This is the second chapter of our media trip through Phang Nga province. In our first day, we explored the coast and jungle west of Phang Nga — waterfalls, a teakwood temple by the sea, and empty Andaman beaches. Today, we drove further east, into the heart of the province: Phang Nga town itself.

15-metre-long reclining golden Buddha at Wat Tham

Baan Ati Resort & Spa, our base in the Natai area, made the perfect launchpad again. The wooden stilt villas, the canal, the mountain air — after a good night’s sleep surrounded by all of that, heading deeper into Phang Nga felt less like an obligation and more like a continuation of something that had already begun to feel very right.

The Golden Buddha in the Rock: Wat Suwan Kuha

Our first stop was not in the town itself but on the road leading to it — and it proved an unmissable beginning. Wat Suwan Kuha, known locally as Wat Tham or the Monkey Temple, is a Buddhist temple built directly inside a vast limestone cave about ten kilometres before Phang Nga town. The largest chamber, Tham Yai, houses the temple’s most celebrated attraction: an impressive 15-metre-long reclining golden Buddha, surrounded by smaller sitting and standing Buddha statues that fill the cave with a calm, devotional atmosphere.

The large chedi which contains the bones of the Na Takuathung family

The setting is unlike any conventional temple you will encounter in southern Thailand. The cave ceiling soars overhead, stalactites hang in silence, and the light that filters through the entrance gives everything inside a particular, otherworldly quality. There are a number of other Buddha images throughout, as well as a large chedi which contains the bones of the Na Takuathung family — the local governors of some 160 years ago, who arranged for the construction of the original shrine inside the cave. History and faith are literally embedded in the rock here.

Outside, the resident troupe of monkeys adds a note of cheerful chaos to an otherwise deeply peaceful place. At the cave entrance, a stupa structure echoes the famous Wat Arun in Bangkok, and stairs beside the reclining Buddha lead up to a smaller cave with another golden stupa. Allow yourself more time than you think you need. Wat Suwan Kuha has a way of holding you.

Inside the Elephant: Tham Phung Chang

Phang Nga town temples caves travel guide

From almost any point in Phang Nga town, you can see it — a great limestone mountain crouching on the horizon, shaped unmistakably like an elephant at rest. The locals have always known it as Khao Chang, Elephant Mountain, and it is no coincidence that the elephant appears on the provincial seal.

The mountain is home to one of Phang Nga’s most significant temple compounds: Wat Prapaht Pracimakhet, known to everyone simply as Wat Tham Phung Chang. Before you think about the cave, the temple grounds themselves deserve time and attention. Shaded by ancient trees, the compound carries the quiet authority of a place that has long been central to the spiritual life of this town. At the cave entrance stands the Sala Pho Ta Khao Chang — a sacred spirit shrine dedicated to the guardian of Elephant Mountain — and guides traditionally lead visitors to pay their respects here before entering.

canoe through the deeper flooded sections of the cave

The cave itself — Tham Phung Chang, meaning “Elephant Belly Cave,” listed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand among the Unseen Thailand destinations — opens from the back of the temple compound. It runs for approximately 1,200 metres through the heart of the mountain, with two entrances, one on the west side and one on the east. The tour combines three modes of exploration: canoe through the deeper flooded sections, bamboo raft where the ceiling drops lower, and finally on foot through shallower water. Headlamps are provided.

Sala Pho Ta Khao Chang — a sacred spirit shrine dedicated to the guardian of Elephant Mountain

Inside, formations emerge that the guides bring to life: a stone shape resembling a crocodile, a sacred pool whose still water mirrors the shape of an elephant’s head, figures that suggest dinosaurs and giant turtles. When torchlight catches the tips of the stalactites, the calcite crystals catch the beam and sparkle like scattered diamonds. Bats cling to the ceiling in large numbers throughout, including bumblebee bats — the world’s smallest.

Photography is not permitted inside, which forces you to simply be present. That, as it turns out, is the right way to experience it. The whole tour takes about an hour and a half, and it is time exceptionally well spent. Open daily from 08.30 – 16.00 hrs. Entrance fee : 500 baht/person and a tour of the cave takes around 1.5 hours

Lunch with History: Khun Thip’s Satay

Khun Thip’s Satay — a name that carries real weight in Phang Nga

After emerging from the mountain, appetite was not negotiable. We headed into the centre of town to Khun Thip’s Satay — a name that carries real weight in Phang Nga. This roadside institution has been serving satay, and only satay, since 1975. The marinade takes two full days to prepare, and the result — charcoal-grilled chicken, pork, pork intestine or shrimp — has become Phang Nga’s most iconic food. The Michelin Guide has noticed, listing it among the province’s recommended restaurants, though the locals needed no outside validation.

The setting is very basic, but nobody visits for the decor. The pork satay combined with its peanut sauce makes for a perfect, deeply satisfying meal — and the toasted bread for dipping in the sauce is a detail you will think about long after leaving. We ordered the shrimp, which arrived glistening from the grill, and the pork, impossibly tender with a faint coconut sweetness beneath the smoke. Go early if you can — stocks are limited, and the queue is a measure of how good this place is.

Open: From 11:00 to 15:00 hours, closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Location: Google Maps

Where Buddhism Gets Uncomfortable: Wat Tham Ta Pan

The scenes are a visual sermon on karma

No visit to Phang Nga town is complete without a stop at Wat Tham Ta Pan — and nothing in Thailand had quite prepared us for it. Located about 100 kilometres northeast of Phuket, this is a heaven and hell temple, though “heaven and hell” hardly does justice to what awaits inside.

At the entrance, a fountain features five monk sculptures, each holding a bowl that represents wealth, beauty, happiness, cleverness, and health.  It feels serene enough. Then you step into the mouth of an enormous dragon. You wind through the belly of the beast, down a dark, damp tunnel lit only by wisps of light filtering through a few windows — and when you emerge at the other end, you are in hell.

Satan, the chief of the hell garden

The Hell Garden is filled with life-sized statues vividly depicting the torments of Buddhist Naraka — sinners being boiled in cauldrons, having their tongues pulled out, suffering fates tied directly to their earthly misdeeds.  Some figures are being speared or strangled, others forced to climb spiked trees, many finished with vivid red paint to highlight their fresh wounds. It is confronting, extraordinary, and — when you understand its purpose — strangely moving. The scenes are not designed for shock alone; they are a visual sermon on karma, intended to make the consequences of negative actions visceral and impossible to ignore.

Beyond the dragon and the hell garden, the temple opens into something altogether different: a cave reached by a dark track with bridges crossing an underground stream, leading to a meditation space with small Buddha statues — peaceful and entirely removed from the mayhem outside. There is also a steep staircase leading to a rooftop viewpoint over Phang Nga town and its surrounding limestone peaks. Take it slowly going up. The view at the top is worth every step.

Entry is free. Donations are welcome. Not recommended for young children.

Our Base: Baan Ati Resort & Spa

The Asian Itinerary team’s stay was kindly hosted by Baan Ati Resort & Spa. The resort is nestled along a serene canal in the Natai area of Phang Nga, and offers charming wooden stilt villa-style accommodations surrounded by tropical gardens and mountain views. Each villa features private living space, a shaded veranda, and access to the resort’s pool, spa, and restaurant.

Visit their website here. · Visit their Facebook page here.

The post Deeper into Phang Nga: Caves, Temples and Satay appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

A hidden retreat where Thailand feels like home.

Just north of Phuket, where the crowds thin and the landscape opens into canals, jungle, and mountain air, Baan Ati Resort & Spa sits quietly in the Natai area of Phang Nga — waiting to be discovered by those who know to look.

It was precisely this promise that brought the Asian Itinerary team here: on a drive to uncover the quieter, less-travelled side of southern Thailand, just a short distance from the bustle of Phuket, we wanted to find out whether Phang Nga could offer something genuinely different. Baan Ati answered that question immediately.

