This is our first time writing a travel blog, so please forgive us for any mistakes. We planned this trip for months in advance, as we all work from Monday to Saturday (but that's no obstacle to travel!). We chose to travel during a long weekend, departing after work on Saturday, April 29th. Therefore, we had to book our tickets and accommodation in advance. We opted to buy tickets instead of booking, as we were afraid of not making it on time. (If we had "booked," we would have had to arrive at the counter 1-2 hours before departure, or else we would have been left behind. It's a rule with a time limit.) We chose to travel by bus with Chokonan Tour, a first-class air-conditioned bus with comfortable seats. The driver drove smoothly, and we slept all the way from Bangkok to Ranong.

Upon regaining consciousness, we found ourselves within the boundaries of Ranong Province. Passengers disembarked sporadically at various designated stops. Still groggy from our slumber, we were startled by the bus driver's announcement: "ขนส่ง ขนส่ง" (Bus Terminal, Bus Terminal). Confused, we glanced out the window and realized, to our surprise, that we had indeed arrived at the bus terminal. We exchanged bewildered glances, wondering why it appeared so peculiar, devoid of any visible platforms. Optimistically, we reasoned that it might be the front entrance of the terminal. How naive we were! We disembarked from the bus, only to discover that it was not the terminal at all. It was merely a...checkpoint. Awkwardly, we contemplated returning to the bus, but embarrassment held us back. With no other transportation options available, we were fortunate to encounter a fellow passenger who was also heading to Koh Phayam. He kindly informed us that the actual bus terminal was still a considerable distance away. (We extend our heartfelt gratitude to this gentleman.) At this point, we were utterly mortified. We were a mixture of amusement, drowsiness, bewilderment, and shame. Ultimately, we opted to return to the bus and retrieve our luggage, which the driver had thoughtfully unloaded. Deciding to embrace the situation, we confidently marched back onto the bus, pretending as if nothing had transpired. We arrived at the Ranong Bus Terminal around 5:30 AM, if memory serves us correctly.

Upon arrival, we found ourselves in a familiar state of confusion. We wandered aimlessly to a bench on the platform, unsure of our next move. We had read reviews on Pantip beforehand that mentioned a 15-baht songthaew (shared taxi) from Saphan Pla that could take us to the pier. However, there were no songthaews available at that time, and we had to wait until morning. As we looked around, numerous taxi drivers approached us, inquiring about our destination and whether we had transportation arranged. They seemed genuinely concerned (or perhaps they were just eager for business). After some deliberation, we decided to take a chance with one of the songthaew drivers. We figured it would be better to wait at the pier, where we could grab some food, enjoy the scenery, and freshen up. The driver charged us 30 baht per person, totaling 120 baht for the four of us. He promised to drop us off right at the pier entrance, claiming that the songthaew would only take us to the mouth of the alley, requiring a 300-meter walk. Whether his claim was true or not, we were on our way.

Upon arrival, we immediately freshened up in the comfortable and convenient restrooms, feeling right at home. As hunger pangs set in, we embarked on a culinary adventure to satisfy our appetites.

Let's return to the atmosphere of the port. It was truly magnificent. Just the port itself was impressive. Look at the pictures, don't think I'm exaggerating. This is the sunrise.

Choosing the Right Ferry to Koh Phayam

When traveling to Koh Phayam, you have two main ferry options:

1. Speedboat:

  • Travel time: 35-40 minutes
  • Price: 350 baht per person
  • Pros: Faster travel time, more comfortable ride
  • Cons: More expensive

2. Mail boat:

  • Travel time: 2 hours
  • Price: 200 baht per person
  • Pros: More affordable, more scenic journey
  • Cons: Longer travel time, less comfortable ride

The choice between the speedboat and mail boat depends on your budget and time constraints. If you are short on time and prefer a more comfortable journey, the speedboat is the better option. However, if you are on a tight budget and don't mind a longer journey, the mail boat is a more affordable choice.


Our group opted for a speedboat due to time constraints. The first boat departed at 7:30 AM. (Around 7:20 AM, the staff transported us to another location where the boat could launch due to the high tide.)

It's time for the boat to leave. The four of us put on our life jackets without any prior agreement for safety (well, it's really necessary, haha). Let's go to Koh Phayam! Can you guess if I'm excited? Look at this, hahaha. Let me tell you, it's a lot! I want to enjoy the view, I want to breathe the sea air, hmm, it's salty! Haha.

