Damnoen Saduak is Thailand’s most famous floating market, about 80 km southwest of Bangkok. Vendors in wooden boats sell fruit, snacks, and noodles along the canal, while stalls on the banks push souvenirs and crafts. It’s lively, colourful, and very touristy, but it’s still a classic day trip. Most people go with an organised tour, though you can also catch a bus from the Southern Bus Terminal and hire a boat on arrival. Go early in the morning to avoid the thickest crowds and heat.

Ses Salines is a long stretch of white sand backed by pine trees and part of a natural park. It’s popular with a younger crowd and has a few beach bars that crank up the music in the afternoons. One end tends to attract nudists, but the vibe overall is relaxed and open.

This modest church next to the harbour is dedicated to Saint Erasme, the patron saint of seamen. A few commemorative benches, decorative offerings in the form of fishing boats and a spirit of quietness and contemplation make it worth a visit.