Lost heaven. Ko Lipe. Thailand. Ko Lipe in Thailand From Bangkok to Ko Lipe

How to get to Koh Lipe

The island of Koh Lipe is located in the south of Thailand, on the border of the territorial waters of Thailand and Malaysia.
There are several options for getting to Koh Lipe.

Any airport in Thailand - Koh Lipe

1) Any airport in Thailand-> Hat Yai (air) -> taxi to Pakbara (1800 baht). Pakbara -> Koh Lipe by speedboat 3 times a day.

November 2019: how I got to Koh Lipe from Bangkok

1) From international airport Bangkok (BKK) to Hat Yai ThaiSmile flight at 7:00.
2) Arrival in Hat Yai at 8:30. Receiving luggage 15 minutes.
3) Taxi to Pakbara Pier 1800 baht. A group tour on a minibus is cheaper. Travel time 1:30.
4) Buying tickets for the speedboat 11:30 to Koh Lipe (450 baht) + 200 baht fee national park.
5) Travel time to Koh Lipe is 1 hour without stops, 1:30 with a stop at Tarutao.
6) On Koh Lipe at 13:00.

Total from Bangkok to Koh Lipe - 6 hours.

How to get to Koh Lipe from Langkawi (Malaysia)

From the island Langkawi(Langkawi), Malaysia on the high-speed ferry Langkawi - Koh Lipe () twice a day.

From the islands of Thailand to Koh Lipe by sea

Koh Lanta. From Koh Lanta island (Krabi province) by speedboat.
Trang. From the pier Hat Yao Pier(Trang) on the yellow high-speed ferry http://www.tigerlinetravel.com/
Phuket. From the pier Rassada(Phuket) by high speed ferry with two stops Phi Phi and Hat Yao (Trang):

From Phuket to Koh Lipe (combined)

I wrote in detail how we got to Koh Lipe from Phuket: a combined option of air + taxi + speedboat.

Transfer chain: morning (7:15) flight Phuket - Hat Yai + taxi to Pakbara + a speedboat to Koh Lipe allows you to be on Koh Lipe by lunchtime on the same day.

How to get from Koh Lipe to Phuket Airport

I wrote in detail about the transfer Koh Lipe - Phuket by sea: .

How to get to Koh Lipe from Moscow

Air tickets Moscow - Bangkok (BKK) are purchased at.
Depending on the airline and the time of arrival in Bangkok, tickets are purchased for a morning flight (the same day or the next day).

For example, I'm arriving Qatar Airways from Doha to Bangkok at 17:45.
From BKK airport I take a free transfer in advance booked hotel where I stay all the time: Summit Windmill Golf Residence.

The next morning, I take a free transfer from the hotel to the airport (BKK) and fly to Hat Yai on the first flight ThaiSmile WE269 at 7:00

At 8:25 am I collect my luggage in Hat Yai and take a private taxi to the pier at Pakbara.

After 1:30, I get out at the lounge of the Akira Lipe Resort, drink coffee and wait to be called to board the speedboat. Nearby is the lounge of the Sita Beach Resort (if you have booked this hotel).

I leave everything unnecessary (for example, warm clothes) for storage in the Akira lounge.

At 13:00 I get off the speedboat onto the beach in front of Akira and while they are carrying my things, I sign on the prepared form, drink iced tea and receive the keys to my bungalow.

In this chain, it is important to fly out of Bangkok in the morning before 11:00, or you will have to spend the night in Pakbar.

Pakbara starting point on Koh Lipe

Previously, Pakbara was a terrible hole (20 years ago).
When I first came to Pakbara, there was not a single hotel in the fishermen's village, except for 4 rooms on the second floor of a grocery store with one toilet in the corridor for everyone.

And the ship that brought tourists from Pakbara to Koh Lipe was made of wood and resembled a Spanish galleon of the 15th century (it broke down twice per voyage)

Now you won’t recognize Pakbara: a 7/11 store, ATMs, seafood restaurants (though Muslim ones with menus in Thai).
The port at Pakbar is a building made of stone and glass.

It’s a pity I don’t have any photographs of the port of Pakbara-2002 at hand: on the river bank there are sandbags on which 2 boards are thrown - this is a pier.

