Let the staff at Ani Villas spoil you as you relax by the sea.

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Escape the crowds and discover
Thailand retreats that maintain
a timeless sense of paradise.
Words NELL MCSHANE WULFHART
Photography CHRISTOPHER WISE
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4. HEWORDS 'THAI ISLANDS' mayconjureup images
of postcard-perfect beaches, but the country's broad
appeal as a travel hotspot can also mean cheap beer
and sunburned backpackers. Luckily, once you push
past the touristy areas, you'll find world-class resorts,
decadent spas and elegant restaurants - you know,
those make-your-friends-green-with-envy destinations. Here
are our top picks for visiting Thailand's kohs (islands).
Phuket
Many travellers begin a Thai-island exploration with a trip to
Phuket. Located in the Andaman Sea, just off the south-west
coast of the Thai mainland, it's the most developed of the
isles - home to giant shopping malls, tourist- trap restaurants,
and a nightlife precinct, Patong. Bypass those and the island's
enduring popularity becomes apparent: stunning beaches,
spoil-you-silly hotels and beautiful historic sites that are often
overlooked by the masses. Old Phuket Town, in particular,
deserves an afternoon of wandering to see its charming and
colourful collection of Sino-Portuguese buildings - Thalang,
Ranong and Rassada are some of the most Instagrammable
102 VIRGIN AUSTRALIA APRIL 2017
CLOCKWISE
FROM ABOVE
LEFT Enjoy the
beautiful views at
the Four Seasons in
Koh Samui; colourful
facades in Old
Phuket Town; lush
greenery frames
a walkway at the
Amanpuri resort.
OPPOSITE
Amatara at dusk.
PREVIOUS PAGE,
CLOCKWISE
FROM FAR LEFT
Relax on the shores
ofa Thai island;
a guest room at Ani
Villas; cooling off
at the Four Seasons
Koh Samui; the spa
at Amatara Wellness
Resort; savour a Thai
banana blossom
salad at Ani Villas.
streets. Be sure to make a quick pit stop
at Suay Restaurant for tuna tartare and
lemongrass-infused tom yum soup.
Agreatway to getaround Phuketis by
booking a driver or renting a motorbike,
giving you the freedom to visit secluded
beaches, such as Banana Beach on the
north-west coast of the island. After you
park, it's a short hike to reach the clear
waters. The tranquil beach has a seafood
restaurant (open during the high season).
Nearby, there's also the tree-fringed
Layan Beach, punctuated by the small
island of Koh Kala, which you can walk
to when it's low tide. You'll find a few
fishing boats here,but not much else.
If shopping is of interest, Phuket has
the best options - find elegant scarves
from Jim Thompson in Central Festival
Phuket shopping centre and handmade
sarongs at Ban Boran Textiles.

7. CLOCKWISE
FROM RIGHT
Let the staff at Ani
Villas spoil you
as you relax by t he
sea; enjoy a drink
and a snack at
the Four Seasons'
Cocorum Bar; the
serene lap pool
at Kupu Kupu
~hangan resort;
Ani V illas has a
double-helix water
slide. OPPOSITE
Amanpuri resort
opens up onto
the breathtaking
Pansea Beach.
STfY
Amanpuri
Pansea Beach,
Phuket; v1ww.
aman.com/resorts/
amanpuri. Amatara
Wellness Resort
84 Moo 8, Sakdidej
Road,Tambon Vichit,
Cape Panwa; W'vVW.
amataraphuket.com.
Ani Villas 54/6 Moo
5, Koh Yao Noi;
WW'vv.anivillas.com/
destinations/
thailand. Four
Seasons Resort
Koh Samui 219 Moo
5,Angthong, Koh
Samui;www.
fourseasons.com/
kohsamui. Kupu
Kupu Phangan 69/13
Moo 4, Naiwok, Koh
Phangan; www.
kupuphangan.com.
DO
Ang Thong National
Marine Park VVW.
angthongmarine
park.com. Siam
Sailing 6/8 Moo 8,
Tan1bon Vichit,
Phuket; WWW.
sailing-charter-
thailand.com. Six
Senses Yao Noi 56
Moo 5, Koh Yao Noi;
WW¥.sixsenses.com/
resorts/yao-noi/spa.
luxurious destinations in the country. An easy 105-minute
flight from Singapore, this Thai island has high-end resorts
competing with beach bars for space on the sand. One of
the most beautiful, and private, stretches of beach belongs
to the Four Seasons. Its villas are perched on a hill with views
of the calm waters best seen from the private plunge pools.
While it's tempting to lounge the days away on the white
sands, day trips can be had by venturing into the lush jungle
on an elephant's back, or hiking to the Na Muang Waterfalls.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is also worth a visit - this
protected archipelago of small islands inspired Alex Garland's
novel The Beach and boasts limestone cliffs and calm lagoons.
Koh Phangan
Accessed from Koh Samuivia regular speedboats, Koh Phangan
is a must-visit for its powder-soft sand and secluded bays.
The island is known for its full moon parties but instead,
settle in at Kupu Kupu Phangan resort,
where the best villas sit on the beach
and come with individual pools. The
hotel also has its own private boat to
take guests on excursions to Koh Ma,
a sandbar on Haad Mae Haad Beach
which is excellent for snorkelling. Begin
your day exploring and, after soaking
up the sun, replenish your skin with
a shea butter body scrub and wrap at the
resort's Spa by L'Occitane. f)
GETTING THERE VIRGIN AUSTRALIA OFFERS
FLIGHTS TO PHUKETAND KOH SAMUi, THAILAND
WITH ITSCODESHARE PARTNERS SINGAPORE
AIRLINES AND SILKAIR. TO BOOK,VISIT
WWW.VIRGINAUSTRALIA.COM OR
CALL 13 67 89 (IN AUSTRALIA).
APR I L 201 7 VIRGIN AUSTRAL I A 105