Destination Feature: Thai Islands, Minus the Crowds

Thailand is a magnificent country that attracts people for its abundance of trekking, sunbathing, culture, and some of the best food on earth. For those coming in search of pristine beaches, one of the toughest choices travelers have to make is deciding which island to escape to. With hundreds of islands to choose from that stretch as far south as the Malaysian border, you could spend months island hopping through southern Thailand. Koh Phi Phi, Koh Samui, and Phuket are some of the better known islands that cater to gap year backpackers and well-heeled tourists alike.  But with hundreds of islands to explore, why not wander off the beaten path, ignore the advise of your guidebook, and find your own palm trees to hang your hammock under while the rest of the tourists vie for the best piece of sand among hundreds of other holiday seekers.

Short Hop from Bangkok

Koh Chang is an easy 5 hours by minibus and ferry from Khaosan Road in Bangkok. Transportation to the island can be easily arranged by any of the tour operators in Bangkok, and early morning departures mean that you’ll have more than enough time to settle into your guest house and take a dip in the ocean before feasting on a fresh seafood dinner on the beach. The northern part of the island has been built up to cater to the all-inclusive crowd, but the further south you get, the less developed the island becomes. Lonely Beach is one of the furthest stops from the ferry, but the smaller crowds and chilled-out atmosphere is well worth the extra effort. Check out Oasis Guest House. Located on the left hand side of the main road and up a steep hill, this quiet guest house is nestled into the hillside and owned by a Thai/German couple who give the place a personal touch well worth its 500 baht per night price tag.

Adventure Seekers

For those looking for a deserted island and few tourists, you’re going to have to wander further than you would have had to ten years ago. Koh Tarutao is a great bet for those looking for wildlife. Sea turtles, whales, monitor lizards, and crab-eating macaques are in abundance and despite the islands somewhat murky waters, the attraction of trekking, waterfalls, clean beaches, and views more than make up for it. There is no snorkeling equipment available to rent, so make sure you bring your own. The entire island is a National Park, so be prepared to pay the 200 baht entrance fee when you arrive at the pier. All of the guest houses on the island are run by the National Park and there are decent options, but I’d suggest going the camping route and pitching your tent along the white sand beach. Tents can also be rented on the island if you don’t have your own.

Chilled-Out Local Flavor

The province of Trang in Thailand’s far south have avoided much of the rampant development of nearby Phuket and Krabi thanks to a local economy not entirely dependent on tourism. The mainland provincial capital, also called Trang, is a great place to start your exploration of the islands. Although you could spend months exploring the Trang Islands, Ko Sukorn, Ko Hai, and the uninhabited islands in between them, are among the least visited. Ko Sukorn is a place that is increasingly hard to find in Thailand, and if you’re looking for a back to basics type of experience, this small island with only 4 villages and even fewer cars, is a great choice.

Wherever you decide to go, don’t forget your hammock. There’s nothing better than watching the sunset from your own personal slice of paradise hung between two palm trees.

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