The resort was born from a deeply personal vision: a Thai woman with over two decades of international hotel management behind her, and a lifelong passion for art and design, set out to create not just a place to stay, but a place to belong. That intention is felt the moment you arrive. The wooden stilt houses, the shaded verandas, the canal that runs alongside the property, the mountains visible through the canopy — none of it feels accidental. Everything has been considered, and everything has been chosen with care.

The Villas

Baan Ati offers several villa styles, ranging from cosy single-story houses to a generous two-story family retreat. Each one is built in a contemporary take on traditional Thai architecture, with spacious front porches, natural materials, and enough privacy to make you forget the world outside. The larger villas come with both front and rear verandas, blurring the boundary between indoors and the lush surroundings in the most pleasant way possible.

Facilities

Baan Ati swimming pool area

The facilities are thoughtfully scaled to match the resort’s intimate character. There is a swimming pool with Jacuzzi for long, unhurried afternoons, a spa with steam and sauna where tired muscles are quickly forgotten, a fitness centre for those who can’t entirely switch off, and a restaurant and coffee shop serving Thai and international dishes in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. A poolside pavilion rounds things off — ideal for small gatherings or simply watching the light change over the water.

Experiences

Baan Ati spa

What sets Baan Ati apart is how much it encourages guests to slow down and engage. They offer cycling along canal-side paths, kayaking on the waterway, batik fabric painting, Thai cooking classes, and guided visits to the local morning market.

For those who want to venture further, the surrounding province delivers generously: ethical elephant encounters, waterfall hikes, temples, Andaman Sea snorkelling, Phang Nga Bay cruises, and the unforgettable panoramic view from Samet Nangshe Hill are all within reach.

The Feeling

Baan Ati is the kind of place that doesn’t try to impress you with scale or spectacle. It impresses you instead with quietness, with detail, and with the rare sense that someone genuinely cared about the experience you would have here. For travellers looking to experience Phang Nga beyond the postcard version of southern Thailand — and for anyone wondering what lies just beyond Phuket’s crowded shores — it makes for an exceptional base, and a stay that is difficult to leave.

Khok Kloi, Takua Thung District, Phang Nga · baanati.com · Book: +66 76 410919

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Forget the crowded beaches. Just north of Phuket, the province of Phang Nga unfolds in a tapestry of emerald jungles, limestone giants, and quiet canals. Here, on a media trip for AsianItinerary.com, we discovered a day where adventure meets tranquility.

Our Basecamp: Baan Ati Resort & Spa

Baan Ati wooden villas

Our home for this exploration was Baan Ati Resort & Spa, tucked away in the Natai area. The resort feels like a secret discovered.

The vision behind it is unique: conceived by a Thai woman with over two decades of international hotel management and a deep-rooted passion for art and design. You feel her touch immediately. It’s a collection of charming wooden stilt houses nestled along a serene canal, with breathtaking mountain vistas visible through the lush canopy. The air smelled of damp earth and blooming flowers. This wasn’t just a place to sleep; it was an immersion. After settling in, we set off, following the sound of rushing water.

Wat Khao waterfall Kok Kloi

The First Plunge: Wat Khao Kok Kloi & Its Secret Waterfall

Our first stop was Wat Khao Kok Kloi, a temple complex clinging to a forested hill. Hidden in its backyard is the Khao Kok Kloi Waterfall – a series of gentle, multi-tiered cascades. The water was cool and clear, pooling in natural basins perfect for a refreshing dip. Locals picnicked on mats, their laughter echoing off the limestone.

Scaling the Heights: Phu Pha Sawan Waterfall

Phu Pha Sawan waterfall

A short drive deeper into the jungle brought us to Phu Pha Sawan Waterfall. The name translates to “heavenly mountain,” and you understand why as you climb the path. The vegetation is impossibly green – ferns the size of dinner tables, vines thick as pythons. Then you see it: a magnificent curtain of water tumbling into a wide, emerald pool. We scrambled over boulders to sit directly under the cascade, the force of the water a natural massage after the humid hike.

Lunch Among the Trees: Baan Chan Café & Restaurant

Baan Chan Café & Restaurant

Just minutes from our base, tucked down a quiet lane, we found Baan Chan Café & Restaurant. Turning into the driveway feels like entering a secret garden – a charming open-air space topped with thatched roofing, surrounded by fruit orchards and towering trees. The food was delicious, but what we loved most was the atmosphere. We had a great chat with Khun Ai, the young and beautiful owner, whose passion shines through every detail. Sitting under the trees, warm light filtering through the leaves, with no rush to be anywhere else – Baan Chan is the kind of local spot travelers dream of finding. This is their FACEBOOK.

The Coastal Road: Where Marshes Meet the Sea

Refreshed, we pointed the car north. The road began to hug the coast, weaving through a landscape suspended between land and sea. On either side, marshes and lagoons stretched toward the horizon. We drove slowly, windows down, letting the salty breeze fill the car. Somewhere along that winding ribbon of asphalt, we realized we weren’t just driving to a destination. We were already there.

Wat Thettharamnawa: A Temple Born from Tranquility

Wat Thettharamnawa, the temple by the beach

Nestled on the shores of Tha Sai Beach, Wat Thettharamnawa rose from the coastal pine forest like a vision. The land once served as a forest cemetery where villagers brought their deceased by boat. Death lingered here. But in 1990, monks began coming to meditate, transforming a place of endings into a sanctuary of beginnings.

The heart of the temple is its ubosot (ordination hall) – and I have never seen anything quite like it. Unlike the gold-laden temples of Thailand’s tourist trail, this one is crafted almost entirely from golden teakwood. The wood carvings that adorn every window panel are sermons carved in wood: delicate lotus petals, mythical creatures, scenes of enlightenment so finely rendered that you marvel at the hands that held chisels decades ago.

The white Buddha at Wat Thettharamnawa

The temple is not ancient – it was consecrated in 2010 – but it feels timeless. Perhaps because of the silence, broken only by the distant murmur of waves and the rustle of pine needles.

Meditation by the Sea

We didn’t plan to stay two hours. But Wat Thettharamnawa has a way of holding onto you. I sat on the cool wooden floor of the hall, cross-legged, and closed my eyes. Later, I found a spot on the beach, watching the light shift across the Andaman Sea. A monk walked past, offering a gentle nod. No words were needed.

A Dip in the Andaman

Phang Nga off the beaten path

As our meditation faded, one look at the ocean was all it took. The beach unfolds for miles in either direction – a seemingly endless ribbon of soft, pale shoreline. No crowds, no vendors. Just us, the waves, and the whispering casuarina pines.

We waded in. The water was warm, soothing, a gentle embrace. We floated on our backs, staring up at the sky, letting the saltwater wash away the last traces of tension. Afterwards, we sat on the sand, letting the sun dry our skin. No words were needed. Just that knowing smile of travelers who have stumbled upon something perfect.

Sand between our toes and salt in our hair, we knew: this was the perfect end to a perfect day in Phang Nga.

____________________________________________________________

Baan Ati Resort & SPA

The Asian Itinerary team’s stay was kindly hosted by Baan Ati Resort & Spa. The resort is nestled along a serene canal in the Natai area of Phang Nga, and offers charming wooden stilt villa-style accommodations surrounded by tropical gardens and mountain views. Each villa features private living space, a shaded veranda, and access to the resort’s pool.

Visit their WEB PAGE HERE.

Visit their FACEBOOK page HERE.

The post Beyond Phuket: A day in Phang Nga appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

The Andaman Southern Region proposed the establishment of the Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor (AWC) to keep pace with the global trend in wellness, in order to increase the competitiveness of health tourism in 6 Andaman provinces, consisting of Phuket, Krabi. Phang Nga, Ranong, Trang and Satun in a similar manner to the EEC project of Eastern Thailand.

Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor (AWC) provinces

The Medical Hub Board approved the announcement of Thailand as a Thailand Wellness Economic Corridor (TWC) for the Medical and Wellness Tourism sector in 12 target businesses. This is to recover the economy from the COVID-19 pandemic and generate income from medical tourism sector that has a high growth potential. The principle was approved in three key areas. One of which is the AWC Development Strategic Plan that promotes health services with a special mechanism by using innovation in the southern Andaman provinces as follows:

Phuket is a treatment center for complex diseases, gender affirmation surgeries, spas in public and private hospitals, international conventions and exhibitions center and world-class wellness center. This includes preparation for Specialized Events. Expo-Phuket 2028 under the concept of “Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity” in which the Royal Thai Embassy in Paris has already represented the Thai government in submitting a bid to host this event.

Phang Nga is the marine tourist service hub in collaboration with Sky Doctor, Claim Center for collecting medical expenses from foreigners to reduce bad debts and develops a Climate Therapy treatment system for long-stay tourists including a dental center.

Krabi promotes the development of Klong Thom Spa to a global level.

Trang is the food city hub and wellness destination hub in the Andaman area.

Satun will be developed as a long-term residence city.

Ranong has hot springs and spas for healing purposes.

The Andaman Wellness Economic Corridor (AWC) will help to recover the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic and to create opportunities and enhance the capacity of the health business to support the high growth in health tourism services.

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What is the magic of travel? For many of us, it’s the opportunity to reconnect with our loved ones in unfamiliar surroundings, calmed by nature, enriched by new perspectives, and soothed into a slower pace by the sun and sea. ÀNI Private Resorts, the world’s first collection of private resorts, is proud to celebrate the art of ‘togetherness’ in stunning locations to foster meaningful connections. The brand champions the art of ‘togetherness’, in breathtaking settings, to create connections that last a lifetime.

TOGETHERNESS

ANI Thailand – Resort – Living Sala with staff

In the words of Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” At ÀNI Private Resorts, we agree; our resorts seek to create an unforgettable feeling of freedom, belonging and bliss.

At ÀNI Private Resorts, we personalize every little detail, treating guests like family, exceeding expectations and creating moments of surprise and delight. This could mean setting up a candlelit banquet under the stars to mark a special birthday, creating your dream wedding ceremony on the sun-kissed sand, enjoying open-air movie screenings by the shimmering waves, surprising you with alfresco feasts at secret locations across our resort, or taking guests on immersive cultural tours to meet with artisans, artists and other inspiring locals. Whatever your version of paradise looks like, we will create it.

Tim Reynolds, Founder of ÀNI Private Resorts and ÀNI Art Academies says it best. “Togetherness is what ÀNI is about, and it’s a huge inspiration for all of us. We work to encourage togetherness, family and friendship — and that includes all of our staff.”

GOLDEN MOMENTS

ANI Sri Lanka – Guest Privileges – Afternoon Tea

Close your eyes and remember a favorite vacation, perhaps some sensory snapshots will come to mind. Precious moments, captured in time, such as the discovery of a new cuisine and the sound of seafood sizzling on the grill, the laughter of a child as the waves hit their skin, or the surprise sunrise that greeted you as you awoke early one morning.  It could also be the heady scent of tropical flowers blooming by the ocean and the languid beauty of balmy summer nights, soundtracked by cicadas, the susurration of the sea, and relaxed conversation. Days at ÀNI Private Resorts abound with moments like this.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

ANI Thailand – Dining – Pre-Dinner Drinks

Perhaps travelers travel to experience the unexpected: swimming with wild dolphins in Sri Lanka, watching the sunrise from an idyllic island in Thailand, admiring the awe-inspiring passage of whales in the Dominican Republic, or snorkeling with jewel-colored marine life in Anguilla.

These are the kind of unscripted, priceless encounters that ÀNI Private Resorts creates. Each of ÀNI’s four all-inclusive luxury resorts across the globe showcases a different, beachfront destination, but they all reconnect people with nature and each other, forging memories that will last a lifetime. ÀNI firmly believe that we’re better, happier and healthier together, and we are inspired to create a sense of community and wellness for our guests. Furthermore, each of our private resorts occupies a remote, astonishingly beautiful location, offering the ultimate in privacy, seclusion and natural wonder.

YOUR OWN PRIVATE ESTATE

ANI Sri Lanka – Resort – Overview

As the world’s first private resort collection, our approach is unique. Each of the all-inclusive luxury resorts are designed exclusively for a single group, from multi-generational family holidays to adult-only group vacations, accommodating up to 20 or 30 guests across 10 to 15 suites. Instead of merely getting a hotel room, when you book with ÀNI, you are given your own exclusive estate, with expansive living, dining and entertainment areas positioned around the sparkling private swimming pools.

A full complement of staff (between 20 and 30 per resort) tailors every detail – from dining and spa treatments to kids’ activities and exploration of the region. Cuisine is a highlight: before guests arrive, our expert chefs will be in touch to find out their favorite dishes and ingredients, so that they can personalize every menu throughout the stay. The ÀNI all-inclusive rates (full-board in Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Dominican Republic; half-board in Anguilla, so you can enjoy the local restaurants) showcase each destination’s finest flavors.

The post ÀNI – THE POWER OF TOGETHERNESS appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites, the pioneering beachfront retreat in southern Thailand, have unveiled 21 signature experiences for 2023 that will enable every guest to explore the authentic heart and soul of their destination and elevate their vacation. Designed for a new generation of experience-seeking globetrotters, including curious couples, fun-seeking families and friends with a passion for discovery, these engaging activities will ignite every visitor’s appetite for adventure.

Whether you want to experience the Warm, Intentional, Uplifting or Natural, simply pick from any of these enlivening activities, each of which has been carefully crafted by the resort’s team of experts.

Created with RNI Films app. Preset ‘Kodak Portra 160’ Processed with VSCO with al5 preset

Let us help you take care of the most important people in your life. We can arrange a beachside Family Picnic, complete with a tipi, picnic basket, blanket and so much more, or gather your loved ones for a Family BBQ, crafted by a private chef in the JW Garden and filled with fresh ingredients, local seafood and prime meats. For romantic couples, our culinary team can serve a Romantic Dinner at a candlelit table for two in any location you desire. If you care about nature, head down to the JW Garden, where you can learn about our three signature ingredients: rosella, Thai basil and lemongrass, which can be seen all around our resort.

Discover the rich culture of Khao Lak with a Beachfront Sunday Market – an invigorating and immersive encounter that will stimulate the senses with exotic sights, sounds and smells. For a more soothing activity, our Coconut Workshops will teach you how to make traditional southern Thai coconut oils and soaps by hand, while our spa packages are full of organic scrubs and therapies. Alternatively, simply grab ice-cold coconuts from our Coconut Boat as you relax in the lagoon pool or on the terrace with your loved ones. Finally, Movie Night is Khao Lak’s first open air beachfront cinematic experience – a wonderful way to unwind.

Marriott International Hotel

What could be better than learning a new skill on your vacation? Our experts are ready to show you their skills and teach you the tricks you need to be a master crafter. Led by our resident mixologists, our Mixology Master Class will reveal how to blend the perfect cocktail using fresh produce from the JW Garden, while the Culinary Master Classes let you recreate some of the resort’s most amazing dishes, include handmade pasta with Chef Enzo, Indian spices with Chef Mohan or Thai cookery with Chef Sa. Wellness seekers can also join our organic Bath Bomb Workshop, using ingredients from the JW Garden.

For children, family vacations are when many of life’s most magical memories are made. Treat your kids to an array of inspiring experiences and activities, including the chance to watch a Magician perform tricks before their eyes, or take part in Kids’ Daily Rituals at Sala, the casual poolside restaurant, such as sea boxing, games, cookie decorating, mocktail making and more. Unleash your children’s creativity with Wall Painting sessions, as they swap paper and pens for a vast canvas, or uncover arts & crafts, aquatic adventures and discovery walks with our daily Kids’ Club Activities. Then, at the end of the day, gather round a fire pit on the beach for Marshmallow Toasting.

