Sundhorn Phu, Thailand’s Shakespeare, described Koh Kaew Pitsadan (the magical crystal island), which is believed to be the present Koh Samed, in his famous Thai literature ‘Phra Aphaimanee’ as a beautiful island that shelters his main character from a lovelorn giant – she is broken-hearted and dies on the crystal sandy beach of the island. Even though you won’t see her remains anywhere on Koh Samed, you’re sure to see its crystal white sandy beaches, especially on the Had Sai Kaew or Sai Kaew Beach.

Koh Samed was named after the Samed Tree or the cajuput tree that grows everywhere on the island. It was declared ‘Khao Lam Ya – Samet Archipelago Maritime National Park ‘ in 1981. The park encompasses Had Mae Rumpueng-a beach on the coast of Rayong , Lam Ya Mountain and the Samet Archipelago that consists of Koh Samed, Koh Chan, Koh San Chalam, Koh Hin Khao, Koh Kang Kao, Koh Kudee, Koh Kruoy and Koh Plateen. An ecological tour can be conducted through three itineraries on Koh Samed, Koh Kudee and Lam Ya Mountain.

Local fishing boats carry tourists to the island every hour but you can charter a speed boat for about 1,200 Baht per trip. There are direct routes to some beaches including Had Sai Kaew and Ao Wong Duan, from which one can walk to other beaches through a relatively primitive inland road network. Most of the beaches are located on the northern and eastern sides of this T-shaped island whereas only a few, that is, Ao Prao, Ao Kham and Ao Kiu Na Nai lie on the west. It is more convenient to reach Ao Prao by a direct ferry from Ban Phea.

The weather on the island is more comfortable than inland area. However, the rainy season runs from May to September with heavy rains, high surges and monsoons in May. Ideal activities here are sunbathing on the beach, making an inland excursion on foot or by chartered bus, and taking a boat trip around the island. Also recommended is making a trip to some nearby isles.

Koh Tai Kang Kao and Koh Tam Rusi, located near Koh Kudee, offer swimming, scuba diving, seeing coral reefs and camping. There is information for accommodations and campgrounds provided at the park office on these isles. Koh Kruoy, Koh Kham and Koh Plateen, 600 meters north of Koh Kudee, are also other sites superb for coral reef exploring while Koh Talu is excellent for trekking, seeing some rare species of bats and turtles, and deep water diving.

Take note that the island is popular among local and foreign tourists and it is hard to find accommodation during the peak season, usually March, while September is the scantiest.

Located in the Gulf of Thailand about 100 kilometres east of Surat Thani coast, Koh Phangan is 20 kilometres north of the bigger island of Koh Samui.

Covering an area of 168 square kilometers, Koh Phangan is Thailand ‘s third largest island in the Gulf of Thailand after Koh Chang and Koh Samui. Smaller islands, including Koh Tae Nok, Koh Tae Nai, Koh Ma and Koh Tao, are grouped around Koh Phangan some 40 kilometers distant. It is one of 48 islands in the archipelago that makes up Ang Thong National Marine Park and has been inhabited for a thousand years. Malays were the first group to settle on the island; hence some places carry Malay names like ‘Koh Ra Hum’, which means ‘shadow’ and is the former name for Koh Phangan. Then there’s ‘Loh Da Lam’ the former name for Ban Chaloke Lam.
Buddhism predominates on Koh Phangan, only 5% of the populace being Muslims. The main industry is agriculture, coconut farming and fishing. For some years, the travel industry has taken over as the most profitable pursuit on the island with many landlords selling their land to move on or invest in hotels and resorts.

Thong Sala Pier: gateway to the island
Located on Koh Phangan’s west coast, Thong Sala pier is the dropping-off point for all boats visiting the island and, as such, the main gateway to the island. All visitors have to start and finish their trip at Thong Sala.

As the port is at the heart of things, care needs to be exercised when planning your travel movements. Thong Sala pier is the site of the Siam Commercial Bank, bungalows, restaurants, boutiques, souvenir shops, Internet cafe, and so forth.

To get to Koh Phangan , take an express boat that is run twice a day from Nathon pier on Koh Samui to Thong Sala pier or a ferryboat from Don Sak pier in Surat Thani

Approximately 3-4 hours off the coastline of Phang-Nga Province , this

group of islands was registered as the National Maritime Park in 1982 so as to preserve the rare and precious flora and fauna on land and underwater. Covering the area of 140 square kilometers, the land area of all nine islands is as scarce as 15 square kilometers. The teeming archipelago boasts as much as 25 world-class diving venues. The name of the islands itself derived from the Malay word ‘sembilan’ which means nine islands. From north to south, each heavenly island is lining in parallel with the shore; beginning with Ko Bangu, the topmost isle, following with Ko Similan, the largest island, Hin Pusar or Skull Rock, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Ha, Ko Payan, Ko Payang and Ko Huyong.

