Where is The Best Thai Restaurant in Phang Nga Bay?
Best Restaurant In Phang Nga Bay
Thai food is renowned worldwide for its irresistible flavors, aromatic spices, and vibrant presentation. The cuisine of Thailand has captured the hearts and palates of people from all corners of the globe.
Thai food is known for its perfect balance of flavors. Thai dishes masterfully combine sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy elements, creating a symphony of tastes that tantalize the taste buds. Whether it’s the tangy lemongrass in Tom Yum soup, the fiery kick of chili peppers in Som Tum, or the creamy coconut milk in Massaman curry, Thai food delights in its ability to create a harmonious blend of contrasting flavors in each dish.
Baan Rim Nam Koh Yao Yai
When you are out on a 5 Star Marine Tour in Phang Nga Bay, we would highly recommend the amazing Baan Rim Nam, on Koh Yao Yai.
Baan Rim Nam restaurant is a must-visit and not only because the food is very tasty, but also because of the fantastic location. As you sit on the wooden deck you overlook the tranquil bay and right in front
of you, see the floating shacks of the local fishermen, who bring their catch daily to the restaurant.
There are magnificent views from Baan Rim Nam. The awesome staff welcomes people all year round as t is such a popular restaurant. The service is very professional and polite and you really feel like you are at a 5-star restaurant, but still with that local restaurant feel.
There is no surprise there are so many good reviews online for Baan Rim Nam. Immediately as we arrived, we were met with a warm welcome and sat with a stunning view of the bay. The Thai food was to die for. Massive fresh tiger prawns from local fishermen prepared perfectly. Freshly fried fish, crispy and light, and one of my personal favorites is the raw prawn dish called locally – “Kung chae nampla”.
This is a Thai salad made from fresh raw shrimp soaked in Thai fish sauce and served with chunks of gourd, cloves of garlic, chilies, and spicy sauce.
NOTES – The spicy sauce is VERY spicy, and the gourds are VERY bitter
Their signature dessert was a total surprise. You need to watch the video to find out what this is.
Thai Food
Thai food is more than just a meal—it’s a social and cultural experience. In Thailand, meals are often shared, and dining is seen as a communal activity. The warm hospitality, lively atmosphere, and conviviality associated with Thai dining enhance the overall enjoyment of the food. Sharing a variety of dishes with loved ones, engaging in conversation, and experiencing the unique Thai dining culture
add an extra layer of satisfaction to the culinary experience.
Thai food’s irresistible flavors, fresh ingredients, diverse textures, versatility, exquisite presentation, and social aspect all contribute to its exceptional reputation. The balance of flavors, commitment to freshness, and attention to detail make Thai cuisine an absolute delight for the senses.
Whether you’re indulging in a spicy locally caught tiger prawn curry or savoring a tangy salad, the food at Baan Rim Nam, on Koh Yao Yai offers you a culinary journey that is unparalleled, making it truly deserving of its recommendations by the 5 Star Marine Phuket team as the Best Restaurant in Phang Nga Bay.
Beach and Water Safety In Phuket, Live Rescue Caught on Tape
Beach and Water Safety In Phuket
During Phuket’s rainy season, or as some call it, the Phuket low season or ‘green season’ which runs from May through late October the West coast beaches such as Surin Beach, Kamala Beach, Patong Beach, and Kata and Karon Beach all are affected by the South westly monsoons.
The waves are a lot stronger and there can be a lot of trash and drift wood washed up. There are also rip tides, also called rip currents.
These Phuket beaches can be a dangerous place to swim IF you do not follow the rules which are very simple, but still each year there are people who just think, well in fact, they don’t think and just jump right in.
Yes, playing in big waves can be fun, but please read the details below to make sure you stay safe when coming on holiday to Phuket during the rainy season.
The Phuket Beaches Flag system.
Flags on beaches are used as a visual communication system to convey important information about water conditions and potential hazards to beachgoers.
Green Flag: A green flag typically indicates that the water conditions are calm and it is safe to swim. However, it’s always important to exercise caution and be aware of your swimming abilities.
Yellow Flag: A yellow flag is a cautionary flag that suggests moderate surf or currents. It advises swimmers to be aware of potentially hazardous conditions and to exercise caution while swimming.
Red Flag: A red flag is a warning sign indicating high surf and strong currents. It is used when there are potentially dangerous conditions, such as strong waves or rip currents. Swimmers are advised to stay out of the water when a red flag is flying.
