Information tourism 2018/11/7 Posted by: Macchan Updated 2019/02/09

10 famous resort islands in Thailand. How many do you know?

“Phi Phi Islands and Phuket are not the only resort islands in Thailand!”

Hello, this is Macchan.
Suddenly, when you think of the tropical island of Thailand, what comes to mind?
There are many resort islands in Thailand, including Phuket, a resort area that is familiar to Japanese people, and Phi Phi Island, which has been a filming location for Hollywood movies.

Here we will introduce 10 of the most famous islands. Why not consider it as one of your destinations on your next trip to Thailand?

01: Phuket Island (koh-Phuket)

Phuket is Thailand's number one resort island.
It is the largest island in Thailand and the only island in Thailand that is designated as a prefecture.

The island, also known as the ``Pearl of the Andaman Sea,'' attracts many foreign tourists as a world-famous marine resort where you can enjoy various activities such as beaches, cruising, and diving.

It rapidly gained popularity as a resort area from around 1980, and now there are many luxury resort hotels and restaurants.

Phuket Island location and access

There are mainly following ways to access Phuket.

①Direct Thai Airways flights from Narita Airport
②More than 20 domestic flights a day from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Approximately 1 and a half hours. ③Depart from Hua Lamphong Station in Bangkok and get off at Surat Thani Station (approximately 12 and a half hours), then take a local bus to Phuket (approximately 4 hours).
④14 hours by bus from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal (Sa Tay Mai).

02:Koh-Lanta

Koh Lanta refers to the two islands of Nta Yai and Lanta Noi, which are part of the Lanta archipelago, which consists of 52 islands of various sizes in the Andaman Sea.

It is located about 50km west of Phuket, with Phi Phi Island located right in the middle. At one time, there was a boom in hidden resorts in Asia, and many package tours from Japan were planned, but now you hardly hear of the name.

However, people outside of Japan are still aware of Thailand's status as a resort destination, and foreign tourists who love beach resorts visit Thailand. It is not as touristy as Phuket, and Koh Lanta is designated as a marine national park, making it a little-known resort spot with untouched nature.

Location and access to Koh Lanta

It takes about 2 and a half hours by bus or ferry from Krabi Airport, or about 4 hours from Phuket via Phi Phi Island to get to Saladan Pier on the north side of Lanta Yai Island.

03: Koh Lipe (koh-Lipe)

Koh Lipe is said to be Thailand's southernmost unexplored resort island.
On the west bank is neighboring Malaysia. Boasting the clearest sea in Thailand, it is also known as the Maldives of Southeast Asia due to its beautiful scenery.

There are three main areas on Koh Lipe: Pattaya Beach Area, Sunrise Beach Area, and Sunset Beach Area. You can walk between each area in about 20 to 30 minutes. There are many small islands scattered around Koh Lipe, and one way to enjoy them is to go on a snorkeling tour. Walking Street on this island is lined with about 50 restaurants and is crowded with tourists every day.

Location and access to Koh Lipe

After the approximately 1.5 hour flight from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to Hat Yai Airport, transfer by car from Hat Yai Airport to Pak Bara Pier (required time: 1 hour 30 minutes). Then, access Koh Lipe by speedboat from Pakbara Pier (approximately 1.5 hours).

04: Koh-Pipi

Phi Phi Island is an emerald green resort island floating in the Andaman Sea.

It is an archipelago consisting of 6 islands centered on ``Phi Phi Don'', ``Phi Phi Le,'' ``Vida Nork,'' ``Vida Nai,'' ``Koh Yun,'' and ``Ko Pai.'' It can be accessed in about 2 hours from Phuket, so many day trip tourists visit. Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le Island, which is said to be the most beautiful beach on Phi Phi Island, became world famous in the movie ``The Beach'' starring Leonardo DiCaprio, and has since been flooded with tourists.

As a result, ecosystems such as coral reefs were destroyed, and tragic human losses occurred. Currently, the Thai government restricts access to Maya Bay, making it impossible to visit depending on the time of year, but permission was granted from October 1, 2018. Beaches are a beautiful natural environment thanks to the creatures that live there, so we would like to protect the beautiful nature by allowing tourists and nature to coexist to prevent this from happening.

Location and access to Phi Phi Islands

Ferries to Phi Phi Don Island are in service from Phuket's Sea Angel Port, Rassada Port, and Nam Chai Port, and each takes about 2 hours and costs around 1,000 baht (3,500 yen).

05: Koh Tao (koh-Tao)

Koh Tao is a small island located in Surat Thani province, approximately 60 km north of Koh Samui.
The word ``Tao'' in Koh Tao means turtle in Thai, and comes from the sea turtles that inhabit the coast of this island.

