T.I.C.D.: Mu Ko Phra Thong
The mellow 'Golden Buddha' island chain off the Phang Nga coast, condensed.
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Resuming Phang Nga province…
We now reach some laid-back islands set close by the Phang Nga coast as we start approaching the end of the T.I.C.D., soon to be zipped up with two last sections on this province’s W mainland shores. We are almost there, folks!
Mu Ko Phra Thong
The 25 islands of this loosely defined archipelago sit no more than a few km off the mainland coast, even if the presence of tidal mangroves and forgotten sailor vibes makes them feel more distant than that. Mu Ko Phra Thong is reminiscent of both Mu Ko Ranong and Mu Ko Si Boya in that you have two quiet main islands to go with a handful of lesser isles offering boat tripping potential.
Part of Khuraburi district, Ko Phra Thong is a top pick for downtime with sedate beaches and a savannah interior that is unique in Thailand, with some saying its appearance more closely resembles parts of Africa than the jungle islands nearby. At the S end of the chain in Takua Pa district, Ko Kho Khao also has miles-long beaches and is tranquil in its own right, but with easier access from the mainland and a bigger selection of lodgings that include some cushy options.
Some fans of Ko Ko Khao discovered it only after finding nearby Khao Lak too busy, whereas Ko Phra Thong tends to draw travelers who actively seek out the mellowest of Thai islands. Some visitors are surprised to hear that both islands rank among the 10 largest in Thailand. In late 2024, we rode out of a rainstorm that was lashing N Ko Kho Khao to find the S half of the island dry and sunny.