Koh Phayam
This beautiful little island is truly one of the undiscovered paradise Islands in Thailand. Long white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue sea above the untouched coral reefs, it really is the perfect place to get away from it all. The two main bays are Aow Yai , the sunset bay, and Aow Khao Kwai – ( Buffalo bay ).Both bays have long curving white sandy beaches. If you get bored of the beach life then there’s always the inland experience. Ko Phayam island has lots of good mini hikes into the hills, forests and jungle.
Koh Phayam is only around 10 km long and 5 km wide with a tiny population of around 500 people. The island is so tiny that even the Thai don’t know where it is! Very small roads without cars – just motorbikes and bicycles for getting around on. Theres no mains electricity yet and most resorts have a generator or some even have solar powered electricity.
It takes about two hours from Ranong to Koh Phayam by boat and 45 minutes by speed boat. In high season there is a daily boat service twice a day, and in low season it is once a day, unless of course you hire your own boat.
Koh Phayam Video :
Not many of the resorts stay open in low season and most of the shops and restaurants also close in low season.
The island has beaches that are both peaceful and pristine. The wide sandy beach has the backdrop of forested hills, which is a habitat of monkeys, boars and a variety of sea birds. There is a small community of friendly Buddhist islanders on the island, mostly cashew nut farmers. They get around the island via a small tarmac road which is capable of accommodating motorcycles only. That means there is no car on this island.
Perhaps the island’s best beach is Ao Yai. It is located at the southwest of Koh Phayam Pier. The beach is about 2 kilometres long and filled with white clear sand. From this beach, you can see Koh Kam, Koh Surin and Koh Yan Chuek in Myanmar (Burma).
Bungalows for rent can be found at the north of Ao Yai. At the back of the bungalows are coconut and cashew nut farms. The beach offers a real retreat for travelers who prefer quiet surroundings.
Photo Gallery of Koh Phayam :
There is another beach called Ao Khao Kwai at the northwest of Koh Phayam Pier. The beach has white clear sand and crystal clear water. Koh Yan Chuek of Myanmar can be seen from this beach. You can find bungalows for rent on this beach as well.
There are no banks on Koh Phayam so ensure you bring enough cash for your stay, sure you will be able to change curreny at many of the resorts but who knows what rate they will charge you and quite righly so, they in turn will need to go to the mainland to change the money into Thai Baht.
What to do in Koh Phayam? - Swimming and sunbathing by far is the most popular pastime. In May-October there are very good waves at Ao Yai beach that create the perfect spot for Surfing. One of the best place in Thailand and never crowded.
Snorkeling. Several bays around the island have live coral reefs where you can finds a lots of different species of tropical fish, nudebranches, groups of cuttlefish and even barracuda.
Trekking – there many small tracks through rainforest to the hills or small bays where you can see different wildlife and birds.
Bird watching – Koh Phayam and the surrounding islands are famous for hornbill birds. There is very large population of them on the island and you can see them every day in low season and occasionally in high season. Sea eagles, herons, waders and kingfisher and others that inhabit Koh Phayam.
Kayaking. Mangroves forest exploring and kayaking is a great days activity.
Koh Phayam Accommodation
Koh Phayam Kwangpeeb Resort - Koh Phayam Kwangpeeb Resort Do you dream of a private bay with a white sandy beach encircled by old tall trees and pristine forest in which horn bills fly? If you love sea, love forest, love nature, then it is the Kwangpeeb Bay Resort that you are dreaming of! Kwangpeeb Resort is located on the Northern [...]
Koh Phayam Buffalo Bay Vacation Club - Koh Phayam Buffalo Bay Vacation Club Located directly on the beach of Buffalo Bay at Koh Phayam and open all the year, the resort offers guests of all ages the perfect destination, with spacious, comfortable, modern bungalows at a very affordable price. From family escapes to long stay opportunities for your retirement, the resort suits most travel [...]
You can also click on the banner below with all the listed Koh Ngai Hotels with up to 70% discounts.
<< return to Thai Islands main page
We love feedback! If you have any comments, corrections or experience to share on this please feel free to do so below.