And we have safely arrived at Koh Phayam! Hooray! We're finally here at Koh Phayam...mmmmm ^^

Renting a motorbike on the island is easy, with numerous rental shops offering a variety of options. Prices range from 150 to 200 baht per day, depending on whether you choose an automatic or manual transmission. It's advisable to compare prices at different shops, as some may be willing to negotiate. We rented two automatic motorbikes for 150 baht each per 24 hours, which was a good deal compared to other shops that typically charge 200 baht for automatics. We also negotiated a late return for an additional 50 baht per bike, allowing us to return them before 2 pm instead of the usual 8 am the next day. The owner was very accommodating and provided us with a map of the island, highlighting the best routes for exploring. The roads on the island are hilly and can be challenging, with a mix of paved and dirt surfaces. It's important to be prepared for the terrain and have some experience riding a motorbike. For those who prefer not to ride, motorbike taxis are readily available at the island's pier.

We opted to book ferry tickets in advance for our return trip, which cost 200 baht per person. We ended up riding all types of ferries, haha! Is this relevant?

This is the shop where we rented our motorbike. Oh, I forgot to mention that this shop also accepts advance bookings for return ferry tickets, including both speedboats and mailboats. In addition, they also book plane and bus tickets. Getting here wasn't as difficult as I thought, was it? Okay, let's move on! 5555

With our motorbike secured, we embarked on a thrilling journey to our accommodation, navigating our way through the unfamiliar terrain using a map. Our primary landmark was the main bay, where our booked accommodation, Bamboo Bungalow Resort, was conveniently located beachfront.

"Upon arrival, I couldn't help but exclaim 'wow'! The scenery is breathtaking, and the atmosphere is delightful. It truly lives up to the hype, justifying my month-long wait for a reservation. Don't accuse me of exaggerating; just look at this picture of the walkway!"

Please provide the text you would like me to translate.

I am ready to translate your text from English to any other language you choose. I will strive to provide an accurate and natural-sounding translation that preserves the meaning and intent of the original text.

Please note: I am still under development, and my translations may not always be perfect. However, I am constantly learning and improving, and I will do my best to provide you with the best possible translation.

Arrival and Accommodation

Upon arrival, we were pleasantly surprised to be allowed early check-in by the friendly staff. After receiving our room key, we proceeded to our designated accommodation. The resort is divided into several zones, with our booking falling under Zone E. Accommodation options range from budget-friendly to more luxurious choices, catering to various preferences and budgets. We opted for the Bamboo Villa, which comfortably accommodates 3-4 guests. The villa features two king-size beds, a dressing table, fans, a porch swing for relaxation, and a semi-outdoor bathroom. While we didn't capture the bathroom in photos, it boasts a unique and inviting atmosphere, offering a spacious and open-air experience. The price for this villa is 1,800 baht per night, providing excellent value for the amenities and ambiance.

This place is personally very okay for us. We like the atmosphere because it is not crowded and quite private and peaceful. For those who want to escape the hustle and bustle, we recommend this place. The atmosphere is like a two-in-one, both forest and sea. Imagine this: walking into the accommodation is like walking into a forest, and when you exit the room towards the beach, you will gradually hear the sound of the waves and encounter this kind of atmosphere.

Ah, so refreshing! I completely forgot about all the work I did yesterday. It was really that much, huh? Haha.

...continue. Where were we? 555

After a relaxing break, it's time to hit the road and explore! Let's go!

The journey began with a spontaneous adventure, as we set off without a map, leaving it behind in our accommodation. We followed the road, believing it would lead us along the large bay, known for its expansive coastline and considered the longest beach on Koh Phayam (also called Long Beach). As we continued, the paved road ended, and a gravel path split into two directions. We paused, glancing right into a rubber plantation and left towards what appeared to be a resort with a small sign indicating "Ao Yai" (Big Bay). Without hesitation, we turned left and continued on. Upon arrival, we were greeted by a stunning atmosphere, as captured in the following images.

