The ferry from Trat pier barely holds twenty passengers, and as we approach Koh Mak’s pristine shoreline, I count exactly zero high-rise hotels breaking the coconut palm canopy. No concrete jetties stretch into turquoise waters, no jet skis carve wake patterns across the bay. Instead, a handful of wooden longtail boats bob gently in the shallows while a monitor lizard sunbathes on the small dock, utterly unbothered by our arrival.
Pristine beaches with crystal clear waters, and no development visible, is sadly becoming a rarity in Thailand
This scene repeats itself across half a dozen Thai islands that have somehow escaped the tourism juggernaut that transformed the rest of the country from secluded rickety wooden bungalows, to domineering upscale concrete resorts. These aren’t destinations you’ll find featured in airline magazines or package holiday brochures. They’re places where electricity arrives by solar panel, where the loudest evening entertainment is traditional fishing boat engines puttering home with the day’s catch, and where getting around means borrowing a bicycle from your guesthouse rather than hailing a taxi. For those who reminisce about the golden days of 1990s independent travel, read on.
What unites these scattered islands across both the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea isn’t just their pristine beauty – it’s their conscious rejection of mass tourism’s promises in favour of something more sustainable, more authentic, and ultimately more rewarding for everyone involved.
Koh Mak: The Sustainability Pioneer Leading by Example
Low-rise eco-resorts nestle amongst coconut palms on Koh Mak without infringing on the natural environment
If Koh Mak represents the future of responsible island tourism, then that future looks remarkably hopeful. This 16-square-kilometre gem in the Gulf of Thailand has achieved something almost unprecedented: international recognition as Thailand’s first low-carbon destination whilst maintaining the authentic character that makes travel meaningful.
What makes Koh Mak extraordinary isn’t just its pristine beaches or crystal-clear waters – though both are spectacular – but rather its community-driven approach to tourism. The island remains in the hands of five families, descendants of civil servant Luang Prompakdee who purchased the coconut plantations in the early 20th century. This tight-knit ownership structure has proved crucial in protecting the island’s tranquil character.
In 2018, residents formalised their vision through the Koh Mak Charter, establishing guidelines that feel revolutionary in Thailand’s tourism landscape: vehicle ferries are banned from docking, motorbike rentals are restricted to 70% of accommodation capacity, loud music stops at 22:00, jet skis are prohibited, and foam or plastic containers aren’t permitted.
The results speak for themselves. Cycling between Laem Son beach and Ao Suan Yai, I encountered no international hotel chains, no shopping malls, not even a single 7-Eleven – ubiquitous elsewhere in Thailand. Instead, low-slung bungalows peek through trees, traditional fishing boats dot the harbours, and the loudest sounds come from waves and wind through coconut palms. If you’re journeying here, come prepared for a holiday without the creature comforts of ATMs, fast-food joints and 24/7 conveniences. Koh Mak is a place where you go off-grid.
Local initiatives continue to enhance rather than exploit the natural environment. The Koh Mak Coral Conservation Group offers snorkelling trips where visitors learn coral propagation techniques using recycled materials. Trash Hero coordinates weekly beach cleanups with the motto “Every week we clean, we educate, we change.” The island’s tie-dye workshops teach traditional fabric-dyeing using natural pigments from local plants – indigo, mango, mangosteen, and coconut shell.
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Koh Phayam: Where Cars Fear to Tread
Electric scooters are becoming a cheaper, cleaner, safer and all-round more popular way of getting around the islands than motorbikes
Located off the coast of Ranong Province in southern Thailand near the Myanmar border, Koh Phayam operates on principles that seem radical in our motorised world: no asphalt roads, no cars, just sandy tracks navigated by electric scooters and the occasional monitor lizard crossing at their own leisurely pace.
Ao Yai beach stretches endlessly, a golden sand ribbon fringed with casuarina trees against a completely undeveloped horizon. The atmosphere alternates between tranquil surfing sessions, afternoons spent in hammocks, and evening meals at small cafés housed in driftwood shacks. This is Thailand as it existed before mass tourism discovered it, preserved as if by miracle.