How to get to Pakbara

Airports closest to Pakbara:
— Trang(Trang)TST
— Hat Yai(Hat Yai) HDY
Trang Airport is slightly closer to Pak Bara than Hat Yai Airport.

For example: flew from Bangkok to Trang ()
Exit to the arrivals hall and go to the transfer counter (left side of the hall).

A taxi to Pakbara costs 2,200 baht and takes an hour and a half to travel. The price is fixed and written on the board in front of the counter.
If you have high speed ferry tickets Tigerline, then you need to take a taxi to the pier Hat Yao— it’s 50 minutes from Trang airport)

You can team up with someone and split the cost of a taxi.
You can go to high road and try to find a ride or negotiate with a taxi directly.

But the fact remains: a taxi from Trang airport to Pakbara costs 2,200 baht.
Taxi ride from Trang Airport to Pakbara Pier: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Speedboat schedule from Pakbara to Koh Lipe

The schedule varies depending on the season, the weather and the number of tourists going to Koh Lipe.
It is better to clarify the information on the spot.
As of August 2016, the schedule looked like this:

You can see something on the website http://kohlipethailand.com/koh-lipe/transport/boat-timetable/
Speedboats depart from Pakbara at 9:30, 11:30 and 15:30 during low season.

The best option would be to take the first speedboat at 9:30 so that you can be in Lipa at 11-11:30. But for this you need to arrive in Pakbara the day before leaving for Koh Lipe.

See what flights arrive to Trang or Hat Yai at
Add 20 minutes to collect your luggage and find a taxi.
Add 1.30 for the road to Pakbara and 10 minutes for buying tickets and figure out which speedboat you have time for.

Where to stay in Pakbar

A simple hotel near the pier - Best House.
The better option is Seesea Resort. Very simple, like a soldier Happy House

If you want more comfort, it is better to stay in the city Langu 7 km from Pakbara. For example, they praise

Ko Lipe - remote island located in the south of Thailand, 20 km from the border with Malaysia. Washed by the waters of the Andaman Sea as part of the Adang Ravi archipelago, it is no longer a wild island, but an actively developing world resort.

Today the island is one of the largest in the whole South-East Asia nautical national park Tarutao. Distance from the mainland is 70 km. Quantity local residents hardly exceeds the figure of 800 people, these are the sea gypsies, Chao Lei (Chao Lei) or Urak Lawoi (Urak Lawoi), who came to Thailand on the island of Lipe, from Malaysia, about 100 years ago.

Ko Lipe on the map of Thailand

Very often the name of the island is interpreted differently: Ko Lipe, Koh Lipe, Koh Laip and Ko Lipei. At the beginning of the new century, since the 2000s, with the development of low-cost air travel and sea communications, the island of Koh Lipe has become truly popular tourist centre, is also one of the protected islands where tourists visiting Thailand can freely relax.

As for the island as a whole, activity usually calms down around midnight. Main entertainment on Koh Lipe: trips to the islands of Tarutao National Park, diving, snorkeling, sea activities, fishing and of course beach holidays.

It is worth considering that previously there were no ATMs on the island, but now you can find ATMs on the street, next to the 7/11 supermarket. As for exchangers, they are located almost every step, but the exchange rate is extremely unfavorable.

Take care of this in advance by exchanging currency in advance, for example in Bangkok.

Prices for food and drinks in shops, bars, and restaurants are absolutely affordable. Finding a restaurant where the cost of meals is very affordable, below 100 baht, is not difficult; most are located directly on the beaches. In retail stalls and shops on the island, prices do not differ from those on the mainland, within the prices of the 7/11 store chain.

How to get to the island

There is no airport on the island, the closest is in Hat Yai. Several airlines operate flights from Suvarnabhumi: Nok Air, Tiger Air and Air Asia. Ticket prices start from 1200 baht.

Transport routes

Arriving at Hat Yai Airport, you can take advantage of the transfer service to the island, which includes a trip by minivan to Pakbara Pier, then by boat to Koh Lipe. The cost of providing services is 800 baht per person. Travel time is 1.5-2 hours from the airport to Pakbara pier, and approximately 2 hours to Koh Lipe.

