10 of the best beaches near airports

Thailand's picture-postcard beaches of azure water and snow-white sand may be out of range for a quick jaunt, but Bang Saen beach offers a decent option about an hour's taxi ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Bang Saen is a popular seaside town to the southeast, largely overlooked by foreign travelers racing to greater treasures further south.

It's got light sand, gently-lapping Gulf of Thailand water, palm-backed beaches and plenty of eating shacks. The southern end around Wonnapa Beach is peaceful.

If you've got the time and cash, a plane hop straight from the airport to Ko Samui takes just over an hour -- though flight times are more restrictive.