Beach in Thailand

Koh Yao islands are located in the south of Phang-nga Bay, 42 kilometers away from the mainland of Phang-nga Province, Thailand. It is a district of Phang-nga Province with a total area of 141.067 square kilometer, consisting of 44 islands. Of these islands, the two most important ones are Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai, which is twice the size of Koh Yao Noi. Koh Yao Noi is the center of government with all government offices located there. Koh Yao has many tourist attractions that still maintain their natural beauty along with many beautiful beaches. The people of this island lead a simple life bond with the sea along with making a living from the sea. Apart from this, not far from the coast of Koh Yao are many exotic islands, which increase the beauty of Koh Yao.

Largely unaffected by booming development in nearby Phuket, Koh Yao retains its traditional Muslim culture almost unchanged. There are a few bungalow operations providing basic but very charming accommodations. Rental vehicles are not an option, although sometimes you can strike a deal with people at the bungalow to use their motorcycle. Beside, you can charter Tuk Tuk for sightseeing around the island. Traveling to Koh Yao Yai is like traveling back in time.

During the end of the Ayutthaya era, Koh Yao, Koh Lang and Laem Pak Pra were under Thalang , which shows that Koh Yao used to be under the government of Thalang or Phuket of now. In 1903 Koh Yao changed its status to a sub-district and later in 1988 was changed to a district. It is believed that the early population of Koh Yao sought refuge from war in Trang and Satun provinces. Those who came from Trang settled on Koh Yao Noi while those from Satun settled on Koh Yao Yai. Now (in 2002) Koh Yao has a population of 12,490, most of which are of Muslim faith. The main income of the population of Koh Yao are from rubber, coconut, and cashew nut plantations, fishery, and herding.

Koh Yao Noi is the location of Koh Yao District Administrative Office. Interesting tourist attractions on Koh Yao Noi are as follows:

● Tha Khao Beach is about five kilometers away from the Koh Yao District Administrative Office. This beach has many colorful rocks and pebbles. A short distance away from the beach is a small island called Koh Nok which can be reached on foot during low tide or by canoe during high tide.

● Pa Sai Beach is about seven kilometers away from the District Administrative Office. This long stretch of white, pristine beach is a place where you can swim and is shady with lots of trees. It also provides a spectacular view of the islands.

● Klong Jaak Beach from a viewpoint on this beach you can see almost the whole of Koh Yao.

● Ao Kian is under the control of the Phang-nga Bay National Park, located on the north of Koh Yao Noi. It has a lush forest with many large trees, along with a white beach and a perfect swimming place.

Apart from this, tourists may hire a boat from Koh Yao to Pa Koh , which is a group of more than 100 islands, such as Koh Lao Ka Lao, Koh Lao La Ding, and Koh Pak Bia. They can also go snorkeling at Koh Hong in Krabi.

is the largest island in Koh Yao District and has many interesting beaches, such as Ao Thi Kud, Ao Klong Son, Ao Sai, Lo Pa Raed beach, Ao Laan, Ao Hin Kong, and Laem Nok Og. Lo Jaak pier is an important pier from Koh Yao to Phuket. The water at the pier is clear and schools of fish swim near the bridge at the pier. Visitors can see the production of dried anchovies (pla ching chang) here. There are inexpensive bungalows on the island along with home-stay accommodation with the local people, who make a living by fishery or agriculture, to learn their lifestyle. Beautiful beaches on Koh Yao Yai are:

● Loh Jaak Beach and Loh Jaak pier is an important pier from Koh Yao Yai to Phuket. Merchandise worth over 100,000 baht pass through this pier daily. The beach here is white, and the water is clean and clear. Schools offish swimming near the bridge are a beautiful attraction. Visitors can also go fishing or search for shells or see the production process of making dried anchovies (pla ching chang). Long-tail boats can be hired to go to Koh Kai Nok or Koh Kai Nai. There are two trips leaving the pier to Phuket everyday at 8 pm and 2 pm daily.

● Lo Pa Raed Beach features a long stretch of a white sandy beach teeming with groves of coconut trees. To the north of the bay is a cape with a beautiful rock formation and the water around the cape is suitable for swimming.

● Klong Son Beach offers a beach of fine, white sand and shady pine trees. On the left end of the beach is a colourful rock formation with equally beautiful multi-coloured pebbles. Swimming and snorkelling to see beautiful coral is recommended.

● Ao Thi Kud located at Ko Yao Yai. This bay has a white sandy beach. To the north of the bay, there is a beautiful rocky cape with a beach lined with pine trees.

● Ao Lan the bay offers a beautiful beach, ideal for swimming. To the north, there is a cape which has a steep cliff and at the base of the cliff, the water is quite deep. Boat riding is the most convenient mode of transport to get there.

