This is the Bangkok chapter from Lonely Planet’s Thailand's Islands & Beaches guide-book.

Same same, but different. This Thailish T-shirt philosophy sums up Bangkok, a city where the familiar and the exotic collide like the flavours on a plate of pàt tai.

• try to stop your jaw from dropping to the floor upon encountering the enormous reclining Buddha at Wat Pho
• maps
• bask in the glow of the Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew & Grand Palace
• transport
• burn baht on colourful souvenirs, vintage gear and food galore at Chatuchak Weekend Market
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: History, Sights, Activities, Courses, Tours, Festivals & Events, Sleeping, Eating, Drinking & Nightlife, Entertainment, Shopping, Around Bangkok.

This is the Hua Hin & the Upper Gulf chapter from Lonely Planet’s Thailand's Islands and Beaches guidebook.

A winning combination of outdoor activities and culture is on offer here, with historic sites, national parks and long sandy beaches all an easy hop from Bangkok. Kiteboarders will be in paradise.

• spot wild elephants in Kuiburi National Park
• maps
• make the pilgrimage to see the illuminated cave shrine of Tham Phraya Nakhon in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
• transport
• explore the hilltop palace and underground caves of Phetchaburi while dodging mon-keys
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Phetchaburi, Kaeng Krachan National Park, Cha-am, Hua Hin, Pranburi & Around, Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ban Krut & Bang Saphan Yai , Chumphon.

This is the Ko Chang & the Eastern Seaboard chapter from Lonely Planet’s Thailand's Islands & Beaches guidebook.

Two islands – Ko Samet and Ko Chang – are the magnets that draw travellers to the eastern seaboard. The mainland has plenty of its own attractions, though, from international resorts like Pattaya to the charismatic, old-world charm of Chantha-buri.

• snorkel and jungle trek on Ko Chang, an island that offers something for everyone
• maps
• float the day away at Ko Kut’s marvellous beaches
• transport
• swim with the fishes in gin-clear waters at little Ko Wai, near Ko Chang
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Si Racha, Ko Si Chang, Bang Saen, Pattaya, Rayong & Ban Phe, Ko Samet, Chanthaburi, Trat, Ko Chang, Ko Kut, Ko Mak.

This is the Ko Samui & the Lower Gulf chapter from Lonely Planet’s Thailand's Islands & Beaches guidebook.

The Lower Gulf features Thailand’s ultimate island trifecta: Ko Samui, Ko Pha-Ngan and Ko Tao. This family of spectacular islands lures millions of tourists every year with their powder-soft sands and emerald waters.

• find Nemo in the technicolour dive kingdom of Ko Tao
• maps
• paddle to hidden bleach-blond beaches in Ang Thong Marine National Park
• transport
• string up a cotton hammock and toe the curling tide along a secluded beach on Ko Pha-Ngan
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Gulf Islands, Ko Samui, Ko Pha-Ngan, Ko Tao, Ang Thong Marine National Park, Surat Thani Province, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat Prov-ince, Ao Khanom, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla Province, Songkhla & Around, Hat Yai, Deep South, Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat.

This is the Phuket & the Andaman Coast chapter from Lonely Planet’s Thailand's Islands & Beaches guidebook.

The Andaman is Thailand’s dream coast: one of those places that you see on a postcard which make you want to quit your job and live in flip-flops…forever. Pure-white beaches of soft sand meet a turquoise sea, with towering limestone cliffs and jungle-covered isles.

• buzz across jade-green waters between white-sand beaches in the Trang Islands
• maps
• snorkel over colourful corals off Ko Lipe and explore the untouched nearby islands
• transport
• experience the heady mix of luxury lodgings, super spas and street-food treats in Phuket
• restaurants & accommodation

Coverage includes: Ranong Province, Ranong Town, Ko Chang, Ko Phayam, Laem Son National Park, Phang-Nga Province, Khuraburi, Surin Islands Marine Na-tional Park, Khao Sok National Park, Ko Phra Thong & Ko Ra, Khao Lak & Around, Similan Is-lands Marine National Park, Natai, Ao Phang-Nga, Phuket Province, Phuket Town, Laem Phan-wa, Ko Sireh, Rawai, Hat Patong, Hat Kata, Hat Karon, Hat Kamala, Hat Surin, Ao Bang Thao, Sirinat National Park, Thalang District, Krabi Province, Krabi Town, Railay, Ao Nang, Hat Nop-pharat Thara, Ko Phi-Phi, Ko Lanta, Ko Jum & Ko Si Boya, Trang Province, Trang, Trang Beach-es, Trang Islands, Satun Province, Satun, Pak Bara, Ko Tarutao Marine National Park, Ko Bulon Leh.

This chapter contains the Thailand’s Islands & Beaches, Welcome to Thailand’s Islands & Beaches, Thailand’s Islands & Beaches Top 18, Need to Know, First Time Thailand’s Islands & Beaches What’s New, If You Like..., Month by Month, Itineraries, Responsible Travel, Choose Your Beach, Diving & Snorkelling, Eat & Drink Like a Local, Travel with Children, and Regions at a Glance chapters from Lonely Planet’s Thailand’s Islands & Beaches guidebook.

Your journey to Thailand’s Islands & Beaches starts here. You’ll find the tools to plan your adventure: where to go and when, how much to budget, plus in-depth info on travelling with children.

• tailor-made itineraries, arranged by region, themes and events
• list of highlights and best experiences
• everything you need to know about diving, snorkelling, and choosing your beach
• user-friendly country overview ensures you won’t miss a thing

Coverage includes: Thailand’s Islands & Beaches, Welcome to Thailand’s Islands & Beaches, Thailand’s Islands & Beaches Top 18, Need to Know, First Time Thailand’s Islands & Beaches, What’s New, If You Like: Beaches, Great Food, Diving & Snorkelling, Ad-venture Sports, Five-Star Pampering, Back to Basics, Month by Month, Itineraries, Responsible Travel Choose Your Beach, Diving & Snorkelling, Eat & Drink Like a Local, Travel with Children, and Regions at a Glance.

This chapter contains the Thailand’s Islands & Beaches Today, History, People & Society, The Sex Industry in Thailand, Environment, Thai Massage, Directory A–Z, Transport, Health, and Behind the Scenes chapters from Lonely Planet’s Thailand’s Islands & Beaches guidebook.

All the info you need on everything from history and culture to flights, public transport, cli-mate, money, the internet... you name it. Get tips for women travellers, gay and lesbian travellers, travellers with disabilities, and travellers with kids. And get the most out of your conversations with a handy language guide and glossary.

• a rundown on Thailand’s complex history and political situation
• info on culture and religion
• full coverage the country’s wildlife and environmental challenges
• details on the art of Thai massage

Coverage includes: Thailand’s Islands & Beaches Today, History, People & Society, The Sex Industry in Thailand, Environment, Thai Massage, Directory A–Z, Transport, Health, and Behind the Scenes.