TICKS ALL THE BOXES: Why not lie back in a shaded hammock on the stunning Koh Samui.

A trip sampling the diversity of Southeast Asian destinations can take you from the sleek modernity of Singapore to the ancient temples of Cambodia's Angkor Wat.

And then there are the beaches of Thailand: relaxing, beautiful, and for the adventurous holiday-maker, a lot more exotic than Miami.

Thai beaches offer gorgeous stretches of sand, water sports, nearby outdoor activities and cheap food and drink.

Off the Andaman Sea are Phuket and Koh Phi Phi, which rose to international prominence after being featured in the Leonardo DiCaprio film The Beach.

But there are also the renowned beaches along the Gulf of Thailand - Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.

Each of these has its own charms and attractions, and regular boat services make it easy to travel to them.

All three also have fantastic party scenes.

KOH SAMUI

This is the main transport centre for the islands, with a fancy airport.

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The irresistable lure of Thai beaches