Koh Samui

Koh Samui, found off the coast of Surat Thani province in the Gulf of Thailand, is the second most popular island destination in Thailand after Phuket.

While the island is continually shifting upscale, there's still a more rustic, backpacker-friendly feel about it than on Phuket. The long white beaches of Chaweng and Lamai are where the widest range of accommodation, dining and nightlife options may be found, while each of the smaller beaches such as Bophut and Choeng Mon have their own unique characters and facilities.