Maya Bay is Opening 1st of October 2023
Maya Bay Opening 1st October 2023
Maya Bay, a stunning beach located on the Thai island of Ko Phi Phi Leh will open again on the 1st of October after a well-earned 2-month holiday.
Among the myriad breathtaking destinations that Thailand has to offer, Maya Bay stands out as a true gem. Nestled within the Phi Phi Islands, this captivating bay has captured the hearts of travelers and locals alike, and its importance to Thailand goes beyond its natural allure.
Book a Private Boat tour to Maya Bay when it opens Click here
Maya Bay Phi Phi
Having gained international fame after being featured in the 2000 movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The bay’s pristine beauty and crystal-clear waters attracted a massive influx of tourists, turning it into a major tourist hotspot.
The popularity came at a cost as the delicate ecosystem of Maya Bay started to suffer from heavy footfall and environmental impact.
To address these concerns and protect the natural beauty of the bay, the Thailand authorities made the decision to close Maya Bay for two months every year, starting in 2018. The closure takes place during the monsoon season, usually from the 31st of July to the 31st of September. They have also put into place a host of new rules and regulations when the bay is open to help manage the number of tourists that visit the beach each day and where they can go when they get to the beach. No swimming in the bay.
So, the beach part of Maya Bay will reopen for guests from the 1st of October 2023. Book a Private Boat tour to Maya Bay when it opens Click here
But why do they close the beach part of Maya Bay?
There are several key reasons behind the annual Maya Bay closure:
- Ecological Restoration: The high number of visitors, boat traffic, and pollution from tourism were severely damaging the coral reefs, marine life, and beach ecosystem. By closing the bay for two months, authorities aim to provide a period of respite for the environment to recover and regenerate.
- Coral Reef Recovery: Coral reefs, which are highly sensitive to disturbances, were suffering from physical damage caused by snorkelers and divers, as well as from rising sea temperatures and pollution. The closure allows the corals a chance to recover and rebuild, which is essential for maintaining the biodiversity of the area.
- Reducing Footprint: The temporary closure helps reduce the overall impact of tourism on the bay’s infrastructure, including waste management and erosion control. The break allows for necessary maintenance and restoration efforts without the constant presence of tourists.
- Preserving Marine Life: Maya Bay is home to a diverse range of marine species. The influx of visitors, along with practices like anchoring boats on coral reefs, was disrupting the habitats of these species. A temporary closure helps protect these fragile ecosystems and allows marine life to flourish undisturbed.
- Educational Efforts: The closure period is also used as an opportunity to raise awareness among tourists about the importance of responsible tourism and environmental conservation. This helps in changing behavior and reducing the negative impact of future visits.
- Long-Term Sustainability: The ultimate goal of the annual closure is to ensure the long-term sustainability of Maya Bay as a natural attraction. By allowing the ecosystem to recover and thrive, authorities hope to strike a balance between tourism and conservation.
It’s worth noting that the decision to close Maya Bay for two months every year was met with mixed reactions. While it was applauded by environmentalists and conservationists, it also raised concerns among local businesses and communities heavily dependent on tourism for their livelihoods.
From 5 Star Marine’s point of view, we are very encouraging of the closure and we have always supported the efforts of the Thailand Authorities to manage not just Maya Bay, but all the stunning islands in Phi Phi and in Phang Nga Bay.
Maya Bay is not just a picturesque beach; it’s a symbol of Thailand’s natural beauty, cultural heritage, and the delicate balance between tourism and conservation. Its allure has drawn people from around the world, leading to both positive and negative impacts. The closure of Maya Bay and the subsequent conservation efforts underscore its significance and the importance of sustainable tourism practices.
As Thailand continues to evolve, Maya Bay serves as a testament to the nation’s commitment to preserving its natural treasures for generations to come.
Book a Private Boat tour to Maya Bay when it opens Click here
Maya Bay, Phi Phi Island Is Closing Soon | Phuket Thailand 2023
LATEST NEWS: Maya Bay Will Close Again in 2024.
Full Details Here MAYA BAY CLOSING 2024
Maya Bay Closed – Full Details In this video:
Maya Bay, Phi Phi is Closing
The Thailand National Park Authorities have announced that as of the 1st of August 2023, Maya Bay Phi Phi will close.