You can take a bus from the bus station in Sai Tai Mai (Southern Bus Terminal) to Hat Yai. You can purchase tickets in the terminal building. Travel time Bangkok - Hat Yai, 10 - 11 hours. Ticket prices depend on the class, from 700 baht per seat on an air-conditioned bus.

From Phuket, Krabi and other resorts you can get there by ship. The main carrier is Tigerline Travel. They provide good, fast boats.

Estimated cost of providing Tigerline Travel services:

From the resorts of Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta from 1500 - 2000 baht;
From the resorts of Ngai, Kradan and Koh Muk from 1000 - 1500 baht;
From Hat Yao pier in Trang, approximately 750 baht.

Please note that high season is October - April. The rest of the time, ships go to the island much less often.

Transport

In general, the island is small, you can easily get around it on foot in a couple of hours. That's why public transport absent. There are few cars on the island; they are mainly used as freight transport.

Local taxi.

But at any time you can use the services of local taxis (TAXI) - a motorcycle with a sidecar that ply around the island, delivering tourists from beach to beach.

Taxi prices.

You can rent a bicycle for 200 baht per day. A fairly popular means of transportation - boats, are also the main link with neighboring uninhabited islands. You can rent them on the shore.

Weather

The resort has a tropical climate. The year is conventionally divided into two seasons, the first of which is dry, the second is wet. The low season, also known as the wet season, lasts from May to the end of November. At this time, the weather on the islands is quite gloomy and it often rains. The second season is dry, with little rainfall. This is the season that most tourists choose to go on holiday to Thailand. At this time, the sea is quite calm, the weather is not too hot, and beautiful photos are obtained against the backdrop of blooming nature.

Housing

There is a decent selection of accommodation on the island. You can stay in a bungalow, rent an apartment or rent a hotel room starting from 500 baht, photo below. Rooms and bungalows with air conditioning and hot water average 1000 - 1200 baht per day. There are enough such offers even during peak season, on the beaches of Sunrise, Sunset, Pattaya and the central part of the island.

Koh Lipe hotel prices vary depending on comfort and season. In order to get good accommodation, it is better to resolve the issue in advance by booking a room or bungalow a month before your trip. Because, as a rule, by the high season prices rise significantly by 1.5 - 2 times. On average, a night's stay in a decent hotel in high season will range from 1,500 - 2,000 baht.

Map of hotels on Koh Lipe

In addition to the fact that you can stay in hotels during your vacation, local hotels, as a rule, also offer a number of additional services. One of the most budget options for the traveler - a tent. There are campsites on the island, mostly on Sunset Beach.

Beaches

The resort island consists of four large beaches: Pattaya, Karma, Sunset and Sunrise. All beaches are connected by small paths through which you can quickly get from one place to another. Small and secluded beaches of the island: Sanom Beach and Bila Beach.

The main beach is Pattaya Beach. Located in the southern part of the island, it is the most popular among tourists, its shape resembles small sizes horseshoe The entire length of the coast is covered with fine white sand, the sea is calm.

On the busy Walking Street, not to be confused with the street of the same name Pattaya resort, for which Thailand is so famous, there are many cafes, bars and restaurants with different cuisines.

Walking Street in Koh Lipe.

Many establishments have the Internet, and you can also pay by card.

Sunrise Beach, as its name suggests, is best suited for watching sunrises; you can often find similar photos on the Internet. In addition, the clear water makes this place almost ideal for snorkeling and diving.

There are budget and luxury luxury hotels on the beach.

Sunset Beach is cozy bay, where you can take great photos of sunsets and have a great time with your loved one. The coast is quiet and peaceful, and there are some very interesting exotic restaurants on its territory.

The last of the large beaches on the island is Karma. In fact, this is just a continuation of the previous beach, which stretches far to the north. Calm sea - you can swim with children, a quiet cozy environment and the best panorama on the entire island, against which you can take great photos.

The beach infrastructure is constantly being improved, built good hotels, Internet is provided. You can buy fresh food right on the beaches. True, at the same time, you will not find great variety products. Try different ones for which the country is so famous.

Koh Lipe is one of the best places for the holiday that Thailand gave the world. Good conditions for relaxation and the beautiful landscapes are good for doing best photos as a souvenir of a heavenly holiday.