NOTE: Sometimes on the Phuket beaches they will have a half red and half yellow flag, you will notice that there will be two flags around 100m to 200m apart. These are to indicate swimming zones and are set up by the Phuket Lifeguards to ensure you swim in the correct area.
It’s important to familiarize yourself with the specific flag system which is used here in Phuket where you’re visiting a beach. Additionally, pay attention to any signs or instructions provided by the Phuket lifeguards to ensure your safety while enjoying the beach.
Rip Tides
A rip tide, also known as a rip current, is a powerful and narrow current of water that flows away from the shoreline, typically through a gap in sandbars or between offshore structures such as jetties. Rip tides can occur on any beach with breaking waves and are most commonly found in coastal areas.
If you find yourself caught in a rip tide, it’s important to remain calm and remember the following guidelines:
Stay afloat and don’t panic: The most important thing is to keep yourself afloat by treading water or floating on your back. Avoid wasting energy by struggling against the current or trying to swim directly back to shore.
Don’t swim against the current: Rip tides are extremely strong, and even the strongest swimmers can struggle to swim against them. Instead, swim parallel to the shoreline, following the current. Most rip tides are relatively narrow, so swimming parallel to the shore will eventually allow you to escape its pull.
Signal for help: If you’re unable to swim out of the rip tide or you become too tired, try to signal for help by waving your arms and calling out to people on the shore. Lifeguards or other beachgoers may be able to assist you or alert professional rescuers.
Conserve energy: If you’re unable to swim out of the rip tide and there’s no immediate help available, conserve your energy by floating calmly. It’s essential to stay afloat and conserve your energy until you can escape the rip tide or until help arrives.
Swim parallel to the shore: Once you have escaped the rip tide’s pull, swim at an angle away from it and toward the shore. It’s important not to swim directly against the current as it may exhaust you.
Preventing getting caught in a rip tide is the best course of action. Always swim at beaches with lifeguards and pay attention to their instructions and warning signs. If you’re unsure about the water conditions or the presence of rip tides, it’s best to stay out of the water.
5 Star Marine Awarded 2023 Tripadvisor® Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best
Outstanding Visitor Reviews and Ratings Place 5 Star Marine Among
Thailand’s Best Tours & Activities
We are honoured and privileged to be acknowledged by Tripadvisor with these prestigious achievements, which recognise companies that consistently provide exceptional experiences to their customers, resulting in outstanding guest reviews.
These awards position 5 Star Marine among the top businesses on Tripadvisor, acknowledging their tours and activities as the absolute “best of the best” in Thailand.
Shaun Stenning, CEO of 5 Star Marine commented: “We are delighted that we have managed to continue to exceed our travellers’ expectations. Achieving awards of this calibre requires immense dedication, hard work and an exceptional team. I take immense pride in our entire 5 Star Marine family, whose collective efforts have contributed to these awards; and extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our amazing guests for their unwavering support throughout the past year.”
From humble beginnings as a boutique private tour company with just one speedboat, 5 Star Marine has now emerged as the number 1 ranked Tours & Activities provider in Phuket. Adding to these accomplishments, we are thrilled to have received the prestigious TripAdvisor Travellers Choice award for the third consecutive year.
In addition to this, 5 Star Marine’s Phi Phi Island Private Tour and James Bond Island Private Tour have been recognised as the “Best Of The Best,” solidifying their status as one of the top 10 must-do experiences for every traveller visiting Thailand.
In conclusion, the company now holds impressive rankings of the 4th and 9th for the best things to do in Phuket as tours, while also securing the top spot as the number 1 tour operator in Phuket.
“Congratulations to the 2023 Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best winners,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “The travel resurgence we’ve seen throughout the past year has even further heightened the competition. Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who matter most: your guests”
Discover more about our highly sought-after private tours on Tripadvisor by exploring them here:
Alternatively, please contact us directly to discuss or to book a bespoke private day trip itinerary.
Shaun Stenning
+66 (0) 93720 6221
Private Boat Tours Phuket Thailand Blog
Phuket Private Speedboats
You can explore the best destinations around Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, Phang Nga Bay, and beyond in ultimate luxury, with your very own, Private VIP Speed Boat. 5 Star Marine Phuket has a fleet of 15 private VIP Speedboats and Luxury Cruisers (and our fleet is still growing). All our fully customised boats are TAT SHA Plus approved, and adhere to the highest levels of comfort for your ultimate tailor-made experience.