In an expected repeat of the closing of Maya Bay, Phi Phi for two months last year (2022), The Thailand National Park Authorities will again be using this time to check and assess the effects of tourists being on the beach and how the systems, which were put into place after COVID is working out. They will also be assessing the impact on the environment, both in the bay and on the land.
Maya Bay Beach will close from the 1st of August 2023
It will reopen on the 1st of October 2023. So book your tour NOW. Click Here
*As of writing these are the current dates, they may and could change.
Maya Bay, Phi Phi is one of the best and most beautiful beaches in Thailand IF, not the world. The Bay was featured in the movie “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio which was filmed over 23 years ago.
Maya Bay became worldwide known after the 2000 film “The Beach” which was an adventure drama film directed by Danny Boyle, based on the 1996 novel by Alex Garland.
There was some controversy during the making of the film, with the production team accused of landscaping some of the beach and removing some of the coconut trees to make it more like the descriptions in the book.
Maya Bay may be closed BUT Phi Phi is all open – Find out more about the Phi Phi Tour. Click Here
Maya Bay, Phi Phi Closed for 2 Years.
Maya Bay Beach was closed for over 2 years (2020 – 2022) by the Thai Government to help the ecosystem recover as it had become ruined by over-tourism. It reopened back in January 2022 with new rules and regulations that helped to manage the tourists and how they access the bay.
Some of those new rules and regulations:
- Not allowing boats to close into the bay and drop anchor.
- Guests must be dropped off at a newly built pier and stairs.
- Number of guests visiting each day is restricted.
- Not allowing anyone to swim in the waters or even go too deep into the sea.
Is the closing of Maya Bay a good thing?
Very simply – YES, it is!
If you still wish to visit Maya Bay our 5 Star Marine Phuket tours are still going to Phi Phi. You can see Maya Bay from a distance and get a stunning picture of the beautiful bay.
Then head to the awesome Pileh Lagoon ( Also a location used in the movie The Beach). Check out the monkeys on Monkey Beach. Snorkel with Blacktip reef sharks, visit camel rock, and all the other wonders that are Phi Phi.
You can book these tours here
Other Tour Options
If you are coming during August and September and what to visit a movie backdrop then head into Phang Nga Bay and visit James Bond Island. To find out more about this tour – Click Here
What Islands Are Open In Rainy Season 2023
What Islands Are Open in Rainy Season, June 2023
Phuket, Thailand’s rainy season, wet season, green season or whatever people call it, some of the islands in and around Phuket are closed so you will not be able to take a tour to them.
What Phuket Islands are closed and which Phuket Islands are open?
Let’s start with the Phuket Islands that are closed:
Although the Similan Islands are not in Phuket during the high season, we do have tours to them.
The Similan archipelago consists of eleven beautiful islands, and The Andaman Sea around the islands is one of the best-kept secrets of Thailand. The crystal-clear blue water is filled with marine life, which makes spotting, sharks, barracudas, triggerfish, and
various tropical fish, not a problem at all. It has some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world. Every year from the 15th May to the 15th October the whole of the Similan archipelago is closed to all tourists.
To See An Overview Of A Tour to Similan. Please watch this video below:
If you are looking to have a similar experience to the Similan Islands then why not try the Phi Phi Tour. Stunning beaches and awesome marine life. Click here to find out more about our Phi Phi Tour.
Koh Ha and Koh Rok
Closed now and back open from the 15th of October are the tours to Koh Ha and Koh Rok. These two islands combine stunning water clarity with a diverse range of colorful marine life and corals, and therefore offer some of the best snorkeling opportunities you can find.
If you are looking to have a similar experience to the Koh Ha and Koh Rok then why not try the Phi Phi Tour. Stunning beaches and awesome marine life. Click here to find out more about our Phi Phi Tour.
Phuket Islands closing soon
Maya Bay Beach closing 1st Aug till 1st October
Maya Bay, Phi Phi is one of the best and most beautiful beaches in Thailand IF not the world. The beach was featured in the movie “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio which was filmed over 20 years ago. It will close on the 1st August to give the Thailand National Park Authorities time to check and assess the last few months effects of tourists being allowed back on the beach.
