Beautiful Running in Thailand

Koh Tao - Hua Hin - Cha-Am - Ao Nang

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Running in Thailand when on holidays is a must especially if you like beach running. The beaches are beautiful and most of them have white, powdery sand. Its people are also very beautiful and always smiling. No wonder it is known as, “The Land of Smiles.”

I loved visiting Koh Tao, Hua Hin and Cha-Am, and each place offered its own unique running experience. I enjoyed having the opportunity to experience tasty food, beautiful scenery and the warm climate. Keep reading to hear about different running experiences, see pictures of the fabulous scenery, and hear about the many fun things to do while in Thailand.

For me running on the beach is the most enjoyable option, but it is not always accessible, so I needed to find other running options as I soon discovered.

Running in Koh Tao (Turtle Island)

Sandy beach in Thailand with colourful signposts

I stayed on Sairee Beach on the beautiful island of Koh Tao for one week. Sairee Beach is a lively area with lots of bars and restaurants and has the most amazing sunsets. The sand along this beach is mostly firm and provides a very enjoyable running experience, but unfortunately only when the tide is low. The tide varies greatly along this coast and the changeover from high to low can take all day.

During my stay here, only one morning was the tide low enough to run the full 3 km stretch from the north end by Rim Lae restaurant to the south where a rocky outcrop divides the beach. You don't want to miss an opportunity to run on this stunning beach so keep an eye on the Koh Tao Tide Times.

If the tide is high, a narrow street close to the beach provides an alternative running option. It has lots of shops, restaurants, and hotels to checkout as you run along. This street gets busy during the day, but is quiet in the morning, and it goes all the way to Mae Haad Pier.

If you would like another running route option, I found a slightly hilly loop that includes the beach road and the main road. The loop I did (as shown below) is about 6 kms. I passed the pier and ran up the road that leads to the French Market. The main road gets busy with motorbikes so be sure to face the traffic as there are no sidewalks/pavements here.

Koh Tao is a small, hilly 21-square-km island with crystal-clear waters and white, sandy beaches in the Gulf of Thailand. Its vibrant coral reefs have transformed Koh Tao into a global diving and snorkeling destination, but also a great island for relaxing and enjoying fabulous Thai food!

As quoted by a tour guide we met, Koh Tao actually has no historical basis as it was only first inhabited in 1947 and only really 'discovered' in the 1980's but has since steadily grew to the bustling island it is now.

On this lively island, there are many business that offer diving classes and certifications, snorkeling tours and boat taxis. However, Koh Tao has a unique fun tour called, Treasure Island Challenge, which I highly recommend. It is a full day event that will take you to various places on the island for the purpose of solving clues that lead to a hidden treasure. The puzzles are challenging and interesting. Climbing, snorkeling, sampling local fruit, and a tasty lunch is all part of this fun challenge.

Watching the sunset over Sairee Beach is an unforgettable experience. You will be spoiled for choices as to which bar/restaurant you choice to watch it from, but be sure to get there early to get a good seat!

Koh Tao Sunset

More Running in Thailand - Hua Hin

Hua Hin has a long beautiful beach (about 7kms), but it also has a huge tidal range. At high tide many places along the beach are completely underwater. However, at low tide the entire 7 kms (from the Hilton hotel to the Monkey Mountain restaurant) is accessible and great for running or walking barefoot or with shoes!

During my latest visit to Hua Hin (January 2026), the tide cooperated, and I was able to run a few times on the beach. It was a treat not to need my shoes at all. I was staying on the beach, so I just walked barefoot to the beach and ran :)

However, the tide gradually got higher each day and my final run was completed on the road. I ran on the main road going north, where it is less busy and the sidewalks/pavements are wide and easy to run on. It was kinda of nice to run in shoes again :)

During a previous visit to Hua Hin when the tide was high, one of my runs was a combination of running along the accessible part of the beach and then along the road to the Fishing Pier. It was beautiful to run on the beach even for a short distance.

When looking for running routes away from the beach in Hua Hin, keep in mind that there are railway tracks and only a few places to cross. I found a 7km circular route that crossed the tracks in two different locations (adjacent to Road 88 and Road 94) as shown below. Another running option is to simply run along the main road - Phet Kasen Road.

Whenever I am running in a new location, I carry my phone for safety and also to capture the often stunning scenery along the way. I use the #PRPocket to comfortably and securely carry and protect my phone while running.

There are lots of things to see and do while in Hua Hin and taxis are priced very reasonably. Use Grab or Bolt apps for the best taxi prices. Previously, tuk tuks (a three-wheeled open air vehicle) were the cheapest way to get around, but now they are considered a tourist attraction and cost more than a taxi. Be sure to negotiate your tuk tuk fare before getting in.

The Monsoon Valley Vineyard is about 45 minutes drive away from the city center but worth a visit. You can visit the elephant sanctuary, do a wine tour, cycle along the bike trail and then enjoy a delicious lunch with amazing views.

The Hua Hin Fishing Pier is a nice place for a leisurely stroll and some photos during the daytime, but at night, it comes to life with many food and drink stalls and musical entertainment. A nice, relaxing place to sit, eat and enjoy the view looking back on the city.

The Hua Hin Night Market, is a vibrant market, where you can shop for local handicrafts, try delicious street food, and experience its lively atmosphere.

