This gorgeous little island is truly the
undiscovered pearl of the Andaman Sea with
long white sandy beaches, clear blue sea,
coral reefs, it's the perfect place to really get
away from it all. The two main bays are Aow
Yai , the sunset bay, and Aow Khao Kwai -
( Buffalo bay ).Both bays have long curving
white sandy beaches. If you get bored of the
beach life then there's always the inland
experience. Ko Phayam island has lots of
good mini hikes into the hills, forests and
jungle.
KOH PHAYAM ISLAND, RANONG, THAILAND
Koh Phayam , kangaroo shaped small island, 35 Km from Ranong , opposite Burmese St. Matthew's
Island is the main tourist spot in Thailand Ranong province .
Koh Phayam is only 10 km long and 5 km wide with population around 500 people.
Ko Phayam is still surrounded by natural environment. Small roads without cars – just motorcycles
and bicycle for cruising around. Electricity is delivered by solar energy as well as private generators. 3
resorts in the island have electricity 24 hours – Buffalo Bay Vacation Club, Phayam Cottage and Blue
Sky. Satellite and mobile internet service have set up in many accommodation and restaurant and
mobile phones have almost in every bungalow or resort.
It takes two hours from Ranong to Koh Phayam by boat and 45 minutes by speed boat.
Boat service twice per day all the year. Price – 200 Baht per person. Speedboat service – run in high
season only 5-8 times per day , 350 Baht per person.
Only several resorts and bungalows accommodation open all the year, most low key bungalows
closed, as well as restaurants and shops .
There are many beaches around this island - most accomodation are in Aow Yai ( Long ) beach and
Aow Khao Kwai or Buffalo Bay beach.
Ao Yai is the largest bay on the west-coast with 3 km long with grey beach. Music parties in high
season and not expensive accommodation (from 150 Baht per night) attract young crowds.
Buffalo Bay is a quieter beach, especially south east part of the bay. More upscale and better quality
resorts dedicated to families with kids, groups and middle age pairs.
The main village at the pier offers several restaurants, food stalls, shops selling food and supplies,
as well as diving company offices and a motorbike rental shops. Tourists also can hire a motorbike
at shops along the road to the resorts with price for daily rental from 100 to 250 Baht. Forested hills of
Ko Phayam are a habitat of monkeys, wild animals and a variety of birds like Hornbill and Sea Eagle.
At the south end of Buffalo Bay is a small sea gypsy settlement.