Thailand

Även om pandemin haft många negativa effekter på världen, så finns det även vissa ljusglimtar. I Phuket har man i flera år saknat havslädersköldpaddorna som brukar lägga sina ägg på stränderna. I år har de återvänt!

Jungle-shrouded mountains carved up by thick rivers leading to aqua bays sprinkled with sheer limestone karsts and, below, some of Thailand's finest underwater treasures. That's Phang-Nga.

Known in Thai as ‘City of Good People’, Surat Thani was once the seat of the ancient Srivijaya empire. Today, this typical Thai town is a busy transport hub moving cargo and people around the country. Travelers rarely linger here as they make their way to the popular islands of Ko Samui, Ko Pha-Ngan and Ko Tao, but it's a great stop if you enjoy real Thai working cities, good southern street food and nosing around colorful Chinese temples and shopfronts.

Leafy lanes, antique shophouses, buzzing wet markets and golden temples convene in Banglamphu, easily the city's most quintessentially 'Bangkok' neighbourhood. It's a quaint postcard picture of the city that used to be – that is until you stumble upon Th Khao San, arguably the world's most famous backpacker enclave.

Given the town's laid-back riverside charm, generous spread of attractive old buildings and some of the best markets in the north, Lampang (ลำปาง) should be more popular than it is with travelers. But if foreigners have yet to be seduced by Lampang's charms, plenty of Thais from around the kingdom are drawn here. Arriving in their wake are an increasing number of hip cafes and restaurants with tasty food, as well as some stylish accommodation options, making Lampang a great stop for visitors seeking a less touristy, more undiscovered destination in the north.

Tak (จังหวัดตาก) is a vast, mountainous province whose proximity to Myanmar (Burma) has resulted in a complex history and unique cultural mix.

The Gulf Islands of Ko Samui, Ko Pha-Ngan and Ko Tao funnel in swarms of sunseekers, bungalow-dwellers, hammock enthusiasts, swimmers, snorkellers, divers, trekkers and would-be castaways to their satin shores. Peak season is a bit of a carnival, but come the slower season prices drop and elbow room grows. But whatever time you go, do a bit of travelling away from the main hubs and space will open before you, as secluded beaches drift into view alongside a sparkling sea.

Resa hit Bangkok, Cha Am och Hua Hin är lämpliga avstamp för resor till Kaeng Krachan.  Organiserade utflykter till nationalparken erbjuds från Hua Hin och byn Kaeng Krachan, bland annat genom thainationalparks.com. Du kan också besöka parken på egen hand, även om det är lite knöligt. Hyrbil är enklast. Parken är stor och omfattar bland

South of Krabi, Trang Province has an impressive limestone-covered Andaman Coast with several sublime islands that see marginally fewer visitors than their nearby and better-known counterparts. For the adventurous, there’s plenty of big nature to explore in the lush interior, including dozens of scenic waterfalls and limestone caves. And it’s nowhere near as popular as Krabi, which means you’re more likely to see working rubber plantations here than rows of T-shirt vendors. Transport links are good and during the high season (November to April) you can easily island-hop all the way to Malaysia.

Surrounded by forested mountains and with a remote and pretty setting by a tranquil lake, Mae Hong Son (แม่ฮ่องสอน) fits many travelers’ preconceived notions of how a Northern Thai town should look. A palpable influence from Myanmar and a frontier-settlement feel don’t clash with this image and, best of all, there’s hardly a túk-túk or tout to be seen. This doesn’t mean Mae Hong Son is uncharted territory – tour groups have been coming here for years – but the city is far more laid-back than Pai, while its potential as a base for activities, from boat trips to trekking, ensures that your visit can be quite unlike anyone else’s.