Itineraries - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 20

Ngan also offers a few, as yet, untainted paradise
beaches. See p.790
4 Khao Sok National Park Tropical jungle,
dotted with dramatic limestone crags, this is
one of the most bio-diverse places on the
planet. See p.801
5 Ko Phi Phi An ugly tourist village that's host
to undeniably fun all-night parties is offset by
beautiful (yet crowded) Long Beach, great
snorkelling and diving, and the magnificent
Maya Bay. See p.811
6 Ko Lanta Manages to combine a relaxed
island getaway experience with spectacular
sunsets and good nightlife. See p.813
7 Ko Lipe While rapidly becoming
overdeveloped, you will still find pockets of
paradise here, and the stunning Ko Tarutao
National Marine Park is yours to explore.
See p.818

THAILAND'S BEACHES
AND ISLANDS

INDIAN
OCEAN

Gulf of
Thailand

0 200

kilometres

THAILAND'S BEACHES AND
ISLANDS
Sand and sea are what many Thai holidays
are about, and with over 3000km of tropical
coastline, there are plenty of white-sand
beaches to choose from. You can dive, swim
and sunbathe year-round, for when the
monsoon rains are battering one coast
you merely have to cross to the other to
escape them.
1 Phetchaburi Retains an old-world charm
with its historic shophouses, fascinating wats
and Rama IV's fabulous hilltop palace. See p.782
2 Ko Tao Rough, mountainous, jungle interiors,
secluded east-coast beaches, a tastefully
developed west-coast beach life and numerous
dive schools to choose from. See p.794
3 Ko Pha Ngan Famous for its pre-, post-,
in-between and actual full-moon parties, Ko Pha

SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA
From the fast-paced capital and charming
colonial towns to the laidback Perhentian
Islands and remote national parks, Malaysia is a
varied country that warrants several weeks of
exploration. Singapore is a useful gateway to
the region, but don't be surprised if this
futuristic, captivating city waylays you for
longer than you expected.
1 Singapore An easy introduction to
Southeast Asia, with an array of tourist-friendly
pleasures: shopping, markets, zoos, temples and
delicious food. See p.667
2 Melaka This old colonial town with a
fascinating mix of cultures makes an ideal first
stop in Malaysia from either Singapore or
Indonesia. See p.465

0 200

SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA kilometres