LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION
Itinerary: Andaman Hideaways
THREE WEEKS/KO PHRA THONG TO KO TARUTAO
Ready to escape Thailand's mass-market beaches and have more of the sand to yourself? Start at the far north of the Andaman Sea side of the Thai-Malay Peninsula, where the dozens of islands off the coast of Ranong Province have yet to be invaded by chain resorts and group tours. The tail end of Myanmar's mysterious Mergui Archipelago, you'll find plenty of long, undisturbed beaches, natural island forest and traditional fishing villages.
Only a few of the islands in the north Andaman offer any visitor facilities. Ko Chang and Ko Phayam will delight those looking for the hippie-style bungalow life now missing from Ko Samui and Phuket.
Moving further south, alight at Khao Lak/Laem Ru National Park, where whale-sized boulders decorate a turquoise bay. Among Khao Lak's advantages are its easy proximity to the uninhabited islands of Similan Islands Marine National Park as well as nearby inland Khao Lak/Lam Ru National Park. Although the tsunami forced resorts directly on the beach to close, many resorts on higher ground are operating at full capacity.
Your beach odyssey continues at the next Andaman stop, Ko Yao Noi, a small island off the coast of Phuket with sleepy Muslim farming villages, white-sand beaches and good snorkelling.
Finish off with a visit to the Ko Tarutao archipelago, which encompasses both the striking karst islands protected by Ko Tarutao Marine National Park, as well as those such Ko Adang and Ko Rawi. On Ko Lipe, an island in the Tarutao archipelago (but not part of the national park), you can visit a Moken (sea gypsy) colony, enjoy excellent diving and plan overnight camping trips to neighbouring islets.
Plane or bus to Ranong, then sawngthaew to Saphan Pla for the boat onward to Ko Chang and Ko Phayam. Reach Ko Yao by boat from Phuket, and Ko Tarutao by boat from Pak Bara. There are daily boats between Ko Lipe and Ko Tarutao.
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