If you’re passionate about sustainability, our innovative Art of Trash workshops combine creativity with sustainability as we take debris and driftwood from the shore and turn it into stunning sculptures. From Q2 2023, we’ll also be delighted to invite you to our Shark Nursery, a dedicated marine sanctuary that connects all ages with the Andaman Sea’s threatened bamboo sharks. Join our fully trained team of conservationists and find out how they nurture the sharks, from the incubation of eggs to the time of release.

Find physical fulfilment on your vacation with our active experiences. Join our Muay Thai instructor and learn the art of Thai boxing, a colourful martial art that is steeped in tradition. Alternatively, a Bike Tour can reveal the many wonders of Khao Lak, including local villages, Chong Fah Waterfall, Bang Niang Market and even the chance to present alms to Buddhist monks at the nearby temple. Mindfulness can also be achieved with a Floating Yoga class, as you stretch your body and achieve physical and spiritual equilibrium on our purpose-built floating yoga platforms.

“Today’s travellers do not only want to see a new destination – they want to live it, breathe it and feel it. That’s why we’ve curated a comprehensive collection of experiences that encompass every aspect of our resort and every type of guest. Following the completion of our transformative renovation, we are proud to unveil a new way of travelling that will connect our clientele with the spirit of southern Thailand,” said Abhimanyu Singh, General Manager, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites.

Following its recent transformation, JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa and JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites have become the ultimate destination for experience-seeking travellers. With an intuitive collection of rooms, suites and villas to suit every style of vacation, from couples’ breaks to family escapes with young kids and teens, plus world-class restaurants, a stunning spa, fitness centre, kids’ club, and a 2.4 km-long lagoon pool – the longest in Southeast Asia – including an Aqua Play Zone, all nestled among landscaped tropical gardens just moments from the shore, this is an unparalleled beachfront retreat.

To learn more about JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, please visit www.jwmarriottkhaolak.com.

For JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites, please visit www.jwmarriottkhaolaksuites.com.

The post JW MARRIOTT KHAO LAK UNVEILS INSPIRATIONAL EXPERIENCES appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Koh Yao is one of the very first places I visited in Thailand. This is common practice today, as Koh Yao islands are currently a fairly common destination in the world of international tourism with an interest in Thailand. They can even offer its visitors hotels of a certain level on both Koh Yao Yai (the Big island) and Koh Yao Noi (the Smaller island).

But if we analyse my visit to Koh Yao Noi in 1993 (I have been living in Thailand for almost thirty years…), then certain perspectives change. The visit of a foreigner who went to the island with the need to get a tetanus vaccine due to a monkey bite could then appear as a fact out of reality.

Actually, a monkey bite was a completely natural occurrence, as I was volunteering at a gibbon rehabilitation center and was seconded to a deserted island in Phang Nga Bay called Koh Boi, which is much closer to Koh Yao Noi than it is to Phuket. The strange fact was that on this then completely unknown island, inhabited only by fishermen, rice farmers and water buffalo herders all strictly Muslim, there was a public clinic where I could get vaccinated.

In my opinion, Thailand is generally quite ahead in certain things, and back then every district had a clinic (albeit simple). I cannot even complain about its efficiency, since in the end I did not get tetanus. 

There was even more to Koh Yao than a clinic, buffaloes and rice fields. There were shops where we, like some Di Caprios ahead of their time, would make our ‘rice rush’ to buy food and comfort items. In short, after a few days’ stay on that lonely island where we were 2 or 3 volunteers feeding some free monkeys, going to Koh Yao was for us like when you leave the village to go to a fair in the town.

Personal memories aside, that vintage Koh Yao still evokes in me bucolic images that have been part of a natural and social heritage that has conditioned my choice to stay in this country. I am hence reminded of the bright green of the rice fields, with women wearing traditional cone-shaped hats, bending to collect the precious grains. I also remember would-be restaurants where I ate the most suitable foot to my taste-buds at that time: an egg with a strange colour coming from god knows what kind of bird, which in the end was not bad at all. 

I am reminded of the island’s shirtless inhabitants, with sunburned skin and wearing only a sarong, lazily leading cows or buffaloes to pasture. And finally, the inevitable kids in school uniforms or in kids’ clothes, depending on the time of day, who filled their days with games from bygone times. There were so many kites up in the sky in that version of Koh Yao.

Today the two Koh Yao islands continue to be one of my favorite periodic destinations, even if there fewer kites flying.

Reachable in less than an hour by traditional boat from Krabi, the place where I live, and despite the relentless signs of modernity on them, the two islands still exert on me that charm typical of my first time. After all, the rice fields with the women at work and the buffaloes with their herdsmen are still there, the former always with their cone hats, the latter always shirtless, with tanned skin and sarongs.

Of course, the surrounding environment has changed a bit. Tourism, albeit with naturalistic pretensions, has begun to spread over the two islands and, as mentioned earlier, 5-star hotels have also sprung up, and they promise to experience nature in comfort. This is the case, for example, at the TreeHouse Villas. With their rooms located above the trees, they allow you to spend a holiday as Tarzan and Jane, but with a sea view, private dining room and other comforts. Nature, tropical vegetation and those pockets of local life that make the two islands a corner of a ‘return to the past’ eventually become the main attraction.

Diving into a peaceful corner aboard a modern scooter represents the best way to get around each of the two islands: you will be able to admire truly enchanting views of rural southern Thailand and, although it might be difficult to find those local restaurants that fed me thirty years ago, it will not be a problem to eat anywhere on the island. Both for those who want to venture into local cuisine, which here is truly local, and both for those who prefer international food. For the latter there is Ciao Bella.

The last topic to discuss are the beaches. These do not enjoy the fame of white tropical beaches, nor are they equal to the other Thai beaches of the Andaman Sea – apart from Laem Haed beach, a small strip of sand located on Koh Yao Yai, in a channel that separates the two islands. Laem Haed has its white sand and palm trees, perfect ingredients for a postcards or an Instagram shot, and it is very pleasant to spend a couple of hours there. I am sure it is not the only tropical-looking beach, but we will verify this at another time. The next trip to memory lane will stop at lots of beaches for a full immersion.

Watch Fantasia Asia video on Koh Yao HERE

Photos by Guglielmo Zanchi (Pluto)

The post Koh Yao: that first time you never forget appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Last weekend I travelled north to Khao Lak with Fantasia Asia team for a three day-two night stay with a day trip to Similan and Koh Surin islands archipelagos.

Popular for its coral gardens and white beaches, Surin Islands are one of the most famous diving and marine life viewing sites in the world, no doubt the best in Thailand, Koh Surin Islands are an archipelago of five islands within Mu Ko Surin National Park, in the Andaman Sea, Phang Nga province. The islands are 55 km off the coast, 100 km north from Similan Islands and just 18 km from the oceanic border of Myanmar.  

The main islands are Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai which are only 200 meters apart, the corridor between both islands is shallow and a popular place for snorkelling. The other three small islands are Ko Ri, Ko Khai and Ko Klang. This archipelago is one of the very few untouched places in Thailand. Other than a small Moken (sea-gypsy) village and the National Park premises, there are no other buildings on the islands.

Local boat at sunset

Why would I want to visit Koh Surin islands when I live in beautiful Krabi where islands abound, you may ask. Well, I’m taking advantage of the unusually quiet high season to travel a bit further than usual and to try out excursions that I wouldn’t normally have the time to take. Was also after a change of scenery and some really stunning snorkelling experiences, which is what Koh Surin is famous about. 

Once in Khao Lak, we checked in at conveniently located The Briza Beach Resort. The next morning we woke up relatively early, had a large breakfast at the hotel and drove to the pier (for those who don’t have their own car, transfer is provided by Sea Star), where we had a second breakfast served at the Sea Star dock. We then registered for our tour and were given mask, fins, snorkel, a towel and a practical carrier bag. You are free to bring your own snorkelling equipment and only take what you miss. Sea-sickness pills and relaxing balms are also available free of charge.

It took about 2 hours to get to Koh Surin and the sea was a little rough during part of the trip, but it calmed down before we reached our destination.