Interestingly, Similan islands are close to Surin Archipelago. The two island groups are renowned as the best snorkeling and scuba diving site in Thailand . Under the sea, the marine creature is of great variety, from massive soft corals, sea fans to colorful and rare fish. Besides numerous colorful coral reefs, divers are given the chance to see silvertip sharks, leopard sharks and sea turtles there are deep valleys – thanks to the visibility of the underwater scene that can be reached from 18 to 25 meters or even 40 meters at times.

For the snorkeling, Ko Miang is the best place to get started.
It’s where the park office is located and where accommodation, foods, drinking water and other necessary diving gears can be found. Only 300 meters eastward of the park office, divers will be on Had Lek opposite of which is Ko Ha. Down under at this point, the water is shallow and clear; the corals scatter yet beautiful fish can be easily seen. So it is perfect for beginner divers. Also on the beach, explorers may be able to find Pu Kai–hairy leg mountain crab, one of the symbols of these islands.

A bit further snorkeling site is Ao Kueuk or horseshoe-shaped bay, situated on the north of Similan Island or the eighth island. The coral reefs around the bay scatter around but with a variety of species. Night dive is recommended at this spot. At the top north of the island is the Boot-shaped or Donald Duck-like Rock where climbing for panorama can be done. Nonetheless, scuba diving is also great at the southern tip of the island where divers would be able to witness sharks. Advanced current check is needed every time before diving at this point.

For experienced divers, recommended adventurous diving venues are at Hin Pusar or Skull Rock and Hin San Chalarm or Shark Fin Rock. Apart from soft coral reefs, sea fans and frogfishes, one will see large sea creatures like sharks and turtles. Again, a current check is a must before heading down under the sea and no night diving at these two spots.

However, due to a myriad wildlife and the rich condition of forest on land, activities are not limited to swimming and diving. Hiking, trekking, bird watching, night safari, night campfire and photography are possible when ones are free from nosing down the sea. All you have to do when traveling to these islands is to plan long ahead before getting on board.

This is a rich national maritime park on Thailand’s southern west coast. A quiet and beautiful spot in the Andaman Sea, it edges the Thai-Myanmar nautical border and is under the administration of Khuraburi District, Phang-Nga Province. Lying about 60 km offshore, it covers an area of 135 square kilometers, 76% of which is the sea. Because of the abundance of the untouched flora and fauna both on terrain and underwater, the islands were delegated as the nation’s 29th national marine park on July 9, 1981. This archipelago consists of five islands: Koh Ri, Koh Surin Neua, Koh Surin Tai, Koh Klang (Koh Pachumba) and Koh Kai (Koh Torinla). Koh Surin Neua and Tai are the largest.

Acclaimed as a divers’ paradise, these five islets are host to beautiful shallow coral reefs — a fringing reef type formed by the accumulation of limestone. It has an enormous solid coral foundation, the largest shallow coral reef in Thailand . The reefs are in three sections: the Reef Flat next to the shore, the Reef Edge where the reefs are the most abundant and the Reef Slope, so that both snorkeling and scuba diving are an easily accessed delight. Visibility is a spectacular 20 meters. And thanks to the great diversity of coral and the creatures that call it home, divers stand a good chance of seeing nine rare creatures: Whale Sharks (the world’s largest fish), Manta Rays, Silvertip Sharks, White-Spotted Guitarfish, Humphead Parrotfish, Cockatoo Fish, Seahorse, Ghost Pipefish and Triton Trumpet. Examples of these rare creatures are also on display alongside a load of others at the Exhibition Center at Surin Archipelago National Park Office. It’s worth checking this out on advance of diving, so you get a feel for what you see below the surface.

For those at the beginner level, take a little walk southward from the park office and try snorkelling at Ao Chong Kad, the strait between Koh Surin Neua and Tai, where the water is only 1-3 meters deep. However, the currents can fluctuate, so it’s worth checking before you dive. Here you can see huge schools of tiny Anemone Fish, Pipe Fishes, Parrot Fishes, shells, coral bushes and sponges. Thee more advanced divers can take a long tail boat to Ao Suthep, northwest of Koh Surin Tai, and Ao Jak, northeast of Koh Surin Neua. Reefs at these two bays are a bit further offshore and still untouched by mass diving because because it is only accessible by boat. Ao Suthep is famous for its pristine coral reef that extends as much far 1,200 meters while Ao Jak is attractive for a wide collection of curious but tame colorful fishes and beautiful corals. For advanced divers, Ao Tao and Ao Pak Kad are places to see the soft coral reefs, the rare Hawksbill Turtle, the Yellowmask Angelfish or even sharks.

