KOH PHAYAM: ONE OF THAILAND’S BEST HIDDEN GEMS
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“Yes, I am going to Koh Phayam”, my friend raises his eyebrow and replies. “You mean Koh Phanghan”, right?
“No, sorry I mean Koh Phayam. A secret island near Myanmar.”
This is an island off the Western coast of Thailand and very close to the Myanmar border, where massive tourism has not yet arrived despite its undoubted beauty. The island is out of the main tour operators circuit and most people have not heard about this island yet. It is one of Thailand’s best hidden gems.
The island is 10 Km long and 5 Km wide and nature is still pretty untouched, something very rare in Thailand ,where most of the well known tourists destinations have lost their original charm and nature has been profoundly damaged to accommodate the tourists needs.
Koh Phayam is one of the few places in Thailand where you can time travel to the past, and just get transported to how Thailand must have been 30 or 40 years ago before massive tourism took over.
It welcomes mostly local tourism, either Thai people on vacation or expats living in Thailand, and some lost backpacker looking for an oasis of peace in this overpacked tourist destination that Thailand has become.
If you are looking for epic sunsets, chill out reggae bars and paradise like beaches to enjoy at your own pace, this island is your place. Consider combining your visit to this paradise island with a trip to North Thailand. Check out this guide for things to do in Chiang Mai to help you prepare your trip.
And please if you are reading this post keep it secret, we would like this secret paradise to stay as it is for the many years to come.
READ MORE:
Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Thailand
KOH PHAYAM LOCATION
Koh Phayam is located in NorthWest Thailand, in the district of Ranong and very near the Myanmar border.
Find here a pin with Koh Phayam location:
HOW TO GET TO KOH PHAYAM FROM BANGKOK
The best way to travel from Bangkok to Koh Phayam is to take a plane to Ranong and the speed boat to Koh Phayam at the Ranong pier. The plane takes approximately 45 minutes and the cost is around $100.
If you are on a very strict budget you can take a bus from Bangkok to Ranong. Buses leave from Kao San road and from Bangkok Southern station ( Sai Tai Mai ) and take 9 hours to get to Ranong. The bus price is around 850 Baths.
The boat from Ranong to Koh Phayam is around $15.
WHERE TO STAY IN KOH PHAYAM
There are plenty of nice budget accommodation in Koh Phayam. I stayed at the Bamboo bungalows at the Ao Yai beach. The bungalows are beautiful Bamboo bungalows in the middle of lush jungle trees, where you will sleep hearing the calming sea waves mixed with the jungle insects sounds.
The bungalows have a beautiful front beach restaurant where you can eat some nice Thai delicacies while watching a spectacular sunset.
THINGS TO DO IN KOH PHAYAM
RIDE A MOTORBIKE
Koh Phayam is one of the few places in Thailand where there are no cars. You can enjoy riding a motorbike in an almost traffic free island.
Most of the roads are paved and riding a motorbike will allow you to explore all the hidden corners in the island. The price for a motorbike rental is around 250/ 300 baths a day.
People here are still quite nice and untouched by the greed that tourism has brought to other islands where scammy owners will rent you motorbikes and will charge you for already existing scratches.
If you go here please treat your motorbike with respect so that people do not change. Take care of your motorbike and if you damage it be completely honest with the owner.
GO DIVING OR SNORKELING
Koh Phayam waters seem murky from the shore but if you swim to the right places, at the right tide time and close to the rocks you can have find some nice snorkeling spots. Some of these places are located in Aow Yai beach at the sides, where the rocks are, at low tide or find a boat that will you a bit off the coast to the reef.
The island is technically part to of the Laem Son marine national park and you can also take a snorkeling or diving trip to some of the islands on the park.
There are great diving sites around the neighboring islands on the park but you need to check in advance if you would like to dive here as the dive shops are not open throughout the year, due to sea conditions and the little affluence of tourists to the island.
The island is also a good base to visit the Surin, Similan island and the Richelieu Rock.
WATCH THE SUNSET
Watching the sunset in Koh Phayam is an epic experience you should not miss when visiting the island.
Ao Yai beach or “Long Beach” is the sunset beach and there are plenty of places where to sip a cocktail and/or have a nice dinner while watching the sunset.
