Koh Kuud is the second-largest island in the Koh Chang National Marine Park (around 130 square kilomtres), furthest from the mainland, and certainly one of the nicest islands in the group. Koh Kuud offers some excellent views; coconut groves, rubber plantations, exquisite beaches, and it also has a number of beautiful waterfalls (3-tier Klong Jao of particular interest as is active all year round). Virtually all of Koh Kuud is unspoilt and what development there is has been well planned. The island has a number of excellent beaches on its west coast; Hap Tapho being probably the nicest, although Klong Yaikee beach, Tapo beach, Paol Bay, and Tadean Bay are also worthy of note. The waters around the island feature severl types of coral. 99% of the visitors who come to the island do so through an organised tour. As a result the island is not very well geared to receive independent travellers, although coming here alone is not impossible. The tours offer a number of options (three days / two nights, etc.) and usually include travel, food and accommodation. They usually involve trips to waterfalls and snorkelling trips as part of the package.


How to get there: Given this island is not really geared to the independent traveller, it is recommended you take one of the tours available from the mainland and some of the larger islands.

Hat Mae Ramphueng is one of Rayong’s better known attractions, a huge expanse of beach stretching 12 kilometres along the coast with a real, live fishing village marking where the beach finishes. A number of swimming-related deaths are recorded each year, to some extent the cause remains a mystery. It is really not advisable to swim too far out into the sea, although swimming near the beach is perfectly safe.


How to get there: from Bang Phe Hat Mae Ramphueng is accessible by tuk-tuk, taxi and songtaew.

Railay Beach is about ten minutes from Ao Nang by boat. The beach is a genuinely superb location with golden sand against a limestone cliff backdrop. There is a gentle atmosphere on Railay; absent are bars competing against each other with techno music. As such, the site has become a destination of choice for people trying to avoid crowds in Ao Nang and Phi-Phi. Given that’s its chief attraction, more and more people are frequenting the beach, and it’s only a matter of time until Railay Beach becomes equally as busy! Amongst other activities, Railay is famous for its rock climbing. Climbing courses have been available in the area for over ten years and the instructors available are some of the best in the country. The cliff tops offer tremendous views of Railay Bay and surrounding areas. They are also an ideal location to watch the beautiful sunsets the beach offers.


How to get there: It takes 30 minutes from Chao Fa pier in Krabi Town to get to Railay Beach by long tail boat. Long tails are also available from Ao Nam. Boats cost no more than 50 or 60 Baht per person per trip.

Bang Tao is a study in contrasts, with the luxurious resorts and villas along its 6km (4 mile) stretch of beach just a few minutes' away from the town of Cherng Talay, where many villagers still make their living as their ancestors did - by fishing, farming and rubber tapping. The northern tip of the beach, so far untouched by development, is still an area where visitors might find that they have the beach to themselves. Apart from going to the beach and a few bars and restaurants there's not much that you need to leave your resort for.
Taking up a huge area in the middle of Bang Tao beach, Laguna Phuket, one of Asia's largest resort complexes, comprises of 6 luxury hotels, a golf course and residential housing.

Activities :

The Beach Taking up a huge area in the middle of Bang Tao beach, Laguna Phuket, one of Asia's largest resort complexes, comprises of 6 luxury hotels, a golf course and residential housing.

Shopping in Bang Tao Some of the island's best finds for antiques and other treasures can befound at Laguna's Canal Village and in the rows of shops just outside the Laguna entrance. The open-air village markets are also worth visiting, if only to take in the sights and sounds of a typical Thai bazaar. A huge range is on sale including fruit and vegetables, fresh meat and fish, clothes, cooked food (take away), toys, shoes and more. There's asmall supermarket in Cherng Talay for groceries.
The closest large supermarket is in Patong, a 25 minute drive away.

Surfing There are many tracks leading down to the beach here and this section of the beach is protected from the swells, on the big surf days (over 3 metres) some nice smaller waves appear here. Towards the northern end of bang tao beach the waves get bigger. The northern end of the beach is exposed to the winds and the shifting sand banks make the surfing waves unpredictable, but on its' day the surf at bang tao can be perfect.