The 5 Star Marine Phuket luxury 39ft Speedboats were designed and built in Phuket to our very own specifications.
Some of the key features are:
The back decks
Each of our 39ft Luxury Phuket speedboats has a wooden back deck. The deck also has two ladders that can be dropped down into the water. Why do we have the back deck? The simple answer is safety and comfort. The deck keeps swimmers and snorkeler’s away from the engines and the ladders make it easy to climb up. Guests are able to sit on the deck and relax at the snorkeling spots or jump off when they get a bit hot and want a swim.
Two Engines
All our Phuket speedboats have two engines. This means that the ride when out at sea is smoother and more comfortable and if one engine ever breaks down there is a second engine that is enough to power the boat to get her back to the pier.
Extra padding
We all need a little extra padding sometimes. All our Phuket speedboats have extra padding in ALL the cushions making sure that you have a comfortable ride when heading out to any of the stunning destinations around Phuket.
Sound Systems
Our boats all come with an awesome sound system that you can log into using Bluetooth, so if you want your playlist while heading off to James Bond you can, or if you want your go to holiday song while heading to Phi Phi you can. Or if you just want to dance under the tropical sun, you can.
Cool boxes
We have cool boxes on each of the speedboats. They will be filled with water and soft drinks and you can use them for any extra drinks that you might bring with you.
Toilets
All the speedboats have a toilet so if you need to go, well you can.
The boats all have a cover area, as well as an open sun deck, so if you want to get that tropical sunshine you can, or if you have had a bit too much sun then the inside area is for you. This also helps if ever there are little drops of sunshine falling from the skies.
Boat Maintenance
Every year to keep the boats serviced, clean, and maintained they are taken out of the water and have a FULL refit at our factory in Phuket.
At the factory the boats will be fully repainted and refitted, the sound systems are upgraded, and the engines have full service. We even add new padding to the cushions to make sure your ride is as comfortable as possible.
Check out the video to see all the features of our Phuket speedboats here
How To Avoid the Crowds – Early Bird Phi Phi Tour or Sunset Tour?
So, as we start to see trickles of tourism return to the island, we have been answering lots of questions from many of our 1st time bookers as well as our return guests. Let’s explore some of the most common questions we’ve been asked:
Q: What is the tour itinerary?
When you hire a private boat with 5 Star Marine, you get sent a proposal with a suggested itinerary. Now, we stress the ‘suggested’ part, and this is why; when you arrive at the pier for your private luxury tour, we will talk through the plan for the day. We make suggestions because there are variables outside of our control such as the sea, wind condition, tide, etc. Our concept is a joint idea between you and your guide on the day, for the best experience.
We take into account your requirements for your day out, and we apply the variables to come up with the best tour itinerary for the day. For example, if the tide is high on your Phi Phi private luxury tour date, we suggest you go to Phi Phi Ley first (explore Maya Bay, Pi Ley Lagoon, go snorkeling near the Viking cave), and then in the afternoon head over to Phi Phi Don.
However, on another day there will be low tide in the morning and high tide in the afternoon; therefore, the itinerary would need to change in order to see Maya Bay at its most beautiful, for example.
This is why the itinerary is suggested, not set in stone. We allow for you to add in more snorkeling stops if you please, and take your time; there are no set schedules of rushing for the next stop like you might experience on group tours.
Q: How long do we get for lunch?
The answer is simple, it is however long you want it to be. As it is a private boat, essentially the boat is yours and your captain and crew on the day are there to give you the ultimate day out so they will take into account your requirements and help guide you.
Q: Should we leave super early to avoid the crowds?
We are starting to see a slight uplift in tourism, and hope that towards December we will see further recovery.
We get asked a lot; how do we avoid the crowds? As a private boat hire you do have the option to go out early, however, this isn’t the only way to avoid the crowds. What we suggest is that we help you retime your tour.
Our experienced guides know that Maya Bay, for example, will be busy between 10 am -11 am but afterward, when the group tour boats leave to go for lunch you can take the opportunity to miss the crowds then. We might suggest you leave the pier at 10 am and get to Maya Bay at 11 am, as other group tours will go to lunch between 12:30-2:30 at Phi Phi Don, so you can find quieter spots by retiming – not necessarily by leaving super early or later.
Out teams know how to create better timings for the destinations, which we refer to as “reverse timing” so we are not following the group tour timings/program. With our private boats, you get the ultimate flexibility and privacy to allow for this.