Maya Bay may be closed BUT Phi Phi is all open – Find out more about the Phi Phi Tour – Click Here
Phuket Islands that are OPEN in Rainy Season
Coral Island – Great for families
Coral Island is known locally as Coral Island is a great place to visit especially if you like to explore the region’s diverse marine environment and visit different islands., but most people will call it Coral Island. Although being a small island, it has a lot to offer whether you’re looking for a place to relax or go on an adventure.
The beautiful island getaway is only about 3 km southeast of Phuket. Coral Island has 2 main beaches: Long Beach and Banana Beach and the snorkeling off Banana Beach is awesome but more of that later. The island is about 2.5 Km long with a dense tropical jungle in the center of the island. There is one other secluded beach on the South of the island called Freedom Beach.
Coral Island is one of the best family-friendly tours that 5 Star Marine Phuket runs. The island is safe for children to play, with white soft sand perfect for sand castles, as well as rock pools during low tide for children to explore, and they can learn to snorkel right from the beach, which makes it a fantastic destination for the little ones, and for those that may be a little worried about snorkeling from the back of the boat or in deeper water. The marine life just off the beach is stunning.
To See An Overview Of A Tour to Coral Island. Please watch this video below:
Khai Islands
If you are looking for an easy close by tour that is perfect for young families then the 3 Khai Islands tour; Khai Nok, Khai Nai, and Khai Nui, is one of the best.
The 3 Khai Islands is a group of small islands just 20 – 25 minutes away from the 5 Star Marine Phuket pier at Boat Lagoon Marina.
Two of them (Khai Nai and Khai Nok) have superb sandy beaches and incredibly clear water where swarms of colourful and friendly fish come to swim around you. This makes these two Khai Islands perfect for those who have never tried snorkeling and would like to try, or for those who are a little nervous to snorkel in deep water. You are able to walk into the water and snorkel right from the beach, you don’t even need to float or swim as you will be able to explorer the underwater world while sanding.
To See An Overview Of A Tour to Khai Island. Please watch this video below:
Maiton Island
Maiton Island offers some fantastic snorkeling. The coral reefs are alive and teeming with a variety of tropical fish and you can also Enjoy a mesmerizing experience through a giant clam garden. The best time for snorkeling at Maiton Island is from December to May when the sea around Maiton is crystal clear like a blue mirror.
After a couple of hours of snorkeling, it’s time to catch dinner.
Head out a little deeper and drop in a hook and bait and you will soon catch a fish or 3, and if they are big enough then you have dinner sorted as well, which you can give to the 5 Star Marine Phuket Team and they can take care of this for you and have it cooked up with Thai flavors and spices on the BBQ while watching the sun set behind Phuket.
To See An Overview Of A Tour to Maiton Island. Please watch this video below:
Raya or Racha Islands
The two tropical Racha Island; Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi, are sometimes called Raya Island or even King Island. BUT the name doesn’t matter as these stunning Phuket tropical islands provide the ideal destination to enjoy nature with some of the best snorkeling reefs in Thailand and quiet, tropical white powdery beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters.
The Racha Island are comprised of two islands, Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi. (Yai means “big” in Thai and, noi means “little”). The islands possess crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches. They are very popular with divers and snorkellers, with challenging dive sites for advanced divers as well as plenty for beginners and snorkellers.
To See An Overview Of A Tour to Raya or Racha Island. Please watch this video below:
Koh Hong
Among the more than 150 islands of the stunning Phang Nga Bay, Koh Hong is by far one of the most beautiful destinations with possibly some of the best views of Phnag Nga Bay from it’s awesome viewpoint.
Koh Hong is off the east coast of Phuket, in fact Koh Hong is closer to Krabi than it is to Phuket. Koh Hong island is known for its stunning natural beauty, soft white sand, and sparkling, crystal clear waters, making it a one-of-a-kind place for relaxation and island adventure.
To See An Overview Of A Tour to Koh Hong. Please watch this video below:
Discover the Best Islands in Phuket: A Tropical Paradise Awaits by Shaun Stenning
Shaun Stenning said, Nestled in the sparkling turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea, Phuket is a tropical haven renowned for its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural heritage. However, beyond the mainland lies a collection of captivating islands that add an extra touch of magic to your Phuket experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore the best islands in Phuket, each with its own unique charm and allure. Whether you’re seeking secluded beaches, thrilling water sports, or simply a serene escape, these islands are sure to delight and captivate your senses.
