These are the Thai Islands to visit instead of Phuket

With miles of golden sand beaches stretching along its western flank; gorgeous temples, mosques and churches dotted around the villages and hillsides; internationally revered Michelin restaurants; a culturally rich and recently regenerated old town; a well connected international airport; plus an armada of long tail boats anchored on the shores ready to drive you out on trips around the inlets, it’s easy to see why Phuket has maintained its spot as Thailand’s most popular island for decades.

Thailand buzz is currently oscillating across the world, partly thanks to the imminent arrival of the next installation of the hit HBO show The White Lotus – the third season wrapped filming in the country earlier this year. Due to be released in 2025, the show could easily bring higher tourist numbers than ever to the country.

But in Phuket, where gridlock traffic jams on the roads and lack of space on the beaches are already frequent complaints, it makes you wonder: does this island need an influx? Is it time to swap Phuket for another Thai destination on your next trip?

The heir apparent, and seamless alternative, to Phuket is Koh Samui, the verdant palm-lined favourite in the Gulf of Thailand. There are strong parallels between the two islands. Firstly, Samui also has an airport – some would say the cutest airport in the world, consisting of quaint wooden gazebo departure gates surrounded by thriving flower beds – so notions of bumpy ferries and catamarans to reach the island can be cast aside.

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More importantly, and very on-brand for Thailand at the moment: both islands have swathes of affordable luxury to indulge in but, unlike Phuket, on Koh Samui it’s easy to find a place that’s tucked away from the heaving crowds. It’s easy to relax into Samui, from family-friendly resorts such as Anantara Bophut, which has one of the largest and most zen spas on the island, and the Centara Reserve that sprawls along the shores of Chaweng Beach, to the bijou Avani+ Samui where floating breakfasts in your private pool are the norm, at their secluded resort in the remote southwest corner, Taling Ngam.

For the health conscious, Samui is also a wellness hotspot with some of the best retreats in the…