Home-Based Travel Agent - July 2008 - (Page 45)

decades. Here you’ll find plenty of hotels, restaurants, boutiques and nightclubs that cater to an international clientele. Sophisticates are making their way to Hua Hin, a seaside resort that’s a three-hour drive from Bangkok. Even though Hua Hin lays claim to being Thailand’s oldest beach resort, it’s now a decidedly trendy haven for the well-heeled, like Thailand’s version of the Hamptons. In addition to watersports, visitors to Hua Hin can ride horses, play tennis and tee off on a number of golf courses. Further South Along the Shore Southern Thailand extends along a narrow peninsula lying between the Andaman Sea on its west side and the South China Sea on the east. Its long coastline of sandy beaches and offshore islands offers an embarrassment of riches. Here you’ll find some of the most famous seaside resort areas in the world, such as Phuket, Koh Samui and Krabi. The east coast on the Gulf of Thailand presents calmer seas and a laidback atmosphere, while the Andaman Sea coast is more often used as a memorable backdrop in movies. Fans of James Bond will remember the limestone rock formations and cliffs featured in The Man With the Golden Gun. Phuket is Thailand’s largest and most visited island, made vivid by an exotic setting of coconut groves and rubber plantations. Phuket is easy to reach, connected to the mainland via the Sarasin Bridge. Phuket’s busiest beach is Hat Patong. Here you’ll find the largest selection of hotels and restaurants, and the most vibrant nightlife. Phuket’s longest beach is Hat Mai Khao, while Hat Rawai is a palm-fringed beach best known for its community of sea gypsies—a formerly nomadic fishing group of Melanesian descent. Koh Samui is an island off the east coast of Kra Isthmus, famous for its beach raves. Its sandy bays are lined with bungalows and resorts, as well as plenty of restaurants and hip nightlife venues. Hat Chaweng and Hat Lamai are Ko Samui’s most beautiful and most popular beaches. Koh Pha-ngan—Koh Samui’s neighbor island—is notorious for hosting the world’s HB biggest beach full-moon party. Poolside at Hua Hin, Thailand’s oldest beach resort THAI WATERSPORTS Thailand has thousands of miles of coastline and hundreds of beautiful islands. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that visitors will have more beach action than they can possibly experience in one trip. Scuba diving is possible at all times of the year, although visibility changes according to the season. In the Andaman Sea, the best time is from October to April, and in the Gulf of Thailand from May to September. Prime dive sites in the Andaman Sea are found off the coast of Phuket, including such spots as Shark Point and Red Rock. In the Gulf of Thailand, the best sites are around Ko Samui, Ko Phangan, Ko Tao, Ko Nang Yuan, Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine National Park and Ko Chang in Trat Province near the Cambodian border. Divers on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand can book dive trips from Pattaya out to a handful of islands. Snorkeling trips are available at practically all beach destinations in Thailand. These are usually combined with sea kayaking and picnics on isolated islands and marine national parks. Some of the most spectacular sites for sea kayaking are around Krabi and the islands of Phuket and Phang-nga Bay. Kayaking trips from Phuket are usually made up of small groups of two-passenger kayaks accompanied by a support boat carrying food and equipment. Three-day excursions are also available, complete with camping. Windsurfing and windsurfing instruction can be enjoyed on all of Thailand’s major beaches. Wakeboarding—a cross between water skiing and snowboarding— can be experienced at Pattaya, and the main beaches of both Phuket and Koh Samui. JULY/AUGUST 2008 Home-BasedTravelAgent 45

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Home Based Travel Agent - July 2008 Contents Editor's Note Publisher's Note Your Lifeline Agent Spotlight New Technology Industry News Hot Deals Tips for a Smooth Trip Agent Symposium Hotels For the Traveler - Destinations - Mexico For the Agent - Destinations - Mexico For the Traveler - Destinations - Dubai For the Agent - Destinations - Dubai Thailand For the Traveler - Cruise For the Agent - Cruise For the Traveler - Tours For the Agent - Tours New Products

Home-Based Travel Agent - July 2008

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