The main options for this are Pattaya, Hua Hin, Cha-am, Ko Samet and, to a lesser extent, Ko Chang.

Pattaya is a very developed beach resort only a couple of hours from Bangkok, but the beach itself is only average at best by Thai standards. Come here for a vibrant nightlife scene, but it's best to look elsewhere for decent beaches.

Ko Samet has very nice beaches, but gets very busy and much more expensive at weekends, Thai public holidays and during the tourist high season - book ahead if you can. The main beach, Diamond beach, caters mainly to rich Thai tourists and is very developed. The beach has also been a bit spoiled by the dirt and pollution that this has caused. Other beaches are much quieter, cheaper and more remote. Facilities can be basic, and generally accommodation and food are overpriced all over the islands. On the plus side some of the beaches are very beautiful, right up amongst Thailand's best. Ko Samet is a national park and, in line with national policy, charges an entrance fee of 200B per person for foreigners, 20B for Thais.