Phi Phi Islands: Known as one of the most beautiful island groups in the world, the Phi Phi Islands are an absolute must-visit destination. With their towering limestone cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life, these islands offer breathtaking scenery. Take a boat tour to explore Maya Bay, made famous by the movie “The Beach,” or go snorkeling and diving to witness the vibrant coral reefs that teem with life beneath the surface.
Similan Islands: A true paradise for divers and snorkelers, the Similan Islands boast some of the most pristine waters in the region. This group of nine islands is home to a thriving underwater ecosystem, where you can encounter colorful coral gardens, manta rays, and even whale sharks. The Similan Islands are a protected national park, ensuring the preservation of their natural beauty and wildlife.
Racha Islands: If you’re yearning for a tranquil retreat, the Racha Islands, also known as Raya Islands, are the perfect escape. Located just a short boat ride from Phuket, these islands offer serene white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush green hills. Spend your days swimming, snorkeling, or simply basking in the sun. The Racha Islands offer a peaceful respite from the busier tourist areas.
Coral Island (Koh Hey): Situated just off the southeastern coast of Phuket, Coral Island lives up to its name with its vibrant and diverse marine life. The island offers an array of water activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, and parasailing. After exploring the underwater wonders, relax on the island’s picturesque beaches or indulge in a delicious seafood feast at one of the beachside restaurants.
According to Shaun Stenning, Phuket’s best islands offer a delightful range of experiences, from adventure-filled water sports to serene escapes where you can unwind and connect with nature. Whether you choose to explore the famous Phi Phi Islands, dive into the vibrant marine life around the Similan Islands, or seek solitude on the Racha Islands, each destination promises unforgettable memories and postcard-worthy views. So, pack your swimsuit, embrace the tropical vibe, and get ready to discover the hidden gems of Phuket’s island paradise.
News About Traveling To Thailand
UPDATE 10th JAN – Thailand CANCELS All Travel Restrictions” As of 10th January 2023, the travel restrictions that were put into place have fully been removed.
Entry To Thailand Requirements for January
The Thailand authorities have issued these new travel rules for COVID-19-related restrictions as of the 9th January 2023, amid rising international disease activity and the opening up of China for international travel.
The new entry rules for Thailand start today (9th January 2023) amid a lot of confusion. All we have is the NOTAM sent out by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) to airlines around the world.
Here are the UPDATED Guidelines on the New Thailand Travel Restrictions starting January 9, 2023 – Please note that these are correct as of 10am Monday the 9th January and there may be changes over the next few days or weeks.
- Airline passengers 18 years old or older must provide proof of full vaccination or proof of Covid-19 recovery not more than 6 months (180 days). Passengers who have not been vaccinated must have a letter from a doctor providing a reason.
- Passengers from countries that have requirements which may prevent passengers from going back due to Covid-19 shall be required to have health insurance covering at least USD $10,000 of treatment of Covid-19 for the itineraries in Thailand plus 7 days.
- Holder of official and diplomatic passports, United Nations Laissez-passer are exempted from health insurance requirements.
- Holders of Thai passport and transit/transfer passengers are exempted from vaccination check and health insurance requirements.
- The airlines must check the documents as required. If a passenger fails to produce documents proving these requirements are met, the passenger is subjected to being tested at the port of arrival.
- The airlines must adhere to related regulations and comply with the guidance as appropriate, such as asking passengers to wear masks at all times except during meals or emergency situations.
- Any passenger having symptoms of Covid-19 during travel shall be recommended to have a test at the time of arrival.
Source: Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand
Passengers who are unvaccinated
Unvaccinated tourists can fly to Thailand without being refused boarding due to a last-minute update to the latest Notice to Airmen (Notam). Point 5 above says:
- The airlines must check the documents as required. If passenger fails to produce document proving these requirements are met, the passenger is subjected to be tested at the port of arrival.