How to get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok is a popular question among independent travelers. The tropical island of Lipe, located in the southwest of Thailand, is not only a paradise, but also a unique place of this country. The fact is that this island is a protected area with unique flora and fauna. Many tourists who come to Thailand for a vacation or to live in this country definitely try to get here. Let's look at how to get to Koh Lipe from the northeastern resorts or from the capital of the state, Bangkok.

To get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok, you'll need to break up your trip in several stages. The first is a flight by plane, bus or train. The second is a trip to the pier and the third is a trip by ferry or speed boat.

Koh Lipe: how to get there by plane

You can get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok by plane. More precisely, get to the cities closest to the pier.
From Bangkok you can take a plane, which is located at a considerable distance from coastline, but here is the closest airport to the island.

The service is carried out by low-cost airlines Nok Air and Air Asia. Ticket prices vary widely, depending on the season. Prices start from 1200 baht.

In addition, to get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok, you can. The flight to it is a little closer and it is located directly on the coastline, but getting there by water will take much longer, is more expensive and requires a transfer.

Koh Lipe, Thailand: how to get there by train

If the cost of a plane ticket seems very expensive to you or for some reason, you will want to take a ride around Thailand and look at it from the window ground transport, then you can get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok by train.

You can board the train from Bangkok to Hat Yai at the central railway. d. Lampong Railway station (Lampong Station). The train schedule can be viewed on the website of this station, and you can buy tickets directly there. Ticket prices are divided into three classes and are 200 baht - 3rd class, 500 baht - 2nd class and 800 baht - 1st class. Trains take around 5 pm, but if you take the evening train you can arrive in Hat Yai early in the morning.

How to get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok by bus

Another option for getting to Koh Lipe from Bangkok is by bus. Buses to Hat Yai depart from southern bus station Bangkok Sai Tai. The cost of tickets depends on the class of bus, the most expensive tickets for seats with air conditioning will be about 700 baht. Travel time is slightly less than by train and is 13 hours. Most buses go in this direction at night and depart in the evening.

Koh Lipe Island: how to get there on your own by transfer and ferry

You can buy tickets for the transfer minibus at the airport or bus station in Hat Yai. It will take you directly to the pier in Pak Barra town to reach Koh Lipe on your own. This is very convenient, since you don’t have to stand in line separately at the pier a second time, just board the ship with the group. The minibus ride to the pier will take 1.5-2 hours and the same by sea. The cost of such a ticket for two types of transport is about 700 baht.

Also, to get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok, you can take a taxi for about 1,500 baht and buy ferry tickets yourself for 400 baht. The last ferry leaves around 15.00 in the afternoon. So if you don’t want to lose a precious day by spending it on the pier, you should plan your route so as to arrive in the city no later than noon.

From the city of Trang the situation is similar, but since it is located right on the coastline, the transfer to the pier takes less time, but the cost of ferry tickets is much more expensive, and the travel distance is longer.

By speed boat

Links to Lipe Island are also provided by speedboats from Bandhaya and Satun Pak Barra. The cost of such a trip will be about 1,500 baht, but travel time is reduced by almost half. Boats depart when they are full and if you have significant funds, this can be a backup option if you do not have time to catch the ferry.

How to get to Koh Lipe from Phuket and Krabi

A few words about Koh Lipe, how to get there from Phuket, Krabi and other resorts. You can also get to Lipe Island on your own from other provinces of Thailand. Tours to Koh Lipe are organized from major resorts. You can buy tickets at a travel agency on the street. This will be the simplest option.

These are all the ways to get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok, Krabi and Phuket.

Between the popular tourist resort of Phuket and one of the most beautiful islands Thailand, Koh Lipe, waters stretch Andaman Sea. If you draw a straight line on the map, the distance between the islands is about 180 km. It will take at least 5 hours to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe. Which transport to choose, prices for tickets and transfers, nuances that need to be taken into account when buying tickets for a ferry or boat - we will sort everything out in order.

From this article you will learn:

1 | The fastest way to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe

A speed boat will take you from Phuket to Lipe Island in about 5 hours. At the same time, passengers will even have time to have a snack or a short walk on terra firma during a stop on Lanta Island.

