What are the best destinations in Thailand for both beautiful beaches and shopping, avoiding tourist traps like Phuket?

Look instead of listening to other people why not go and explore Phuket yourself and you decide

Can go to Bangkok for shopping it's world class for nice stuff or for cheaper stuff well there are amazing markets everywhere.

Krabi has a good balance, I lived there a few years recently. It has become very touristy in Ao Nang where 99% of krabi tourists base themselves. Consider visiting further south, the whole peninsula is amazing. Mountains, farms, waterfalls caves and temples. I moved to Trang where I am now based and the local environment is incredible. The main tourist spot here is Koh Mook and Koh Kradan which are magical tropical islands from your dreams mostly national park with coral reefs and no cars. This is a serious tip, this area is about to be heavily promoted by Thailand as an eco friendly nature destination. Trang airport is being upgraded to international status and many piers and toad being built even high speed rail to connect to Bangkok by 2035. It is my wife's home maybe we will see you there!

Don't go to mini Moscow

samui

Go to Bangkok and get your fill of shopping, and then go to an island with nice beaches.

Trying to do everything in one place is just not realistic.

Go bangsarey!

Phuket is a dream…Don’t believe what you hear

We have both in Hua Hin!

Try Koh Samet a more Thai based tourist Island

Phuket is spot on

Patong beach

Hua Hin.

If you are planning to come to Phuket, I do a lot to offer something really high-quality and not tourist trap go get really cool experience. We have mermaid and underwater dance courses in

@Mermaid **************

in Rawai area with official certification of international system. We do in swimming pools and Phuket has a lot of them, and sea is just nearby. So if someone is interested in usual and good experience, always welcome!

The same time I would agree that there are many touristy areas and touristy things but still beaches are very good, Phuket Town is my love, nearby islands and more remote provinces are also cool and enough easy to travel. So Phuket can be a starting point to go to Krabi, Phangnga, Phi-Phi etc.

i agree phuket is v overrated, koh lanta & railay

Hire a van and driver and travel around. Plenty of things to see and not just temples.

Khanom, Surat Thani fly into Nakhon Si thamarat

Surat Thani, very Thai city with lots of shopping, not far from Krabi and the islands

Stay home

Shopping Bangkok has so many good markets .

Pratunam , and the biggest you can shop all day - Chatuchack weekend Market.

Phuket in high season , it can have lots of tourists, but there are quiet places.

If you want a quiet resort still close to beach and shopping.

- Bangtao

- Friendship beach Resort Rawai

You can be 20-40 mins from Central Phuket for shopping.

Also Panwa has some beautiful resorts which a very quiet. Look at VVillas.

Chaweng, Koh Samui

Depends if you are planning to live in Thailand or just have a vacation.

If it's a vacation go to Phuket for lovely beaches and shopping, Phuket town is nice for a day out too.

If you are coming to live in Thailand, Hua Hin has a much less touristy vibe, but the beaches are not as nice. It still has two shopping malls.

Hua Hin, not too touristy, beaches, great shopping from numerous shopping malls, Bluport, Market Village etc.

Koh Lanta

Basically you’re looking at Pattaya / Jomtien, or Hua Hin, or Phuket.

The beaches in Phuket are by far the best of these, and if you choose to stay in the north of Phuket (Bangtao Besch or above) you will be at great beaches and still 30-40 minutes from Central mall.

What is your idea of a tourist trap ? There are maybe 10 beaches to choose from Bang Tao and north of there,

Definitely rent a car

If you want shopping, you have to deal with tourist/foreigners. A majority of Thai folks don't have the money to buy bunches of useless junk. I would suggest shopping in Bangkok 2-3 days then off to the better spots.

I don't how crowed it is, but Koh Lipe is not easy to get to so I suspect there are fewer tourist.

Krabi is pretty nice (Ao Nang). The beaches will have loads of tourists but fewer that Patong (Phuket). Otherwise you will want to ask locals for the best spots.

Just come to Bangkok stay near MBK center then go to Pattaya for the beach

Jontien

Phuket can be very different, it’s so beautiful. Check Bangtao beach to have the best of both worlds.