We often take the train to travel, or when did we fall in love with the charm of train travel without realizing it, until we believe that we can take the train to every province in Thailand. Even if it is not a train route, we can take a connecting bus. So this time, in an attempt to get to Koh Phayam, we tried taking the train. And it was a free train too. I thought to myself, isn't that a bit harsh?

Most people travel to Koh Phayam, Ranong by plane or bus. If you already enjoy train travel, taking the train is a great option, as it allows you to take in the scenery along the way. Plus, it's affordable!

And how many times has it been that we took a free train ride, boarding at Hua Lamphong at 13:00 to get off at Chumphon, arriving earlier than usual at 21:00? Where to go now? We felt like having some fun, which many people might not think is fun at all. We slept at the train station, just on the chairs, simply because "well, everyone else is sleeping here too." Stubborn, we wanted to try it. In a few hours, we'll be awake, but it won't be until midnight or 1 am, our usual bedtime.

It's not advisable for women to sleep alone at the train station. If you must, it's best to have a friend take turns guarding your belongings. Even though I woke up frequently, it wasn't due to other people but because of the trains running all night. Station staff were also patrolling constantly, which provided a sense of security.

It's almost 5 am. I woke up feeling groggy and took a motorbike taxi to the bus station. I told the driver I wanted to go to Ranong, and he took me to a bus company's office (I can't remember the name). The taxi fare was 30 baht. I bought a bus ticket on the bus for 110 baht. The bus left at 5:10 am. Wow, the bus fare was cheap! The schedule said it would take 2 hours to get to Ranong, but I felt like I was just dozing off and then I fell asleep soundly. On the way, there were some immigration officers checking for foreigners, because the bus was full of them. There are a lot of foreigners because they are workers who come to work on the islands in southern Thailand. As we approached Ranong, I woke up and was delighted by the natural scenery along the way. Wow! The mountains in Ranong are beautiful! The bus drove close to the mountains, and I enjoyed the scenery as we went along. We arrived in Ranong at 8:00 am.

After asking around, I found several colorful songthaews heading to Pak Nam. I chose one with "Pak Nam" written on it for only 15 baht. The songthaew dropped me off at a small alley where a table was set up selling boat tickets for 200 baht. After paying, I was taken to the pier in the back of a pickup truck with a few other foreigners. We waited for the 9:00 AM boat, the only one heading to Koh Phayam while the others were going to Koh Chang.

At the pier

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The boat took 2 hours to arrive. We sat and enjoyed the scenery. This trip was very long. We slept, enjoyed the view, and just breathed in the fresh air. No matter how far we traveled, we were content. We arrived at the island around 11:00 AM.

The boat has a bathroom.

The island is well-signposted, so you don't have to worry about getting lost.

We walked to find a motorbike rental shop. There were many shops, and none required a deposit. We only had to leave our ID card. Since it was a weekday, there weren't many people. The motorbike rental fee was only 150 baht, and the fuel cost was separate at 35 baht per liter. We filled up with 2 liters for 70 baht, which the rental shop owner said would last for about 2 days. They also provided a map and recommended places to visit. They suggested checking out Baan Suan Ga Yu 1 and 2, but we got lost because we didn't pay much attention to the map. Along the way, we saw many bungalows that seemed very affordable. We continued driving and eventually found the entrance sign for Baan Suan Ga Yu. We decided to check it out, and the road was like a forest path, a bit rough but manageable. We arrived at the accommodation and asked about the price. It was 500 baht, so we decided to stay. It was only a 30-meter walk to the beach, and more importantly, it was very close to Hippie Bar, only about 100 meters away. It was perfect because we didn't have to walk far to find it.

Our accommodation doesn't have a phone number because we are a walk-in establishment. You'll need to find it yourself on arrival. However, we do have a Facebook page: "Baan Suan Ga Yu, Ao Khao Kwai." If you're looking to stay near the Hippie Bar, this is a good option. It's within walking distance, so you can easily walk back if you've had a few drinks without needing to drive a motorbike.

Facebook page of the 2nd Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

Most bungalows here will have their lights on for a certain period of time because they need to use generators. However, some more expensive accommodations may offer 24-hour electricity. The accommodations are open from 6 am to 5 pm, and with such affordable prices, it's not a big deal. After all, we'll be out riding our motorbikes anyway. By the time we return to our accommodations, it will be dark, so it's more like renting a place to store our belongings. If you need to charge your phone, you can do so at the counter in the restaurant in front. However, the lights that are supposed to be turned off at 5 pm are actually still on when we leave at 2 am. It seems that as long as the guests are still awake, the lights will remain on.

With limited time, grab a car and explore the island.

What I loved most was that it wasn't just the sea, but also the abundance of pristine forests with rubber trees, cashew trees (or Indian mangoes). The truth is, I'm more of a forest person than a beach person. Riding a motorbike and breathing in the fresh air was incredibly refreshing.

Let's take them to the temple for good luck before we go.

We are very afraid of the rocks in the water here. They are located on the walkway to the middle of the water temple. There are rocks and coral under the water. We come to the sea often, but we are afraid of coral.

