Thai beaches an exotic get away

KOH SAMUI: www.tourismthailand.org/Where-to-Go/Koh-Samui

KOH PHANGAN: www.tourismthailand.org/Where-to-Go/Koh-Phangan

KOH TAO: www.tourismthailand.org/Where-to-Go/Koh-Tao

KOH PHANGAN, Thailand — A trip sampling the diversity of Southeast Asian destinations can take you from the sleek modernity of Singapore to the ancient temples of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. And then there are the beaches of Thailand: relaxing, beautiful, and for the adventurous spring-breaker, a lot more exotic than Miami. Thai beaches offer gorgeous stretches of sand, water sports, nearby outdoor activities and cheap food and drink.

Off the Andaman Sea are famed Phuket and Koh Phi Phi, which rose to international prominence after being featured in the Leonardo DiCaprio film “The Beach,” but the beaches along the Gulf of Thailand have an equally renowned trio of Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. Each of these has its own charms and attractions, and regular boat service makes it easy to travel among them. All three have fantastic party scenes, as well — and while not traditional spring-break destinations, American college kids would certainly feel at home there.

As for the recent political unrest in Thailand, tourist numbers at the beaches were down midwinter as some visitors cancelled trips, but those who went ahead found the islands as lovely and as much fun as ever. And due to cancelations, some hotels are even willing to negotiate room rates.

• KOH SAMUI.

This is the main transport center for the islands, with a fancy airport — it even includes its own Park Avenue with designer shops — and built-up infrastructure. While the island boasts gorgeous beaches all over its coasts, head to Chaweng Beach for a proper spring-break vibe. The beach is dotted with hotels for all budgets, open-air massage parlors where you can get an hour-long treatment for less than $10, and vendors peddling everything from corn on the cob and pineapple to beachwear and decorative wooden keepsakes.

That’s by day. By night, the main drag, a block away from the beach, buzzes with thumping music and busy restaurants. The laidback daytime schedule means the venues don’t become crowded until about 10 p.m. or 11 p.m.

• KOH PHANGAN.

This island is home to the legendary Full Moon Party, but locals have realized the potential of such fiestas and capitalize upon everything and anything they can. Every few feet there is a sign advertising a Black Moon Party, a Waterfall Party and countless others. A key feature of these beach raves is that participants adorn themselves with neon body paint, then dance until they drop as the gentle, cerulean waters lap the shore. The Full Moon Party, especially, is notorious for drugs, but you’ll see signs as soon as you disembark at the ferry port warning that marijuana and mushrooms are illegal. Be aware that travelers have ended up in Thai jails for violating drug laws.

Sunrise Beach is the cove where the Full Moon event takes place, but it is quiet and stunning on any day you visit.

• KOH TAO.

This is the island more renowned for its underwater charms than its beach parties, though it has the latter sewn up as well. Many resorts on Koh Tao are also dive schools and offer lessons and dives as part of their packages; aside from that, snorkeling is legendary and excursions can easily be booked. Renting motor bikes or scooters on this island is slightly less fraught then on the previous two, as it is quieter with less traffic, and it’s a great way to explore the tropical paradise overland.