EVER wondered what Thailand might have looked like in the ‘90s, years before the first selfie was snapped or before travel influencers descended in droves?
When I landed on the shores of Koh Yao Yai this August, I got a first hand glimpse.
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Just 20-minutes away from Phuket is a peaceful little paradise in the heart of Thailand’s Phang Nga BayCredit: Advaita RautKoh Yao Yai feels as if it is frozen in time, with a gentle sea and empty beachesCredit: Advaita Raut
Just 20 minutes away from Phuket’s tourist-choked roads and party-hopping beaches, this peaceful little paradise in the heart of Thailand’s Phang Nga Bay feels frozen in time – almost as if it’s veiled by a ‘90s sepia-toned filter.
Life moves slowly here, carried by the chorus of tropical cicadas and the gentle lull of the sea.
Meaning “big long island,” Koh Yao Yai drifts in relative anonymity between Phuket and Krabi.
The afternoon I arrived on the island by speedboat, I wandered along the empty stretch of Loh Pared Beach, feeling a bit like young Leonardo DiCaprio in The Beach, eyes wide as he stumbled upon a deserted Maya Bay for the first time.
Ironically, today, Maya Bay remains packed with tourists, while this secret spot, just two ferries away, brims with the kind of charm that time forgot.
What To Do in Koh Yao Yai
Enjoy Sidecar Rides Along Phang Nga Bay
One of the best things to do on the island is hit the roads on a 110cc scooter and drift aimlessly through its fishing villages.
I loved drinking in the sights of island life as they whizzed past: water buffalos wallowing in muddy fields, sparkling sea views layered with limestone karsts, and stilt-propped homes in shades of pink, and blue.
Many hotels and local motorbike operators rent scooters for as little as £6 (฿300) a day.
You can also hire a vintage-style scooter with a sidecar – a fun way to get around these parts – if you fancy a romantic twist to your island holiday.
Take a Batik Painting Class By The Sea
Across the hill from Klong Hia Pier, a local batik shop offers a relaxing afternoon escape from the island’s heat-hazed beaches.
When I visited Batik De Ko Yao, the instructor Lai led me to a bench overlooking the sea and guided me through the basics of batik painting.
The entire process, from tracing the design with molten wax to brushing it with vibrant dyes, was surprisingly meditative.
Once done, Lai dyed and proofed the piece before packing it up for me to take home.
One of the activities to do whilst on the island is batik paintingCredit: Advaita RautThe process uses vibrant dyes and was surprisingly meditativeCredit: Advaita Raut
Explore Crowd-Free Beaches
The beaches of Koh Yao Yai are starkly empty save for ghost crabs scuttling in and out of flint-coloured sand, or the occasional longtail boat with locals out fishing.
Especially worth visiting is Laem Haad beach, where the tide retreats beyond the shore each morning, revealing a serpentine sandbar that’s fun to walk across.
From there, you can spot the island’s smaller sibling, Koh Yao Noi.
In the evenings, watch the sun smear the skies in orange-pink hues at Loh Pared Beach, a soft white-sand cove on the island’s western end.
Another excellent spot is the Klong Son beach, where I arrived after braving a rocky road flanked by rubber trees.
The sun was blazing, the water warm, and although I craved a cold drink, I was pleased to see that there were no shops or shacks lining the beach.
Many of the beaches of Koh Yao Yai are empty of people, but still have ghost crabs scuttling aboutCredit: Advaita RautAnd if you look out to sea you can spot the island’s neighbour, Koh Yao NoiCredit: Advaita Raut
Take a Mangrove Tour
The island’s mangrove routes are perfect for relaxed and low-impact activities like kayaking.
Local guides lead you through canopied mangrove forests and sunlit lagoons in southern Koh Yao Yai, where you can spot a variety of indigenous wildlife – from mudskippers and tree snakes to monitor lizards and tropical birds – as you kayak through the waters.
Where To Eat and Drink
Koh Yao Yai is home to a predominantly Muslim population, which means bars and booze shops are rare – but not impossible to find.
Small, family-run shacks also dot the island, serving fragrant Massaman and Panang curries with rice, spicy salads, and Thai specialties for as little as £3 to £4 per plate, or under £20 for a meal for two.
One local favourite is Isaan Fine1, which has a bar menu serving cheap Thai beers like Singha, Leo, and Chang’s for just £3 a pop.
While you’re here, make sure to fill up on pad thai, drunken noodles, and fresh Thai salads, too.
