Thailand’s most popular and easily accessible island, Phuket, offers some gorgeous stretches of sand, such as Kamala, Karon, and Patong. The island’s beaches have just been named the second best in the world by US News & World Report, sandwiched between Hawaii’s Big Island at number one and Maui at number three.
The American business magazine called Phuket’s waterfront “a little piece of paradise” and named the area’s cuisine — heavy on lemongrass, kaffir lime, and chilies — plus limestone cliffs, temples, spas, and longtail boat tours as great reasons to visit the often-affordable island, reachable in an hour’s plane ride from Bangkok.
Coco Travel also loves Phuket for it’s local and unbelievable fresh, wet, and fish markets, as well as unusual design resorts, and remarkable street food, chefs, and restaurant experiences. Want a fresh, hot plate of local specialty Oh Tao, a fluffy oyster omelet with taro root, at a famed roadside stall for under US$2, Phuket’s got you. Want to be take by boat across a fire-lit lagoon to a five-star Thai restaurant famous for their proposals? Phuket offers that as well.
The Michelin Guide is not immune to Phuket’s gastronomic charms either. Earlier this year, they announced that the 2019 edition of their Thailand guide will be expanded to include Phuket and nearby Phang Nga.
Congratulations on the win, Phuket. We plan to settle our butts in your sands soon to celebrate.
Check out the full list of the magazine’s world’s best beaches here.
