Selling Travel April 19

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thailand
TONGSAI BAY BEACH AND POOL
BEACH-VIEW DINING
Twin-centre ideas
For beach-lovers, Krabi and Koh
Lanta: There is no shortage of Thai
beaches but a good combination is to twin
a large island with a smaller one. Krabi has
a well-developed infrastructure and plenty
of recognisable hotels, while the smaller
and less developed Koh Lanta is quieter
and laid back, with fewer tourists and
boutique-style accommodation.
For beach & jungle, Khao Lak and
Khao Sok National Park: If you don’t
want to spend your entire holiday relaxing
on a beach, why not combine Khao Lak – a
younger, quieter version of Phuket famed
for its diving and snorkelling – with Khao
Sok National Park, home to one of the best
elephant sanctuaries in Thailand and
covered by the world’s oldest evergreen
rainforest? Get up close with these
creatures, trek through the jungle or kayak
on a lake.
For city-slickers, Bangkok and
Chiang Mai: Bangkok and Chiang
Mai are the two biggest cities in Thailand
but feel worlds apart. With its new hotels,
Michelin-star restaurants, rooftop bars and
modern shopping centres, Bangkok has its
sights set firmly on the future; quieter,
cooler Chiang Mai is more about history
and culture, with smaller hotels and a
more immediately local feel.
For time-warpers, Phuket and Koh
Yao Noi: If you fancy experiencing
‘then and now’ Thailand, head first to Koh
Yao Noi, an untouched island of farmland,
buffalos and unspoilt beaches. You’ll find
just a few market stalls, a handful of local
restaurants (often lit by candlelight) and
not much else. Phuket – a large island with
a well-developed infrastructure – tells the
story of modern-day Thailand. It has plenty
of accommodation, nightlife and dining.
For city and beach, Bangkok and
Koh Samet: Holidaymakers who get
bored on the beach, but still want to relax,
should combine Koh Samet – a beautiful,
untouched island where you can listen to
the waves as you fall asleep – with buzzy
Bangkok just three hours away. Spend the
first week recharging your batteries, then
re-energise in the city that never sleeps.
For hippies, Koh Samui and
Koh Phangan: Lovers of spa
treatments, wellness retreats and full
moon parties should book this twin-centre.
The majority of the hotels on Koh Samui
have decent spas offering local treatments
(try the Thai massage if you dare). Koh
Phangan, on the other hand, is renowned
for its full moon parties, a hippy vibe and
beach gatherings.
Where to book it
HAYES & JARVIS – 01293 839221
The 11-day Khao Lak and Khao Sok
National Park twin-centre departs on
May 19 2019. The twin-centre trip costs
£1,849pp and includes flights with Cathay
Pacific, transfers, eight nights’ bed and
breakfast accommodation at the Garden
Residence Room in Khao Lak and two
nights’ full-board lodging in Khao Sok.
hayesandjarvis.co.uk
TUCAN TRAVEL – 0800 804 8435
The five-night Thailand in a Week tour
starts from £449pp, including domestic
transfers, three nights in a hotel in
Chiang Mai, two nights in a guesthouse in
Bangkok, breakfasts, a river boat cruise
and entrance to Ko Pat temple.
tucantravel.co.uk
THAI-STYLE SERVICE
“With new hotels,
restaurants and
developments, such as the
ICON Siam shopping centre,
opening all the time, visitors
will find something new
each time they visit
Bangkok”
Emma Arnott, Trade Manager, Tourism Thailand
sellingtravel.co.uk