Thai-Malay Peninsula

Inevitably, the north of the Gulf of Thailand is influenced by the economic centre and mega-city of Bangkok, but the country owes its billing as tropical holiday paradise to the palm-fringed dreamscape down south. Countless beaches and bays line both shores of the Malaysian Peninsula, surrounding a landscape covered in thick brush, and overlooking myriad distinctively abrupt limestone islands. After James Bond visited this breathtaking region for a scene in a 1974 film, tourist development was just a matter of time. While Phuket and Ko Samui fully embraced mass tourism, other islands and coastlines remain much less embroiled. But along with tourism, chances for surf-travel also increased. With overwhelmingly moderate conditions it’s less about adrenaline and more about the journey of discovery, from surf-centres in the tourist hotspots to self-reliant soul-surfing along the backpacker trail…