Highlights of New Thailand Travel Restrictions starting January 9, 2023 at 1:00AM
Airline passengers the age of 18 year or older must provide the following:
- Proof of VaccinationOR a letter from a doctor stating you have recovered from COVID-19 within the last 180 days.
- Proof of Insurance (if traveling onward to another country whereupon a RT-PCR or ATK is required for entry).
Exempted persons:
- Thai Nationals
- Children below the age of 18 years
- Passengers who are transiting at the airport
We highly recommend that you check with your airline before you travel as these restrictions are changing daily.
Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa Hotel Walk Through
Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa Hotel is one of Phuket’s best hotels. The 5-star Marriott Bonvoy beachfront lifestyle resort comes with a unique design. Situated on the beautiful Mai Khao Beach, and only a 15-minute drive from Phuket International Airport.
5 Star Marine Phuket YouTube host headed up to the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa Hotel to have a look around the stunning resort and check out the rooms and the facilities at this beautiful Phuket 5-Star Resort.
The Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa Hotel offers spacious Deluxe rooms (46 sqm.), homey One Bedroom Suites (97 sqm.), and contemporary, tropical design private Pool Villas starting (117 sqm.).
One of the distinctive design elements of the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa Hotel is the Renaissance Phuket’s signature lobby and villas roofing inspired by the shape of the Leatherback Turtle shell as Mai Khao beach is one of the few Phuket beaches that continue to have nesting turtles.
What about food and drink?
Well lucky for you the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa has a wide selection of onsite restaurants and bars to choose from.
The Sand Box Beachfront Bar & Eatery at Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa is one of the most exclusive beachfront dining spots in Phuket with a modern tropical design, a cool open-concept kitchen, and a brand-new Italian imported wood-fired pizza oven, and all this with stunning views over Mai Khao Beach.
Then there is the multi-award-winning Takieng restaurant. Serving classic Southern Thai and Phuket’s favorite dishes with premium local ingredients, Takieng is in the top 25 Phuket restaurants in 2022. Takieng means ‘lantern’ in Thai, referring to the local fishermen’s daily routine of taking the longtail boat with their fishing nets and lanterns to catch fish at night to avoid the heat from the day’s sun.
Many of the ingredients used are locally sourced, some of which are hyper-locally sourced, such as mole crabs and Lin Harn leaves that can be found exclusively on Mai Khao beach.
There is so much more to The Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, including the stunning Quan Spa, a fully equipped 24-hour fitness center with daily recreational activities such as Thai boxing, yoga, beach volleyball, and water sports, and a fully staffed Kids Club.
To be fair the best thing to do now is to watch the video of Jay’s walk-through so you can get a full idea of this beautiful 5 Star Phuket Resort.
Thai Food Cooking Class in Phuket | Learning to cook Thai food with Authentic Thai Recipes
Where Can I Learn to Cook Thai Food in Phuket? How can I learn to cook Thai food from the locals? Where is the best Thai authentic cooking class? Which is the best Phuket cooking class?
These are a few questions that many people ask us when they are coming to Phuket, and we 100% understand why you would want to learn to cook Thai food.
CNN recently updated its list of the “World’s Best Food” with 50 of the most delicious dishes ever created. The number one was Massaman Curry, described by CNN as “The king of curries and perhaps the king of all foods”. Also on the list were many other Thai dishes like Tom Yum Goong, Nam Tok Moo, Somtam, and of course Thai Green Curry and the classic Thai dish Pad Thai.
With all these amazing dishes it makes perfect sense that when coming to Thailand you take some time out to go on a Thai Cooking Course, and that’s what we did. Jay Leshark headed to the awesome Brasswok Thai Cooking class to learn how to make some authentic Thai Food.
On the menu was three more traditional style Thai Foods, not the standard dishes thats for sure, such as a spicy Jungle Curry with underdeveloped chicken eggs, or a Tom Yum style dish with chicken feet and a stir-fried prawn with lotus stems. Now, these were special dishes prepared by the awesome Chef Pui the owner, chef, and teacher from Basswok Thai Cooking, just for Jay’s visit. These dishes are the times of Thai food that the Phuket locals would eat at home, they are more like Thai comfort food.
