MARCHES PAST TOUR SUMMARY
.THAI/MALAY ISLAND TOUR, 22 October - 4 November 2013
SATUN/KOH LIPE, THAILAND (Part 3), 29 October - 2 November
Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe
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Part 1, PENANG | Part 2, LANGKAWI | Part 3, SATUN/KOH LIPE | Part 4, KOH KRADAN, TRANG

Itiniary……..For full report click on travel log
Day 8, Langkawi to Satun
Days 9-11, On tour - Koh Lipe
Day 12, Koh Lipe to Koh Kradan via Pakbara, La Ngu, Trang and Kwan Tung Goo
Excursions.....(None; beach walks only)
Wapi Resort.....Sunrise Beach. Aircon, fridge, TV, wifi, hot shower. Rating, good, 1000 baht, 4 nights. This is a new resort. The foreigner owners were very accommodating, the Thai partner not quite so.
 Weather....... Cloudy with sunny spells, 25-30c
Dining out....... Sunrise Beach contains only resorts but is linked to Pattaya Beach by 'Walking Street'. Pattaya Beach comes alive in the evening where seafood restaurants invite you to dine on the beach. Walking Street compliments this providing all manner of takeaway foods as well as restaurants and bars.
Transport used....... Langkawi to Tammalang Pier, speedboat (30R 90 mins.). Tammalang Pier to Satun, songtheaw (50 baht 15 mins.), Satun to Pakbara by van and pick-up (50 baht 90 mins.), Pakbara Pier to Koh Lipe (900 baht return 90 mins. each way)
Satun/Koh Lipe……. Satun, with a population of about 22,000, is the gateway to Thailand's southern-most islands in the Andaman Sea. There is an abundance of pristine nature and mountainous forests with more than eighty beautiful surrounding islands. The best-known islands are Koh Tarutao, Koh Adang, Koh Rawi and Koh Lipe. Of these Koh Lipe is by far the smallest but is not part of the Tarutao National Park. Consequently it has been open to mass development for tourists despite its remote location.

Mak Bang River, Satun Pakbara estuary, Satun Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe

Satun can be reached by sea or road. The nearest international airport is at Hat Yai while there is a domestic airport at Trang, 2 hours away. There is also an airport on Langkawi Island, Malaysia. This island can be reached by speedboat from Tammalang Pier about 12 kms from Satun (300 baht 75 mins). However for Koh Lipe, speedboats depart from Pakbara Pier further up the coast. There are minivans that leave Satun for La Ngu (40 baht 60 mins). From the market in La Ngu, songtheaws (converted pick-ups), 10 baht, make the short trip to the pier.

Sunrise Beach, north, Koh Lipe North island, Koh Lipe Pattaya Beach, Koh Lipe

Satun is a small provincial town with not too much on offer for tourists but is useful for a stopover. Koh Lipe on the other hand is now fully developed as a tourist location with resorts ringing the island. There is a full range of restaurants, bars, shops and boutiques all crammed together. Most areas of the island are within walking distance rendering it unnecessary to use transport expect, perhaps, the rather battered motorbike and sidecar for luggage. Inevitably accommodation is expensive. Expect to pay from 1000 baht up for an air-conditioned room, a bit less for fan. The rates will rise in high season especially around Christmas and the New Year. Dining is also expensive, at least double that on the mainland. There are plenty of options for trips to other islands invariably heading to the national park. Most resorts handle bookings at one flat rate. There is a charge of 200 baht for entering the park.