Koh Pra Thong (Golden Buddha Island) is located off the west coast at a little village called Kuraburi, approximately 200 km north of Phuket and something like 100 km south of Ranong, the border town and most southern entry point into Burma.

Whether you're coming from Phuket or Ranong, the bus will get you to Kuraburi in a couple of hours. When you arrive, simply ask for a motorbike taxi to get you to the "taxi boat". The boat leaves for Pra Thong Island once a day. Departure times are changing, so are weather conditions, so here are a couple of phone numbers to get up to date information:
+66-76-491 447 or +66-76-491 478 or +66-76-421 360 or email kuraburi@thaimail.com.

Krathom Moken is the resort to go. They have about 20 simple, but lovely built cottages (see below) at a price of 1.600 Baht (that is till Oct.2003) per night. The bath has shower and bathtub and offers great views at the sea or surrounding jungle, cause it has a big window, same as the main room. Since there isn't much more on this peaceful island, it might be helpful to know, that they charge 150 Baht for breakfast, 200 for lunch and 350 for a seafood dinner. So you have to calculate on 2.500 Baht a day to experience some really quiet, friendly and most relaxed time.


The Name of the resort (Krathom Moken) tells about the inhabitants as well - the Moken tribe who are/were Sea Gypsies whose language, lifestyle and culture differs from Thai society. The cottages are built more or less according to the Moken styles.


As mentioned above, the island is an extremely peaceful and rather quiet place to go. It's great for snorkeling, or jungle hiking, perfect for nature lovers and people who like simple lifestyle with a bit of comfort. The rates do not really fit backpackers budgets and the limited comfort might not be attractive to others who easily spend a couple of thousand Baht per night for accomodation. Transportation to and from the island in longtails is rather adventurous - so, hold on tight to your mobile and/or camera and be prepared to get wet feet and pants on embarking the boat.
However this fact might help preserve the tranquility, the nature and the great attitude of those local people and therefore make this island remaining a little paradise for many more years to come.