Now on most Thai food cooking classes menus, you will get the standard dishes to cook, you might even get a choice, and if you do then try something different. Of course, Green Curry, Pad Thai, Spring Rolls, and even Massaman Curry are on most Thai cooking schools’ lists and are all fantastic to learn to cook, and of course, eat, but after the experience at Brasswok Thai Cooking Classes, cooking new dishes with ingredients that you may have never used, or even known about is a must.
So yes, when you are in Thailand, you must take a morning or afternoon to go on a Thai Cooking class.
The Australian Consulate-General Phuket. Are you Australian? Do you need help?
The Australian Consulate-General Phuket is Australia’s official diplomatic mission in Phuket, with accreditations to the provinces of Phang-nga and Krabi. We went to visit the Australian console in Phuket, to meet the Consulate General of Phuket Matt Barkley to ask him all sorts of questions about what does a console do, what can it help with, what can’t it help with and to get some top tips for Australian’s traveling to Phuket.
Firstly, a bit of background:
The Consulate-General was officially opened in August 2017 by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop. In 2015 the Australian Government announced that its presence in Phuket would be upgraded from an Honorary Consul to a full Consulate-General, reflecting the strength of the Australia-Thailand bilateral relationship and the number of Australians travelling and residing in Phuket.
So, my first question to Matt was an easy one, what does a consult General do?
Matt: So, a consulate general is basically like a small Embassy, so we do the role of an embassy, but outside of the capital, so that’s why we’re based in Phuket. We look after Australians; we promote Australian interests and we’re basically here as a conduit between the Australian community and the Thai community.
Are you only covering Phuket?
Matt: So, we cover Phuket, Panna and Krabi. So, if you’re an Australian that gets in trouble somewhere else in the region, then you can call us for assistance and even if you’re in places like Songkhla or Chumpon, Ranong, Surat Thani, if you need something done in southern Thailand and don’t want to travel to Bangkok, then you can travel to Phuket and we can assist you.
What services or assistance do you offer?
Matt: We do quite a few things here, so we provide passports to Australians that need them, so if you’re an Australian that wants to renew your passport, we can do that here, if you lose or damage your passport and you need to travel urgently, we can issue an emergency passport here as well, that’ll allow you to travel back to Australia. We also do something called notarial services, so if you’re an Australian that’s buying a house, going through divorce proceedings or something like that, we can do the signatures necessary for you to Lodge those documents back in Australia. And then, another major part of what we do is what we call Consular assistance, so that’s when if you’re an Australian that gets into trouble overseas, we can provide assistance and guide you through the process to hopefully get you home in one piece.
Are your services for tourists or expats or both?
Matt: It’s really interesting. So, we have about 2 000 Australians that live in Phuket and we have about a quarter of a million Australians who visit every year. Now, we provide services to both those groups and I think people would be quite interested to know that we provide about 40% of our services to the expats that live here and about 60% of our services to the travelers. So, we’re here for everyone, if you’re an Australian, if you’re an Australian passport holder, then we’re here to look after you.
What are the main things that you are asked help for from tourists?
Matt: Yes, it’s a good one and this changes on a day-to-day basis, obviously passport is a big one and particularly tourists going swimming and forgetting their passports in their pocket or putting their washing in and forgetting that their passport is there, that’s a big one for us because you need a valid travel Document to be able to get back to Australia or to go somewhere else in your travel. So, helping people with their passports or even with their passports expire, that’s another big one that we help people with. The other major area is on what we call again Consular assistance, so that’s when you are sick overseas and you maybe need to go to hospital and you don’t understand the processes there, you maybe need to be in touch with your family. These are things that we can assist you with. Unfortunately, we have a number of Australians that die overseas every year as well, we’re here to be able to help the families to navigate that process to be able to get their loved ones back to Australia as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Then, there’s also Australians that maybe go down to Patong and get into some trouble down there as well and we’re also here to assist them, so if you’re arrested or if you get into an accident, you have trouble with the law, then we can help you navigate that process, it’s important to know that we can’t get you out of those situations, but what we can do is we can give you the tools to be able to work your way through it. So, for example, if you get arrested, we can provide you with a list of local lawyers who potentially speak English and Thai and can help you go through the process there. So, it’s quite a range of services that we provide and we really are there just to ensure that Australians can help themselves when they get into a situation here in Thailand.
What things can you not do or help within your role as Consulate General?
