The Top 8 Islands You Should Visit in Thailand

It can't be more fitting to compare Thailand to an assortment of colorful candies. The vibrant and cultural hub Bangkok is as rich and exciting as the fruity ones, while Chiang Mai is refreshing and soothing like mint, and Pai District is as lush and unique as toffee. As one of the world’s most renowned holiday destinations, Thailand’s islands are best known for their natural beauty that enraptures all visitors’ hearts. Here are the top 8 islands in Thailand that can be reached by helicopter.

Koh Kradan

Source: expatlifeinthailand.com

Located at the Trang province in Southern Thailand, Koh Kradan is known for having water so clear that you can immediately see all kinds of fish beneath. The 2-kilometer long white sand Koh Kradan Beach trails the east coast of the island, where you’ll find the most dazzling emerald sea and beautiful coral reefs. Make sure you pack thoroughly in advance since there’s no ATM nor medical facility on the island.

Koh Phayam

Source: CNN Travel

Selected as one of the best beaches in Asia by Forbes, Koh Phayam is a rustic island where you’ll find yourself transported back in time. You can hardly find any car on the island as bikes and motorbikes are the main transportation, and the island isn’t connected to the electrical grid. Instead, it heavily depends on diesel generators and solar panels. It’s the perfect getaway if you’d like to unplug and stay off the grid for a few days!

Koh Mak

Source: koh-mak.com

As the largest private island in Thailand, Koh Mak is one of the safest places in the world and, most importantly, a hidden gem that’s relatively unknown by the public. We recommend going snorkeling and hiking at Koh Mak, and you should definitely pay it a visit when it’s still a well-kept secret for most travelers.

Koh Phangan

Source: bangkokattractions.com

There are three hot destinations for the best Full Moon Parties in the world, including Koh Phangan in Thailand, Ibiza in Spain, and Goa in India. These frenzy full moon celebrations attract thousands of Chinese travelers every year. There’s no airport on the Koh Phangan, and it relies heavily on the ferries coming from Koh Samui. When the music fades away at the end of the night, Koh Phangan truly unveils its beauty. The island has not affected by mass tourism, so its beach and landscape remain relatively untouched compared to the other islands in Thailand.

Similan Islands

Source: Image by Viator found on Lonely Planet

Similan Islands used to be a gem among the islands in the Andaman Sea, but due to the disruptions of mass tourism, the Thai Government has implemented a new regulation of limited entries onto the island to let the island recuperate better. Visitors are allowed to go to the islands between November and April (the last day to visit is on April 30), with a limited daily capacity of visitors.

Koh Chang

Source: thetravelmagazine.net

From the jungle on mountain peaks to sweeping bays and waterfalls, Koh Chang has plenty to offer for avid travelers. It’s the second-largest island after Phuket in Thailand, and the best way to explore is by hiring a car or even a helicopter to enjoy the magnificent landscape from high above. Many Westerners find themselves falling in love with Koh Chang upon their first visit and would stay for a few months to immerse themselves in the island life fully. We also recommend snorkeling at the surrounding islands with a local day tour.

Koh Lipe

Source: placesofjuma.com

Best known as the Maldives of Thailand, Koh Lipe is a small island located in southern Thailand. The fastest way to get there is a one-hour ferry ride from Langkawi, Malaysia, rather than reaching the island from Bangkok. You’ll find yourself surrounded by wild marine creatures as you dive beneath the clear turquoise waters, and many travelers visit Koh Lipe specifically to get their scuba certifications there. Apart from diving, be prepared for a feast as there’s plenty of amazing traditional street food around!

Koh Lanta

Source: goatsontheroad.com

The deliciously unspoilt island Koh Lanta shoots to Instagram fame with its enchanting scenery. Unlike other highly popular destinations, there are few Chinese tourists and only a small number of Euro-American visitors on this island. As one of the main islands of Krabi Province, Koh Lanta offers excellent facilities and a lower cost of living compared to Phuket. The islands' lush jungle, clean sandy beaches, pretty coral reefs, and crystal-clear water make the island a perfect retreat.

Don’t worry if you can’t make up your mind which island you’d like to visit, you can always book a private helicopter and travel to all these islands in one-go!

Propose in style like these celebrities with private helicopters

Hollywood's finest are known for their epic proposals. There are always rose petals everywhere, champagne, and over-the-top surprises. Some even take it to the next level with private helicopters! We couldn't help but wish we were the ones in these enchanted tales too.

While we couldn't witness these romantic moments, we’ll settle on reminiscing on these adorable stories of seven pairs of celebrity couples.

Giuliana and Bill Rancic

Source: Getty images

Giuliana spends her days interviewing celebrities on the red carpet, which makes total sense that Bill gave her a glamorous proposal. He surprised Giuliana with a helicopter ride over Chicago, complete with champagne and pizza from her favorite pizzeria. When they were high above, looking down at the romantic Chicago skyline all lit up, Bill popped the question.

Gisele Bündchen and Tom Brady

Source: Getty images

Brady and Bündchen first met through a friend at a party and started dating in 2006. Flying high above New Jersey on Christmas Eve, the NFL quarterback took the supermodel on a private jet ride with dozens of white roses and champagne on board according to the New York Post. Another surprise? Gisele's parents were also on the plane to witness their daughter's memorable moment.

