Skip Phuket! This Lesser-Known Thai Island May Be One of Thailand’s Last Best Kept Secrets

If you’re here, congrats! You’re thinking of going to one of the chillest Thai islands left in existence.

Ah, Koh Phayam! A travel gem that has strangely stayed away from the over-tourism epidemic that has happened to most other Thai islands. If you’re looking for a quieter beach paradise that’s as far away from sunbeds and resorts as possible, look no further – this kangaroo-shaped island off Thailand’s Andaman coast is just what you’re searching for.

Be enchanted by the tranquil white-sand beaches and relaxed atmosphere of Koh Phayam island. Not convinced? Take it from me: I spent nearly a week here and wasn’t ready to leave. I fell straight into beach potato mode. 

Below is a comprehensive guide to all the information needed to visit Koh Phayam, Thailand. We’ll cover how to get there, the best times to visit, things to do, where to stay, and any tips along the way!

Island Overview

Koh Phayam is a Thai island getaway that’s off the beaten track yet still provides all the modern comforts you need.

Nicknamed “hippie island,” this small 13.4 square mile piece of paradise offers a balance between tranquillity and escape without being too crowded. When I visited during peak season, a local estimated the area was filled with ~3000-5000 tourists. Despite this, it didn’t feel overcrowded or busy at all! 

You can always explore the beautiful beaches and lush jungles here without needing to stay too long – although with its laid-back vibes, it’s likely that you’ll want to!

Some Facts About the Island:

• Electricity started slowly coming to the island around 2017!
• There are only two main roads on the whole island, and the big one to Long Beach was made just before the pandemic.
• Everyone on the island during the tsunami in 2004 has a story to tell. And some are bone-chilling.

Where Is Koh Phayam?

Koh Phayam is an island off the west coast of Thailand, right by the southernmost Myanmar border in the Ranong Province. (In fact, Ranong is a Thai-Myanmar border town.)

It is situated roughly ~580 kilometers southwest of Bangkok. Then a ferry ride away.

People may also come from popular tourist destinations such as Phuket and Krabi, as it would be a shorter ride 4-5 hour ride to Ranong city.

Click here to go to the exact Google Maps location.

How do you get to Koh Phayam Islands?

How you get there can be split into these steps:

1. Get to Ranong Pier
2. Take a Ferry to the island

The closest mainland city is Ranong, which is well-connected via bus, minibus, and air travel. Then there is the option for a once-a-day slow ferry or speed boats that run almost every hour during daytime hours.

Make sure you actually get a seat! You can pre-book your ticket from 12Go Asia, Thailand’s aggregate transportation reservation website.

1. Get to Ranong Bus Terminal/Airport

How to get to Koh Phayam from Bangkok?

By Bus (Most Direct Method)

You can expect to travel around 9 hours from Bangkok’s southern bus terminal to Ranong by bus. The last bus is at 8 pm, and if you show up too late like I did, all seats can be sold out. Which leaves you with the more expensive, indirect minibus option.

Unconfirmed, but on 12Go Asia, a few options leave from Mo Chit Bus Terminal. These all leave earlier, making for a very awkward 3 am arrival time to Ranong.

From the bus terminal to the pier, it’s about 6.5 km – 7.5 km away, depending on which pier you’re heading to. You can take a taxi directly or a songthaew that will take you within 1 kilometer of the pier.

Related Post: Figure out the different methods to get around in Thailand with this guide

By Minibus (One Connection in Chumphon)

Minibusses run from the southern bus terminal south to Phuket and Krabi. Unfortunately, these minibusses hug the east coast of Thailand, so you’ll have to get off at Chumphon Bus Station. 

There is no direct minibus to Ranong that I was able to find. I paid 700 baht to get from Bangkok to Chumphon.

If you have taken a night minibus, you’ll have to wait until 7:30 am for the first minibus to Ranong. This ride can take up to 2.5 hours and costs 170 baht, so you won’t make it in time for the slow boat ferry. However, speedboats run all day. (Personally, I hitchhiked this last part once the sun rose and made the slow boat at 10am!)

By Flight (Most Expensive, but Fastest)

Ranong does have an airport, and there are flights connecting from Bangkok that cost about 50$ USD. From there, you can take a songthaew or taxi that will take you to the ferry pier, which is 28 kilometers away from the airport.

From South Thailand to Ranong

Some buses and minibusses start from Phuket and come to Ranong but only run occasionally. Actually, this stretch of road is pretty quiet.

