ARRIVING AT RAILAY BEACH AND LEAVING MY FLIP FLOPS

THE THAILAND SERIES, DAY 5&6

BANGKOK – KRABI – RAILAY BEACH – PHRA NANG CAVE BEACH

Arriving at Railay Beach. Thailand is much more than just islands but most of its highlights can be found around those in the south. From the parties on Koh Phangan to the more chilled vibe on Koh Lanta, there is something for us all.

ITS BEEN 6 YEARS SINCE I’VE VISITED ANY THAI ISLANDS AND IT FELT EVERY DAMN SECOND OF IT

I spent a number of weeks, nearly months on these islands and loved every minute of it so I was keen to return and see how things were post covid.

WHERE IS RAILAY BEACH?

Railay Beach

WHICH ISLANDS

Originally I didn’t have time for going this far south but I had visited Thailand too many times since going to this region so that’s the reason why this trip is 2 weeks and not a lot less.

However this does give you a near impossible decision on picking the islands to explore on an already tight timeframe. If you’ve visited most then you’ll know it’s hard to choose between them.

RAILAY BEACH

Personally you will only visit the islands on the east if the full moon part coincides with your visit, so that was out of the question. Not to mention my days of crawling around a full moon party are probably over.However the islands on the west are less explored for me and I wanted to get back and see if I’d missed anything.

For example I was only ever on Railay Beach for maybe an hour because we came for sunset and it pretty much happened as we were on the boat so had to head back to our hotel on the mainland before it got too dark. Like Phuket, Krabi (the region encompassing Railay Beach) is the gateway to the smaller islands around, Koh Phi Phi, Yao Noi and the famous Maya Bay. This was enough to make a decision.

Arriving at Railay Beach

RAILAY BAY BEACH RESORT

It might have been a taxi, flight, bus and boat but like any travel within Thailand, it was painless and I was in my hotel in no time. There are fewer places easier to travel within than Thailand, it never disappoints!

Railay Bay looked a decent hotel, much better on the photos than in real life but as usual the staff here are a different level, nothing is ever too much hassle for the locals here.

FIRST SUNSET

Of course one of Railay Beach’s best offering is it’s sunsets, one of the best in Thailand. Tonight along with the other 3 nights will be spent eating, having a beer and looking out to the sunset and incoming storms, pire bliss!

IS THERE A BETTER SUNSET SPOT…

Arriving at Railay Beach

PHRA NANG CAVE BEACH

The next morning was a free one so a kayak to a nearby beach was always going to be the answer. It is possible to walk to Phra Nang which I found out when I had to go back for my flip flops.

I have just recently seen a video of Railay walking street pre covid and the difference is incredible. Right now it’s like any chilled out resort should be, a good number of people walking around and a decent atmosphere. But the video tells a different story. It’s shows countless people on the beach and in the surrounding bars and restaurants. I think I prefer the new Railay.

Arriving at Railay Beach

TODAY’S YOUTUBE VIDEOS

If you want to see today from a different perspective, and catch a few different stories from the front row, then check out today’s YouTube videos below.

FINAL THOUGHTS

To say it’s good to be back in Thailand is an understatement but to be back roaming around the southern islands is a different level altogether, it does feel bizarrely like my being back home…

NEXT UP

Boat Trip from Hell, island hopping from Heaven!! Click to read.

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
152/229

This post was part of The Thailand Series. To view the full YouTube series from the trip click here or for my Instagram highlights you can go here.
If you would rather read the rest of the series from the blog just click here.