From the picture, it seems like the beginning of a large bay. We saw this while walking on the beach near our accommodation. Don't overthink it, just enjoy the scenery and take photos until you're satisfied. Then, we can continue. As I mentioned earlier, we came across a fork in the road. We took the right path, which was quite challenging for motorcycles. If you're not an experienced rider, you might fall. Please be careful when driving. The road has many steep inclines and descents, and it winds through a rubber plantation, which can be a bit slippery. The road was also wet from the recent rain, with ruts and puddles of muddy clay. There were also rocks and tree roots, making it a thrilling ride. In this picture, the author is walking after helping to pull the car out of a hole. We laughed so hard that it echoed through the forest. (I apologize that I didn't capture many pictures of the road.)

If I recall correctly, we drove up to Ao Kwang Pi, but the mission was ultimately aborted. We couldn't continue because we weren't confident enough on our motorbikes and were afraid of falling. We turned around and went back the way we came, intending to find a seafood restaurant. We waited a while, but the food was delicious and the atmosphere was great.

Let's go! After we were full, we continued our journey. We were told that when we arrived at Koh Phayam, we had to go to Hippy Bar. If we went from the pier to the Koh Phayam school intersection, we were told to drive straight. We followed the road and noticed a small sign with an arrow pointing to Hippy Bar on the left-hand side, so we turned. This area is part of Buffalo Bay. As soon as we parked the car, we were amazed again. I love this kind of atmosphere.

We spent a long time playing and taking photos on the beach, then we walked and sat at the Hippie Bar from afternoon until evening. I told you I really liked it, haha.

This is a daytime photo, can you imagine how beautiful it is? How beautiful it would be at night? But we don't risk going at night because the road is difficult to drive, with ups and downs and bumps. There are only girls, and as I said earlier, I'm not a strong driver. 555+

On the way back to the accommodation, we stopped to buy snacks and drinks. Upon arrival, we were all exhausted and fell asleep. The sun was quite strong, but we weren't afraid of getting tanned. We thought we would go out and play in the water when the sun went down, but we ended up falling asleep. When it got a little dark, we went out to sit and play at the resort's restaurant for a light dinner. The atmosphere was amazing. Imagine the sound of the waves, the gentle sea breeze, and the beautiful scenery.

After returning to my room around 8 pm, I prepared to rest after a long day. I got ready for my return trip the next day.

As the day of our departure drew near, a sense of melancholy washed over us. We had grown attached to the tranquil atmosphere and picturesque surroundings. The morning began with a leisurely pace, allowing everyone to pursue their own interests. Some chose to linger in bed, while others opted for a leisurely stroll or a photo session. The author of this post opted for a leisurely walk, capturing the beauty of the surroundings through their lens.

We checked out of our accommodation at noon (the owner kindly gave us a little extra time). Before leaving, we stopped by the temple on Koh Phayam to pay our respects. The sun was blazing hot, but it made the water look even clearer and more beautiful. Seeing the temple in the middle of the water against the backdrop of the turquoise sea was truly refreshing.

After a satisfying trip, it was time to head back. We were a little sad to leave (even after just two days on the island, we were already hooked! If we stayed for a month, we might as well set up roots here, haha). The ferry departed at 2 pm, so we stood around awkwardly at 1:30 pm waiting to board.

This is the mail boat that took us back to Ranong. The ticket seller said it would take about 2 hours, but in reality, we think it was delayed quite a bit.

On the way back, we continued to capture the scenery, encountering occasional rain showers in the middle of the sea. The resort seen in the picture is BlueSkyResort, which we could only admire from afar.

At approximately 4:20 PM, we arrived at the shore with Pafan. As soon as we arrived, we looked for a car to take us to Ranong Bus Terminal. We found a motorcycle taxi driver who was willing to take us for 80 baht per person. We tried to negotiate the price and he agreed to 50 baht per person. Since there were four of us, he went to get his car instead to take us to the bus terminal. I forgot to mention that we had booked our return tickets in advance with Chokonan Tour, the same company we used before. When we called to book, there were only first-class air-conditioned seats left. We were worried because they told us to pick up the tickets before 5 PM, but we managed to get there just in time. We were so relieved and happy that we didn't have to run around looking for tickets.

Got the tickets! 8pm show. Feeling relieved. Hungry now. Let's grab some food. ^^

This concludes our review of Koh Phayam. Until next time, goodbye!

Note: We only remember the main expenses, but not the minor expenses. We apologize for this.

#koh phayam#phayao#bamboo bungalow resort#ranong#resort#thailand
Comments