Koh Phayam, Ranong, Thailand
28th December 2026
Every sunset is a show, food and locals incredible, stunning nature, no 7/11, no cars, high rises or mass tourism and the perfect place to relax.
Skip the Christmas family feuds and farts, come join me! Or bring them! My Mum came for two weeks this year and I’ve yet to see her so relaxed.
UK >>> Koh Phayam
London to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
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Bangkok Don Mueang Airport to Ranong (Two flights a day or nightbus)
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Ranong Pier to Koh Phayam (speed boat 45 mins or long boat, 2 hours)
Flights Google flights
Local travel Pon's Place
Accommodation
It's a small island, north to south within 15 minutes on a scooter and there’s accommodation all over, cheaper inland. Worth booking in advance.
I stay North West of Buffalo Bay at Baan Suan Kayoo 2, in a simple Thai bungalow, run by a wonderful Burmese family. Close to a giant driftwood boat/treehouse and my favourite place to DJ, Hippy Bar.
East coast (pier side)
Blue Sky Resort
Nitiporn
Phayamas (Adults Only)
Long Beach (Aow Yai) in the south.
CEDE Boutique Beach Resort
Bamboo Bungalows
Smile Hut
Search Koh Phayam on Google maps, search hotels and it'll give you an idea of other places available. Some are on Booking.com and Agoda but many places are advertised privately on the Koh Phayam Facebook group.
Getting around
No Uber here dear, everyone gets around on bikes or knackered rickshaws. It's worth hiring a scooter (no need for a licence). They've recently finished new roads so it's easy to drive, though some "roads" are lumpy paths that require a slower approach.
Basic automatic scooter £6 a day.
Rickshaws £4/5 per journey, per person.
Push bikes, around £3 a day.
Sawatdee Scooter Hire
(WhatsApp 0066 83 187 7887)
Book in advance. Mr Teherapong can also help with transfers from Ranong airport and speedboat.
Worth downloading Wise app to pay in advance, their version of Paypal.
Dresscode
Besides the Phangan hippies in dreadlocks and bells, it's very casual. Vests, shirts, shorts, the occasional flowy frock (take care on scooters) and flip flops.
Leave the cha cha heels at home.
Shopping
Bring sunscreen, toiletries, pharmaceuticals and clothes from home or Bangkok. There's a couple of small supermarkets (close around 9pm) and what's available is limited. There’s an ATM and many places accept Wise, but cash is king.
Food
Thai and Burmese food is incredible, all over the island. The best places aren't the most glamorous and restaurants can take time after sunset (around 7) but everything is freshly cooked to order.
Thai
Koh Co Ice Cream (Mango sticky rice)
Nong Taew (Run by stern diva sisters, overlooking the pier).
Rabbit Bungalows (Cute little lake)
Cha Chi Home (Good for breakfast and vegetarian)
Non Thai
Sathanee (owned by a culinary diva Tasia and her hippy husband. Love them).
Chicken Republic (owned by Queen of the Bong, Lucky. Incredible chicken and chips).
Activities
Snorkeling and diving
Trips to Surin Islands are very popular with divers via Phayam Scuba.
Three island snorkeling in Myanmar is incredible through Pon’s Place.
It's possible to snorkel off shore, south end of Aow Yai, Monkey Beach and north Buffalo Bay. Swam with a turtle there last year!
Thai cooking lessons at vegetarian Supranee
Big gym in Aow Yai with a camp name
Yoga, pilates, meditation, gong baths and the usual spiritual shenanigans
Thai massages all over the island for around £7 an hour.
The tides go crazy around full and black moon but the water in north Buffalo Bay is always swimmable. Fit hotties go running and surfing on Aow Yai (flat sand) and there's kayaking in the mangroves with the Moken. There's bioluminescent plankton around the island. Best seen during black moon in south Buffalo Bay.
Sights
Best to get your culture fix in Bangkok but couple of places worth seeing are
Wat Koh Phayam , Hin Talu,
Monkey Beach, Moken Village
Parties
Phayam isn't a rave island but there's something going on every night.
Siam Bar - Thursday (House and techno, depends who's playing).
Muskia - Saturday (if you're into psytrance, ecstatic dance and fire poi).
Hippy Bar - Full and Black Moon parties and Sunday singshot competition.
Tropical Hostel and Turtle Bar parties are fun and there's the odd live gig by Thai reggae band, Job2Do.
There's regular live jam sessions for retired Germans who like to sing the same songs. Every year, again and again (much like the back end of my drag career).
Vibe is generally beer, cocktails and weed (See Ohm at Tropicool for best quality on the island).
Please feel free to invite like minded fruitcakes who might enjoy some sun over Christmas.
I'll be there from mid December.
Hope to see you in Thailand on the 28th December.
x
