Most visitors search online for the Best Beaches in Thailand and end up in the same places: crowded party strips, noisy beach clubs, and rows of selfie sticks. The sand is pretty, but the mood can feel more like a festival than a holiday.
Thai people often choose very different beaches. Many locals head to small coves with relaxed bungalows, simple seafood shacks, and more Thai than English on the menus. Families spread mats under the trees, groups of friends grill seafood, and the whole day moves at a slower pace.
This guide focuses on beaches that Thai travelers actually love, on both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. It highlights quieter bays close to Bangkok, local family favorites on the mainland, and island spots that still feel laid-back. Readers will find calmer water, fair prices, and real local food, along with plenty of sand and sea.
Why Locals Choose Different Beaches Than Most Tourists
Photos on social media usually show the same famous spots: crowded Phi Phi viewpoints, full-moon parties, and big-name Phuket beaches. These places are fun for some people, but many Thai travelers want a softer kind of beach day.
Locals often care less about famous names and more about three simple things: peace, good food, and value for money. They also think about how easy it is to visit for just a weekend, since many live and work in cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Hat Yai.
Fewer crowds, more calm
Thai families and office workers often avoid heavy party zones and long lines of beach beds. Instead, they choose bays where the loudest sound is kids playing in the shallows or waves hitting the sand.
On weekends and holidays, groups drive to nearby coasts or take short ferries to islands like Ko Samet. They look for shady trees, safe swimming, and space to spread a picnic mat. These are places where people nap, read, or chat with friends, not places where music shakes the beach all afternoon.
Real Thai food and local prices
Food is a big reason many locals skip the most touristy beaches. On more local shores, visitors find simple seafood grills, noodle stalls, and carts selling green papaya salad, grilled chicken, and sticky rice at fair prices.
Fresh squid, prawns, and fish often come straight from nearby boats. Ice buckets sit by low plastic tables, and the bill at the end of the day usually surprises people in a good way. Timing matters too, so travelers who want good weather and fewer crowds can check a detailed Thailand beach season guide for 2025 travelers before they book.
Easy weekend trips and hidden gems
Accessibility also shapes where locals go. Many Thai travelers pick beaches within a half-day trip of big cities, like Ko Samet or Ban Krut from Bangkok, or Ao Nam Mao from Krabi town. A quick drive, a short boat ride, and the weekend can start.
At the same time, some Thai visitors love remote islands and wild-feeling bays. Quiet spots with jungle hills, clear water, and only a few small resorts still exist on both coasts. Beaches like Ko Kradan’s Sunset Beach stay on many locals’ wish lists because big hotels haven’t taken over yet.
Best Beaches in Thailand Locals Love in the Gulf of Thailand
The Gulf of Thailand is the classic short-break coast for many Thai people. Buses and vans leave Bangkok all day, and travelers can sit on soft sand by late afternoon. The sea here is usually calm, and many bays stay lively without feeling chaotic.
This side of the country offers easy island escapes, especially around Ko Samet and Koh Phangan. Some corners feel busy and built up, but others keep a softer, more local style.
Tubtim Bay, Ko Samet: Easy escape from Bangkok with soft sand
Tubtim Bay sits on the quieter side of Ko Samet and is a favorite for locals who want a quick break from Bangkok without wild party noise. The bay has powdery white sand, gentle waves, and a cozy curve that feels sheltered.
Small bungalow resorts line the back of the beach, with a mix of Thai and international guests. Simple beach bars serve grilled seafood, curries, and cold drinks, but the volume stays moderate. It suits couples and small groups of friends who want a relaxed mood with a bit of life, not a silent retreat.
From Tubtim Bay, travelers can walk along the shoreline to nearby coves, each with slightly different vibes and views. Travel planners who want to compare Tubtim with other coastal spots can check Lonely Planet’s guide to the most fabulous beaches in Thailand for a broader picture.
Ao Nuan, Ko Samet: A tiny hidden cove with an old-school vibe
Ao Nuan is one of Ko Samet’s smallest beaches, a little 100-meter cove hugged by rocky headlands. It feels like a secret pocket on the island, with clear water, a strip of pale sand, and only a few simple places to stay.
Thai travelers who appreciate an “old Samet” often stay here. The style is low-key and backpacker-friendly, with wooden bungalows, hammocks, and starry skies at night. There’s usually only a small restaurant or two, serving fresh seafood and home-style Thai dishes.
This beach fits readers who like quiet nights, basic comfort, and nature close at hand. It doesn’t suit those who need big pools, air-conditioned villas, or constant nightlife, but it’s perfect for people who want to swim, read, and sleep early.
Leela Beach, Koh Phangan: Clear water next to the action but still quiet
Leela Beach sits around the corner from busy Haad Rin on Koh Phangan, yet it feels like a softer world. The sand is bright white, the water a clear turquoise, and palm trees lean over the shore.
Locals appreciate that they can enjoy a calm, beautiful beach during the day, then reach shops, markets, and restaurants in Haad Rin in only a short walk. The sea is usually gentle, good for floating and casual swimming rather than hard surf.
Leela Beach works well for couples and friends who want balance. They can join a party night or two if they feel like it, then sleep in a quieter bay where the only late sound might be the tide.
Best Beaches in Thailand Locals Love in the Andaman Sea
On the Andaman Sea side, the water often looks even clearer, with rich coral reefs and dramatic limestone cliffs. Many travelers know big names like Railay and Phi Phi, but locals often choose smaller islands and calm mainland stretches.