Although there are now more crowds than during the peak of international shutdowns with Covid-19, there are still plenty of stunning and beautiful places to explore, so now is a great time to get out and see for yourself whilst tourism isn’t back at the same level as before.
Contact us to book your private tour:
+66-93-720-6221
August Updates for Sandbox Guests
ANNOUNCEMENT – Thailand Pass Rules Update Frequently, The Information In The Below Post Is Now Out Of Date For Latest News Please Visit: https://5starmarinephuket.com/phuket-sandbox-rules-and-updates/
There have been a number of brand-new Provincial rule changes, so make sure you are up to date with the latest information. Let’s take a look at what has changed:
WHAT WAS THE 7+7 MODEL?
There was previously a planned 7+7 model; this was essentially where Sandbox tourists would have needed to stay in Phuket for 7 nights before being able to explore other provinces, like Phang Nga Bay, Krabi, and Phi Phi, etc.
THE 14 DAY MODEL
However, this 7+7 model has been delayed until at least 16th August 2021. So as of now, the latest Provincial rules state that Sandbox tourists must stay in Phuket for the 1st 14 days.
CAN I GO ON A BOAT DAY TRIP?
Yes, absolutely, you can still go island-hopping and experience day boat trips and make the most of your time on holiday if you are here on the Sandbox scheme. During your 1st 14 days, you can head out to stunning locations such as Koh Racha Yai, Koh Racha Noi, Coral Island, and Mai Ton.
One of our most popular island-hopping day trips at the moment is the combination Dolphin Spotting and Snorkelling Experience. Spend time at the beautiful beaches on Coral Island, with restaurants, snorkeling spots, canoes, and plenty of Instagram-worthy setups; then head to Mai Ton for the afternoon for some dolphin spotting.
NO GO ZONES
Unfortunately, Phi Phi and Phang Nga are currently no-go zones. This is a brand-new update and is scheduled to be in place from 3rd August until 16th August. So, put simply, you cannot leave the Phuket Province (but can still enjoy day trips to Racha Islands, Coral Island, and Mai Ton as mentioned above as they are Phuket Provincial Islands).
WHAT ABOUT THE WEATHER?
Yes, we do have some rain during the monsoon season, however, it’s not all day, every day. We are still getting many great weather days to go out on our boat tours, and take wind conditions and our radar readings into consideration when planning the destinations. We are more than happy to help advise when is best to get out and explore.
THANK YOU!
As an island that relies so heavily on tourism, we wanted to thank you for choosing to come here on holiday, and extend a very warm welcome to Phuket. This restarting of tourism is critical for everyone here on the island. As a company, we have been supporting our community who need it most; so many people have had no income and no way to survive this period. We support through our Life Bag packing and distribution efforts, (with essential food and hygiene products).
We understand that Phuket is not exactly how it used to be; there are more rules and regulations, not everything is open, but you coming here as an international tourist is supporting the island and this is exactly what we need right now to rebuild our domestic economy – so, THANK YOU!
Covid 19 Donation Update February 2021
As we move towards the end of February I felt it was important to give a quick update to our customers, friends, family, and supporters on our efforts to provide food relief to local Phuket residents.
We are now past the 12-month mark of the devastating effects of tourism here in Phuket. We are seeing more and more businesses closing, people giving up and desperation coming forth.
Thailand was hit with a resurgence of Covid during the December / January period which saw Phuket shut down Domestic Travel. This “Second Wave” was devastating to morale as well as the financial resources of those surviving.
During the past month and a bit we have received more and more requests for help, and the requests have become more desperate.
As we visit communities they share with us that they have been without work for 12 months, they don’t know where to turn, and they are just struggling.
The good news is that we have increased our funds available for donation meaning we can reach more people, help more people and provide more support.
In addition to that, to make things more fluid and to take some pressure from Sutai Muay Thai Team and 5 Star Marine Team we have recruited volunteers.
As you can see in the video below our packing days are getting lots of people turning out to help.
This would never have been possible without the help of UWC Thailand, its teachers, students, and volunteers. In addition to UWC Thailand, we have also had great ex-pat help.
To help manage our volunteer efforts to of our wonderful friends and customers Stepped into the position of Volunteer Managers.
Huge shoutout to Pete and Nina for taking on that responsibility and allowing us to help more people more efficiently.
So as the year continues, we expect to continue to be providing food relief support to our local Phuket communities.
Stay Safe
Shaun