The truly adventurous can opt for a night dive to see rare night sea hangers like Hingebeak Shrimp, Cleaner Shrimp and Dendronephthya, a kind of sea crab. Others include Moray, Pufferfish, Barracuda and Rock Lobster.

Other bays and islets of the archipelago are preserved areas where diving is not recommended or the coral reefs need to be restored or studied. They are Koh Ri, Koh Pachumba, Koh Kai (Koh Torinla), Hin Pae, Ao Mae Yai, Ao Sai En and Ao Sai Daeng.

Points of interest on these islands are not limited to sea creatures. There are also indigenous Sea Gypsies (the Morgan) who lead a simple way of life, making a living from fishing using centuries-old methods, and living in boats during the rainy season.

Staying on this group of islands requires at least two overnights. Accommodation is very basic with no air-conditioned rooms. There are eight bungalows for 6-8 persons with fans and private restrooms, a row of five rooms for three persons with shared restrooms and campsites. Accommodation must be reserved in advance. Coupons are used instead of the cash on these islands. Fees are 40 baht for adult tourists, 20 baht for children and 200 baht for foreigners. Food can be found at the park office canteen at reasonable prices. Breakfast costs 80 baht, lunch at 90 baht and dinner 180 baht.

The trip there takes four hours by boat from the pier at Khuraburi District. Just remember to respect the environment there as much as possible. Garbage bins on the islands are covered with nets thwart scavenging monkeys and all garbage generated offshore is removed and disposed of on the mainland.

If you follow the road all the way to the southernmost part of Thailand ‘s territory, you eventually hit upon the little known but charming province of Satun , home to four lush national parks and a pivotal role in Thailand ‘s history.

Satun is 973km south of Bangkok . It borders Malaysia at its south and the Andaman Sea of the Indian Ocean at its west coast. Within the total area of 2,478.98sq/km, the province also includes 105 islands. The majority of the population is Muslim. Until 1813, the province was a district of Kedah but was relinquished (along with some other states) to Britain in exchange for the British’s renunciation of its extra-territorial rights in Siam .

Among all four national parks that are located in the province, Tarutao National Maritime Park has the largest island in the province, Koh Tarutao, and was the first national maritime park designated in the country. In the past, Koh Tarutao was a prison. Things have changed recently, the island was the site of the Survivor Thailand series and now people are dying to get there, not to escape.

There are two major island groups in this national park, namely Koh Tarutao and the Adang-Ravi archipelago. Tarutao, has a variety of natural attractions from beautiful bays and sandy beaches to caves, canal and waterfalls. Its original Malay name ‘Talo Teara’ that means ‘lots Teara’ that means ‘lots of bays’, and this is not a misnomer. The place is riddled with beautiful coves and inlets such as Talo Dab Bay , Talo U-Dang Bay and Hin Ngam Bay . Tourists can camp on the beach and go scuba diving among pristine coral. Park office tours include three waterfalls and some caves as well as three former prisons at the southernmost
Within the small Adang-Ravi archipelago, there are several pretty isles such as Koh Leepeh, Koh Adang, Koh Ravi, Koh Dong and Koh Khai. On Koh Khai, approximately 40 mins from Koh Tarutao, visitors can visit the natural rock arch, the symbol of Tarutao national park. However, overnight stays are not permitted on this island since it a major nesting site for endangered sea turtles.

Inside the mainland towards the southeast of the province, Thale Ban National Park is yet another natural wonder. Between two mountains, is a large fjord-like lake filled with various forms of plant life. Here, there is a creature called ‘water dog’ or ‘Mah Nam ‘. This evolutionarily confused creature looks similar to a toad but has a tail and barks like a dog’s best spotted during rainy season.

Laem Son Beach
This pine tree franked beach sticks out to the sea like a big cape. The sand here is grey with some rugged surface. The beach may not look attractive but this is the place where travelers get on a boat to many of the islands such as Koh Khang Khao and Koh Kam Yai. An office of Laem Son National Park is located on this beach with restaurants, bungalows and tour centres in close proximity. The beach is about 53 km from Ranong Town .

Koh Khang Khao
Visible from Bang Ben beach in Laem Son National Park , the small island of Koh Khang Khao is truly an exotic island. The island has abundance of colourful shallow corals and a lovely beach with soft fine white sand. Its finest beach is situated in the east. You can rent a boat from Had Bang Bane at Laem Son National Park . The trip lasts about 30 minutes for a long-tailed boat and 10 minutes for speedboat. The best time to visit is between November and April.

