Hat Ban Hua Thanon

This beach in the south of the Muslim village of Ban Hua Thanon offers an authentic picture of a real Thai fishing community. Ancient, disintegrating boats sit alongside more colourful ones on the sandy banks as the children of fisherman play beneath the palm trees that loom overhead. This rare window into the real Thailand, so lacking across the rest of the island, isn't the place for a sunlounger or beach towel.