Hua Hin & Koh Samed, Thailand

Possibly the most convenient beach resorts to reach from Bangkok are Hua Hin and nearby Pranburi, as they are only 3 hours' drive south of the capital and easily accessible from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Hua Hin itself has a beautiful stretch of beach and is a relaxed, low key resort making it a popular choice with the Thai Royal family who have their summer palace nearby which you can visit. It’s also a great choice for keen golfers with some of Thailand’s best courses and Hua Hin is ideal for those who want to avoid too many flights on their itinerary. Cha’am is a small town nearby which is well known for its excellent seafood restaurants.

To the east of Bangkok Koh Samed (sometimes referred to as Koh Samet) is a two hour drive and short ferry ride from Bangkok. The island of Koh Samet, an ideal choice for those who prefer not to take an additional flight down to one of the islands in the south of Thailand. You really don’t need to fly to find paradise - Koh Samed is just as beautiful, if not more, as it is much less developed but still boasts idyllic beaches and jungle clad national parks.