The first stop was the Moken village in South Surin. The Moken people are divided into three different groups living along the Andaman Coast of Myanmar and Thailand – in the Mergui Archipelago, in Surin and in Phuket and Satun provinces. They are animists and are known as ‘sea-gypsies’ since until recently they used to live on boats, only to settle down in temporary villages during monsoon season. The Moken of South Surin are one of the last groups living in semi-traditional ways. These people survived the tsunami unharmed thanks to their strict bond with the sea and to their knowledge of earthquake-generated big waves, that made them run for their lives when the tsunami hit Thailand in 2004. Most of their village was destroyed, though, and had to be rebuilt.

The village is a settlement of about 60 huts and houses facing a spectacular bay. One of the first things you notice when you reach the village – besides the cute children and cats running around – are the totem poles that represent the spirits of the Moken ancestors. 

I decided to take a walk along the only sandy path that runs through the village under the 11am sun: the locals were resting in hammocks hanging under their stilt-houses, or chatting and eating in the shadow; some kids were playing on the beach or selling handmade wooden souvenirs – “50 bath, only 50 bath”, they kept saying – others were bathing in the ocean, the toddlers were chasing chickens or kittens, the babies were sound asleep in their mothers’a arms or in improvised cribs made of cotton or rattan. The sun here lashes all its heat in the dry season, leaving everybody sleepy and lazy. 

Moken girls in Surin

We left the Moken to their siesta and went out at sea for the first snorkelling stop of the day. Visibility was not as good as in Similan, but that may vary (in fact, it had been the opposite back in January), and overall I had a great 40 minutes of underwater exploration. We then went to North Surin to have lunch at the National Park premises, the only area in Surin Islands where it is possible to sleep: there are tents or A/C bungalows. Lunch was basic but tasty – fried chicken, chicken and vegetable curries, some fish, muffins and cookies, coffee, cold drinks – and there was enough time to go for a walk or a swim at the beautiful beach near the campsite. 

Snorkelling in Surin islands

After spending about an hour at the beach, we moved to the channel between North Surin and South Surin for two more snorkelling stops. I was looking for turtles, sharks or manta rays -the best period to see the latter being February to April – but without any luck. I anyhow lost myself completely in the warm, calm, shallow waters, shooting photos and videos of clownfish in their anemones, unicornfish, surgeon and parrotfish, starfish, purple and blue clams, puffer fish, hard and soft corals. It was soon time to get back aboard the speedboat and start the journey back to Khao Lak. Snuggled up in my seat with headphones on to cover the noise of the engines, a fresh breeze messing with my hair, I fell peacefully asleep only to wake up while we were entering the pier. 

I recommend this trips to all sea-lovers: even if you’re not keen on snorkelling, you will have a good chance to spot some corals and beautiful fishes (and, with a bit of luck, turtles) since most snorkelling areas have shallow waters, giving you plenty of opportunities to be amazed at some of the healthiest and most colourful reefs in Thailand.

Good to know:

Maya and Alis enjoy the day

Surin

1. Surin Islands are part of an archipelago of five islands within Mu Ko Surin National Park, Phang Nga province. They are located 55 km off the coast, 100 km north from Similan Islands, less than 20 km from the border with Myanmar.
2. The best time for snorkelling and diving is December to April when the wind is weak and the water temperature around 29°C.
3. The park closes in rainy seasons, usually from mid May to mid-October, but dates may vary. During the peak season, around 400 to 800 visitors travel to Surin every day, which is less than those who visit Similan Islands, but it’s not exactly ‘quiet’.
4. There is one small village of the ethnic Moken group, locally known as ‘Chao Lay’ or sea-gypsy. The Moken are sailors and fishermen who live mainly in the Burmese Mergui Archipelago.

DO NOT:

– feed the fish, even if they follow you and beg for food

– touch or step on any coral or sea life.

– take home sand, sea shells or any sea life.

– put tons of sunscreen before snorkelling: it’s toxic for the marine life. Wear a long-sleeved t-shirt instead.

Relaxing and waiting sunset from The Briza pool

In Khao Lak, Fantasia Asia and Asian Itinerary stayed at The Briza Beach Resort, one of Fantasia Asia’s partner hotels. The Briza Beach Resort has spacious, bright rooms settled around a large swimming pool, with partial or full sea view depending on the category chosen.

This beach resort has a laid-back atmosphere, and Khao Lak’s many restaurants, shops and bars are only a few minute drive away, as it’s the pier from which most sea-tour companies depart for Similan and Surin.

We chose operator Sea Star because it’s one of the most popular boat operators in the area, and one of the few that is still open despite the Covid pandemic that badly hit Thailand’s tourism industry.

WATCH FANTASIA ASIA VIDEO OF THE TRIP HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_Mzjcj46t8

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Last weekend I travelled north to Khao Lak with Fantasia Asia team for a three day-two night stay with a day trip to Koh Similan and Koh Surin islands archipelagos.

The Similan Islands are located in the Andaman Sea on the West Coast of Southern Thailand, in Phang-nga province. The Similan archipelago consists of eleven islands, all located in the Mu Koh Similan National Park, which covers over 140 square kilometres. The Islands are the perfect travel destination for those who like diving and exploring remote and desolated places full of wildlife. The largest island is Koh Similan and is probably the best place to start your adventure. All the Similan Islands are surrounded by crystal clear shallow waters that harbour exciting rock formations and spectacular coral reefs. The marine life around the islands is unmatched in Thailand and in the whole region.

Why would I want to visit Similan islands when I live in beautiful Krabi where islands abound, you may ask. Well, I’m taking advantage of the unusually quiet high season to travel a bit further than usual and to try out excursions that I wouldn’t normally have the time to take. Was also after a change of scenery and some really stunning snorkelling experiences, which is what the Similan are famous about. 

Relaxing and waiting sunset from The Briza pool

Once in Khao Lak, we checked in at conveniently located The Briza Beach Resort. The next morning we woke up relatively early, had a large breakfast at the hotel and drove to the pier, where we had a second breakfast served at the Sea Star dock. We then registered for our tour and were given mask, fins, snorkel, a towel and a practical carrier bag. You are free to bring your own snorkelling equipment and only take what you miss. Sea-sickness pills and relaxing balms are also available free of charge.

My trip to Similan coincided with the Chinese New Year, which has recently been promoted to public holiday in Thailand in order to boost local tourism, hence we were a group of three 4-engine speed-boats traveling together from Khao Lak to the Similan, and each boat carried between 30 and 50 persons. We reached Similan in a 1-hour-and-a-half pleasant trip in very calm waters, and I was immediately surprised and quite pleased to observe that we were the only three boats: none had come from Phuket, or if it had, it had followed a different itinerary that day.

Koh MIang beach, Similan Island 4

Our first stop was in the turquoise-tinted bay of Koh Miang, also known as Island Number 4, where the boats observed a quick stop to drop off people who weren’t interested in snorkelling. The first time someone visits Koh Miang, he is up for a big surprise: the island is just stunning, a perfect representation of what we visualise when we think of a tropical paradise. Its white sandy beach is wide and its sand soft, it’s fringed by palm trees that face a transparent turquoise-meets-lapis lazuli-meets crystal clear sea. We dropped some passengers in Koh Miang, well aware that we would be back there to enjoy lunch and to get our chance to live the tropical dream on Miang Beach.

Silvia and Alis enjoy the day

The first snorkelling stop – which lasted 45 minutes –  was in calm waters on a secluded bay not far from Miang Beach. Visibility was about 15 meters, and the bottom was mostly sandy or covered by the reef. The guides who accompanied us took extremely good care of those who weren’t confident in the water, keeping them close, helping them floating by holding a large piece of styrofoam tablet and dragging them around so that they could sneak-peak at the underwater world. I spent the time snorkelling by myself, trying out my new underwater camera and looking out for turtles, who unfortunately didn’t show up that day.

