Southern Thailand

This small town, which has only one stoplight, is a great place to get away from it all. Though the town is off the beaten path, it’s still easy to get to and most of the other tourists you’ll meet are Thais. Khanom is a wonderful addition to any tour through southern Thailand. Though the beaches may seem like every other beach in Thailand, there’s one very distinct difference. Along with very few other places in the world, in Khanom you can see pink dolphins. There are many tours that take you out to spot these elusive creatures, but it’s best to go early in the morning. The dolphins are tinged pink due to the capillaries that are close to the surface of their skin and help to regulate their body temperature. Depending on their mood and temperature, they may appear more or less pink. Khanom is also a great place to explore nature, visit the local caves, dive into waterfall fed pools or just enjoy the beach. Though there is very little nightlife in Khanom, you can still find a Full Moon Party. Unlike other beachside Full Moon parties, this is family friendly and celebrates with cocktails and seafood. The Wednesday morning market is also well known for its local produce, fish and other handmade goods. Getting there: Nok Air offers three daily flights plus minivan services from Bangkok to Khanom. You fly with Nok Air from Bangkok to Nakhon Si Thammarat Airport and then are transferred on a minivan to Mukdahan taking approximately 2 hours 50 minutes. You can get to Khanom from the nearby cities of Surat Thani by mini bus. Minibuses generally depart from the "old" bus terminal in the centre of Surat Thani. Overnight buses to Khanom depart from Sai Tai Taling Chan Bus Terminal (Southern bus terminal) in Bangkok, and they pass Surat Thani's new bus terminal on the way. There are only a few buses a day, and they can get fully booked hours before departure, so buy tickets in advance.

Located in southern Thailand, there are a lot of superlatives to describe this national park: oldest, biggest and wettest. Estimated to be more than 160 million years old, this rainforest is older and more diverse than the Amazon rainforest. The rainforest features dramatic limestone formations that jut up through the jungle greenery and undisturbed trails perfect for biking or walking and experiencing close encounters with elephants. As the wettest place in Thailand, the dry season (from December to April) is the best time to visit Khao Sok National Park. It’s safe to visit during the wet season, it’s just important to take precautions. The winding dirt paths allow visitors to wander in solitude and encounter local wildlife, which spend more time out and about during the wet season. Sadly, that includes leeches, which come out in full force during the rains. Watch your ankles!Motor vehicles are not allowed very far into the park so bring comfortable walking shoes and be prepared to hire a guide to make sure that you know where you’re going and don’t get lost in the beautifully dense forest. The Khao Sok National Park is estimated to be home to 5 per cent of the world’s species. You’re also likely to spot wild fruits such as the jackfruit, mangosteen, durian, rambutan, jujube, pomelo and wild bananas. Getting there: Nok Air offers flight and transfer services from Bangkok flying to Surat Thani and transferring on a minivan to Khao Sok. The journey takes approximately 3.5 hours.