Koh Kam Yai
Koh Kam Yai may not be famous for coral reefs or sandy beach – the island has more forested hills than beaches – but it is known by the local as the island of sea birds. Fifteen kilometers from the shore, it is the largest island of Koh Kam archipelago, which is also part of Laem Son national Park. There is no human settlement on the island, making it perfect for a variety of migrating birds that seek refuge during the cool season. Tourists, who take a diving trip to Koh Fai Waeb, stop by this island for bird watching. At low tide, you can walk on a sand dune causeway to another nearby island Touring period is between November and April.

Koh Chang
Koh Chang, the largest island in Ranong. The island is part of Mu Koh Phayam National Park. There are small fishing villages on the island. Most of villagers moved from Surat Thani and Koh Pha Ngan about four decades ago. This is an interesting site worth visiting since their way of life remains untouched by mainstream tourism. Many of Koh Chang’s nice beaches are found at the west. There are some shallow coral reefs around the island for snorkeling. The longest beach on the island is Ao Yai. The four kilometer long beach is safe for swimming and has a wooden bridge that links to another beach on the eastern part of the island. Several bungalows are available on Ao Yai. Another nice beach is Ao Khai Tao. The beach is located in the western end of the island and can be reached by boat only. It is the site of Ao Khai Tao National Park Ranger Unit. You can swim at the beach or trek to the viewpoint for 5 kilometres. There is no accommodation is on this beach.

To get to the island, you can get on a local boat at the pier near Ranong estuary. The trip takes about 2 hours.

Koh Phayam
Thirty three kilometers from the shore is a small island of Koh Phayam . 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 .

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.

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.

To get there, travelers take a boat from Koh Phayam pier behind Pak Nam police station in Ranong. The journey takes about 2 hours. The best time to visit the island starts from November to December.

This beach town and the islands nearby are famous for strange rock formations and unspoiled nature.

Krabi has a nice seaside atmosphere with cheap accommodation, tasty Thai/Moslem food and friendly people. Its striking rock formation islands and beautiful beaches made the area a pirate haven in bygone days. Now mainly a stopover for tourists going to outlying islands, the town itself is nice for short visits.

Forest Temple
Most people here are Moslem, while others are Taoist-Confucianist. There are relatively few Theravada Buddhists, and their temples are out of town. Wat Sai Thai has a 15-meter reclining Buddha under a limestone cliff face. Wat Tham Seua, one of the best-known forest temples in Thailand, has been built into caverns and cliffs. If you visit, please dress appropriately: definitely no shorts or T-shirts.

Unspoiled Nature
Krabi allows nature lovers to take organized trips to see mangrove forests and their resident wildlife. You can sail to unspoiled islets, walk through rainforest and swim in natural pools in the Khao Nor Chuchi Lowland Forest Project. Visitors can also spend time helping local rubber-tappers; the fees finance ecological projects.

Climb & Dive
For experienced rock-climbers, hundreds of established routes offer exciting opportunities. Numerous dive operators work in and around Krabi, taking divers to coral reefs and boat wrecks near adjacent islands. Sailing and paddling are also popular, and yachts and kayaks can be hired locally.

Beaches in Krabi

Ao Nang Bay is known as the center of all beaches in Krabi. From here, tourists get on a boat for a tour at Koh Poda archipelago to see the parting sea while adventurers head to Ao Rai Lay for rock climbing. For stunning beach and scenery, many people opt for Ao Tham Phra Nang Bay, which is about a 10 minute boat ride from An Nang Bay. There are plenty of restaurants and tour agencies that provide bus and plane tickets, or package tours to the sea and the jungle. A variety of accommodations are available from budget guesthouses to luxury resorts.

Ao Tham Phra Nang is situated at the southern end of the West Ao Rai Lay. There is a trail from the East Ao Rai Lay towards the south for only 250 metres leading to Ao Tham Phra Nang. This small beach is famed for white and clean sand. From the beach line, looking out into the sea, limestone hills stand amidst the blue water with a strange look, each of which was undermined in an out by the waves and winds. At the southern end of the beach is Phra Nang cave. Waling up further and looking backward to the beach, ones will see the beautiful beach line in front of the cave entrance.

Ao Phra Nang Beach offers a nice view from the high angle at the viewpoint on Khao Laen Nang. The beach has a backdrop of limestone outcrops, which becomes a haven of intrepid rock climbers from all over the world. The area is also suitable for swimming.