What to consider when purchasing speedboat tickets from Phuket to Koh Lipe or reverse direction- the boat does not go in a straight line, it stops on the islands: Ko Phi-Phi, Ko Lanta, Ko Ngai, Ko Mook, Ko Kradan.

Speedboat schedule and stops from Phuket to Koh Lipe and back

A trip on such a boat is also an opportunity to visit one or more islands, in addition to Phuket and Koh Lipe. After all, it is not necessary to immediately cover the entire distance from Phuket to Lipe - you can stop for a day or two to relax on any of the islands along the boat’s route. The ticket is split into several parts. For example, from Phuket to Lanta, from Lanta to Koh Muk, from Koh Muk to Koh Lipe. It will turn out pretty interesting route By tropical islands and there will be no fatigue from a long journey by sea.

For example, on Koh Muk there is a skazon a beautiful hotel Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort.

Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort on Koh Muk Island

To save your time searching for hotels on the islands, I have collected ready-made links to each island:

hotels in Ko Phi Phi: booking.com and agoda.com,
Ko Lanta hotels: booking.com and agoda.com,
hotels hotels Ko Ngai: booking.com and agoda.com,
Ko Mook hotels: booking.com or agoda.com,
hotels Ko Kradan: booking.com or agoda.com,
hotels in Ko Lipe: booking.com or agoda.com.

The price for a speedboat ticket from Phuket to Koh Lipe is 2500 baht (~ $85):

The number of places is limited, so it's better.
Speedboats operate between Phuket and Koh Lipe from 20 October to 15 May.
Based on my own experience of traveling to Koh Lipe, I can recommend the company - professional staff and new speedboats. Speedboat tickets from Phuket to Koh Lipe (and the islands in between) can be purchased on the website.

Speed boat company Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club

What to take with you on a speedboat:

anti-sickness tablets (take 15-20 minutes before the boat departs),
drinking water or any other drink,
sun cream (treat problem areas before boarding the boat),
scarf or shawl (shelter from strong wind or rain),
earplugs, or cotton wool in your ears, or your favorite music (from the constant whistling of the wind).

2 | The most diverse and yet fastest way to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe

If you don’t want to rush across the sea on a speedboat for 5 hours, feeling the unevenness of the sea surface and the gusty sea breeze, then this option is more suitable for you - a convenient and absolutely not tiring combination of transport:

airplane from Phuket to Hat Yai - departure from Phuket at 07:25 and at 08:30 already in Hat Yai (1 hour flight),
comfortable minibus from the airport to the Pak Bara pier - met at the airport with a sign at 9:00 (from the airport to the pier it takes approximately 2 hours - 119 km),
speed boat from Pak Bara pier to Lipe island with a stop for 10 minutes - walk around protected island Tarutao (at 13:30 the boat arrives at Koh Lipe, Pattaya Beach).

Bangkok Airways plane at Hat Yai airport

Prices for tickets from Phuket to Koh Lipe:

a direct flight Phuket - Hat Yai with Bangkok Airways costs about 2,000 baht ~ $54, including 20 kg luggage and a light snack during the flight (kiwi.com will help you find and buy a plane ticket),
(speed boat) from Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe costs 700 baht ~ 21 $ (based on my own positive experience, I recommend the trip).

Buying a transfer on site, at the airport, or separately tickets for a bus to the pier and a boat to Lipe Island will cost more (verified).

Minibus from Hat Yai Airport to Pak Bara Pier

3 | The cheapest way to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe

To save on tickets and one night in a hotel, you can come to Hat Yai by night bus. During the day, but there are two most convenient options:

A regular air-conditioned bus leaves Phuket at 21:30 and arrives in Hat Yai at 05:50 (bus ticket costs 400 baht ~ $13).
VIP bus with wide seats and plenty of legroom, blankets and meals departs at 21:45 from Phuket and stays at bus station Hat Yai at 05:35 am (VIP bus ticket costs 600 baht ~ $20).