Amazingly fluffy sand at Koh Miang beach

Back to Koh Miang, we were served a delicious, spicy lunch at the National Park premises. The lunch had been cooked in Khao Lak and carried to Similan by Sea Star, and vegetarian or special meals were available. I had some rice, fried chicken and vegetarian curry, while others had prawns and fish with rice and curry. Soft drinks are included, and plenty. I ate my food real fast and went down to the beach, which is only a few steps away from the restaurant area. Wow! I’ve seen my share of impressive islands in several parts of the world, but the colour of the ocean in Miang Beach that day was one I will not forget.

Donald Duck bay and rock on Similan

After a couple of hours in Koh Miang we left to visit another snorkelling site, which was satisfactory and offered flat waters and great visibility. Though diver inside me has been spoilt by many most impressive diving sites before, I managed to have a good time swimming above the reef and checking out fish and corals. Huge parrot and surgeon fish swim around copiously in Similan, alongside several clown fish in their anemones, puffer fish and blue star fish. 

Sail Rock Viewpoint

It was then time to head to the last stop of the day, Island Number 8, also known as Similan Island. The first glimpse of a white long stretch of sandy beach surrounded by huge and funny-shaped rocks made most of the passengers in our boat cry out in delight. We were approaching Donal Duck Bay, the most famous beach in Similan, so called because of a large rock located on the western part of the bay shaped like the head of Donald Duck. But the most famous landmark of Similan island is Sail Rock, a unique round boulder that balances precariously on top of other rocks and that looks like a sail. From there it’s an easy yet sweaty 10-minute hike up to the viewpoint. From there, stunning photos of the white sandy beach and of the turquoise waters below are guaranteed. So off I went, eager to get that stunning view on camera without the hundreds – maybe thousands – of people that in normal circumstances crowd this island. And I certainly wasn’t disappointed: the panorama was so beautiful I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. I ended up losing myself in a daydream about mooring my own sailing boat there for the night, or for a year… 

A fiery sunset at Similan

Instead, it was time to go back to Khao Lak where, after another smooth boat trip, we arrived before sunset and were offered a sumptuous dinner at the Sea Star pier: Thai popular dishes like papaya salad, yellow noodles, sticky rice and fried chicken, BBQ chicken skewers and a delicious home-made coconut ice cream everyone had a second serving of. Back to The Briza Beach Resort, I enjoyed a poolside Margarita, watching the sun set over the Similan Islands and the Andaman Sea.

I recommend this trips to all sea-lovers: even if you’re not keen on snorkelling, you will have a good chance to spot some corals and beautiful fishes (and, with a bit of luck, turtles) since most snorkelling areas have shallow waters, giving you plenty of opportunity to be amazed at some of the healthiest and most colourful reefs in Thailand. 

Good to know:

Similan

1. The Similan archipelago consists of eleven islands that make up the Mu Ko Similan National Park, the perfect destination for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, beach lovers and explorers.
2. Similan means ‘Nine’ in the Yawi native tongue of the area. In 2014 the National Park came to include two more islands (Koh Bon and Koh Tachai).
3. Between the middle of May and the end of October the Similan National Park closes to visitors. Additionally, some islands are closed to tourists all year around to protect the fragile sea turtles who are nesting on some of the beaches. Illegal fishing is still a problem, especially in low season.
4. It was possible to camp in Island Number 4 until a few years ago, but it’s not allowed anymore, at least for the time being. Therefore, to visit Similan you now need to take a day tour from Phuket or from Khao Lak, or book a multi-day cruise on a Liveaboard.

DO NOT:

– feed the fish, even if they follow you and beg for food

– touch or step on any coral or sea life.

– bring home sand, sea shells or any sea life.

– put tons of sunscreen before snorkelling, it’s toxic for the marine life. Wear a long sleeved t-shirt instead.

In Khao Lak Fantasia Asia and Asian Itinerary stayed at The Briza Beach Resort, one of Fantasia Asia’s partner hotels. The Briza Beach Resort has spacious, bright rooms settled around a large swimming pool, with partial or full sea view depending on the category chosen.

This beach resort has a laid-back atmosphere, and Khao Lak’s many restaurants, shops and bars are only a few minute drive away, as it’s the pier from which most sea-tour companies depart for Similan.

We chose operator Sea Star because it’s one of the most popular boat operators in the area, and one of the few that is still open despite the Covid pandemic that badly hit Thailand’s tourism industry.

WATCH FANTASIA ASIA VIDEO OF THE TRIP HERE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xoghJrptRo 

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Popularly known as the ‘Pearl of the Andaman‘, Phuket is one of the famous beach destinations of Thailand. It invites a huge number of tourists to its shores and assures them a truly memorable stay. Comprised of palm fringed silky beaches, various attraction points and several other delights, Phuket is a treat for those who want to enjoy adventurous activities and thrilling nightlife. The island features several attractions that one can enjoy during his visit to Phuket. Choose a speed boat to travel around various small Islands like James Bond Island and Phi Phi Island. All of these beaches have different appeal and allow the tourists enjoying fun-filled beach parties. We have compiled a list of the sightseeing places that you can see while your visit to Phuket. We have compiled a list of the sightseeing places that you can see while your visit to Phuket:

Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay is an extraordinary place to visit near Phuket. Its limestone cliffs are positioned amidst the emerald green waters and spectacular views around. One of the popular landmarks of the Phang Nga Bay is the James Bond Island, which was shown in the movie of same name. A relaxed day trip while cruising through the spectacular limestone islands and seldom stoppages at the calm beaches are rewarding for its visitors.

Wat Chalong

Wat Chalong

Different from the typical Buddhist temples o the world, Wat Chalong is an architectural wonder that mesmerizes the visitors with its utter charm. The highly metaphorical structure of the temple features one of the most significant Buddhist statues. It is the largest and most significant temple in Phuket Island. The key feature of the temple is the Grand Pagoda that encloses a bone sliver of Lord Buddha. The walls of the pagoda are amazingly decorated with murals portraying Buddha’s life. Spend some time in this temple to experience something unusual.

Big Buddha

Big Buddha

Positioned on the top of Nakkerd Mountain between Chalong Bay and Kata Beach, Big Buddha is one of the most significant landmarks of the island. It is truly a massive site which enjoys the panoramic views of the island. Close to this idol, you can feel an unusual peace and the only sound that can be heard is the jingles of small bells and the yellow Buddhist flags.

Fantasea Park

Phuket Fantasea Park

Fantasea is a huge 140-acre complex featuring an ultimate Thai culture theme park. It allows the visitors to enjoy various activities along with complete entertainment. The main highlight of this park is the Las Vegas style theatrical show that is a beautiful blend of Thai traditional myths & humor, fantasy and a slack plot. It is one of the must visit attractions in Phuket that should not be missed. This interesting show deserves to be in the list of ‘Must Do Things in Phuket’.

Phi Phi Islands

Phi Phi Islands

The Phi Phi Island deserves top place among the famous islands of Thailand. It is a prime reason to arrive in Phuket. The immaculate beauty of the island creates alluring experience for the visitors. By approaching through the boat, the islands seem to rise like a fortress from the sea. It is really a lovely sight.
Apart from these places, there is much more to do and see in Phuket. Check Asian Itinerary Phuket category page HERE. 

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Roger Moore on Phang Nga Bay

Phang Nga Bay. Final part of the movie “007 The Man with the Golden Gun”: James Bond (Roger Moore) is heading to the final clash with “the bad”, Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee). The scene takes place on a small island lost in an amazing archipelago supposed to be, in the stage fiction, somewhere off the Chinese coast. On the background a rock stack that, with a little imagination might remind us of a huge mushroom. 007 is welcomed with a bottle of champagne, uncorked by Scaramanga with a precise, theatrical gunshot. The invitation to enter into his home is cleverly embedded in the rock wall:

Francisco Scaramanga: “How do you like my island, Mr. Bond?”

James Bond: “A bit off the beaten track, isn’t it?”

Phang Nga Bay azure waters

That island is called Khao Phing Kan while the mushroom-shaped stack, a twenty meters high rock, is called Koh Tapu; neither of them is located near the Chinese coast, they are instead in Phang Nga province, South of Thailand, just one hour by boat from Phuket or Krabi.

