KOH CHANGBest for exploring Thailand's eastern islands
More shy and retiring than big sisters Phuket and Samui, KOH CHANG is Thailand in miniature. It's not exactly untouched, but much of its interior is national park, great for jungle trekking, and you can easily get from here to the smaller, secluded islands of the archipelago. It's also getting popular with those who want to hop over to Siem Reap after a week in Thailand. Avoid the main west-coast beaches: head to the blink-and-you'll-miss-it Had Sai Noi Beach for its bohemian beach-bar scene, and visit Salakkok Bay for a rare glimpse of a traditional fishing village (fast disappearing elsewhere) and to kayak through the mangroves. Locals really rate the family-run Kati restaurant in Klong Prao village, where everything is made to order using homemade curry pastes (there's an adjoining cookery school if you want to swot up on the recipes).