Islands in 'Deep' South Thailand worth visiting?

[alt]

Hi all,

I created another thread as we are returning to Thailand (for the 3rd time!) for a holiday. This time we want to chill out a bit more (but still hang around with similar minded people and have fun / explore a little). We are late 20's couple who are happily over the 'all night Koh Phangan' buzz, but still like to drink a little and socialise.

Initially, we were going to go from BKK and fly to Phnom Penh. From there, a few days seeing a little bit of Cambodia (we have been there before but rushed) before making our way to sihanoukville, then island hop a few islands there before making our way back up the Thai coast (prob not much to see, but we've yet to explore that... will be avoiding Pattaya).

However, people are saying that sihanoukville is not the beach paradise that can be compared to the South Thai islands (which is what we've experienced)

Now, we've been to some of the South islands (Phi Phi / Lanta) and liked it, but we'd like to see somewhere new. We only made it as far as Lanta last time and were disappointed that we couldn't get further south. Apart from Koh Lipe, what other islands are there to 'island hop' down there? We have about 2.5 weeks. If down South is totally chilled, we may do Phi Phi again for some partying and then make our way down South, and just fly back up to BKK to save time. We don't mind flying places as we're on a short hoilday.

Any help on what islands are worth the visit down South would be much appreciated as I am only now starting to research, hence me starting the thread

[uksomchai]

Check out Koh Payam and Koh Chang just south of Ranong. Beautiful islands to chill out on and well worth a trip off the well beaten path. Koh Chang being the smaller of the two with no roads and electricity by generator but ideal to re charge the batteries

[fireplay]

Lipe deep south...awesome place

[alt]

Check out Koh Payam and Koh Chang just south of Ranong. Beautiful islands to chill out on and well worth a trip off the well beaten path. Koh Chang being the smaller of the two with no roads and electricity by generator but ideal to re charge the batteries

I have today been reading up on these... if we end up sticking to the West of Thailand (ie. not go to Cambodia) then these islands are defo on the to do list

Lipe deep south...awesome place

Thanks for the positive feedback. I think it may be just what we're after alright. I'm thinking... if we did a few nights in Lipe to chill out, we could just do the more exciting islands (Phi Phi) to go into party mode. Heck, we could even fly to Samui and go back up to Phangan (but stay out of Haad Rin.. only go there for parties!)

[Anders W Ferslev]

koh lipe cast away resort, amasing place

[MockingJay]

Koh Kradan, Koh Tarutao, Koh Ngai, Koh Rock, Koh Bulon, etc. are some of the most beautiful and pristine islands in southern Thailand. I advise you to start from Pakmeng beach, Trang province. I had the privilege to see all those jewels some 24 years ago for the first time.

[shaurene]

Check out Koh Payam and Koh Chang just south of Ranong. Beautiful islands to chill out on and well worth a trip off the well beaten path. Koh Chang being the smaller of the two with no roads and electricity by generator but ideal to re charge the batteries

Hi. Koh Chang has plenty good roads and power, generators come on when a power failure. For sure. Been there few times, one of the best islands we been to.

[whaleboneman]

Check out Koh Payam and Koh Chang just south of Ranong. Beautiful islands to chill out on and well worth a trip off the well beaten path. Koh Chang being the smaller of the two with no roads and electricity by generator but ideal to re charge the batteries

Hi. Koh Chang has plenty good roads and power, generators come on when a power failure. For sure. Been there few times, one of the best islands we been to.

There are two Koh Changs. Uksomchai is referring to the one in Andaman Sea.

[KonaRain]

Koh Chang..

Elephant Island..

Alohz

[hI sPeed]

Check out Koh Payam and Koh Chang just south of Ranong. Beautiful islands to chill out on and well worth a trip off the well beaten path. Koh Chang being the smaller of the two with no roads and electricity by generator but ideal to re charge the batteries

Koh Phayam and especially Ao Kwai (Buffalo Bay) in the northern half is really great! Koh Chang Noi does not have as good a beach in my opinion.

Koh Chang Noi: You have to love basic island life. Very basic. Buy some candle lights and bring a torch. First time I went to Koh Chang Noi, the lights went off 9 PM as I was showering hair full of shampoo . The local village on the island is TINY, but it does have a small shop with basics.

Koh Phayam: This is a bit more comfy and developed. But it still has a great chill island feel. And some Germans, since Koh Phayam was "discovered" by a German travel journalist. There is also a slightly bigger selection of restaurants, beach bars, and local life.

[fish fingers]

Koh Kradan is still reasonably unspoiled

Lipe is nice until you walk inland .. is Pattaya beach still without a Pier?