the island and to Phanga Bay are popular activities. Koh Yao Noi also offers visitors the chance to involve themselves in local activities. You can easily spend a day with a local fisherman, learning about the life of small-scale fishers and supporting local conservation efforts. Aside from lazy beach days, you can enjoy scenic rides around the island’s lightly trafficked roads on motorbike or bicycle. Koh Samui – Bustling island with everything you want and need Koh Samui in the Gulf of Thailand is among the most famous tourist destinations for many. It is one of the most developed islands in Thailand with many tourists. But why are we mentioning it? It boils down to the weather. Samui is perfect to travel to in the summer. On Koh Samui, the sky is mostly clear from June to August, making Samui a perfect getaway to escape from when the summer in the Nordics gets bad. Koh Samui is a giant mix of everything. You can find from popular sunbathing beaches to deserted bays, from mediocre restaurants in one corner to typical Thai street food in the next. No matter what you are looking for, you can find it on Koh Samui. Moreover, Koh Samui is a pioneer for sustainable tourism for both hoteliers and local communities. Koh Phangan Koh Phagan is located in the Gulf of Thailand and only 20 minutes by speedboat from Samui. Unlike the developed counterpart Koh Samui, Koh Phangan has a more laid back atmosphere and...

Text & Photo : Anders Pihl Thailand really shines when it comes to spa and wellness. What about to indulge yourself at the best ones? Here you encounter world famous treatments that make a real difference and a sense of luxury from the inside. Here is our top 5 places for health and wellness in Thailand Opium Spa, The Siam, Bangkok There is something unreal over the opulent The Siam hotel in Bangkok. The collections of historical objects in the hotel’s main hall are better than in many museums. No wonder the impression of surreal quality continues in the award-winning Opium Spa, bringing Sodashi therapies and finest chemical-free products to a broad range of face therapies, body wraps and massage options. The multi-day combination therapies are of course even better. www.thesiamhotel.com Amatara Wellness Resort, Phuket At the southern tip of Phuket, Cape Panwa, Phuket feels like a different island, less populated. This is the location for Amatara Wellness Resort, a healthy refuge with affordable pool villas och suits. Every guest in the hotel is entitled to a complimentary physical analysis. The spa’s holistic therapies are created in conjunction with the Bangkok Hospital’s Brain Institute. Afterwards you can rest in the Hammam that use a selection of high-quality Thai natural products, herbs and aromas. To become a new person after a visit here is inevitable. www.amataraphuket.com Banyan Tree Sanctuary Spa, Phuket First but still among the best. When Banyan Tree opened its famous spa on Phuket in 1994 it was a completely new concept, blending traditions and luxury. Today it has been copied innumerable times. As one of the true pioneers, at Banyan Tree you get original experiences as they were meant to be. The spa is open to all visitors, but as a guest you can order treatments in your villa. With their own product line of natural and local ingredients, similar signature treatments are offered at the other Banyan Tree Resorts in Thailand. www.banyantree.com Tamarind Springs Forest Spa, Koh Samui Tamarind Springs Forest Spa is one of many top-class spas on Koh Samui. This spa has an outstanding location in the middle of the nature. The entrance passes between two giant boulders in the lush green hills behind Lamai Beach. Inside the vast outdoor area two caves awaits, rebuilt to steam saunas: Steam & Dream. The spa continues among big rocks, tropical plants and natural looking pools. After a while, quality massage is chosen from a menu. Every treatment lasts at least 2 1/2 hours which contribute to the deep and vitalizing effect. www.tamarindsprings.com Asaya, Rosewood Phuket The Asaya Spa at Rosewood Phuket Resort received The World Spa Award 2019 for the best Spa in Thailand. It shows the latest developments in the spa business where scientific research walks hand in hand with ageless traditions. At Asaya your current body composition is measured and analyzed along with your bioelectrical impedance. Then you will be offered a personal Lifestyle Assessment with suggestions for your optimal living through 12 dimensions of wellness. Sound serious? Yes, but in a good way. www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/phuket