Eva Longoria and Jose Antonio Baston

Source: Getty images

Baston swept Longoria off her feet with a dazzling desert proposal while they were on vacation in Dubai. The television executive decroated a romantic lounge filled with patterned pillows and Persian rugs right in the middle of the desert dunes, where he proposed to Longoria with a jaw-dropping ruby ring. It definitely deserves a huge round of applause!

Jenny Slate and Ben Shattuck

Source: Getty images

Ben Shattuck proposed to actress Jenny Slate in the simplest yet sweetest way possible. It took place in an abandoned castle in southern France, where the art curator organized a picnic for Slate and asked her to marry him. "I screamed yes!" revealed Slate in an Instagram post, saying the moment made her feel "happy and free."

George and Amal Clooney

Source: Getty images

George had planned to propose to his true love after dinner one night. When he blew out the candle and asked Amal to get the lighter in the box behind her, she could only find a ring! She was so shocked that when the actor got down on one knee, all she could do was stare at the ring and gushed out 'Oh, my God’. The story goes that George Clooney was on his knees for 25 minutes waiting for her to give him an answer. And the rest, as you know, is history.

Will and Jada Pinkett Smith

Source: Getty images

The pair have been married for 21 years, yet Will Smith's proposal was shockingly low-key — but that only made it all the more romantic. "We were just lying there, going to sleep. He looked over at me, and said, 'Hey, we might be real good married. You wanna marry me?' Unplanned. No ring. Not the classic proposal. I said yes," Jada recalled how Will popped the question.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry

Source: Getty images

In their first joint interview after announcing their engagement, Harry shared that he knew Markle was the one the very first time they met. Markle and Harry then revealed they had been cooking dinner together when Harry, unable to wait until they'd sat down to eat, surprised his co-chef by getting down on one knee and presenting her with a gorgeous custom sparkler. “We were literally making Ina Garten's classic roast chicken when I said YES to him.” Markle laughed.

Escape to the Cool Climes of the Cameron Highlands by Helicopter

Home to tea plantations, rising hills and refreshing temperatures, Malaysia’s largest hill station has been a sought-after destination since the country’s colonial days.

It’s easy to see why Malaysia’s verdant highlands have been a top spot with the country’s residents for decades. Boasting stunning scenery that takes in sprawling tea plantations, strawberry fields and a chain of townships, Cameron Highlands has been the choice refreshing retreat of the country’s elite since the early-19th century.

Named after British explorer Sir William Cameron, who first mapped the elevated area in 1885, the highlands rose to popularity during the 1930s when gardens, bungalows and villas sprung up to cater to British colonials seeking a cool weekend retreat away from the heat. Teetering at 1,300 metres to 1,829 metres above sea level, the highlands barely see temperatures rise above 30C.

Cameron Highlands has been the choice refreshing retreat

Things to Do in Cameron Highlands

Visit Boh Tea Company

Tea plantations hug the highlands’ rolling hills making a visit essential. BOH Tea Company is one of the most famous of Malaysia’s many brands and is an excellent place to learn about the process.

Here, visitors can enjoy views of the lush terraces and learn how tea is grown and harvested before sampling a refreshing brew. A tea shop sells samples of the signature flavours for visitors to take home.

Go Strawberry Picking

Cameron Highlands’ cool climes makes it the perfect place to grow strawberries, with farms dotting the landscape. Raaju’s Hill Strawberry Farm is famed across the area for its fruits grown in a picturesque misty valley.

Visitors can get their hands dirty and pick strawberries to take home and savour. Alternatively, there is an on-site café where the juicy fruit can be sampled in a tasty English cream tea and other delights.

Visitors can get their hands dirty and pick strawberries to take home and savour

Climb Mount Brinchang

Standing as Cameron Highlands’ main peak, teetering 6,666 feet above sea level, Mount Brinchang is a must-do for visitors. The main way to access its peak is a thrilling drive up winding mountain roads. An alternative cable car ride offers incredible bird’s eye views of its dramatic slopes.

At the top sits an observation tower that boasts unparalleled vistas that stretch across verdant valleys, lush tea plantations and sprawling forests. The more active can trek through dense woodland to its summit.

Mingle with Locals

The highlands are dotted with villages home to various indigenous groups, referred to locally as Orang Asli, which from Malay translates as ‘original people’. There are plenty of tours that take visitors into these villages to experience local life.

For those wanting to get further off the beaten track, the jungle that clings to Cameron Highlands’ slopes is also sprinkled with traditional communities who are willing to welcome visitors into their homes.

Browse Fragrant Rose Gardens

Its lofty heights make Cameron Highlands the perfect climate for a range of colourful flora, with the area home to a range of roses. The best spot to see them is at Mrs Robertson’s Rose Garden nestled on a scenic hillslope that boasts stunning valley vistas.

The spectacular 10-terrace gardens house more than 100 species of roses, as well as sunflowers, carnations, hibiscus trees, camellia and other flora. There is also a quaint café where visitors can soak up the serene views.

Get on a High in a Helicopter

After exploring the area on the ground, the ultimate way to experience it is hovering above Cameron Highlands’ patchwork of emerald tea plantations, rolling hills and misty valleys in a helicopter.

There are a series of aerial tours available, or alternatively visitors can organise their own itinerary and charter a helicopter to enjoy serene views of this lush corner of Malaysia.