2. Ferry from Ranong to Koh Phayam

By Slow Public Ferry

Only one ferry per day leaves at 10 am and returns from the island at 3 pm. Slow boats start at Tai Kak Pier, not at the speed boat Koh Phayam Pier.

Slow ferries cost 200 baht one way and take 2 – 2.5 hours, depending on how much cargo they load. When I went, they departed from the pier at 10:30 am.

You can also pre-book the ferry and the speedboat on 12Go here

By Speedboats

There is a dedicated pier that goes to Koh Phayam, but the water levels were so low in the dry season that many boats couldn’t actually start from there.

Speedboats run almost every hour, so if you miss the slow one and are willing to pay, you can level at practically any time.

Speedboats cost 350 baht one way and take about 45 minutes.

Where to Stay in Koh Phayam

Not as plentiful as most of the other developed islands, Koh Phayam has a few accommodations available for all types of travelers but mainly caters to the rent a private bungalow on the beach-type travelers. There are a few quality resorts and a few backpacker hostels.

Here is a list of places to stay for each budget.

WOW MODERN-STYLE LUXURY – Cede Boutique Beach Resort

⭐ RATING: 8.8 out of 10 Stars (44+ reviews) | $$$

Check out Hotel Cede Boutique Beach Resort if you want some super nice bungalows. Located right on Ao Yai beach, you’ll have access to free beach chairs and sun beds in the shade. The bungalows are modern and spacious, with comfortable porch seating for the epic sunsets here. And be sure to start your day off right with a plentiful breakfast facing the sea.

CHEAP BUFFALO BAY PRIVATE BUNGALOWS – Rabbit Bungalows

⭐ RATING: 8.7 out of 10 Stars (128+ reviews) | $

Located on Buffalo Bay (the prettiest beach), a stay at Rabbit Bungalows may be the perfect match. Guests often extend their stay thanks to the serene atmosphere and helpful staff. The bungalows are simple but comfortable with very cozy beds. But perhaps best of all is how quiet it is at night – no noise from neighbors or backpacker venues, just pure peace and tranquility.

BEST BACKPACKER DORM – Tropical Hostel

⭐ RATING: 9.5 out of 10 Stars (46+ reviews) | $

There may not be many backpacker hostel options, but if you’re looking for a dorm with good vibes and energy, book a stay at Tropical Hostel. The owners, Om and Ing, interact with all the guests, making everyone feel like part of the Koh Payam family from the moment you walk in. It’s in a great location near restaurants and bars, and nightly events keep everyone entertained. The hostel is also conveniently located near Longbeach and is the best place to meet fellow backpackers.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Koh Phayam?

Koh Phayam has a tropical climate and is hot year-round. But it experiences two distinct seasons: the dry and rainy seasons. 

Generally speaking, the best time to visit is during the dry season, which falls between November and April. The weather is sunny and bright during this time, and there isn’t much rain. This may be high season for southern Thailand, but it is still chill AF here, even at capacity.

The wet season begins in May and ends in October. During this time of year, temperatures are hotter, it rains more often, and the humidity levels increase quite a bit.

11 Best Things to Do in Koh Phayam

1. Chill at the Best Beaches

This is really your main activity. Koh Phayam is known for its beautiful powdery, white sand beaches with blue waters. No beach is ever too crowded, so you’ll always be able to find a spot to relax and watch the sunset. Don’t expect super clear water visibility, except for Buffalo Bay Beach.

One morning I even spotted a rogue sea otter sticking his head out of the sea before the resident dogs scared him away.

Some of the best beaches in Koh Phayam include:

• Ao Khao Kwai Beach (Buffalo Bay for clear waters)
• Ao Kwang Peeb (Monkey Beach for it’s remoteness)
• Ao Yai Beach (Long Beach for the sunset)
• A few secret ones that I’ll keep a mystery 🤫 

2. Visit the only Temple on the Island, Wat Koh Phayam

North of the pier lies Wat Koh Phayam – the one and only temple on the island. Monks are often found in the Buddhist center just before this biggish Buddha statue.

Across the way, Bot Klang Thale, which translates to “temple in the middle of the sea,” is a white circular structure that can easily be reached by walking down the pier. Even more captivating is watching its golden lighting during the sunset.

3. Surf at Ao Yai Beach (Long Beach)

Head to Ao Yai Beach (also known as Long Beach) for some surfing. This is one of the most popular beaches on Koh Phayam and is the only place on the island possible to surf.

Beginner surfers can take advantage of the gentle waves at this beach, found only in the middle area at the end of the main road. There are rental shops and instructions right on the beach.

