Forbes Magazine - Phuket's Bangtao One Of Asia's Best Beaches

We have lived in Sri Lanka on Seenimodera/Mawella Beach 5 klms west of Tangalle which coastline I see came in 14th place. Clearly different strokes etc, but for pristine empty beaches and bays My considered opinion is that this area far outstrips Bentota (No3), which has large grain orange sand rather than mostly white powder in the south. Rgds, Michael


Bill Barnett responds:
Yes we have heard nice things about this beach and certainly Sri Lanka is gearing up for a tourism recovery. Thanks for comments.

Yes, I also agree to this. The Philippine authorities should pro-actively try to highlight its tourism as Thailand or Sri Lanka has been doing. I would rather say the Philippine tourism hasn't received its due, not least because a handful of people know about some of its key tourists’ attractions.

I have a villa on Bangtao. The beach is rated as the best perhaps because every morning, it is cleaned by the hotels there. Forbes may also take the restaurants and other facilities into consideration. Depending on what you like, pristine or developed. About 20 years ago, I spent almost one month in Minoloc, just north of Palawan. 3 years ago, my wife and I spent more than one month in Indonesia. Beaches in Kalimantan (85% of Borneo) and Sulawesi (with volcanoes and Alps height mountain ranges), the pristine nature and the view are beyond words. But we can't live there forever like the natives. Just like Patong 50 years ago, it took us one day to travel from Phuket town, by foot and oxcart, to reach there and stay overnight to return the next day. There was not even one concrete building. Some how, I feel glad for Indonesia. We really don't need tourism money. Life may be tough material wise, but we Thai don't have to be waiters/waitress, bar girls, drivers and stoop to please foreigners, some of them with such stupid superior complex and take the soft speaking Thais for granted. We can live morally better with good health without the western style pressure.

as a Southeast asian living in New york city, I am wondering why this list is so prejudiced.There are better beaches in the Southern part of the Philippines that is waaay better than this list. did the writer who wrote this article really travel?i am now wondering if this list is even credible
Bill Barnett responds:
Yes I would have to agree that the Philippines has some of the best beaches in the world, the Visayas region with lovely spots like Bantayan north of Ceby is absolutely great. Palawan and of course who can forget Boracay. It always amazes me the country is so under rated, but there is lots of upswing these days.