Thailand unfortunately has recently garnered a reputation of being a bit of a party place especially amongst the younger generation of school leavers. So it was with apprehension that I decided to head to Thailand with the idea of avoiding the debaucherous locations. It didn’t take me long to realise that there were still plenty of places to visit that offered peace, clear waters, reasonable prices and natural beauty.
For this visit I ventured to Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai, Koh Lipe and Koh Adang, four islands to the south of Phuket. Although the back jarring transport was unforgettable so were the islands when I eventually arrived. Tropical paradise was not what I expected but I was glad to receive it. Development lately has increased however, there is still a significant amount of flora and fauna to be seen with islands like Koh Adang even listed as part of a larger national park designation.
Sunsets and sunrises were a real treat as was the abundant bird life. My personal favourite being the Oriental Pied hornbills who could be seen feeding on the casuarina nuts at this time of year. Peak season appeared to be quiet in January which only added to the relaxed pace of life. Although I only spent two weeks there it is a location I am eager to explore further and I can still recommend it as a place to visit with facilities and nature for all types of holiday maker.
Happy travels and safe shooting.
Rob Gubiani