Although Koh Tao is not very familiar to Japanese people, it is actually very popular among foreigners and has even been ranked number one in the ranking of ``The Most Beautiful Island in Asia.''

It is said that there are 300 sunny days a year, and the sea is calm, making it a paradise for scuba divers.
People come from all over the world to go diving. The secret to its popularity is that there are many diving shops and schools, so you can easily enjoy authentic scuba diving.

Location and access to Koh Tao

You can go there by speedboat (about 1.5 hours and 60 baht) from Koh Samui.

06:Koh-Samui

It is the third largest island in Thailand, and along with Phuket Island, which is located on the opposite side of the mainland, it is a very popular resort area in Thailand.

As the island is also known as ``Coconut Island'', the entire island is covered with palm trees. Development on Koh Samui is restricted due to nature conservation, and buildings that are taller than palm trees are prohibited. As a result, it is characterized by a sophisticated and beautiful landscape that harmonizes with untouched virgin forest and beaches.

Location and access to Koh Samui

There are more than 10 direct flights (1.5 hours) per day to Koh Samui from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Alternatively, you can also go from Don Mueang Airport to the nearest airport, Surat Thani Airport, and then take a ferry (1.5 hours).

07: Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is a resort island located north of Koh Samui.
It is said that the former King Rama V loved this island and often visited the island for relaxation.

On this island, a Full Moon Party is held every month on the night of the full moon, and at Haad Rin Beach, where the party is held, as many as 15,000 people gather on the shore, drinking alcohol while blaring trance music plays until the morning. We will dance the night away.

The Full Moon Party is probably the main purpose of many tourists who come to Koh Phangan, but the large amount of garbage left behind after the party is often seen as a problem.

Location and access to Koh Phangan

Speedboats or ferries operate from Koh Samui on 05.
You can go there in about 15 to 30 minutes.

08: Koh Chang

Koh Chang is the second largest island in Thailand, located in the easternmost province of Trat, adjacent to the border with Cambodia.

Chang means "image" in Thai. It's the Chang Beer Chang. You can enjoy snorkeling and diving from the west coast to the south coast of the island, and in the summer you can see wild fireflies on a boat cruise through the mangrove forest.

Compared to other famous resort islands, it is easier to access from Bangkok, but it is not much of a tourist destination, so I think it can truly be called a ``hidden resort''.

Location and access to Koh Chang

① Take a domestic flight from Bangkok Don Mueang Airport to Trat Airport (1 hour)
② Drive to the ferry terminal (20 minutes)
③ Take the ferry to the island in 30 minutes

09:Koh-Samet

Koh Samet is a resort island located in Rayong Province, 300km south of Bangkok, and can be taken on a day trip from Bangkok.

The small island itself is designated as a national park. The main beach is Sai Kaew Beach, but if you don't like crowds, Ao Prao Beach is recommended.
You can spend a relaxing time playing with the sounds of the ocean in the silence.

Location and access to Koh Samet

① Take a bus from Bangkok East Bus Terminal (Ekamai) to Ban Phe (about 3-4 hours)
② Take a 30 minute boat ride from Ban Phe.

10: Koh-Lan

It is a remote island located about 40 minutes west by boat from Pattaya, one of Thailand's leading beach resorts and entertainment districts.

There are seven beaches of different sizes, and Tawaen Beach is the most popular among tourists. Among the locations introduced this time, it is the closest to Bangkok and can be accessed on a day trip.
We recommend renting a bike to explore the island. You can read more about Koh Lan in this article. ↓

I am an elephant

Directions and fees to Koh Lan in Pattaya. I'll introduce you to some recommended beaches.

``I want to go swimming in Pattaya, but Pattaya Beach isn't very clean.'' ``Then let's go to the remote island of Koh Lan, which is about 40 minutes away from Pattaya! ” Pattaya is one of Thailand's leading beach resorts and entertainment districts, but I want to go swimming in the sea! However, the beach itself cannot be described as beautiful. However, the remote island of Koh Lan, which can be accessed in about 40 minutes by boat from Pattaya, has good water quality and allows you to easily enjoy ocean blue beaches and marine activities. If you come to Pattaya, we would like to introduce you to the resort island "Ko Lan" that you should definitely visit...

Location and access to Koh Larn

① Take a bus from Bangkok East Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) to Pattaya (about 2 hours)
② Take a 40-minute ferry ride from Bali Hai Pier near Walking Street in Pattaya

Summary map of the whole island

Looking at it this way, Thailand is quite long from north to south, and the main resort islands are concentrated in the south.
It is quite far from the capital Bangkok.

Thailand has many islands with great beach resorts, including Phuket and Koh Samui. If you have time, please go and visit somewhere on this island.

I would appreciate it if you could share it if you found it helpful.

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