One of Thailand’s most famous coastal spots is Railay, a small peninsula between Krabi and Ao Nang that is known for its towering limestone cliffs and sparkling blue water
Three Thai beaches with glittering reputations have been named the most disappointing in the world.
Thailand is home to over 2,000 miles of coastline and 8,000 tropical islands, meaning visitors there are spoiled for choice, whether they’re after somewhere remote and peaceful or looking for bustling beaches with plenty of bars and sports on offer.
One of the country’s most famous coastal spots is Railay, a small peninsula between Krabi and Ao Nang. While it is not an island, its high limestone cliffs make it accessible only by boat, giving it a hidden, hard-to-reach feel.
Rock climbers from across the world travel here to test their nerve on the towering cliffs that surround the main sandy stretch. Most visitors head there for the sunbathing and swimming opportunities, however.
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As famed as Railay may be, not everyone has enjoyed their time there. The beach has been listed as the most disappointing in the world, according to a study by Ibiza Summer Villas. The research found that 1.59% of online reviews of Railay used negative language. While this might not be a huge percentage, the 110,000 TikTok and 165,000 Google searches for the beach suggest a significant number of holidaymakers have been let down by Railay.
Recently, one unhappy tourist from Spain wrote: “Sitting on the beach right now. Water is dark and murky. Nowhere to get a sunbed or shade. Filled with long‑tail boats taking up half of the beach. Much better places on the mainland.”
Another stuck a boot in, adding: “We visited Railay Beach on our Krabi tour and what can we say – it was by far the most horrible place we visited in Thailand. Totally overrun by tourists streaming through the streets in swimwear or populating the at‑best mediocre restaurants. The charm of the scenic place has been completely lost as a result.”
And a third added: “Paradise lost, in a barrage of noise and fumes and rubbish. What a shame. So many longtail boats and tourists. Spoiled.”
Railay is not the only seaside spot to have its paradise reputation questioned. Patong Beach in Thailand also came in for a drubbing.
“Often billed as Thailand’s party capital, Patong is as lively as it is controversial. While some visitors love the nightlife, others are left disappointed by noise, aggressive vendors, and lack of cleanliness. It ranked second overall for being overhyped, with particularly high rainfall levels and one of the worst weather scores in the study,” the Ibiza Summer Villas study notes.
Maya Bay, also in Thailand, is next up.
Made famous by The Beach, Maya Bay once epitomized tropical escape. But years of overtourism forced the Thai government to shut it down to allow nature to recover. Now reopened under strict regulations, the experience is heavily restricted: no swimming, timed visits, and large crowds. Despite continued popularity online, Maya Bay came in third overall for failing to meet visitor expectations, with 2.05% of reviews being negative.
Although it’s become synonymous with bohemian beach life and celebrity sightings, Byron Bay ranked poorly on satisfaction (1.57% of reviews are negative vs. high search volume) and had relatively high rainfall, ranking 16th out of the whole study. It may have a chilled‑out reputation, but the numbers suggest it doesn’t deliver the serenity it promises.