Photo from speedboat to Lipe Island

4 | Additional expenses

entrance to Lipe Island and all other islands of Tarutao National Park - 200 baht ~ 6 $ (one-time payment, valid for 7 days - take a ticket with you to all excursions and islands so as not to pay extra),
transfer on a wooden boat from a speedboat to Lipe Island - 50 baht ~ $1.5 (paid if the boat cannot approach the shore due to a strong low tide),
entrance to Pak Bara pier, from where speed boats depart to Lipe Island - 20 baht ~ $0.6,
entrance to the pier on Lanta island (if you want to take a walk while the Phuket - Koh Lipe boat stops) - 10 baht ~ $0.3.

Yesterday at 8 am we left the house and by lunchtime we were already in Krabi. We checked into a guest house in the town and, without wasting time showering and changing clothes, immediately went to Ao Nang. We walked along familiar streets, looked into the condo where we used to live, and in the evening we met our readers. Towards nightfall we met with friends from Hua Hin in the town. And this morning we all started together in Koh Lipe.

How to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe

Rassada pier in Phuket is located near Phuket Town. One of the pink city buses goes there. But since the departure time is at 8 am, the easiest way would be to take a taxi from your hotel in Phuket or from the bus station in the town. You can order a taxi to Rassada Pier online via this link.

From Phuket to Koh Lipe by plane

Another convenient option. From Phuket you can take a direct flight from Bangkok Airways to Hat Yai, and from there take a minibus to Pak Bara Pier, then a speedboat to Koh Lipe. Here is the link to Phuket-Hat Yai air tickets.

How to get further? I don’t know for sure, but at the airport you may be immediately offered a comprehensive ticket for a minibus and boat to Ko Lipe. We ourselves took a different route, so I’m not sure that there will be an opportunity to buy such a ticket.

If there are no offers, go to Hat Yai Bus Station, from where you will take a bus to Pakbara Pier. Next take a speedboat to Lipe Island. You can order bus + boat tickets at 12goAsia website.

Bus Phuket - Trang, minibus to Pak Bara pier, boat to Koh Lipe

Go to Phuket Bus Terminal 2 and buy tickets for the Phuket - Trang bus. You cannot buy such tickets online anywhere, only at the station ticket office. Tickets will cost about 300 baht give or take. When you arrive in Trang, right at the station you can buy a minibus ticket to Pak Bara Pier. Here is a website where you can buy a comprehensive ticket for minibus and speedboat Trang - Koh Lipe.

If you need to stay overnight in Trang, book a hotel on Booking via this link.

How we got to Koh Lipe from Phuket

We were driving on land. Friends were waiting for us in Krabi in a car. We stopped for the night in Krabi town, and in the morning we left by car in the direction of Pakbar Pier. By car it takes about 3-4 hours to travel from Krabi. Next, I’ll tell you how we spent the evening in Krabi, visited Ao Nang beach, as well as our first impressions of Koh Lipe.

Evening in Krabi

We got to Krabi by minibus in 3 hours with central bus station, 140 baht per person. The driver was apparently a former motorbike biker - he threw on energy drink all the way and drove quite aggressively. We noted for ourselves that in the future it is better to avoid traveling on minibuses.

Ao Nang is not the best beach in Thailand

What's new to tell you about Krabi? We walked around Ao Nang. We felt a little nostalgic. We wanted to give the beach a second chance, but... Ao Nang Beach is really disappointing! This is how we wrote an article 2 years ago, and it’s still the same! Dirty muddy brown water, sand that hurts to walk on, a muddy bottom... The noise from motor boats is as loud as if this is not a seashore, but a construction site with bulldozers... Only the unique mountains of Krabi save the situation. If there were no mountains, there would be nothing to do there at all. Who would have thought that at such a highly advertised resort with beautiful name, Krabi, one of the worst beaches in Thailand

We are in Krabi!

The guys are really screwed, someone will think... I don’t know, maybe that’s true, especially after. I hope fans of Ao Nang will forgive me, but the bottom in the Moscow River looks exactly the same

Dirty Ao Nang beach

By the way, in the far left corner a full-flowing stinking river flows into the sea. Very very smelly

Krabi is the most expensive mainland resort in Thailand

Prices in Krabi are a separate matter. There is a myth among travelers that Phuket is the most expensive island... Nonsense! Ao Nang is much more expensive than Phuket! Is transport expensive in Phuket? The most expensive route in Phuket costs 40 baht, and the songthaew from Ao Nang to Town costs 50.

