Der einsame Süden: Hat Yai, Koh Lipe & Krabi

About the destination: Hat Yai is the largest town in Songkhla Province and the fourth largest in Thailand. Many travelers pass through from and to Malaysia, lending it a cosmopolitan feel that is unique to the area. It is well known as a travel hub, a medical centre and a shopping haven for Thais. Hat Yai’s appeal is different from Koh Samui’s or Phuket’s and it is an extremely popular tourist spot for Malaysians and Singaporeans meaning that prices are subsequently high and that you won’t see many western faces here except as transit visitors. Getting around town is fairly easy and cheap by motorcycle taxi and cabs. Hat Yai has a reputation for being a shopping destination for both Thais and foreigners. There are numbers of department stores, shopping malls and markets throughout the city. Kim Yong market (also Gim Yong) is a famous market located in the center of Hat Yai, Songkhla.

About the destination: Koh Lipe is a small island in the Adang-Rawi Archipelago of the Strait of Malacca, in Satun Province of southwest Thailand, close to the Malaysian border. Koh Lipe is on the border of the Tarutao National Marine Park and is directly south of the larger islands Ko Adang and Ko Rawi, and about 50 km from the island of Ko Tarutao. During high season there are several locations from which travellers can take a ferry or speedboat to Koh Lipe, including: Ko Lanta, Pak Bara, Phi Phi, Trang, and Langkawi. During low season, the only way to get to Koh Lipe is by speedboat from Pak Bara. Koh Lipe has three main beaches: Sunset Beach, Sunrise Beach, and Pattaya Beach. The calm, clear water makes Koh Lipe ideal for snorkeling, with 25 percent of the world's tropical fish species found in the area. Development on the island is rapidly growing to meet the increase in tourism, leading to issues with waste management, wildlife conservation, and energy supplies. Upon arrival at Koh Lipe you must pay a National Park admission fee and environmental fee. Koh Lipe is a relatively undiscovered paradise and is one of the most popular islands in Thailand.

About the destination: Krabi Province is a popular beach destination in the southern part of Thailand, on the Andaman Sea. Krabi Province has stunning landscapes and magnificent limestone outcroppings called karst formations, which are a landmark of the region. Krabi has a lot of beautiful beaches which offer some really amazing scenes of sunrise and sunset. There are over 150 islands in the waters around Krabi. Krabi and the surrounding area and beaches are excellent for relaxing and sightseeing, not to mention all the crystal clear beaches, fascinating coral reefs, caves and waterfalls, as well as numerous islands and beautiful temples. There are many things to do in the areas, such as snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, rock climbing, white water rafting, diving, kayaking, and paddle surfing. If time permits, you can visit the nearby national parks for jungle trekking. Krabi offers a breathtaking scenery and it is one of the most beautiful beach destination in Asia.