● Khai Islands: Consist of two islands:

has rocks and beautiful beaches with clear water. You can also dive around the island to see the coral and the various types of fish. A school of dolphins can be seen here almost every day. Koh Kai Nog can be reached by boat from Lo Jaak pier or from Phuket, which is 15 km away.

is a small island with beautiful beaches and shady trees. There are no constructions on the island to come between you and nature. Snorkelling here you will feel that you truly are in a marine national park. See different types of coral and underwater marine life up close. It takes about 25 minutes by long-tail boat to get to Koh Kai Nai from Loh Jaak pier.

The islands can be reached from Koh Sirey, Laem Hin Pier and Chalong Bay in Phuket by hiring a boat or contact tour operators.

is one of the many islands where swallows make their nests. Swallows nests from Koh Yao are considered to be of the highest quality. Normally visitors are only allowed to see the island from the boat, as going on to the island would be disturbing the swallows.

is an island nearby Koh Yao Noi, It has beautiful beaches suitable for camping. This is a very private island and can be reached by a small long-tail boat, which can accept about 5-10 passengers per trip. The price is about 300-500 baht per boat.

This island has the skeletons of sea gypsies in a cave. Sea gypsies normally pass by this island. Visitors can go diving around the island. The island is also another place where swallows make their nests and visitors are not allowed on it.

is available from Phuket, Phang-Nga and Krabi, but leaving from Phuket is the most convenient.

Bang Rong Pier in Tambon Pha Khiok, Thalang District, (from the Heroines Monument to the tenth kilometer) There are boats going to:
- Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The trip takes 1 hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Bang Rong Pier at 11.00, 12.30,14.30,17.00 hrs.
- Chong Laad and Khiong Hia Piers on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes 1 hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Bang Rong Pier at 12.30 hrs.

Laem Hin Pier in Tambon Koh Kaew, Muang District, Phuket. There are boats going to:
- Laem Yai Pier on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes 1 hour 20 minutes and costs 50 baht, leaving Laem Hin Pier at 2 p.m.

Tien Sin Pier on the way to Koh Sirey in Phuket Town, there are boats going to:
- Loh Jaak Pier on Koh Yao Yai, The trip takes an hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Tien Sin Pier at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Rassadana Port in Tambon Rassada, Phuket Town, there are boats going to:
- Loh Jaak Pier on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes an hour and costs 50 baht. On Sunday-Thursday the boats leave at 2 p.m. On Saturday the boats leave at 6 a.m.

Customs Pier in Tambon Koh Panyee to Sukkhaphiban Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The trip takes 1 hour 30 minutes and costs 100 baht, leaving the Customs Pier at 12.00 a.m. except Sunday.

Thalane Pier in Ao Luek District, there are boats going to:
- Baan Tha Khao Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The trip takes 1 hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Laem Sak Pier at noon.
- Chong Laad Pier on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes 1 hour and costs 50 baht, leaving at noon.

- From Koh Yao Noi to Bang Rong Pier, Phuket. The boat leaves Manoh and Sukkhaphiban pier at 7 and 7.30 a.m. There are 3-4 trips a day.
- From Koh Yao Noi to Thalane Pier, Krabi The boat leaves Thao Khao pier at 7.30 a.m.
- From Koh Yao Noi to Customs Pier, Phang-nga. The boat leaves at 7 a.m.

- From Koh Yao Yai to Bang Rong Pier, the boat leaves from Chong laad and Khiong Hia Pier at 7 a.m.
- From Koh Yao Yai to Laem Hin Pier, the boat leaves from Laem Yai Pier at 8 a.m.
- From Koh Yao Yai to Tien Sin Pier, the boat leaves Loh Jaak Pier at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- From Koh Yao Yai to Rassada Pier, the boat leaves Loh Jaak Pier at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday-Thursday and Saturday, and 2.30 p.m. on Friday.

- Timetable and rates may change. Apart from those that run according to the aforesaid times, boats must be chartered.
- From Koh Yao Yai to other small islands : Long-tail boat can be chartered From Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi to Chong Laad Pier on Koh Yao Yai, Ther are long-tail boats running all day long. The trip takes 15 minutes and costs 20 baht.

- Fish Scale Flowers: are made by the Housewives of Koh Yao Club by creating flowers, such as roses, geraniums, and bougainvillea from fish scales.
- Dried Anchovies (Pla Ching Chang): are made from small anchovies that have been boiled and then sun-dried. These dried anchovies are rather salty but very nutritious and can be used in many local dishes such as dips, soups, or curries, or simply deep-fried and eaten as a snack.