In the Andaman Sea on Thailand's western coast sits an Island which may be the home of the premier beach scene in Southeast Asia: Phuket.
It is difficult to exaggerate about the beauty of Phuket's beaches or the lushness of the island's setting. And this island-paradise has the added advantage of being one of the most Internet-oriented resort areas in Asia. As one example, there is a fabulous set of maps available online which provide clickable links and a zoom in/zoom out feature from street level Phuket Town to the Southeast Asian Region.
There is a great deal of variety available in Phuket: it is possible to spend your time in the more social areas where there is usually a crowd, or to find your own beach and commune with the sea in private. The region is famous for its standing rocks that jut like monuments out of the ocean. The image of the region is mystic and tranquil and there is a traditional tone.
If you like life below the ocean's surface better than above it, Phuket provides a wonder world for diving. For many, the real beauty of the Andaman Sea is hidden below its surface, in the colors and the coral. Clear, warm water and large schools of tropical fish capture the imagination and rank Phuket among best dive spots available anywhere. Naturalists and underwater photographers flock to the island.
A word of warning: there are a lot of things available in Phuket that I wouldn't want my kids to see. Much of it, I wouldn't even want to see for myself. The bars and pubs of Patong Beach are popular night time destinations for most visitors. But most of them contribute to Thailand's somewhat tarnished image as the sex sewer of Asia. One that I found advertises that it is for sale "for health reasons". AIDS in Thailand is a major problem. As you sit in a bar in Phuket, it may help to remember that Thailand has been devastated by the HIV virus, and you may be holding hands with death herself...
But Phuket, despite its red light district, is still a good vacation. It is possible to avoid the town's underside and enjoy the ocean, the beach, some golf, and the local flavor. And as a beach scene, Phuket is among the finest!