Apart from its bustling centre and busy fishing port, this upmarket destination has a tranquil, unhurried character. It found favour with the Thai royal family in the 1920s and is the site of 2 royal palaces, one of which (Klai Kangwon) remains a royal residence. Though no longer a magnet for the world's rich and famous, the resort retains a genteel air, with tasteful, predominantly low-rise architecture in a mix of modern and more traditional styles. The surrounding area remains relatively unspoilt.

For those seeking a quiet beachside stay with authentic local flavour. Popular with Thai holidaymakers.

Close to 100 hotels. Several large, modern, upmarket options close to or on the beach front; some middlemarket hotels, holiday bungalows and smaller economy guesthouses. One grand hotel of 1920s vintage.

A long, curving arc of fine, golden sand stretching for nearly 2 mls, and gently shelving into clear blue seas with safe swimming. Water sports include windsurfing. Although generally free of people, the beach can become crowded with food vendors, pony rides and water-scooter operators when Bangkok residents descend during holiday weekends.

A shopping centre filled with clothing stalls and a supermarket. Numerous side streets with an array of local handicrafts and lots of simple shops, some with Internet corners. Silk, cotton and silver goods are plentiful. Custom tailors. The colourful night market is popular with locals as well as tourists and sells cheap clothing and souvenirs while offering the chance to taste many local dishes.

Daytime: beach with water sports; walks through the quiet, winding streets, taking in the attractive railway station building and fishing pier; early-morning fish market; horse-drawn carriage rides; 18-hole golf course; elephant village; Arts and Crafts Centre, with displays of contemporary Thai art; pony/horse rides. Nightlife: fairly sedate, with hotel-based entertainment or local bars and restaurants, none with live music.

Variety of options, including Thai, Chinese, Italian and French; regional dishes, including desserts and sweets. Several upmarket restaurants. Small market food stalls. Seafood is plentiful and of good quality.

Chiefly tuk-tuks (motorised rickshaws seating 1 or 2 passengers) and "pick-up taxis" that charge a flat rate and accommodate up to 20 passengers. If you don't mind this claustrophobic mode of transport, these are cheap options for short distances; just point in the direction you're going and if the driver is going your way, jump in. Long-distance buses and trains to Bangkok. Bicycles, motorcycles and small jeeps available for rent.

Half day: local temples and fishing villages. Full day: boat trip to Singto Island; Kaeng Krachen Dam and National Park for rivers, caves, grasslands, forests, mountains and waterfalls; scenic waterfall at Namtok Pa La-u; picturesque lake and beach at Khao Tao; sleepy town of Prachuap Khiri Khan, with a good beach and hilltop Buddhist shrine; Phra Nakhon Khiri (summer palace of King Rama IV); Khao Sam Roi Yot (Three Hundred Peaks) National Park, comprising 24,500 acres with limestone mountains and coastal marshlands, home to mountain goats, porcupines and monkeys. The region's national parks are also popular with mosquitoes, so be prepared! Two days: Kanchanaburi and the Bridge on the River Kwai; Bangkok, Floating Market at Damnoen Sauak and Rose Garden cultural centre.

Halfway down the length of Thailand, on the W ("sunrise") side of the Gulf of Thailand. Roughly 120 mls SW of Bangkok and its airport.

Occupying generally flat land fronting a long, curved beach bounded by rocky headlands. Backed by gentle, verdant hills.

Telephone Area Code: 32

Airport : Bangkok International Airport
Airport Code: BKK
Flight time from ther U.K.: 11 hrs