Last Minute Holidays to Thailand

The best-known resort areas combine beaches, hotels and easy airport access for a straightforward sunshine break.

• Phuket: Phuket is Thailand's largest island and the most established beach resort on the Andaman coast, with a wide choice of hotels from budget rooms to large beachfront properties. Its international airport has direct flights from the capital, so onward travel is simple. We recommend it for first-time visitors who want variety in beaches, dining and evening entertainment within a short drive. Thailand beach holidays often start here.
• Koh Samui: Koh Samui is the largest island in the Gulf of Thailand and a well-established resort destination with a good range of beaches and hotels. It has its own airport with domestic flights from the mainland capital, which removes the need for a long ferry crossing on arrival. We suit it to travellers who want resort comfort and a calmer island base than the busiest parts of the southern Andaman coast. Many families choose it for Thailand family holidays because of its gentle bays.
• Pattaya: Pattaya sits on the Gulf coast roughly two hours by road from the Thai capital, making it one of the easiest beach stays to reach from the city. Its hotels, beach areas and entertainment options cater to a broad mix of visitors, and several water parks are in the area. We recommend it for shorter stays where convenience matters more than a quiet, secluded setting.
• Krabi: Krabi is known for dramatic limestone cliffs rising straight out of the sea, and resort areas close to these views make it a memorable base. From there, boat trips reach nearby islands and beaches that are hard to visit without a local operator. We suit it to couples and active travellers who want scenery and island days alongside a comfortable hotel base, the same brief our Thailand Luxury Holidays deals are built around. Many guests also book clifftop villas here for the privacy and views they offer.
• Chiang Mai: Chiang Mai is the largest city in northern Thailand, surrounded by mountains and home to an old walled centre filled with temples. Its cooler evenings and slower pace give it a very different character from the coast, and it works well as a base for mountain trips. We recommend it to travellers who want culture and scenery rather than beach time alone. Adult-focused stays here suit Thailand adults only holidays well.