The movie was filmed in 1974 and at that time we can say that the island was really a bit out of the way. We can today state that “The Man with the Golden Gun” changed Khao Phing Kan destiny, making it famous over the time to the point that, nowadays, it is better known by its nickname. And if it could talk, it would introduce itself by saying: “My name is Bond, Island of James Bond”.

Khao Phing Kan on the bay

The rest was done by Mother Nature, which drew a picturesque bay studded with hundreds of islands and islets rising from the sea, partially hidden caves whose entries appear and disappear according to the strict rules of the tides. Caves that can be explored only by canoe, guided by expert hands to discover open-air lagoons, hidden from the prying eyes of the world: an eco-system inhabited by monitor lizards, monkeys, horn-bills, bats and all those little animals who elected the habitat of mangrove forests as their home.

To complete this exceptional landscape, we cannot deny that humans have done their part too: a few miles north of James Bond Island, in fact, leaning against a side wall of a high rock, there is a village straddling on the sea and resting on stilts, inhabited by fishermen who are former Muslim “sea gypsies”.

Malay fishermen

The story tells of two or three families of Malay fishermen from Java that a few hundred years ago undertook a trip up north with their boats to look for a new place to settle, leading eventually to find protection in Phang Nga, an area that offered good shelter thanks to its conformation. From those few pioneers, a community that reaches nowadays about 1680 inhabitants divided into 360 families has formed over the times. And that’s how Koh Panyi was born. The village has a Muslim school attended by boys and girls; however, due to the school’s basic level of education and to the need to encourage a certain emigration due to limited space in the island, older students move to attend school on the mainland.

Like in any other self-respecting Muslim community, the mosque is not to be missed; center of aggregation for the Islanders, its domes and minarets can be seen from a far distance while approaching by boat. But the main attraction is definitely the island floating football field, whose story became famous thanks to an advertising of the Thai Military Bank in a short film. The original field was built several years ago by the children of the island using old pieces of wood and floating materials, but thanks to excellent sports results that made the Panyee FC one of the most successful youth soccer clubs in Southern Thailand, it was decided to build a new field to continue encouraging young people in their sporting activities.

The shooting of the movie

With celebrity, of course, in Phang Nga Bay arrived tourism and with it the commercialisation of this corner of paradise. The local population has its own needs and man must survive, so, keeping up with the movie theme, “Heaven Can Wait.” However, the beauty of the whole bay is undeniable; true, the souvenir stalls occupy the most famous part of the island, but the opening scene set, where Nick Nack serves drinks to Scaramanga and Ms. Anders, for example, but not where the final duel took place, is still a quite area.

Koh Panji

Something similar applies to Koh Panyi, where an array of restaurants and stalls welcome visitors, giving an immediate impression that you are definitely not entering an untouched village. It is nevertheless enough to venture through the narrow alleys of the village to immediately realise that no, Koh Panyi is not a tourist trap but rather an authentic village, with its own history and traditions. A village where you will meet human beings engaged in their difficult everyday life, people who have been able to adapt to a lifestyle above the sea and with the sea, and who have decided to supplement their main fishing income by sharing with the world their uniqueness. Yet, without giving up their way of life and continuing living in a village clinging to a rock that dominates the center of the bay .

All this makes Koh Panyi and the Phang Nga Bay places like no others, where, once the tourists left the island, the hands of time seem to turn back in time to the atmosphere of a hundred years ago, when a few Malay families braved sea and fate to offer to their descendants greater stability, more wealth and definitely fame.

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Siam Adventure World

Royal Phuket Marina 63/302 Moo.2, 

Thepkasattri Road, Kohkeaw, Phuket 83000

http://siamadventureworld.com

info@siamadventureworld.com 

Siam Adventure World was founded in November 2012 and specializes in world-class speedboat trips from Phuket, Khaolak and Krabi to various destinations, including Phang Nga Bay, Similan Islands, Kam Islands, Kradan Island, Surin Islands, Rok Islands and Phi Phi Islands.

Siam Adventure World 3-engine speedboat

Siam Adventure World members originate from Phuket and Khao Lak and have experience with high quality day trips with international tourists for almost 20 years. Their big difference with other companies lay with a few major facts: they leave early (or late) in order to avoid the tourist crowds and let you enjoy the natural beauty at its best, they choose different places at different times, they provide a multilingual, licensed tour guide in each of their tours, and they serve gourmet food on their trips.

All is taken care of!

Their management team consists of highly qualified members from Thailand and abroad, with decades-long experience in tourism. Their ultimate goal is to provide their guests the highest possible quality and at the same time the highest safety standards.

The above, together with close cooperation with high-profile international tour operators and with the best hotels in Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi has allowed Siam Adventure World to reach the top 3 of speedboat day trip organisers in Thailand in less than four years.

Gourmet food in every trip

Siam Adventure World guide team has more than 15 years experience in Phuket, Khao Lak and Krabi. They have all personally been on and revised all their tours, so you can be reassured that all Siam Adventure World tours are unique.

Siam Adventure World luxury lounge at the Royal Phuket Marina and their private Marinas in Khao Lak and Krabi offer all about what International tourists and tour operators expect and much, much more.

Find a list of Siam Adventure World tour programs HERE

Like them on FB: https://www.facebook.com/siamadventureworld/ 

For an account of Phi Phi Islands Early Bird Tour with Siam Adventure World, CLICK HERE !

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The Traveller Thailand raft

When I got a call from my friend asking me if I would like to go rafting in Phang Nga, I immediately thought back to the last and only other time I had partaken in such an activity. As I recalled it was a very enjoyable and relaxing day, gently cruising down a river standing on a raft fashioned from several lengths of very thick bamboo and using another piece to gently prod at the riverbed in order to manoeuvre the raft and get to go in the general desired direction, while taking in pleasant scenery and listening for the call of birds and monkeys. So, with this in mind I envisioned a similarly relaxing day albeit in a different location, and naturally, I jumped at the chance.

river wild at Phang Nga

My friend had organised the trip through The Traveller Thailand, a tour company who I later discovered are extremely adept at putting together rather exciting tours involving elephants, ATVs and rafts. But even at this point my idea of a ‘raft’ was still one of a long, flat, slow-moving one made from bamboo. We were picked-up at 8.30 and we headed into neighbouring Phang Nga and to the Ton Pariwat Wildlife Sanctuary. When the guide Matt, introduced himself, I knew there was going to be more to this trip than I had previously thought. With a mischievous glint in his eyes he told me it was going to be fun, lots of fun.

getting wet with the team

Matt explained about the artificial dam up-river that makes it possible to raft all year round. He said that when the dam is opened the water will rise sufficiently for us to be able to travel the 8km down-river. OK, I thought, but why do we need more water? He then passed me a life-jacket and a helmet.

Guiding us through safety procedures and instructions on how to handle and steer the boat, he cleverly found ways to involve everyone, finding excuses to demonstrate procedure and splashing water over everyone with his ore. He told us that because the guides’ English isn’t too good, they may get confused and tell us to paddle the wrong way. I soon learnt that this was simply a ploy, to pretend to go the wrong way in order to deliberately collide head-on with boulders!

boulders and more boulders

But there was definitely method to the madness. In order to navigate certain parts of the river Matt deliberately collided the raft with boulders and sometime rocks on the river bank to bounce it off in the other direction, effectively spinning it around and down the river. Of course there were times when we simply headed straight for a boulder lying directly in our path in an attempt to get over it. It sometimes worked, sometimes didn’t, but it was very funny either way.

a wet and fun day, Rafting in Phang Nga

Matt told us the dam had been opened as we continued to concentrate on his instructions. A few minutes later I became aware of the river – it had risen by over a foot and was now flowing rapidly. In the distance we could hear screaming and laughing; I looked up-river and saw a number of rafts hurtling towards us from another camp. Spinning rafts zipped by in a flurry of splashes. We launched and we were off. Gently at first, the raft bobbed up and down as we picked up momentum, slowing gently as we moved over submerged boulders and then surging as we cleared them. We gradually picked up speed before the raft dipped sharply as we hit the first rapid, turning and hitting a boulder; we were told to paddle forward, we spun round to the right and we were successfully through.

