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Three New Beach Spots to Check Out
In Southeast Asia (and None are in Thailand!)

Think of southern Thailand and miles upon miles of idyllic beaches probably come to mind. Many travelers dream of hotspots like Phuket, Krabi and Ko Phi Phi with this image in mind and are sorely disappointed with the reality of Thai beach towns.

Sure, they're beautiful, but they're also packed with drunken tourists, obnoxious touts and miles upon miles of litter-dotted coastline, especially during high season.

But not to worry! The pristine beaches of your reveries still exist in Southeast Asia. They just require a few border crossings.

Below, a few of my favorites:

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Sihanoukville is Cambodia's most celebrated beach resort. Long a vacation destination for prosperous Cambodians, it's now become a popular backpacker spot. Check out Victory Beach for cheap accommodations, Serendipity Beach for great nightlife and Otres Beach for peace and quiet.

Pulau Tioman, Malaysia

The small island of Pulau Tioman located off the southern coast of Malaysia, boasts both terrestrial and underwater thrills for travelers seeking to be one with nature. Divers can swim through colorful coral reefs and rub elbows with sharks, turtles and other marine life, while hikers can explore the island's lush greenery in a jungle trek.

Nha Trang, Vietnam

Nha Trang is quickly developing a reputation for revelry, and it's easy to see why.

Relax on the white sand beaches by day and kick up your heels at night in bars like Crazy Kim, Guava and the Nha Trang Sailing Club. There's also world-class diving and a handful of islands off the coast begging to be explored.

Remarkably, the pace in these small beach towns is still relatively slow; catch them while you can!

About the Author... Jessica Arriola Marati

More about the beaches of Southeast Asia around the Web:

10 of the Best Beaches in Southeast Asia

The Best Southeast Asia Beaches at Frommers