Koh Phayam or Koh Payam (which ever way you spell it) is a beautiful little island off the south west coast of Thailand in the Andaman sea just west of the coast of Ranong.
Koh Phayam island is only about 8km from north to south and about 5km wide and is only a short distance from the mainland, Ranong. Koh Phayam has no cars but plenty of motorbikes and motorbike taxis, mini tractors pulling carts are used to transport groups of people around the island. There are only a few concrete roads on Phayam island, 2 roads going from Aow Mae Mai (the pier) to Aow Yai, a road from Mae Mai to Aow Khao Kwai and a kind of ring road around Mae Mai town.
If your looking to get away from it all then Koh Phayam island is the place to go. If you have visited Thailand's other popular island's such Koh Tao, Samui or Phanghan and have fond memories of how they were, then Koh Phayam island is the place to go (just dont tell anyone cause they'll spoil it).
Getting to Koh PhayamKoh Phayam Beaches
There are three main beaches on Koh Phayam that have accommodation and restaurants.
Aow Mae Mai (Koh Phayam Village)
Aow Mae Mai is on Koh Phayam's east coast and is the island's main village area. It is the most populated area on the island and is home to the Post Office, Police Station and island administration offices. Koh Phayam's pier where the speed boats and ferries come and go from Ranong town and the neighbouring island of Koh Chang is located in Aow Mae Mai. As the Phayam island pier is here so are most of the boats both fishing and passenger.
Aow Mae Mai village has a few shops selling your essentials like cases of beer, cigarettes and rolling papers. The town also has a few grocery shops selling fruit, vegetables and toiletry items. A road runs along most of the beach here, going north leading to Wat Koh Phayam the island temple and south towards some guest houses and the new Blue Sky Resort Koh Phayam (more about that later). Along the road there are some restaurants a travel agency and a couple of guest houses all within short walking distance from the pier.
If you are looking to have a relaxing island beach holiday then you are much better off going to one of two of Koh Phayam's other beaches where there is much more choice in where to stay ( see below). But.... if your looking for something alittle more upclass and have the budget you could try the brand spanking new Blue Sky Resort Koh Phayam.
Blue Sky Resort Koh Phayam
Blue Sky is a luxury resort located at the south end of Mae Mai village over a bridge on the beach next to a sea inlet and mangrove. The villas are on stilts over the water next to the mangrove and have been styled on the villas in the Maldives. There are raised wooden paths over the water leading to villas which are nestled between mangrove trees over the sand and inlet. The villa's have thatched roofs and are very in keeping with the natural surroundings but with a luxurious and contemporary interior. Room rates for the villas are from 3200 Baht per night depending on season.
Blue Sky Resort Koh Phayam also features a beautiful beachside restaurant. A large open round building in the same Maldive style with a tall grass roof. The menu consists of both Thai and European dishes.
The resort has sea kayaks available for guest's so you can go kayaking around the bay and explore the mangrove from the water. Mountain bikes are also available.
If the Blue Sky Resort is alittle out of your price range then you could always pop in and have a bite to eat in the restaurant or a drink in the bar (which wont break the bank).
Aow Yai (Big Bay)
Aow Yai is Koh Phayams most popular beach destination but don't let that put you off it is still a laid back and peaceful place to go. Aow Yai is located on Koh Phayams west coast. The main road comes into the middle of Aow Yai beach next to Smile Bungalows and there are roads about 200m from the beach which will take you to either side of Aow Yai. Aow Yai (meaning 'Big Bay') is about 2.8km long, and has a number of accommodation options spaced out along the length of the beach.
The beach itself is a fine white sandy beach lined by old towering beach pine trees with guesthouses offering an assortment of bungalow type lodgings nestled in amongst the bush behind. You won't find lots of beach loungers and umbrellas here, just you the 
sand , sea and sun. The sea bed is sandy with no rocks and gets pretty deep quickly during high tides with some large waves if your lucky, big enough to body board and even surf on occasions. On low tide the beach is very wide and the sea shallow.
