This stunning coast features a Thailand holiday trifecta: Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, Thai family of spectacular islands lure millions of tourists every year with their powder-soft sands and emerald waters. Koh samui is the oldest brother, with a business-minded attitude towatda vacation. High-class resorts operate with Swiss efficiency as uniformed butlers cater to every whim. Koh Phangan is the slacker middle child with tangled dreadlocks and a penchant for hammock-lazing and all-night partiea. Bady Koh Tao has plenty of spirit and spunk-offering high-adrenaline activities including world-class diving and snorkelling. A thin archipelago of pin-sized islets creates a small barrier between these three busy destinations and quieter beachside towns along the coast. Known as Ang Thong Marine National Park, this ethereal realm of greens and blues offers some of the most picture-perfect moments in the entire kingdom. As the rugged coastline swerves south, the ancient rainforest of Khao Sok rises up into the clouds as it dominates the inner terrain and drips with gushing waterfalls and exotic wildlife. Urban Nakhon Si Thammarat buzzes with booming trade and religious devotees. Southeastern Thailand Beach has the kingdom's most intriguing social and religious dynamic. The region is a fascinating crucible of Buddhist and Muslim cultures, where you're as likely to wake up to the Muzennin's call to prayer as you are to see a monk wandering in saffron robes. Unfortunately, at the time of research, tensions between Muslim separatists and Thai authorities meant that the far southernmost provincer wee experiencing some civil unrest.