KOH PHAYAM
About Koh Phayam
Thailands best kept secret
Koh Phayam is located in the Andaman sea very close to neighbouring Koh Chang Noi and the intriguing vibrant Burmese boarder, and lies about 30km from the mainland and the southern bustling town of Ranong.
Shaped like a kangaroo this idyllic natural island is only 7km long and 5km wide and its relaxed windy narrow roads are graced only by a scattering of motorcycles, bicycles and walking feet. The island has an inspiring welcoming and endearing community feeling, making it easy to feel at home right away, and this centres around the islands small village and its modest facilities and the beautiful Buddist monestry and its temple and a fascinating sea gypsy settlement.
Aside from tourism to this beautiful island, the local economy thrives on cashew nut farming, rubber plantations and fishing. It is still a very untouched, natural, undeveloped island, where the endless natural jungle canapés, stunning white sand beaches, flowing mangrove rivers and huge diversity of wildlife, including monkeys, hornbill birds, sea otters and dolphins, along with the lovely local people, all make for a memorable authentic thai experience hard to find anywhere else.
Getting to Ranong
Firstly head to Ranong. Mini buses leave every hour from 06.00 to 17.00 from Chumpon (2hrs), Suratthani (3.5hrs), Phukett (5hrs) and Krabi (6hrs). From Bangkok to Ranong buses are comfortable and take 9 hours, leaving from the southern bus terminal, or fly in 1 hour with Nok air or Air Asia
Getting to Koh Phayam
Upon arrival in Ranong, take a motorbike taxi or songthaw to the Koh Phayam pier (70b). The scenic slow boat (200b) leaves at 10 am and takes 2 hours. Speed boats (350b) leave every hour throughout the day
Getting to Sabai Sabai
Just turn left off the pier 5 to 10 minutes walk, or 50b motor taxi, over the bridge and past Blue sky resort