5 islands to visit in thailand

Koh Jum,

Sleepy Koh Jum is a place to do absolutely nothing; it is what you imagine a tropical island to be like. Spending time here makes you forget the meaningless things that we focus on and brings one back down to earth. Big smiles from the locals, long serene beaches and jungles with mischievous monkeys lay in wait.

 I experienced some of the best sunsets I’ve ever come across in this tranquil paradise. Come 6 pm, incredible colours immerse over the backdrop of the Andaman ocean with the silhouette of Phi Phi Island, the formations are simply hypnotising, cocktail and joint in hand, sit back and watch the movie in the sky unravel. Let go.  

Koh Jum is not built up, it’s a tiny island with a hidden inner beauty that isn’t obvious at first glance, it may not have the white sands of other islands, but it makes up for it with the friendliness of the local people, food and spell-binding sunsets. Gentle, welcoming and beautiful. The vibe is slow-paced, an island to revitalise the body and mind and cleanse oneself of the bustling world we live in.

Koh Kud,

Koh Kud is situated in the Trat province in the Gulf of Thailand, south of Koh Chang. It is the furthest southeast island in a cluster of islands. Koh Kud is undeveloped and is spectacular with its turquoise waters and stunning white sand beaches. The island hosts some breathtaking waterfalls in the midst of a tropical jungle. Be at one in nature amongst towering rubber trees, bamboo groves and the therapeutic sounds of cicadas and geckos.  

I spent four days in this paradise, deciding to splash out a bit more on accommodation and was not disappointed. The bay in front of our resort resembled something that one would only see on a postcard, picturesque, crystal-clear water and a meandering white shoreline with an emerald green backdrop — dreamy, magical and uncrowded. It has an assortment of places to stay depending on your budget; however, if you have the cash or feel like treating yourself, the island offers some world-class resorts that will give you an unforgettable Thai experience, a total paradise.  

Koh Phayam  

Probably my favourite island, tucked away off the coast of Ranong on Thailand’s Andaman seaside, the island gives one a true, authentic island experience, rugged, natural and unspoiled — super chilled vibes with fantastic food everywhere. Another gem that attracts a particular type of person, someone looking for something a bit different, it offers more than just the beaches with its island aura, embedding itself in the soul that will have you craving and dreaming for more once leaving the island. It’s a place to just chill, reset, and it’s very affordable, offering some budget-friendly resorts which blend in perfectly with the image that it’s desperately trying to hold on to. No concrete jungle here, just a tropical mekar to be free. 

Koh Phangan,

Fuck the full moon party, there are parts of this island that are gloriously enchanting, beaches with idyllic waters with fishing boats drifting nonchalantly and hypnotic lookout points giving mesmerizing panorama views of the Gulf of Thailand and jungle bays, the further you get away from Haadrin the more magical the island becomes.

I found it odd that the island hosts one of the biggest parties in the world but has somehow managed to hang on to its beauty. I had a stint working at a hotel on the island so really got to experience what the island has to offer. It has something for everybody, plus being a sanctuary to party if that’s your thing, but what I loved about Koh Phangan was the feeling that engrained itself in me, it’s like stepping into another world, a living and breathing thing that leaves a stamp on you, whether you want to party until dawn listening to thumping house music, techno or side trance, or whether you want to just chill in a hammock at one of the quieter corners of the island getting stoned, hibernating for a few days before remerging, ready to experience the next party or to take it easy in the charming old town which is littered with low wooden shop fronts and narrow streets — a place to experience everyday island life that goes beyond the full moon party.     

Koh Bulon Lae

A minute island in the Satun province neighbouring Koh Lipe, with its pristine coastline and natural beauty. It’s the perfect place to hibernate for a few days. You can walk around the island in no time whatsoever. I was taken aback by its quaintness, stunning white sands and just the most beautiful turquoise sea that I’d ever experienced.

A hidden gem that is remote, and what I imagine Thailand to be when I think of the country. Completely unspoiled with a handful of resorts and friendly locals. I have fond memories in 2013 of spending an afternoon with three local fishermen on the most spectacular day, it was the beginning of April. There was an appreciation of where we were in the moment in time, we were from complete other worlds but were enjoying the same thing, sunshine, sand and sea. I remember the conversation, which revolved around football, them asking me who I supported, there was a lot of smiling and nodding, but an underlying respect as we tried to communicate further through my broken Thai and their pigeon English; they made a fire and cooked a fish, inviting us to eat with them. Even though conversation was difficult, it didn’t matter, as what was more important was sharing the moment on the most beautiful day. The unexpected never ceases to amaze me. Magic!