Editor’s note: My Thailand experiences are pretty limited, having only visited a couple places as part of a cruise. So it’s great to read about Sam’s adventures there, especially since the party life is not something I chase at this point. For more of Sam’s incredible writing, click here to visit his index page.

When many people envision journeying to the backpacker mecca of Thailand, they immediately think of going to the parties on the pristine beaches on the lower peninsula of the country. Perhaps the most famous destinations for Thai beach goers are the towns/islands of Pattaya, Phuket, Koh Samui, and Koh Phi Phi. However, in researching those places, I decided none were for me. Now, perhaps I cannot judge as someone who did not go there, but from what I heard, Pattaya was the sex tourism capital of Thailand, Phuket had a seedy and boisterous nightlife scene, and with the full moon parties on the islands of Koh Phi Phi and Koh Samui, there was plenty of known drug activity. Instead, I settled on visiting the town of Krabi, across the Andaman Sea from Phuket.

Krabi is a fairly easy and cheap flight from Bangkok. It is right on the Andaman Sea, but has a reputation for being a bit quieter, less developed, and more secluded than the more famous Phuket. I went at the beginning of January, which is a great time to go, as the tropical monsoon climate lasts ten months, from March to December, but the daily average temperature year round is 80 Fahrenheit, making Krabi a pleasant place to go. While Phuket has the better-known nightlife, that does not mean that Krabi is lacking, as there were large and packed nightclubs and bars with DJs and loud music, particularly in the Soi RCA complex. Much like my experience in Bangkok, I found the local Thai population to be incredibly kind (in fact, I would say with the laidback atmosphere in Krabi, the locals there were considerably friendlier than their Bangkok counterparts); however, also like Bangkok, the drunken hordes of Australians, Europeans, and Americans who filled the clubs were not always pleasant, especially towards anyone they saw as competition in the hook up culture that prevails for tourists looking to party in Southeast Asia. While this latter scene was not what was appealing to me, my recommendation would be to grab a drink, try not to talk to too many people, and relax and enjoy the people watching or enjoy a conversation with a local. My most fun nightlife experience was counting down to midnight for New Years in the back of a disco taxi tuk tuk with a bunch of friendly Thai locals who epitomized why Thailand has the nickname “The Land of Smiles.”

However, where Krabi really shines is through its beauty and the activities to do there. There are over one hundred islands off the coast of Krabi. A must do when visiting Krabi is touring some of these islands. While the Phi Phi islands are perhaps the most famous, there are others that are less visited and perhaps just as nice and closer to Krabi, like a four-island tour that included Hong Island. In journeying out to the islands, you will pass many beautiful krast limestone rock formations dotting the sea, which are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Your journey will likely include lunch, drinks, and several opportunities to go snorkeling in the tropical waters to see colorful fish. However, the best island that you will visit on this tour is Hong Island. The cliffs of Hong Island make this small place fairly mountainous, and they also form a horseshoe on the island that is nearly entirely enclosed, creating a beautiful lagoon with cyan colored water where you can snorkel. It is in this lagoon that you have a beautiful, secluded beach that is also protected from the at times large waves of the Andaman Sea.

Back in Krabi, perhaps the best place to stay is Ao Nang Beach. It is along this beach that you have many shops, restaurants, bars, and places to stay, giving it a laidback but fun feeling. This beach faces west, which also allows for beautiful sunsets, often followed by fire shows on the beach. Near the beach there are many other activities worth exploring. There is a hike that goes up a mountain off the beach with spectacular views and lots of macaque monkeys, as well as nearby forests with waterfalls and springs to swim in. However, my favorite activity was kayaking through the mangrove forests and swamps in the area. Upon arriving at the mangrove swamps, you will likely encounter a large troupe of macaques, desperately, and at times aggressively, begging for food. Once you hop into the kayak and begin on your journey, you will find yourself going from the exposed sunlight of tropical Thailand to near darkness due to the thick forests surrounding you. The mangroves themselves are a beautiful entanglement of roots coming out of the water. Within the mangrove forest are limestone caves that you can kayak into. A great respite from the loud party scenes of Thailand is the buzzing of the countless insects and chirping of many birds that call the mangrove forest home. At one point, I even recorded a video of the intense high frequency insect noise; it is equal parts eerie and beautiful.

Krabi has gotten a ton of notoriety for being the home to one of Thailand’s best beaches, Railay Beach, which is on a tiny peninsula. Railay Beach is secluded, as it is surrounded by steep limestone cliffs and is only accessible via longboat. The iconic Thai longboats are parked in droves off the shore of Ao Nang Beach, and you can hop one and for a couple bucks take the ten minute ride to Railay Beach. The beach is picturesque with light golden sand, and behind it are several bars and restaurants that you can enjoy. Railay Beach has become a popular destination for rock climbers around the world who enjoy scaling the tall cliffs behind the beach and overlooking the sea. If heights are not your thing, there are numerous limestone caves at the beach worth exploring, too. While I am not much of a sit on the beach and do nothing kind of guy, spending at least half, if not a whole, day on the peaceful Railay Beach recovering from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and the overwhelming experience of Thailand’s nightlife is a must for your itinerary. Whenever you are finished with your time at the beach, perhaps around sunset, hop one of the longboats back to Ao Nang.

If you want the craziest Thailand beach party experience ever, then there are many options to choose from. But if you want a few days of being laidback on a beach to end your Thailand vacation in a beautiful place, fly to the southeastern corner of the Andaman Sea and relax in Krabi.

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