The best Thai islands with virgin nature
What comes to your mind when you hear the word Thailand? Surely Phuket and Pattaya ... Yes, perhaps these are the two most popular Thai resorts today, where millions of tourists from all over the world flock. But if you like to "dig deep" and find little-known places, little-traveled paths and little-studied caches, then this list of the best Thai islands is just for you. Discover the virgin nature of Thailand, far from mass tourism.
(Total 12 photos)
1. Ko Phayam
Despite the wide beaches framed by palm trees and casuarinas, the picturesque rolling countryside and the peaceful regularity of local life, Koh Phayam remains one of the most obscure holiday destinations in Thailand. (AP/FOTOLIA)
2. The island is quite tiny - only ten kilometers long and five wide. There are no coral reefs here, but you can sunbathe in the sun or rent a boat. Rubber plantations are located in the depths of the island, and small restaurants flooded its entire territory.
Where to stay: Cede Boutique Beach Resort. (AP/FOTOLIA)
3. Koh Phra Thong
Located in the Andaman Sea just off the Thai mainland, this islet remains one of the last bastions of wilderness untouched by the mass tourist. The island is surrounded by virgin mangrove forests where deer, wild cats, hornbills, eagles, otters and snakes live. Also on the island there is a diving center and some good small coral reefs. (ALAMY)
4. On the coast of the island of Koh Phra Thon there are two settlements in which representatives of the Moken people (sea nomads) live. Comfortable accommodation can be found on the west coast of the island, along Phratong Bay. Nearby is the island of Ko Ra - hilly, overgrown with jungle, uninhabited, most of which is occupied by a national park. You can go hiking there.
Where to stay: Golden Buddha Beach Resort. (AP/FOTOLIA)
5. Moo Ko Surin National Park
To awaken your inner Robinson Crusoe, head to Moo Koh Surin National Park, a tiny archipelago in the Andaman Sea. The five hilly islands are home to monkeys, birds, huge crabs and monitor lizards, and the coral reefs surrounding the island are some of the best places in Thailand to get close-up views of turtles and reef sharks. (AP/FOTOLIA)
6. Two large restaurants in the park serve simple but delicious seafood dishes, and at 22:00 the electricity is cut off here so that guests can admire the stars to their heart's content. Most visitors stay in large comfortable tents provided by the park, but forest bungalows can also be rented. It's better to book them in advance. The tourist season in the Surin Islands lasts from October to April. (AP/FOTOLIA)
7. Ko Ngai
Not far from the Surin Islands is the tiny island of Koh Ngai, also called Koh Hai. It is only 4 × 2 km in size, partially covered with low mountains and evergreen forests, in which crabeater monkeys and huge lizards live. (AP/FOTOLIA)
8. There are no roads here, the only way to get around the island is on foot. If you suddenly get bored with this piece of paradise on land, you can relax in the water while exploring the coral reefs. It is better to go to the neighboring island of Koh Mook and its amazing Emerald Cave early in the morning or in the evening, when there are the least people there.
Where to stay: Koh Hai Fantasy Resort & Spa. (AP/FOTOLIA)
9. Ko Jum
The island lies between Krabi and Koh Lanta and has two names. The locals call the flat southern part of the island Koh Jum, and the mountainous northern part Koh Phu (Crab Island). The island has roads and a few cars. Koh Jum is something of a compromise between bustling Koh Lanta and the quiet idyll of the Andaman coast. The most active form of leisure here is snorkeling. On the west coast there is a good choice of accommodation for tourists.
Where to stay: The Banyan Bay Villas. (AP/FOTOLIA)
10. Ko Yao Islands
Despite their proximity to Phuket, the islands of Ko Yao Noi and Ko Yao Yai are largely untouched by mass tourism. Living among sleepy buffaloes, the locals are not used to tourists yet, so don't be surprised if your appearance causes a sensation among the local kids. But here you can observe the local way of life. Accommodation options range from shacks to upmarket resorts. There is also a yoga center and a camp for those wishing to practice Taibo. (AP/FOTOLIA)
11. The larger Ko Yao Yai also offers great lodging options, but the island isn't as heavily built up, so it's best to explore on a motorbike. You will not find parties here, and it is better not to show your bikini outside the hotel. But for such strict rules, you will be rewarded with the opportunity to see the traditional culture of the island.
Where to stay: Koyao Island Resort. (AP/FOTOLIA)
12. Ko Kradan
Just south of bustling Koh Lanta lies the tiny island of Koh Kradan, part national park, part resort island. The two-kilometer main beach offers excellent fine white sand and views of the picturesque limestone cliffs. Approximately 50 meters from the shore is a coral reef, where life is seething. And it takes only three hours to sail around the island in kayaks. Koh Kradan is a great option for families and romantic couples.
Where to stay: Seven Seas Resort. (AP/FOTOLIA)