Nepalese

Nepalese are everywhere! Nepalese is available in all stalls. They are very easy to identify by their displeased facial expression and Indian appearance. Katya forgot her glasses on the bus and needed to buy new ones. In Phuket, in any tent, sunglasses cost 100 baht. These impudent Nepalese mugs tell us 350. You just have to be indignant about why this is such a triple markup, and they wave their hand at you and defiantly leave. I’m not even saying that their etiquette doesn’t include a basic “Hello” and a smile to the buyer. They sit with dissatisfied faces, buried in the phone.

Sunset

We met some guys living in Krabi who, as it turned out, had been reading our blog for a long time. They are not even offended that we wrote about Krabi at one time not the most best reviews(the truth). We admired the wonderful sunset together.

Krabi town

Everything in the town is Thai. We had a hearty meal of soup for 80 baht and pancakes with banana for dessert. We met with friends from Hua Hin and drove to Makro. For the coming nap we decided to have a beer and go to bed.

The next morning we had to get up early. We snacked on sandwiches and coffee from 7-11 and drove further by car towards the Pakbar pier.

Koh Lipe Island - first impressions

We will definitely describe the island of Koh Lipe in more detail. For now I’m sharing my first impressions. The water is clean and clear. But not turquoise, like on the Similan Islands.

View of Koh Lipe from the floating jetty

Sunset Beach

First impressions of Koh Lipe

You have to pay for every step - for a ticket to the speedboat, for passage to the pier, for the boat from the speedboat to the beach, for entry to the island
There are no bounty beaches here
The beaches are lined with boats
There is a lot of garbage and devastation, you just need to get off the central Walking Street
Products in stores are more expensive. Prices in tourist cafes are about the same as everywhere else - dishes cost 100-150 baht
Many Russian tourists
Many tourists of other nationalities
In the evening on the beach there is music, fire shows and cozy bars, just like in Goa
The island is a large market with restaurants, bars and hotels among the shopping arcades.

By the way, main beach Koh Lipe is called Pattaya Beach

We didn’t want to spend the night in cheap thatched bungalows; this is romantic only for those who have never been to the tropics. We checked into a decent hotel - . A day costs as much as 2000 baht ($55). Well, this is Koh Lipe, that's normal!! Everything is great, the hotel is new, the bed is clean, but... There is no hot water! Well, how is that possible, huh?? They rent out rooms for 2 thousand baht a day and cannot buy any cheap water heaters!

Read:

Hotels on Koh Lipe

AKIRA Lipe Resort
Bundhaya Villas
Lip Sunset Beach Resort
Harmony Bed & Bakery
The Reef

All hotels in Koh Lipe

Swimmed at Sunset Beach. Without much pleasure. The tide was low, very shallow, literally knee-deep, and there were a lot of stones at the bottom, and we didn’t take swimming shoes. Tomorrow we'll swim in Pattaya or go exploring to the third beach. ABOUT beach holiday on this island, see new article.

Read:

Ko Lipe is considered a national park. We paid 200 baht ($6) for entry. And the island itself is full of dirty places like this, where garbage, building materials, something has been dug up and then abandoned.

I understand that the Thais themselves put it into nature. But is it really so difficult to somehow improve everything, since they charge money for entry? Thousands of tourists from all over the world come here, but they are not ashamed to make a mess and not clean up anything afterwards.

Ko Lipe is no longer the same (c)

Our friends are not happy yet either. In the evening we ate in a cafe, took a trip around Chang and went to the beach. The mood improved, we liked the evening Pattaya Beach. So, so far the impressions of Koh Lipe are mixed.

Have any of you been to this island? Write how you like it? What did you like and what didn’t? Where to eat deliciously, what excursions did you take?

PS: I’m already anticipating comments from smart people, like “what kind of attitude you drove in, that’s what you got” or “what you see inside is what you see outside” and similar philosophical nonsense. So, I’ll answer right away, we were driving in an excellent mood and expected to see the level of Similan :) Added the next day: today we swam all morning at Pattaya Beach and nearby beach

. Wonderful blue water that you don’t want to get out of! The mood and impressions of the island are improving!