Thailand is famous for its tropical islands. From Phuket to Ko Lipe, Ko Samui to Ko Tao and from one Ko Chang to another, there's an island for every month, a beach for every week, and a new palm tree to lay under for every day. But the question begs, "What is the best island in Thailand?"
While the simple answer is "None" a better answer is "it depends". It depends because it's not so much a case of finding the best island in Thailand, but rather finding the best island for you in Thailand. So here's our guide to the islands that we hope will help you find your best Thai island.
Thailand has three main sets of islands; those to the east of Bangkok, between Bangkok and the Cambodian border; those in the southern Gulf of Thailand; and those in the Andaman Sea -- off the west coast of Thailand, between the Burman and Malaysian frontiers.
Each of these groups has one or two particularly well known islands that attracts the bulk of travellers and tourists. To the east of Bangkok you have Ko Samet and Ko Chang, in the Gulf you have Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao, and in the Andaman you have Phuket and Ko Phi Phi. All these islands have seen a steady flow of tourists for well over a decade and they are very developed. Often heaving with tourists in the high season, they all suffer to varying degrees from the problems that typically blight popular islands in developing tourist destinations -- overcrowding, dodgy operators, uncontrolled development and waste management issues.
But it isn't all bad news. All the afore-mentioned islands are still worth visiting -- you just need to do your research and be a little more selective about where you stay. When your travel agent in your home-town tells you to stay on Patong Beach in Phuket, check that they've stayed there themselves -- we bet they haven't! Not only to all these islands have their hidden away gems, they're also surrounded by other, lesser known islands that can often be just what the doctor ordered.
Last but not least, be sure to check the Travelfish blogs on islands in Thailand. You can read about the Andaman Islands here and the Gulf islands here.