Lush tropical islands, dazzling palm-fringed beaches, coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life, picturesque fishing villages with distinctive hand-painted boats, remote national parks, forested mountains, waterfalls, historic cities, ubiquitous rubber estates, scenic wildlife sanctuaries, the juxtaposition of temples and mosques clearly define the region's visual appeal.
    Geographically, southern Thailand extends through the Kra Isthmus from Chumphon, 460 kilometres south of Bangkok, to the Thai-Malaysian border, and is bordered in the east by the Gulf of Thailand, to the west by the Indian Ocean.

    Chumphon has several lovely beaches, birds' nest islands and excellent scuba diving waters, particularly around Ko Tao.

  Ranong, to the southwest, 568 kilometres from Bangkok, has a Hot Spa Health Resort drawing water from Thailand's sole potable Geo-Thermal Mineral Water Spring.

    Surat Thani, is best known for the beautiful Ko Samui, Thailand's third largest island, 268 nautical miles south of Bangkok, and jewel of a sparkling archipelago that contains the lovely Angthong (Golden Bowl) Marine National Park.

    Songkhla, 950 kilometres from Bangkok, a medieval pirate stronghold, is a historic, albeit sleepy town with a thriving fishing community and the lovely Samila beach. The Great Songkhla Lake hosts the 520-square-kilometre Khu Khut Waterfowl Park, home to some 140 species.

 
   Krabi's major attractions are the beautiful Phi Phi islands, the 75-million-year-old Susan Hoi shell graveyard, one of the only three in the world, and the sweeping Noppharat Beach.

   Phang Nga's major attraction is the eerily beautiful Phang Nga Bay where verdant limestone islands, honeycombed with caves and aquatic grottoes, soar perpendicularly to heights of 300 meters and more from almost perpetually calm waters.

    Phuket, 862 kilometers from Bangkok, is Thailand's largest island (the approximate size of Singapore). Phuket is a resort of international stature, is blessed with a wide variety of magnificent beaches, hidden coves and secluded bays, and has probably the best seafood in Thailand.