Travel Guide Book

Between Phuket and Krabi are the lovely islands of Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai. These are not the islands to come if you want to party, sit on deck chairs sunning yourself, watch ladyboys on podiums or spend your cash in markets. Yao Noi and Yao Yai are places to get away from it all. Both the islands are Muslim and the majority of the population are rubber farmers and fishermen. A fair amount of cashew nut farming also goes on.
On Yao Noi, there is around 18kms of road and motobikes or mountain bikes can be hired from most of the resorts mentioned below. There are no marked walking trails but towards the north of the island there are plenty paths off through the trees that cover enough kilometers to build up an appetite for dinner.
Most of the bungalows on Koh Yao Noi run from the southern tip to the northern tip on the eastern side . They start with Lam Sai village Guest House. Run by an Englishman and his Thai wife, this is a great place to unwind and the food is superb. The bungalows are upmarket and the prices reasonable. Then there is Koh Yao Beach Resort – a group of perfectly-situated bungalows facing the beach and magnificent views of Krabi. It is family-run and the food is excellent. Owners Rit and Ron can organize day trips around the island and visits to neighbouring islands. Next is Pasai Cottage with the very hospitable Joop in charge.
Come along the road a bit and pass Coconut Corner then around the bend to the popular Saibai Corner. On the road again and you come to the cosy Reggae Bar. Next it’s Tabeak View Point, Holiday resort, Koh Yao Noi Island resort and finally, Namtok Bungalows in the north. Tabeak View Point is in a prime spot up a hillside and gives stunning views over Phan Nga Bay. Namtok is run by the enigmatic Yeah and is set in a quaint little garden. Here you make your own breakfast and join in the family dinner in the evening.
Another way to have a family dinner is to support the Koh Yao Noi Eco-tourism club and stay in a ‘home stay’.For a relatively small price you can live and eat with a Thai family on the island. The project also runs several day trips ro promote awareness of the environment – tours through the mangroves, rubber plantations and fishing areas etc.To get to Koh Yao Noi, take the bus oe a ride to Bang Rong Pier in the north of Phuket to the right of Talang. Take the ferry ( see the map). Journey -1 hour. On the island take a tuk tuk and make your way up to the east side of the island. From Krabi boats leave Ta Lain pier at 12 noon daily. From Phang Nga boats leave from Customs Office Pier at 12 noon – check a day before. There is 24 electricity and internet access in a few shop houses. Tuk tusk are available if you don’t want to rent a bike.
Khao Sok National Park
Khao Sok is home to a vast variety of natural wonders. It has 4,000 sqkm of tropical rainforest, caves and some of the rarest animals and plants in Thailand. It’s also the location of the largest flower in Thailand, the rafflesia kerri. There are several sections of the park to explore but the main ones are at :1/ Khao Sok National Park Headquarters just off Highway 401, where a selection of treks and inexpensive bungalows are available and 2/ Ratcha Prapha Dam and Lake ,here you can hire a boat with or without a guide.
Khao Sok is about 140km northeast Phuket and 120km west of Surat Thani on highway 401. To get to the dam and lake, turn off the highway between km 57 & 78 at Baan Takhun. The road to the dam is 14km so you need a vehicle. For the park headquarters turn off at km 109 and drive past the guesthouse that line is 1.5km track. If driving from Phuket, head north to Tukua Pa on highway 4, then take the turn for Sunrat Thani on highway 401. Or take a right at Koh Kloi ( also on highway 4), then turn off for highway 415. This is the fastest route to the dam. Buses from Phuket Town also go there.