Ao Kwai beach is also another great spot to watch the sunset and the “Hippy bar” is the perfect place to do so, while you are having a nice dinner or/and a drink.
VISIT THE WAT KO PHAYAM, THE PIER TEMPLE
This is the only temple in the island and it is located at the pier, very near where the boats from Ranong arrive in the island.
The temple is built on the tropical turquoise paradise like waters of Koh Phayam. There is a bridge that goes around 50 meters into the water to get to the temple.
The entrance is free but please leave a donation for Buddhist monks that take care of the temple.
KAYAK THROUGH THE MANGROVES
At a throw of stone distance from the Aow Kao Kwai beach you can find the island mangrove forests. There are several people around the beach that will offer you a Kayak to go through the forest for a couple of hours. You can also arrange it through most of the hotels in the island.
GO HIKING IN THE JUNGLE
Koh Phayam has some untouched jungles and a couple of viewpoints to where you can hike. There are not written information about the trekking trails. Make sure to ask your hotel reception and let them know where to go or do take a local guide for a tour.
TAKE A YOGA LESSON
Art yoga offers yoga daily yoga lessons that last around three hours. The teacher is a very kind Swiss woman who has been living in the island for more than 10 years.
RELAX AT THE BEACH
There are plenty of beaches to go beach hopping and where to relax.
Some of the best beaches in Koh Phayam are:
AO KWANG PEEB ( MONKEY BEACH KOH PHAYAM)
Ao Kwang Peeb beach is the most beautiful and less developed beach in the island. The beach is very small and you need to walk 10 minutes after the parking area to get there.
There are not resorts or high end restaurants here, just a local Thai restaurant where to get a beer or some local Thai dish.
Make sure to bring a book or something to write as this is the perfect place to read or write and relax. Snorkeling is not great but worth it to give a try.
AO KAO KWAI ( BUFFALO BEACH)
This is the beach where the “Hippy bar “ is located and it is the busiest beach on the island. Although it does not feel busy at all.
Ao Kao Kwai beach has some stunning rock formations that give the beach an artistic touch.
AOW YAI beach ( LONG BEACH )
This is the longest beach in Koh Phayam and where some of the spots for sunset watching in the island are located.
There are small hills and cliffs at both sides of the islands where you can snorkel depending on the visibility and tide.
The beach is also a good spot for surfing. There are waves between 1 or 2 meters to test your surfing skills.
HAVE A DRINK AT THE HIPPIE BAR
This three story building make up of driftwood makes the island worth a visit in itself.
The hippy bar is located at Buffalo beach and they serve delicious salads and local Thai food.
They offer concerts at night and on some week days and it is a very special to watch the sunset. My favorite place to watch the sunset was on the top floor while caressed by the evening winds.
KOH PHAYAM WEATHER
The island is suitable for visitors the whole year round but from May to October the climate is pretty wet and you risk having entire days of rainfall.
The advantage of visiting during rainy season is that accommodation will be cheaper but most of the snorkeling and diving activities will be closed.
KOH PHAYAM FAQs
IS THERE WIFI IN KOH PHAYAM?
Yes, there is Wifi in the island and 24 hours electricity available. The balance of being isolated from the world while being able to connect to the external world when you need it, is one of the best things about Koh Phayam.
IS KOH PHAYAM WORTH A VISIT?
Yes, Koh Phayam is well worth a visit. I knew about this little secret Thai island on my 4th trip to Thailand and I wish I had discover it before. If you are looking to unplug and enjoy some unspoiled nature this is the place for you.
WHAT IS THE NEAREST AIRPORT TO KOH PHAYAM?
The nearest airport to this hidden gem in Thailand is Ranong airport. The airport is very close to the pier where you will wait for the boat to reach your final destination.
HOW FAR IS KOH PHAYAM FROM PUKHET?
The distance between Koh Phayam and Pukhet is 206 Km
MORE BANGKOK AND THAILAND GUIDES
I have been several in Bangkok and have spent in total months there during several stays in the city arriving from Europe or just on the way to other several destination in Thailand. Check here some more Bangkok guides;
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- The best Bangkok one day itinerary
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