Paper Island
Koh Lipe is small and flat, and its name means Paper Island in the local Sea Gypsy language. You can walk to any of the three main beaches on concrete paths that criss-cross the island. There's a vibrant and fun main shopping concourse, Walking Street, offering services from Thai massage to book exchanges, from dress shops to fine dining.
The southernmost island of Thailand's Andaman chain, it's located about 60 kilometres from the mainland. Easily accessible from Pak Bara pier in Thailand, or from Langkawi to the south in Malaysia, it sits on the edge of the Tarutao National Marine Park.
The Chao Lay people (also known as Sea Gypsies) still live on the island, with about 500 people living off fishing or participating in the tourism industry.