Aow Yai is mainly popular with young traveller types who have found one of Thailands last remaining islands that has been unspoilt by raising tourism numbers, airports and car ferries.
Getting to Aow Yai from the pier (Koh Phayam Village) is easy, motorbike taxi's cost 70 Baht.
Aow Yai Accommodations
There are about 12 guesthouses along Aow Yai beach each offering different style beach bungalows to stay in, from old rustic bamboo bungalows to new concrete ones. Prices range from 250 Baht to 1500 Baht depending on season and bungalow. There is no government electric in place on Koh Phayam so the guesthouses have to rely on their own generators for electric. Most guesthouses offer electric for only 5-6 hours during the night although some will have more.
Believe it or not there are bungalows behind.
Smile Hut Bungalows
Smile Hut is located on the left of the road coming onto Aow Yai beach and has an assortment of about 35 older but wickedly located bungalows on the beach facing the sea for prices ranging from 250 Baht for a small bungalow to 500 Baht for the larger rooms. All rooms have a bathroom with shower, a bed with a mosquito net and a veranda, most of which have a couple of chairs and a hammock. Electric is available from 6.30pm - 10.30pm. Both Thai and western food is available from the Smile Hut restuarant which is open from 7.30am - 10pm.
Beach Dining on Aow Yai
All of the guesthouses have a restaurant which will serve your usual Thai dishes and maybe a few a western ones but if you fancy something special then you have to try JJ Sea Food restaurant located on the beach at Phayam Beach Resort to the right of Bamboo Bungalows.
The Thai food served at JJ's restaurant is probably the best you will find on the island and they have a good selection of fresh sea food (hence the name) to offer as well. As if the foods not enough the restaurant is on the beach, the bamboo table's and chairs are on the sand and the place is beautifully lit by lights in the trees and oil lamps in the sand and on the tables. JJ Sea Food is the perfect way to end a day on an island paradise.
Aow Khao Kwai (Buffalo Horn Bay)
Aow Khao Kwai is located on the Northwest of Koh Phayam. The bay gets it name from being shaped like a buffalo's head and horns. There are some mangrove trees at the south end of the bay and some rocks in the middle dividing the bay in two. The sea here is calm an clear all of the time, a good place for swimming or spot of snorkeling.
Compared to it's neighbour the accommodation on Aow Khao Kwai is more upmarket but most of the bungalows are located behind the restaurants which are on the beach. There are some nice places to stay at the south end of the bay such as Buffalo Bay Vacation Club which has 22 bungalows available in a variety of styles each with their own balcony and modern amenities.
Getting to Koh Phayam
To get to Koh Phayam you must first get to Ranong. Ranong province is on the Southwest of Thailand, North of Phuket and Phang Nga provinces.
Ranong by Air
There is an airport in Ranong but there are currently no flights going to or from Ranong airport.
Ranong by Bus
From Bangkok buses to Ranong leave from the Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal, located on Borommaratchonnani Road, about 2 km from the Pinklao Bridge called 'Sai Dai Mai' in Thai which all Bangkok taxi drivers will know.
Koh Phayam Boat Timetables
There are two boat operators offering daily services to Koh Phayam. Both services leave from the same pier in Ranong town called (appropriately) the Koh Phayam Pier. The Koh Phayam pier is on a small soi behind the Pak Nam Police Station near the larger and better sign posted Saphan Pla pier.
Ferry to Koh Phayam
The ferry to Koh Phayam costs 150 Baht and takes a leisurely 2 hours. The ferry leaves at 8.30am and 2pm.
The ferry to Koh Phayam operates all year round but during the low season there is only one boat service per day from Ranong at 2pm..
Speed Boat to Koh Phayam
The speed boat to Koh Phayam takes a super fast 45 minutes and costs 350 Baht. The speed boat leaves at 10am, 2.30pm and 5pm.
The speed boat only operates during the high season, from November to May.