By the time we had finished my face had actually started to ache with all the smiling and laughing. Thoroughly wet, exhausted and literally crying with laughter, we were picked up and driven back to the camp to enjoy a superb set Thai meal for our lunch.

It was indeed a fun and drenched day out rafting in Phang Nga, to be repeated!

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A few years back, while I was looking for information on the Andaman area, I came across this text by Prasit Shinnakarn published in Phuket Bulletin of July 2007. I found it quite interesting, and I am sure you will too: 

Still today, if you were to mention the name of Pa Chee Wang along the Andaman coastline, you would be almost guaranteed to be met with a stir. Pa Chee Wang was born in a Phang Nga fishing village called Wang Mor Gang. Unfortunately, her lovely face was ruined by a harelip and this caused her to suffer from depression during her teenage years. The name ‘Wang’ means roughly ‘a chipped mouth’ and locals never let her forget the fact that she didn’t look the same as they did. One day the girl disappeared from the village.

PIrates’ vessel

10 years later, ships trading between Krabi, Phang Nga and Phuket often encountered a certain female pirate, situation which continued occuring for years, making the Andaman Sea a place of dread. To be avoided at all costs was a female dressed in white, her face covered. People said she was a cruel, avaricious, and bloodthirsty pirate. During each attack, she commanded her crew from the ship’s figurehead. It was believed that she had a special prayer incantation, which was the key to her success.

Sailors soon called her Pa Chee Wang (Chee came from her nun-like outfit). She proved a scourge – despite many efforts on behalf of authorities to get rid of her and her shipmates. She soon became a legend and a local even wrote a ballad about her that sang about her indestructibility to men and of her ability to stop bullets. Nowadays, psychologists might explain that her facial handicap led her to overcompensate; others may claim that rejection by her community deeply scarred her.

phrao vessel

Phraya Borirakphuthorn, the first Governor of Phang Nga, was informally called Phraya Phang Nga Tab Lek (the iron liver Governor), which came from his love for adventures. His favourite pastime was to go hunting, especially for crocodiles and tigers. At that time Phang Nga was described as an isolated town surrounded by a tropical forest that was the hunting grounds of Bengal tigers, sea and brackish water crocodiles. The Governor went hunting for them on a boat with his friends and would use spear instead of a gun, although they kept weapons just in case things went badly. So it was logical the he would have a go at defeating Pa Chee Wang.

They finally faced each other off Koh Yao, an island in the Phang Nga Bay to the east of Phuket. Phraya Borirakphuthorn shouted for the pirate to surrender. He provoked the anger of the female pirate who replied with shots. It is said that this lack of composure made her lose concentration and that her opponent capitalised on this with a veritable broadside. However, Pa Chee Wang rallied her crew and in doing so, stood up and exposed herself. The Governor fired his flintlock and the charge hit her full in the chest. Her white nun-like robe was soon stained in bright red blood as she struggled for life. Soon she was dead.

The Governor pulled his boat up alongside the pirates’ vessel and declared victory. This was the end of the female scourge’s life and all that remained of her was a ballad.

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James Bond and Koh Tapu on the back

Flashback, while I enjoy the adventure in the Phang Nga bay. Final part of the movie “007 The Man with the Golden Gun”: James Bond (Roger Moore) is heading to the final clash with ‘the bad’, Francisco Scaramanga (Christopher Lee). The scene takes place on a small island lost in an amazing archipelago supposed to be, in the stage fiction, somewhere off the Chinese coast. On the background a rock karst that, with a little imagination, resembles a huge mushroom. 007 is welcomed with a bottle of champagne, uncorked by Scaramanga with a precise, theatrical gunshot. The invitation to enter into his home is cleverly embedded in the rock wall:

The movie set up

Francisco Scaramanga: “How do you like my island, Mr. Bond?”

James Bond: “A bit off the beaten track, isn’t it?”

That island is called Khao Phing Gan while the twenty meters high, mushroom-shaped rock karst is called Koh Tapu; neither of them is located near the Chinese coast, they are instead in Phang Nga province, South of Thailand, just one hour by boat from Phuket or from Krabi.

The movie was filmed in 1974 and at that time the island was really a bit out of the way. We can state that “The Man with the Golden Gun” changed Khao Phing Gan destiny, making it famous over the time to the point that, nowadays, it is better known by its nickname. And if the rock could talk, it would introduce itself by saying “my name is Bond, Island of James Bond”.

Koh Tapu

The rest was created by Mother Nature, which drew a picturesque bay studded with hundreds of islands and islets rising from the sea, partially hidden caves whose entries appear and disappear according to the strict rules of the tides. Caves that can be explored only by canoes driven by expert hands, to discover open-air lagoons hidden from the prying eyes of the world: an eco-system inhabited by monitor lizards, monkeys, horn-bills, bats and all those little animals who elected the habitat of mangrove forests as their home.

To complete this exceptional landscape, we cannot deny that humans have done their part too: a few miles north of James Bond Island, in fact, leaning against the side wall of a high rock there is a village straddling on the sea and resting on stilts, inhabited by fishermen who are former Muslim ‘sea gypsies’.

The story tells of two or three families of Malay fishermen from Java that a few hundred years back undertook a trip up north with their boats to look for a new place to settle, leading eventually to find protection in Phang Nga bay, an area that offered good shelter thanks to its conformation. From those few pioneers, a community that reaches nowadays about 1680 inhabitants divided into 360 families has formed over the times. And that’s how Koh Panyi was born.

Muslim school in Koh Panyi

The village has a Muslim school attended by boys and girls; however, due to the school’s basic level of education and to the need to encourage a certain emigration due to limited space in the island, older students move to attend school on the mainland, in Phuket or Phang Nga.

Like in any self-respecting Muslim community, the mosque is well present; center of aggregation for the Islanders, its domes and minarets can be seen from a far distance while approaching the island by boat. But the main attraction is definitely the island floating football field, whose story became famous thanks to a Thai Military Bank advertising short film. The original field was built several years ago by the children of the island using old pieces of wood and floating materials, but thanks to excellent sports results that made the Panyi FC one of the most successful youth soccer clubs in Southern Thailand, it was decided to build a new field to continue encouraging young people in their sporting activities.

Khao Phing Gan

With celebrity, of course, in Phang Nga bay arrived tourism and with it the commercialization of this corner of paradise. The local population has its own needs and man must survive, so, keeping up with the movie theme, ‘Heaven Can Wait’. However, the beauty of the whole bay is undeniable; true, the souvenir stalls occupy the most famous part of the island, but the opening scene set, where Nick Nack serves drinks to Scaramanga and Ms. Anders, for example (which is not where the final duel took place) is still a quite area.

Something similar applies to Koh Panyi, where an array of restaurants and stalls welcome visitors, giving an immediate impression that you are definitely not entering an untouched village. It is nevertheless enough to venture through the narrow alleys of the village to immediately realize that Koh Panyi is not a tourist trap but rather an authentic village, with its own history and traditions. A village where you will meet human beings engaged in their harsh everyday life, people who have been able to adapt to a lifestyle above the sea and with the sea, and who have decided to supplement their main fishing income by sharing with the world their uniqueness. Yet, without giving up their way of life and continuing living in a village clinging to a rock that dominates the center of the bay .

All this makes Koh Panyi and the Phang Nga bay places like no others where, once the tourists leave the island, the hands of time seem to turn back to the atmosphere of a hundred years ago, when a few Malay families braved sea and fate to offer to their descendants greater stability, more wealth and definitely fame.

READ ABOUT A CRUISE TO THE PHANG NGA BAY ON http://asianitinerary.com/cruising-phang-nga-bay/

AN INTERESTING ACCOUNTS ON SOUTH THAILAND SEA GYPSIES ON http://asianitinerary.com/koh-lanta-sea-gypsies/

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