4. Photograph Hin Talu, a Unique rock arch formation

Hin Talu is a magnificent rock arch formation that juts out over the crystal-clear waters of southern Buffalo Bay. The stunning natural wonder provides a perfect setting for some awesome photography shots and picturesque lounging.

4. Get Groovy with Some Partying

Unlike many Thai islands known for its nightlife, Koh Phayam is a relatively quiet island. But when night falls, sometimes it comes alive with lights and music if you’re in the mood for some dancing.

Note: Alcohol is a bit expensive on the island since everything is imported.

What’s Happening?

• Sabai Sabai every Thursday Night
• Musika every Saturday Night
• The occasional special event where they will post a sign all over the island

5. Get Lost at Hippy Bar

Gather at Buffalo Bay to experience the awe-inspiring, giant wooden boat structure taking the form of an intricate maze – Hippy Bar. Enjoy a delightful time in this spectacular open-air bar accompanied by wonderful music and warm vibes. It’s your perfect spot for relaxation and to get lost in!

6. Scooter Around the Island

This small island only has two main roads! But take a random dirt path and see where it leads you. You can ride a motorbike through the jungle roads or hike into the nearby hills to uncover secret beaches.

Find hilltop restaurants and ocean-view cafes. They even have Thai massages here too!

7. Witness the Near Daily Incredible Sunsets

Every day Long Beach sees amazing sunsets. Take a sip of your coconut smoothie or watch the surfers catch some waves while you watch mother earth’s daily show. Somehow incredible sunsets never get old.

8. Snorkel & Dive in the National Park

After exploring Koh Phaya’s beaches for snorkeling, I was deeply disappointed to find that the coral had been wiped out by years of ocean warming. Although tiny pieces have sprouted up again recently, visibility remains tragically low.

But, a few stores on the island provide snorkeling and diving trips to the nearby national park and islands for travelers to explore its coral reefs and marine life.

9. Boat Around Some Uninhabited Islands

You can also take a boat trip around Koh Phayam and its surrounding islands, such as Koh Khang Khao or the ones in the national park.

There is no entrance fee to tour Laem Son National Park by boat, but if you disembark on one of those islands, expect to pay an admission fee for entering the park.

10. Eat Delicious Food

My days revolved around meals, and the Myanmar cuisine at Rainbow was simply divine! I ate there every. single. meal for three days there. Every dish I tried – from their Rice + Tea Leaf Salad, Myanmar Todu Salad, Tomatoes Salad, and Pineapple Fritters- was absolutely delicious. (I ate all of these more than once.)

I then stumbled upon another favorite, undoubtedly one of the best coconut ice creams I have ever had! Koh Co Icecream, situated at the crossroads between the pier and Long Beach, has incredible mango sticky rice and coconut ice cream that will blow your mind.

Getting Around the Island

Scooter Rental

Due to the limited availability of scooter rentals, securing one from the many motorbike rental shops can be tricky unless you reserve it in advance. However, a high turnover rate keeps scooters readily available, but you may have to wait a day.

Scooters are priced at 250 baht per day. If you intend to rent for longer periods, you may get a discount of 200 baht per day.

Tip! If you are scootering around Asia, consider getting some travel insurance. Sporting knee bandages may not be a good look, but at least you got that money in your pocket. I use Safety Wings, which covers medical for scooter accidents and only charges $10 per week.

Bike Rental

You can likewise rent a bicycle for 80 baht per day, though they may sometimes be in short supply. Some backroads are also a bit steep, making it harder to get around the whole island by bike.

Hitchhike

I mostly managed to get around by hitching rides. Most people don’t mind taking you with them, and it usually took me no more than twenty minutes to travel from the pier to Long Beach -the farthest distance on the island.

Taxi/Songthaew

If you’re uncomfortable with scootering or hitchhiking, tuk-tuks or motorbike taxis are your best bet. You’ll usually find drivers awaiting passengers at the dock, particularly after disembarking from the ferry. Remember to negotiate the price before hopping in.

Bucket List Worthy: Is Koh Phayam Worth Visiting?

Yes, Koh Phayam, Thailand, is perfect for beach lovers looking for some peace and quiet after too much partying on other Thai islands. This Andaman Sea oasis is one of the lesser-known gems in Thailand’s tourism scene, attracting a steady flow of repeat visitors without becoming too crowded. Plus, with its recent 24-hour electricity and WiFi, you can still have all the comforts you need for a modern getaway.

On top of that, it’s a gorgeous island to explore. Its small size lets you experience everything the destination offers in just a few days. But if you’re up for something longer-term, this place has genuinely laidback vibes worthy of being called “hippie island”.