• Thailand has shores on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.Thailand image by askaja from Fotolia.com
  
  Thailand, situated southeast of Burma (Myanmar) and bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, has a tropical climate and is hot and humid all year round. As such, Thailand lends itself well to beach holidays and offers a selection of beautiful coastal resorts and tropical islands for holidaymakers. Whether you choose the east or the west coast of Thailand, you will find an eclectic mix of pristine, white sandy beaches, mouth-watering cuisine and lively nightlife in its coastal resorts.
  
  

Phuket

• Phuket, sometimes described as the pearl of the south, is situated in the Andaman Sea off the west coast of the Malay Peninsula in southern Thailand; it's connected to the mainland by the Sarasin and Thao Thep Krasattri bridges, which run side-by-side over the Pak Prah Strait. Phuket is the largest of Thailand's islands, or islets, and offers a range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets.
  
  Water sports--such as snorkeling and diving--are very much in evidence; the most popular beach is Patong Beach, a stretch of sand over a mile long, which is approximately nine miles from Phuket City. Phuket has its own airport; it's easy to reach from Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand.
  
  

Koh Chang

• Further to the north, on the east coast of Thailand and roughly 190 miles away from Bangkok, lies the tropical island resort of Koh Chang. Despite its proximity to the capital city, Koi Chang remains relatively undeveloped, yet it still offers accommodation ranging from the simple to the luxurious.
  
  Koh Chang offers white, sandy beaches; the waters around the island are characterized by unspoiled, colorful coral reefs and abundant marine life, making them ideal for scuba diving. The airport in Trat province receives daily flights from Bangkok, Phuket and other destinations in Thailand; from Trat, Koh Chang can be reached via a 30-minute bus ride or a ferry crossing.
  
  

Pattaya

• Further north still, 100 miles or so from Bangkok, lies the former quiet fishing village of Pattaya, which has developed into a popular coastal resort, since it was first used by American soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War in the early 1960s. The resort has, in fact, undergone a complete transformation since those times; it's now characterized by high-rise hotels, go-go bars and night clubs. Pattaya seafront and beach are as vibrant and cosmopolitan as any that you will find in Thailand's numerous coastal resorts.