Visit the Cicada Market and the Tamarind Market; two night markets within walking distance of each other. They both feature handmade crafts, art exhibitions, live music, and a variety of delicious food stalls.

Have drinks and watch the sunset from the rooftop bar at the Holiday Inn Resort Vana Nava. With its glass skywalk, open air bar and panoramic views, this hotel is a perfect place to relax and watch the sun go down.

To the south of Hua Hin are the quieter, less touristy districts of Pran Buri and Sam Roi Yot. Most of the beaches here have a dedicated, well-maintained boardwalk, perfect for a run along the seashore. I didn't have the experience of running here on this trip, but hopefully I will on another visit to beautiful Thailand.

Running in Cha-Am

Cha-Am beach is a quieter area located just north of Hua Hin. It has a tree-lined sandy beach and you can see for miles. It is popular with tourists and many locals come here on the weekends so it tends to be busier then.

There is a sea wall along part of the beach to protect it from erosion. The top of the beach wall is a great place to run with terrific views and a lovely breeze from the sea.

There is a wide paved area between the beach and the street that is also good for running, but it is a shared space. Vehicles and bikes park along here and food vendors operate here too. The main beach area runs for about 5 kms.

On top of the sea wall is my favorite place to run here, and it is also popular with walkers. It starts at the Cha-Am View Point and continues south for about 3 kms. The pavements/sidewalks are wider in this area too, but Cha-Am is quickly developing. I see more and more modernization every year that I have visited.

North of the View Point is a sandy beach that is about 2km long. I found it difficult to run on the loose sand, so I chose to run along the road in this area as shown below.

Bathroom tip: Carry some coins with you in case you have a nature call while running. There are many shops and restaurants that offer the use of their toilets for only 5 THB (Thai baht).

Cha-Am is a sunrise beach (as opposed to a sunset beach) so it gets hot early. My visits have always been in January when it tends to be cooler, but temps were still in the low 30s C. I liked to be finished running before 8:30am when it became too hot for me.

An unusual thing happens in Cha-Am every Wednesday. All chairs, tables and sunbeds are removed from the beach for cleaning. Then, first thing Thursday morning, they are all back and ready to be rented again!

The Cha-Am View Point

Cha-Am's Fresh Seafood

Cha-Am is renowned for its fresh seafood, and visitors can savor delicious local dishes at the numerous beachfront seafood restaurants. From grilled prawns to flavorful fish curries, the seafood options are diverse and mouthwatering. As I am not fond of seafood, luckily, there are other options too!

There are many nice restaurants and coffee shops that provide a variety of food. The Anglers Rest is an excellent place to have lunch on a sunny day. You can enjoy the beautiful surroundings when you sit on the terrace as it’s part of the Jurassic Mountain Resort and Fishing Park. They serve Thai food and many international dishes, and only 15 minutes drive from Cha-Am Beach.

Running in Ao Nang, Krabi Province

Ao Nang sits on the Andaman Sea coast and is about a 30-minute drive from Krabi International Airport and Krabi Town. During the dry season (November–April), Ao Nang can become very busy with tourists.

A promenade runs along the edge of the main beach, and it is lined with cafés, bars, restaurants, shops, and massage parlours. There are also many sunbeds along this beach offering tourists a comfortable way to spend the day on the beach.

However, there is another quieter beach nearby, Nopparat Thara Beach, which is slightly longer and is great for running and walking. It is wide and has no sunbeds. It also has a sea wall, so if the tide is too high, this wall offers an alternative place to run or walk alongside the beach. You can find this beauty over a bridge heading northwest away from the main Ao Nang Beach.

Running route on Nopparat Thera beach in Ao Nang, Thailand

Running on Nopparat Thara Beach

I had the opportunity to run on both beaches during my visit here in February 2025. As it gets very hot here very quickly during the day, I chose to run in the early morning when it is much cooler and the beaches are quieter.

Both beaches offer stunning views of the sunset, and there are lots of bars and restaurants from where you can have a drink and comfortably watch the sun go down. However, my preference was to watch it from one of the smaller bars on Nopparat Thara Beach as it was much quieter and cheaper!

Running route on Ao Nang Beach

When visiting this area, be sure to hike the Monkey Trail to Pai Plong Beach. This beach is home to the Grand Centara Beach Resort, which is only accessible by boat or by foot on this trail. You can hike the trail, go for a swim on the beach, dry off and walk back. Monkeys and their babies can be seen at the start of the trail and/or along the way.

This town has developed very quickly. I first visited Ao Nang in September 2010, when it was virtually unknown as a tourist destination. There were no sunbeds on the beach only a few plastic chairs and small umbrellas available to rent.

My husband and I hiked the Monkey Trail then, and we were the only ones on the trail. When we visited in 2025, there were so many people doing the hike. There were a number of queues along the way waiting for passing areas for those coming in the opposite direction!

Ao Nang Beach is a great all-round base for exploring Krabi. You can book day trips on the longtail boats from the shore to nearby beaches and islands like Railay, Poda, Koh Hong and Phi Phi.

Running in Thailand on Vacation

I enjoyed running in Thailand and the opportunity to experience its tasty food, beautiful scenery and warm climate. I am hoping to visit here again next year. If you have any suggestions on places to run in this amazing country, please share in the comments below.

Get great tips while Running on Vacation