The beaches are not arranged in any particular order, so you can visit them at your own pace. Another place I wanted to see was the Blue Sky Resort, which is said to be very beautiful. However, the water level was low when I visited, so it didn't look as nice as in the pictures. It seems that the experience at this resort really depends on your luck and whether you have to wait for the tide to come in or go out.

The area in front of the Blue Sky is Ao Mae Mai, which looks like this.

This is the area in front of our accommodation, Khao Kwai Bay. The water is emerald green and crystal clear. If you walk to the other side, the water is clear and salty, like the sea. It's like the sea here has two colors.

The locals on this island speak their own dialect, making it a great place for laid-back folks who enjoy a drink or two. Think indie vibes, reggae, and ska. As you explore the island by motorbike, you'll find charming bars and pubs everywhere, no matter how far you venture. Many boast a bohemian, reggae-inspired aesthetic, incorporating natural materials found locally. The overall atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming. While there are numerous bars scattered across the island, the most popular is undoubtedly the Hippie Bar, a renowned pirate-themed pub near our accommodation. It's a fantastic spot to unwind, although be prepared for slightly higher prices.

The bar is open during the day and offers coffee and beer. Visitors can enjoy the view, but it can be hot. At night, the music is loud and the lights are bright, but the noise does not disturb sleep. The bar is made from recycled wood and is a popular spot on the island. The bar is also featured in a Facebook post about Baan Suan Ga Yu.

Most of the small bars on the island are in this style.

No need to find expensive accommodation, as you won't have time to sleep with a motorbike ride around the island. Just sleep at night, because the charm of this place is driving and enjoying the sea and the clean nature. Although the road is a bit rough, there are no big cars, only motorbikes. The sea is beautiful, the water is clear, and the atmosphere is very peaceful.

Ao Kwang Pi Bay is a secluded and refreshing beach, perfect for those seeking a tranquil escape. Its remoteness ensures minimal crowds, creating an atmosphere akin to a private haven. Upon arrival, only a handful of local children and two foreign tourists were present, enjoying the pristine waters. The serene ambiance fosters a sense of tranquility and rejuvenation.

My favorite spot is probably Ao Kwang Peeb. It's a bit difficult to get to and requires a tiring hike, but it's absolutely worth it. The scenery is stunning, and it's incredibly peaceful.

On the island, you'll eat what the locals prepare, especially delicious but spicy southern cuisine. Street food is generally a bit more expensive than on the mainland, but not by much. There are no 7-Elevens on the island, but there are small minimarts where water and snacks are slightly pricier than on the mainland. You can bring your own food from the mainland for grilling, but be sure to check with your accommodation beforehand if they have the necessary equipment, as not all places do. Most accommodations are quiet bungalows, not ideal for large, noisy groups at night. If you're looking for nightlife, there are plenty of bars on the island.

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Lost in the woods, we followed signs sporadically, eventually stumbling upon a freshwater source on an island. Locals informed us that this was the islanders' primary source of freshwater. While we may have been lost, we discovered a hidden gem on the island.

If you are afraid of dogs, Koh Phayam is not the island for you. During my recent trip, I encountered more dogs on this island than on any other beach destination. They were everywhere, friendly and fearless, sometimes even aggressive. If you encounter a pack, be prepared for them to bark together. If you're a dog lover, this could be paradise. You'll never be lonely with all the furry friends around to play with.

After a long search, I finally found the Khao Kwai Bay Piercing Rock. It's a bit of a drive on a motorbike, but there are quite a few people taking pictures here. However, I'm not really feeling it. I don't like anything that looks like coral or stalactites and stalagmites. I don't understand why I'm afraid of it.

Peaceful, easy on the eyes, refreshing all around. The wind is strong, and even though the sun is a bit harsh, I still like it.

Dislike anything that is coral reef, but like this kind of thing, mangrove forests, lots of mud. In this area, I feel like if you go a little deeper, you can enter the Moken village, but I didn't go in. I didn't have that much time. Just going around the island was tiring enough. I will definitely have to come back again. I really like Koh Phayam.

I would love to stay here forever. I never want to leave. I understand why some foreigners come here and stay for months. It's not crowded, the accommodation is affordable, the sea is beautiful, and the food is inexpensive.

The return trip is by boat, which costs 200 baht. The cost of a shared taxi is 15 baht, and the cost of a van is 120 baht (there are both tour buses and vans to Chumphon at regular intervals). The cost of the train back is 232 baht. You return the same way you came.

I took a lot of photos, but I had some trouble uploading them. They wouldn't upload at all. You can see more photos or chat with other backpackers like me on the "Traveling Solo with Lady Journey" page. It was really hard to upload the photos, they wouldn't upload at all.

The total cost is around 1800-1900, about 2000. Going south without taking a plane is an epic journey of connecting buses that will make you better at connecting buses than the locals. Knowing a lot of routes and connecting buses efficiently will make it easy to travel anywhere. There is always a way out, a way to go, it just depends on how much effort you put in. For others, it may seem difficult to travel, but once you see the beautiful nature, it is guaranteed to be worth the effort.

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