Thailand's quiet beauties: You should know these insider tips
The vacation hotspot far away from the tourist crowds
Away from the beaten track, Thailand unfolds a quiet, almost meditative atmosphere. Four retreats invite you to slow down - and get to know the country from its gentle, unagitated side.
For many, Thailand is synonymous with colorful markets, golden temples and bustling beaches. But beyond the most popular regions, a different face of the country is revealed: quieter, but no less impressive. Those who are prepared to leave the beaten track will discover retreats of rare beauty. Here, where luxury doesn't have to be loud, there are hideaways that offer more than just comfort - they open up space for silence and natural wonders.
One of these places is Chiang Rai - in the far north, where the morning mist envelops the lush green of the landscape. While nearby Chiang Mai has long been part of the tourist map, Chiang Rai retains a quiet charm. The air is clearer here, the landscape more dramatic - green mountain ridges, tea terraces, small villages where people still live in the Lanna tradition. The Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet, is particularly impressive. At the Anantara Golden ' Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort ' , you wake up with a view of dense jungle, through which elephants occasionally move at a leisurely pace. If you wish, you can meet them in a respectful manner - without a show. Instead: strolling and observing together. Here, everyday life seems as far away as the horizon over the Mekong.
Thailand doesn't just have quiet treasures to offer in the north. Even further south, where the sea defines the contours, there are places where the world sounds quieter. The island of Koh Yao Noi is located exactly where other islands are noisy - between Phuket and Krabi - and yet it seems like a forgotten part of Thailand. Here, it's not the motorboats that rustle, but the palm trees in the wind. Those who come here are not looking for quick pleasure, but to arrive slowly. One place that reflects this feeling is the ' Six Senses Yao Noi ' . The resort towers over Phang Nga Bay and carries its luxury with understated elegance. Villas with timeless architecture meet endless views. Some of the highlights: Yoga in the morning with a view of the misty rocks, a glass of wine in the jungle greenery in the evening. In between: Kayak tours through mangroves and vegetables from your own garden.
Koh Lanta also proves to be a pristine island paradise - and that has become rare in southern Thailand. The hideaway south of Krabi enchants with its incredible charm: a stylish but relaxed lifestyle has developed between the rainforest and long beaches. The ' Pimalai Resort & Spa ' , hidden away at the southern end of the island, has almost remained an insider tip. Nestled between green jungle and a private beach, it is a quiet retreat. How could you spend an afternoon here? Perhaps with a walk through the shady grounds, a dip in the infinity pool above the treetops or simply chilling out with a view over the vastness of the sea and landscape.
Khao Lak promises gentle noblesse on the Andaman coast, the region looks like the quiet aftershock of Phuket - less staged, but no less beautiful. The beaches are long and deserted, the hinterland full of waterfalls, rainforest and authentic beauty. The boutique hotel ' The Sarojin ' reflects these breathtaking natural wonders of its surroundings. A resort that does not impose itself, but creates space - for peace and nature. Dinner on a sandbank, illuminated by lanterns? Possible. A boat trip to uninhabited islands? Can be arranged. Or would you prefer to relax in the spa while the tropical rain falls softly on the leaves outside? Everything is allowed here, nothing is a must.
And while the waves roll steadily onto the shore outside, it becomes clear what all these places have in common: They show Thailand from its unagitated side - away from the usual and closer to what makes a destination a place of longing.