This coast is popular with Thai families, honeymooners, and nature lovers who like snorkeling and boat trips. It also pairs well with slow overland trips and other hidden beach escapes in Thailand 2025 that avoid heavy crowds.
Sunset Beach, Ko Kradan: A peaceful paradise for couples and nature lovers
Sunset Beach on Ko Kradan feels far from busy life. A strip of silky white sand runs between glassy water and lush green jungle. There are only a handful of small resorts, and no big roads or loud clubs.
Locals who visit enjoy long swims, snorkeling over coral just off the beach, and slow walks as the sky turns orange in the evening. The mood is quiet even in high season, especially compared with more famous islands.
It suits couples and nature-focused travelers who care more about clear water and relaxed days than nightlife. More beach fans can explore Ko Kradan and similar spots in this guide to the Top Underrated Thai islands for beach lovers.
Ko Lipe: Local favorite for snorkeling, island life, and soft white sand
Ko Lipe’s beaches, like Sunrise, Sunset, Pattaya, and North Point, have some of the softest sand and clearest water in the country. Coral reefs sit close to shore, and longtail boats wait to take visitors to tiny nearby islands.
Thai travelers still love Ko Lipe for the wide mix of things to do. There’s snorkeling, boat trips, and beach time by day, then a relaxed walking street at night with food stalls, cafes, and small bars. It feels social without feeling like a giant city.
Those who want the island at its best often come in shoulder seasons to skip the heaviest crowds. Travelers planning a wider coastal route can also use this detailed overview of the best beaches in Thailand to combine Ko Lipe with other Andaman stops.
Ban Krut Beach, Prachuap Khiri Khan: Long, quiet beach with a local feel
Ban Krut Beach stretches for kilometers along Thailand’s central Gulf coast, but it still feels like a village area. Casuarina trees line the shore, fishing boats sit pulled up on the sand, and small temples dot the hills.
Most places to stay are simple guesthouses and low-rise resorts. Local seafood restaurants face the sea, serving generous plates of crab, prawns, and fish at prices that suit long stays. It’s a favorite for Thai families, retirees, and others who like slow travel.
This beach fits readers who dream of bike rides beside the water, early-morning walks, and quiet evenings on a balcony. It’s also a good stop on a longer road trip between Bangkok and the southern provinces.
Ao Nam Mao, Krabi: Calm shoreline near famous sights
Ao Nam Mao sits just a short drive from busy Ao Nang and boat piers to Railay, yet it keeps a soft, local mood. The beach has shallow, calm water and views of limestone karsts in the distance, with mangroves and trees behind.
Many locals who work in Krabi town come here after work or on weekends, because it feels peaceful but is still close to home. Accommodation is usually cheaper than at Ao Nang, and there are fewer late-night bars.
For travelers, Ao Nam Mao makes a smart base. Prices are lower, nights are quiet, and it’s still easy to join boat trips to Railay, the islands off Krabi, or further afield to Phi Phi for a day.
How to Choose the Best Local-Loved Beach for Any Trip
Every traveler wants something slightly different from a beach holiday. Some care about nightlife, others about silence. Some only have a weekend, others have weeks to roam. Matching these needs to the right coast makes a huge difference.
This section pulls the earlier beaches together so readers can pick a smart starting point.
Match the beach to budget, time, and travel style.
Short trips from Bangkok work well on the Gulf side. Ko Samet’s Tubtim Bay and Ao Nuan are perfect for quick breaks, since the journey can fit into a Friday-to-Sunday plan. Ban Krut also fits a long weekend by car or train.
Longer holidays can stretch to the far south. Ko Kradan and Ko Lipe suit travelers who want postcard water and island time. Ao Nam Mao is a good stop for those mixing islands with mainland sights around Krabi.
As a rough guide:
- Couples and honeymooners often like Sunset Beach on Ko Kradan, Leela Beach on Koh Phangan, or quiet corners of Ko Lipe.
- Families do well at Ban Krut, Ao Nam Mao, or Ko Samet’s gentler bays.
- Backpackers and budget travelers might prefer Ao Nuan, Ko Lipe in the shoulder seasons, or other small islands from the same region.
Respect local culture and keep these beaches special
These spots are not just holiday backdrops. They’re places where Thai families swim, pray at seaside shrines, and celebrate weekends together. Travelers who treat them with care help keep them beautiful.
Simple habits go a long way: dress modestly when away from the water, keep noise low at night, and avoid glass on the sand. Support small, local restaurants and guesthouses when possible, and carry trash out if bins are full.
Reef-safe sunscreen, refillable water bottles, and gentle behavior around wildlife also protect these coasts. When visitors act like guests, not owners, the beaches stay welcoming for everyone.
Conclusion
The Best Beaches in Thailand are not always the ones with the most billboards or the loudest bars. Often, they’re the modest coves and long, quiet stretches that Thai travelers return to year after year.
On the Gulf side, places like Tubtim Bay, Ao Nuan, and Leela Beach offer soft sand, calm water, and easy access from Bangkok. On the Andaman Sea, Sunset Beach on Ko Kradan, Ko Lipe’s shores, Ban Krut, and Ao Nam Mao bring clear water, local food, and a slower rhythm.
Travelers who follow local favorites often find better value, friendlier encounters, and a calmer state of mind. With a bit of planning and respect, these beaches can feel like a second home rather than a crowded photo stop.
Those ready for a different side of Thailand can start with one of these local-loved shores and let the tide set the pace.
