Mae Phim

Less than 2 hours away from central Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi International Airport is the beach resort area of Mae Phim. Pronounced "may pim", it is less crowded and more authentically Thai than the well known city of Pattaya, which is located 30 minutes drive away. Do not be fooled into thinking that because it is less crowded means that it has less to offer - far from it.

It is rather a case of Mae Phim still being a relatively undiscovered, at least to those living outside of the country, gem on the east coast of Thailand. Foreign tourists first started to spend their vacations there a decade ago, but affluent Thais have been visiting for a much longer period of time. Its proximity to Bangkok, and first class accommodation, attractions and beaches make Mae Phim a perfect spot for a fun, but relaxing, getaway.

So, what does Mae Phim offer? Obviously, the beaches there are wonderful - white sand with crystal blue water. Though such beaches are not uncommon in Thailand, what makes the ones in Mae Phim different is the fact that they still remain totally unspoiled. They still retain their natural charm and beauty, and have not been excessively filled with deck-chairs, or over-run with hawkers.

Note the use of the term beach in its plural sense too, as you will find plenty of beaches to choose from in Mae Phim. There is no need to spend all of your vacation lying on the same beach - you could go to a different one each day. By walking just 10 or so minutes from central Mae Phim, you can find yourself a nice, practically deserted, stretch of beach that you can have all to yourself.

As for accommodation options, you will not be disappointed. From simple guest houses to luxurious hotels, there is something for everyone in Mae Phim. The most popular option though is a vacation rental home, whereby someone who owns a property in Mae Phim rents it out to tourists when they are not living in it themselves. There are some truly fantastic homes available to rent - private swimming pools, several bedrooms, widescreen TVs, etc.

Having first arrived, and unpacked your bags, you might like to take a walk around central Mae Phim, to soak up the atmosphere and ambience. Charming and authentic, but pleasingly modern, are the words that best sum it up. You will find all of the amenities that you would expect from a first class tourist destination, but rather than dominating the area, they sit in harmony with the traditional Thai aspects of the town.

You can eat in one of the wonderful range of restaurants (serving up both traditional Thai food and the finest international food), you can go shopping at the markets or in the boutique stores, you can meet the local people, and you can sip cocktails whilst watching the sun come down after another glorious day. What you find in Mae Phim will feel comfortably familiar, but with a new twist - one which will see you joining the many tourists who make a vacation in Mae Phim an annual event.