Things to do in  Gulf of Thailand

Ang Thong National Marine Park (also known as Mu Koh Ang Thong National Park) is a protected archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. The limestone-karst seascape features secluded beaches, hidden caves, dramatic cliffs, and photo-worthy emerald lagoons. Visitors also come here to spot wildlife, as it’s home to hawks, eagles, macaques, wild boars, sea turtles, and blacktip reef sharks.

Nestled among Koh Samui’s central mountains, the Na Muang Waterfall has two tiers: a lower stretch that’s easily reachable and falls into a lovely natural pool, and a higher tier that requires a 30-minute hike. The falls are set among lush jungle surroundings, and access to the site is free.

With crystal clear water, plentiful coral reefs, and beautiful stretches of fine white sand, Thailand’s Coral Island (Koh Larn) is a veritable paradise. Take a day trip to this popular spot—about 4.5 miles (7 km) off the coast of Pattaya—to enjoy beaches and a variety of water sports, including scuba diving and snorkeling.

In stark contrast to its famed northerly neighbor, tiny and sleepy Koh Tan tempts visitors with empty beaches and vehicle-less roads just three miles and a 15-minute boat ride south of Koh Samui’s southern tip. Koh Tan (also spelled Koh Taen, Ko Taen, and Ko Tan) is sometimes also called Coral Island for its diversity of colorful hard and soft corals, and it often serves as a popular day-long escape for snorkel or kayak excursions through its clear inshore waters. Though the island doesn’t have quite the aquatic diversity of other more remote locations, it still affords excellent snorkeling, relatively empty beaches and navigable mangrove swamps all very close to a major tourist hub. Longboats make the crossing daily and usually stop at several unique coral spots around the island. On land, Koh Tan spans only three square miles, and its population barely tops 30 people; their rustic lifestyle with limited electricity affords a glimpse of what much of Thai Island-living was like decades ago. Koh Tan also has a thriving population of monitor lizards, a boardwalk through a mangrove forest, a quaint local temple, a handful of local restaurants and a cluster of bungalow-style accommodations.

Apart from the beaches, Koh Samui’s most distinctive attraction is the golden Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai) visible above the red-tiled rooftops on the island’s north coast. The 40-foot (12-meter) Buddha statue can be seen from several miles away—even from a plane—and the site is an active place of worship.

Khao Sok National Park is a secluded pocket of southern Thailand that contains one of the oldest rainforests on the planet. Rugged limestone formations, dense greenery, and turquoise waters characterize the area, which you can explore by boat, swim in, and camp overnight. The park also harbors a variety of wildlife, such as sambar deer, sun bears, Malayan tapirs, and around 200 species of birds.

Located in Koh Samui, Wat Khunaram is a functioning temple in the southern portion of the island. It’s most famous for the mummified remains of former abbot and monk, Loung Pordaeng, which have been displayed in a vertical glass casket since his death in 1973. It’s a popular, if unusual, attraction with both locals and visitors.

Koh Samui’s Grandmother and Grandfather Rocks (also known as Hin Yai and Hin Ta) are rocky outcrops located on Lamai Beach. The often-photographed, commented-upon, and giggled-about rock formations bear an uncanny resemblance to male and female genitalia, making them a must-see attraction for many tourists. Plus, the rocks are set on a lovely stretch of beach and create tranquil tide pools.

Deep in Koh Samui’s jungle-clad hills is the Secret Buddha Garden (Magic Garden), where a waterfall tumbles past stone sculptures of the Buddha. The oasis was created by local durian farmer Nim Thongsuk, whose tomb sits among the carvings of Buddhist spirits, musicians, and animals.

With its golden sands and clear water, Nang Yuan Island (Koh Nang Yuan) is the poster child of southern Thailand. Hike the rocky, forested landscape; swim and snorkel in crystalline water; or just relax in relative quiet. Nang Yuan sees only a fraction of the crowds that flock to its neighbors.

Thailand’s answer to Barcelona’s La Sagrada Família cathedral, the Sanctuary of Truth (Prasat Sut Ja-Tum) was begun in 1981 and is scheduled for completion around 2050. The wooden structure is a whopping 345 feet tall (105 meters tall), hand-carved by artisans using traditional techniques, and full of Hindu and Buddhist sculptures.

At the Pattaya Floating Market, traditional thatched huts perched on stilts over the water house vendors selling handicrafts, Thai street food, and souvenirs from around the country. The market’s four areas represent the culture and architecture of Thailand’s four main regions: north, northeast, central, and south.

The 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) stretch of sand known as Pattaya Beach ranks among the area's liveliest beaches. The crescent-shaped coast remains lively day and night, with the party atmosphere of the bars and restaurants of Beach Road to one side and a host of water sports—wind surfing, jet skiing, parasailing, or banana boating—to the other. The popular beach also serves as a departure point for diving expeditions to Pattaya's offshore coral islands.

Khao Sam Roi Yot, which roughly translates to “the mountain with three hundred peaks,” protects the largest wetlands area in Thailand. The park’s most popular feature is Phraya Nakhon Cave—arguably one of the most spectacular caves in all of Southeast Asia, and home to a stunning gold and green pavilion.

Home to miniature replicas of both top Thailand sights and global landmarks, Mini Siam is a family-friendly Pattaya attraction. Travel through Thai history on the Mini Siam side, where you’ll see to-scale versions of the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the Bridge on the River Kwai, and then admire the Eiffel Tower in Mini Europe.