Andaman Sea · Where to stay

Where to stay on Koh Phayam

Thailand's far north-west Andaman coast, an hour from the Myanmar border. Two bays, concrete footpaths instead of roads, and hornbills in the trees.

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An island with no roads

Koh Phayam sits off Ranong in Thailand's far north-west, close enough to Myanmar to see it on a clear day. It has no cars at all — the island is crossed by narrow concrete paths just wide enough for a motorbike, and motorbike taxis are the transport.

The shoreline and cashew trees on Koh Phayam

That single fact keeps the island the way people come for it. Between the two main bays are cashew plantations and rubber, and hornbills are common enough that you hear them before you see them. There is no town, no bank strip and very little that is open late.

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Quick guide

Which bay

  • Ao Yai (Long Beach) — the main beach, sunsets, most bungalows and bars
  • Buffalo Bay (Ao Khao Kwang) — shallower and calmer, good with children
  • The east side — the pier, mangroves, very quiet
  • No cars: motorbike taxis and concrete footpaths only
  • Cashew plantations, rubber and hornbills between the bays

Ao Yai: the long beach and the sunsets

Ao Yai on the west coast is the main beach and the reason most people come: a long stretch of sand facing straight into the sunset, with bungalows and a scattering of bars along it. In the shoulder months it picks up enough swell for beginners to surf.

This is where the island's small social life happens — a handful of beach bars, mostly low-key, mostly closing early. It has the widest choice of places to stay and eat, and it is the sensible first choice unless you specifically want quiet.

Good to know

Before you book

  • There are no cars. Pack light enough to go on the back of a motorbike taxi.
  • Bring cash. Card payment is not widespread on the island.
  • Do not confuse this Koh Chang next door with the big Koh Chang in Trat — they are different islands.
  • Boats leave from Ranong; the slow boat takes about two hours, the speedboat far less.
Loungers under palms on a west-coast beach

Buffalo Bay and the quiet side

Ao Khao Kwang, usually called Buffalo Bay, is the north-western bay: shallower, more sheltered, with rock outcrops and a calmer sea. It is the better choice with small children or if you want to swim rather than watch waves — though at low tide the water goes a long way out.

The eastern side of the island is quieter again, with a working pier, mangroves and a couple of small bays rather than a resort strip. Wherever you stay, the island is small enough to cross by motorbike in twenty minutes.

Coffee at a small island café
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Which beach is best on Koh Phayam?

Ao Yai for the long sand, the sunsets and the widest choice. Buffalo Bay if you want calmer, shallower water and even less going on.

Is Koh Phayam good for families?

Buffalo Bay is, with sheltered shallow water and no traffic at all. Just plan around the tide, which goes a long way out.

Are there cars on Koh Phayam?

None. The island is crossed by concrete paths wide enough only for motorbikes, and motorbike taxis do the transporting.

How do you get to Koh Phayam?

By boat from Ranong. The slow boat takes roughly two hours and the speedboat far less. Ranong has an airport with flights from Bangkok.

Travel guides

Travel guides

More Koh Phayam and Andaman coast guides, plus the rest of Thailand's islands.

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Koh Phayam