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Back to Main Menu Recommend Us to a Friend! E-mail Us download printer friendly map (PDF 365 KB) Travel Destinations along the Gulf of Thailand

Koh Ra, Koh Phra Thong
and Koh Kho Khao Islands

Koh Ra Island is located on the Andaman Sea coast of Phang Nga Province in Southern Thailand and is one of the last island gems in Thailand. Koh Raa Island is a large and remote island with rain-forest covered mountains that has no development yet.

Koh Ra Island has different terrestrial and marine habitats, waiting to be explored and in need of research and conservation. These habitats include lowland tropical rainforest, beach fringe forest, freshwater streams and marshes, coral and rocky reefs, mangroves and sea grass beds. Because of its high intact forest coverage, Koh Ra Island is abound with mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds, including several species of hornbills, hawks and eagles. Wild pigs, deer, otters, pangolin and leopard cats roam the remote areas of Koh Rah Island.

According to historical information, a coastal road stretched between Ranong on the Burmese border and Takuapa in the South, the major coastal town of Phang Nga Province. At this time, people had to make the long overland journey on foot or elephant. As they approached the area of Koh Ra Island, nearing the last quarter of their journey, they found a wild herb known as bai ra from which they made a spicy curry to warm themselves and prepare for the final march through the thick jungles to Takua Pa. This herb was much prized and may have also led to the naming of Ra-nong.

The nearby town of Kuraburi, the present day fishing port and pier from which we access Koh Raa Island is a derivation of Koh-Ra-Buri, with buri meaning town. In the 1980's and 1990's Koh Ra Island was locally known as Koh Yippun, the Thai word for Japan, because a Japanese pearl farmer grew famous pearls in the area until the tsunami.

Koh Phra Thong Island is situated in Phang Nga province, on the West Coast of South Thailand and covers approximately 100 sqkm. It is separated from the mainland by a 7 meters deep canal that is almost completely covered by extensive mangrove forests.

Ko Phratong Island's fine sandy beaches are found on the west coast, totalling 15 kilometres in length. Besides some small hills, the inner parts of the island are covered by dry savanna that is home to deers, monkeys, wild pigs and numerous bird species including rare hornbills.

Kho Phrathong Island has 4 villages, Baan Thong Dhab, Baan Tha Pae Yoi, Baan Koh Ra and Baan Pok Jok. Most of the villagers are local fishermen, who still follow old traditional living.

Ko Phra Thong's tourist development is still limited to a few small resorts, each with bungalows made from local materials that do not disturb the beauty of the island. Flora and fauna of Koh Pratong Island are still natural and rich in their number of species.

Koh Kho Khao Island is similar to Phratong Island: the western coast has endless beaches lined by Casuarina trees while the interior is covered by grassland savanna. Several wild animals dwell the island, and sea turtles use to lay their eggs in its sands, between November and February. Those, interested in this fascinating event will have the possibility to observe turtles in their natural environment.

Ko Khokhao Island is the better developed one of the 2 sister islands, boasting with surfaced roads and a car ferry to cross the few hundred metres wide canal, which separates it from the mainland. An extensive flat grassland area close to the northern tip was used as an airfield by the Japanese during World War II and influential people are already talking about an airport there.

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