The island’s car-free status isn’t just environmental posturing – it fundamentally changes how visitors experience place. Walking and cycling become natural choices rather than conscious decisions. Distances feel more human-scaled. The absence of traffic noise allows you to hear details usually drowned out: bird calls, wind through palms, conversations between fishermen preparing their nets.
Electric scooters provide practical transport whilst maintaining the island’s commitment to minimal environmental impact. Local businesses have adapted their operations around this philosophy, creating supply chains and service models that work within sustainable parameters rather than against them.
Koh Bulon Leh: The Suspended Lagoon
Unspoilt turquoise lagoons and pristine deserted beaches await those who step off the beaten track in Thailand
Found within the Tarutao archipelago south of Satun, Koh Bulon Leh measures just a few kilometres in length but delivers experiences that linger far longer in memory. The island’s pale sand appears to dissolve into mirror-still turquoise waters, creating an almost surreal sense of floating between sea and sky.
Infrastructure remains deliberately minimal: simple bungalows surrounded by natural vegetation, a small population of year-round fishermen, and a translucent lagoon at the foot of the main jetty. This isn’t underdevelopment – it’s conscious restraint, a recognition that sometimes less truly is more.
The absence of overwhelming amenities forces visitors to engage with natural rhythms and simple pleasures. Morning swims in the lagoon become meditation. Sunset watching evolves from passive tourism into active appreciation. Conversations with local fishermen provide cultural insights impossible to replicate in resort settings.
Koh Bulon Leh demonstrates how islands can support sustainable livelihoods without compromising their essential character. Fishing families continue traditional practices whilst welcoming respectful visitors who contribute to the local economy without overwhelming it.
Koh Kood: The Wild Island Paradise
Klong Chao waterfall cascading into a natural pool on Koh Kood, which has shunned over-development and preserved its natural environment
Thailand’s fourth-largest island, Koh Kood sits near the Cambodian border like a secret whispered between travellers who understand that the best destinations require effort to reach. Covered in jungle and rolling hills, the island has successfully resisted mass tourism’s advance through geographic remoteness and conscious development choices.
Reaching Koh Kood requires commitment – an hour’s boat ride from Trat town – but this journey filters visitors naturally. Those who make the effort tend to be travellers seeking authentic experiences rather than Instagram opportunities, creating a different quality of tourism that benefits both visitors and residents.
The island’s beaches rival any in Thailand: Ta Pho Beach shelters beneath giant coconut trees perfect for afternoon siestas, whilst Ao Noi Beach offers stunning sunset views from its famous jetty. Away Beach provides the largest stretch of pristine white sand, often completely empty during weekday visits.
Koh Kood’s interior harbours treasures that reward exploration. Khlong Yai Kee Falls tumble 15 metres into natural swimming pools surrounded by pristine forest. The more spectacular Khlong Chao Falls plunge 30 metres through tropical vegetation, accessible via short walking trails that provide glimpses of the island’s rich biodiversity.
Ancient trees add cultural dimension to natural beauty. The 700-year-old Chai Tree and 500-year-old Makka Tree, recognisable by orange cloth around its trunk, represent continuity between past and present, reminding visitors that they’re exploring landscapes with deep historical significance.
Koh Jum: Meditation by the Andaman Sea
Traditional fishing village, Baan Ko Pu in Koh Jum, with its wooden houses built on stilts over the water
Positioned between tourist magnets Krabi and Koh Lanta, Koh Jum maintains an almost meditative tranquillity that feels increasingly precious in Thailand’s tourism landscape. A few traditional fishing villages line the eastern coast whilst the western shores unfurl wild beaches beneath spectacular Andaman sunsets.