The Koh Lanta archipelago consists of 52 islands, of which only 12 are occupied. Of these there are two Koh Lanta Islands - Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi. Koh Lanta Yai is probably the only island in the group to offer proper accommodation for tourists and over the last number of years it has changed from a remote island inhabited by Muslim fisherman explored only by backpackers to a popular destination that is increasingly becoming more like a resort. As a result of its increase in popularity, Koh Lanta Yai offers more and more of the comforts required by the modern tourist. The island is very impressive. It offers a number of excellent beaches that haven’t been ravaged by tourism. Alongside a limited amount of diving over coral beds, this lack of commercialism adds up to an extremely laid back atmosphere which is very appealing. At present, around a dozen bungalows stretch along the west coast of the Island from Ban Sala Dan in the north to Ban Sangka U in the south. This is though very likely to change in the near future. Ban Sala Dan is Koh Lanta Yai’s biggest town and offers restaurants, shops, and, probably most importantly, a bank, Internet shops and a couple of ATM machines. These are the only ones on the island so be warned – this is not currently the most developed of islands! Unlike other islands you might visit, there are far more mosques here than temples.

Details: From June to October (low-season) the monsoon rains make getting around the island difficult and visitors are sometimes allowed on a single beach. It might be best to contact TAT when planning your trip to find the best time for a visit during the low-season. It is possible to hire bicycles to get around the islands, and it’s also possible to rent motorcycles for around 200 Baht a day. Depending on where you will be staying, bringing your own supplies might be necessary.

How to get there: Koh Lanta Yai is not easily accessible and involves a ferry ride from Krabi. From Trang you can catch buses and minivans that will take you straight to the island. From Ban Sala Dan (on the island) motorcycle taxis are available to the beaches at varying costs starting at 20 Baht.

Koh Samet is one of Thailand’s nicest islands and has a unique place in Thai culture. It was here that Sunthorn Phu – Thailand’s greatest poetic – was inspired to create his masterpiece “Phra Aphaimani” – the story of a prince imprisoned in an undersea kingdom. Despite its place in literary history, Koh Samet is these days more famed for its beauty and location – near enough to Bangkok to be a popular destination for weekend trips and far enough away from the capital to offer foreign tourists a chance to get away from it all. Koh Samet is part of the Khao-Laem-Yah Koh Samet National Park and as result enjoyed the protection of the National Parks Division. Although developed, the island is not overdeveloped and retains its charm.

The whole of Koh Samet is typified by glorious white sand, making the beaches excellent places to spend some time. There are 14 white beaches on the Island and surrounded by colourful reefs. Western Samet consists of long bays and shallow, crystal clear water. A series of paths link the bays… stray south and you come across a number of smaller, more secluded bays.

Of course, Samet has its fair share of diving and other water sports; the island has numerous outlets for canoeing, sailing windsurfing, snorkelling and, although technically illegal on the island, jet skiing. Those with an ecological perspective should avoid jet skis which are slowly eroding Koh Samet’s coral.
With so many foreigners coming to the island, a healthy nightlife has emerged, and although this is not Pattaya, it has elements of Pattaya… bars, restaurants… the works really but in less intense amounts!

How to get there: Ban Phe is the main exit from the mainland to Koh Samet ., Boats leave Ban Phe regularly 06:00 to 17.00 with increased frequency at the weekends. Boats cost around 30 Baht. If you want some privacy, a charted boat with costs anything from 800-3,000 Baht per day.

Details: As with all National Parks, admission to Koh Samet comes with a 200 Baht entry fee – 100 Baht for the under 14s.


Contact:The National Park Office
Koh Samet
Moo 1 Tambom Phe
MeungRayong
Tel: (038) 653-033, (038) 653-034

How to get there: Hat Yai-Songkhla buses pass Hat Samila and songtaews to the beach are available from within Songkhla town.