There are many good foodie spots but cocktails are a bit pricier than elsewhereCredit: Advaita Raut
Another spot to enjoy drinks, grub, and music after a day out is Gypsy, a rustic island-style shack on the far end of Loh Pared Beach.
Sink your toes into the sand while you enjoy a cold beer or a mojito for just under £5.
For a more elevated experience with bay views, head over to the Jetinn Sunset at Pier at the Santhiya Resort.
Open from 5p.m to 7 p.m. daily, this overwater bar offers a lively sundowner vibe with panoramic views of Phang Nga Bay.
Cocktails are a bit pricier than elsewhere, but the vibe and views more than make up for it.
Where To Stay
If you don’t mind the splurge, lavish retreats like the Santhiya Koh Yao Yai and Anantara Koh Yao Yai offer idyllic sea-view villas and suites from £140 and £275 per night.
For a more laidback stay, the Thiwson Beach Resort offers rustic bungalows overlooking the sea from just £70 a night.
A short walk away, the Better View Resort has sea view rooms for £84 a night.
The island has both lavish and affordable retreatsCredit: Advaita Raut
If you prefer to keep it simple and stretch your stay, budget-friendly options like the Koh Yao Beach Front are excellent.
Located steps away from the Laem Haad beach sandbar, you can rent breezy bamboo huts here for as little as £27 a night.
Tucked further inland, the Patcharin Homestay and Bahnwalee offer clean wooden cottages between £20-£30 a night.
Wherever you stay, Koh Yao Yai presents a glimpse of Thailand as it once was: unhurried, unfiltered, and magical.
Simon Calder took to This Morning to reveal an often overlooked destination in Europe that he dubbed ‘absolutely gorgeous’ and a ‘bargain’
Albania has beautiful beaches and warm autumnal weather(Image: Nikola Dubivska via Getty Images)
Travel expert Simon Calder has been smitten with one particular destination since the 1980s. Now, this hidden gem is finally gaining recognition – yet Simon claims “prices are really back to kinda 1990s levels.”
Albania is emerging as a must-visit tourism hotspot, but as Simon revealed on ITV’s This Morning in a segment last year, he’s been championing it long before it became trendy. It comes as Wizz Air launches budget £20 flights to the country.
Speaking to presenters Ben Shepherd and Cat Deeley from his accommodation in Durres, Albania, Simon explained he had arrived the previous evening.
He said: “The sun has come out, it’s absolutely gorgeous and it’s one of the most historic and beautiful cities in Albania.”
Simon Calder is a familiar face on ITV thanks to his travel advice(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Beyond its stunning scenery, Simon highlighted Albania’s “incredible bargains”, reports the Express.
A pizza and pint will set you back roughly £6, whilst his coach journey from the airport to his accommodation – spanning 30 miles – would have cost merely a couple of quid; had he not missed the final departure.
The country currently has sunny weather forecast for the next couple of weeks, with highs between 26-28C daily, allowing you to enjoy the summer for longer.
Simon also claimed Albania’s residents are amongst the most hospitable and warm-hearted you’ll encounter anywhere.
He revealed that once locals realised he’d missed his transport, they immediately rallied around to assist him in securing a taxi – even advising him on fair pricing to prevent any potential overcharging.
Durres is full of beautiful places to explore such as the historic town square(Image: Andrea Pistolesi via Getty Images)
He noted that Albania currently sits outside the mainstream package holiday market, though he anticipates tour operators will catch on within the coming years.
Direct flights to Albania depart daily from key UK airports – and with this slice of paradise merely three hours away, it deserves a spot on your travel wishlist. If, like Simon, you fancy staying in Durres, then there’s plenty to keep you occupied.
Durres boasts a colossal Roman amphitheatre featuring preserved mosaics that visitors can explore and marvel at.
TripAdvisor gives this attraction top marks, with one reviewer calling it essential viewing.
One holidaymaker shared: “This place is absolutely wonderful. I noticed that a lot of people take pictures from the outside and do not wish to spend 200 lek which is little less then £2 to go and see it inside. I think it’s their loss and they choose not to support further recovery of this beautiful place.”
The amphitheatre of Duress(Image: Getty)
But if lounging on the beach is more your cup of tea, then Durres delivers on that front too – it’s packed with stretches of pristine white sand and sparkling turquoise waters.
Following a busy day of sightseeing, you’ll have built up quite an appetite, so why not sample some of Durres’s freshly caught seafood?