The island’s lack of permanent harbour and limited electricity infrastructure might seem like disadvantages, but they create the conditions for profound relaxation and cultural immersion. Evening meals are lit by oil lamps and candles. Conversations with locals happen at natural pace without digital distractions. The night sky reveals stars usually invisible in more developed destinations.
What few travellers visit Koh Jum tend to share recommendations in hushed tones, treating information like carefully guarded secrets. This creates a self-selecting community of mindful visitors who appreciate the island’s contemplative qualities rather than seeking constant stimulation.
The absence of typical tourist infrastructure encourages engagement with local communities and natural environments. Fishing families welcome respectful visitors into their daily routines. Beach walks become opportunities for meditation and reflection. Sunset watching evolves into meaningful ritual rather than casual entertainment.
Koh Lao Liang: Cathedral of Stone and Sea
Dramatic limestone cliffs rise from Koh Lao Liang’s azure waters, offering stunning scenery with no crowds
This extraordinary island consists of two vertical limestone peaks rising dramatically from the Andaman Sea off Trang’s coast. Surrounded by towering cliffs, azure waters, pristine coral reefs, and colonies of seabirds, Koh Lao Liang has long attracted rock climbers seeking challenging routes in spectacular settings.
Today, a single eco-friendly camp operates between November and April, offering visitors the chance to sleep in tents at the cliff base whilst listening to waves crash against stone walls. This represents primal travel experience – accommodation stripped to essentials, entertainment provided by natural phenomena, luxury measured in stars visible overhead rather than thread counts.
The camp’s seasonal operation demonstrates how tourism can work within natural cycles rather than against them. During monsoon months, the island rests, allowing ecosystems to regenerate without human pressure. When conditions permit safe access, visitors can experience one of Thailand’s most dramatic landscapes whilst supporting conservation efforts through mindful tourism practices.
Rock climbing routes range from beginner-friendly to expert-level, but the island’s appeal extends beyond climbing. Snorkelling reveals healthy coral reefs teeming with marine life. Bird watching provides encounters with species that nest on the limestone cliffs. Simply sitting at the cliff base while sunset paints the stone walls creates unforgettable memories.
The Future of Island Travel: Lessons from Thailand’s Hidden Gems
These six islands offer more than just alternative destinations – they provide blueprints for sustainable tourism that other locations could adapt. Their approaches vary, but common themes emerge: community ownership and control, infrastructure restraint, environmental protection, and recognition that authentic experiences often require patience and effort.
Koh Mak’s charter system demonstrates how communities can establish clear guidelines that protect character whilst supporting livelihoods. Koh Phayam’s car-free policy shows how transportation choices shape entire visitor experiences. Koh Jum’s minimal infrastructure proves that luxury can exist without destroying the qualities that make places special.
These islands also highlight tourism’s potential for positive impact when managed thoughtfully. Local businesses thrive without surrendering control to international corporations. Traditional practices continue alongside tourism rather than being displaced by it. Natural environments support rather than suffer from visitor presence.
For travellers seeking meaningful experiences whilst minimising negative impacts, these destinations offer profound rewards. Bookmark Asia Unmasked for more insights into sustainable travel across Southeast Asia, and join our community on Twitter/X where we share updates on responsible tourism initiatives throughout the region.
The challenge lies in visiting these places responsibly. Their very appeal – pristine nature, authentic culture, peaceful atmosphere – depends on maintaining the qualities that mass tourism typically destroys. Respectful visitors who understand this paradox become partners in preservation rather than threats to it.
As Thailand’s mainstream destinations grapple with over-tourism’s consequences, these hidden islands point toward different possibilities. They remind us that travel can enhance rather than diminish the places we visit, that tourism can support rather than supplant local communities, and that the most meaningful journeys often lead to destinations that require effort to reach and wisdom to preserve.
Have you visited any of Thailand’s lesser-known islands? What draws you to destinations that prioritise sustainability over convenience? I’d love to read your thoughts on responsible island travel here – your insights might help other travellers discover these hidden gems whilst respecting their unique character.
