Thailand Activities: Beaches and islands

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Chaweng at dusk Ko Samui, Surat Thani

Thailand's a big enough country that you can find a place to practice almost any outdoor sport. Some selections:

• Dinner Cruise - dinner cruises have become one of Thailand's must visit spot for any visitors to Thailand. One of the most popular and leading dinner cruise in country is Chao Phraya Princess www.thaicruise.com/home_en.php. Also see Bangkok Dinner Cruises article
• Golf - see the separate Golf in Thailand article

• Rock climbing - the cliffs of Rai Leh in Krabi are arguably among the best in the world

• Snorkeling - Phuket and its surrounding islands, Phi Phi, Koh Tao, and Some areas in the Similans have some wonderful snorkeling over coral reefs.

• Scuba diving - easily accessible Ko Tao and Ang Thong National Marine Park (near Ko Samui) draws the crowds, but also possible in Pattaya and Krabi, and the Similan Islands are worth the journey. One of the newest hot spots for diving is Ko Lipe - Small island in the middle of Tarutao National Park amazingly unspoilt, great reefs and beaches absolutely stunning, a must see. See also Diving in Thailand

• Trekking - very popular up north around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai

• Surfing - possible in Khao Lak, Phuket and Koh Samui

• Liveaboard Diving see the separate Diving in Thailand article

• Spas - Although spas weren't introduced here until the early 1990s, Thailand has quickly become the second-highest ranking spa destination in the world. There are a phenomenal variety of spa types, and spas can be found at almost every destination in the country. The most popular spas can be found at major tourism destinations such as Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Bangkok, Ko Samui and Chiang Mai.

• Medical tourism - Many travellers go to Thailand to undergo medical treatments at a fraction of the cost charged in their home countries. The renowned Bumrungrad Hospital in Bangkok attracts on average 400,000 foreign patients per year or an average of 1,000+ a day. Other hospitals, such as Samitivej also specialize in serving foreigners. Private hospitals in Thailand are accredited by the government according to standards that meet or exceed those in North America, and many of the doctors in Thailand hold international accreditation and relevant licenses. Popular treatments, ranging from cosmetic, organ transplants and orthopedic treatments to dental and cardiac surgeries, are available at a price much lower than the US or Europe. Treatments also include physical and mental therapies.

• www.thaicruise.com/home_en.php