Matt: So, the key thing to understand is that Australians are subject to Thai law when they’re in Thailand, we can’t get you out of legal problems, we can’t get you out of jail, we also can’t issue visas, we can’t issue visas to Australia. We also can’t extend your Visa if you’ve got a problem with your Visa here in Thailand. We’re also unable to provide legal advice, I think people come to us and because we understand the system here, they want us to be able to give them an estimate on how long things will take to work through the system. Unfortunately, we’re unable to do that, but what we can do is we can provide you with contacts, so that you can speak to a lawyer, you can speak to an expert in these matters who can actually inform you of those things. So, while there are a range of things that we can’t do, we will always try to assist an Australian in need, we’ll always try to point them in the right direction, and if that doesn’t work, you can always come back to us and we can work on a strategy to get you the help that you need.
What are some of the top attractions and things to do in Phuket for Australians?
Matt: I came to Phuket first as a tourist, so I know what people love about Phuket and I’m so glad to be posted here now. So, my top tip is to go to Phuket old town. If you think you know Thai food, then you have no idea until you actually get to try it here in Phuket old town. Southern Thai food is something unlike what we get back in Australia we think of Thai food, but beyond that, it’s got beautiful architecture, it’s got beautiful street art and to be able to spend an afternoon wandering around there to go to The Walking Street, the markets, it’s absolutely incredible, and it’s the top thing that I do when people come and visit me. And otherwise I think Phuket got some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and I find I love getting up early in the morning going for a great walk on Kamala Beach or down in Rawai as well, I mean it’s got some of the best walking trails anywhere in Southeast Asia and it’s just such an amazing thing to do to get out there, see people going about their morning routines and to just see the sunrise over the island here, it’s absolutely amazing.
What are some of the top tips and advice that you can give to Australian tourists coming to Phuket?
Matt: Well, I don’t think we have enough time to answer all of them, but I think there’s some really good tips that we can get from that. First of all, travel advice page called smartraveler.gov.au, my top tip is if you can’t ride a motorbike back in Australia, you can’t ride a motorbike here in Thailand, it’s not an ability you just suddenly pick up when you get on the plane in Sydney. Another thing is if you’re going to ride a motorbike as a passenger or as the rider themselves, wear a helmet, we see far too many motorbike accidents here and often they’re preventable and some of the worst injuries are preventable if you wear a helmet. So, go ahead wear that helmet when you’re on a bike. The other thing that I really recommend is to get travel insurance, we don’t know what’s going to happen on our travels, we don’t know what incidents or issues are going to happen and even the best prepared people can come across issues, so get that travel insurance before you get on the plane, and even while you’re here, if you’ve forgotten to get it, there are companies out there that can get you travel insurance Midway through a trip, so definitely think about it. Thanks very much, I’m looking forward to meeting you when you’re in Phuket, hopefully for the right reasons, but I hope everyone has a great time when they visit you.
So, that was awesome Matt Barkley the Australian Consul-General. So, if you’re Australian and you do need help; hopefully you don’t, then this is a place to come and they will look after you, because they are awesome. A big Thank you to Matt and a big thank you The Australian Consulate-General Phuket team.
https://phuket.consulate.gov.au/pket/home.html
What Phuket Islands are opening in October 2022 and Phi Phi and Phang Nga Too
The Phuket high season is coming and many of the islands surrounding Phuket are reopening after being closed for the Thailand low season. One of the most anticipated openings is that of Maya Bay in Phi Phi which will be reopening on the 1st of October 2022.
Maya Bay, Phi Phi is one of the best and most beautiful beaches in Thailand IF not the world. The beach was featured in the movie “The Beach” with Leonardo DiCaprio which was filmed over 20 years ago. It was closed on the 1st of August to give the Thailand National Park Authorities time to check and assess the last few month’s effects of tourists being allowed back on the beach.
Many of the other islands around Phuket and Krabi are opening on the 15th of October 2022. These include the stunning Similan Islands.
The Similan archipelago consists of eleven beautiful islands, and The Andaman Sea around the islands is one of the best-kept secrets of Thailand. The crystal-clear blue water is filled with marine life, which makes spotting, sharks, barracudas, triggerfish, and various tropical fish not a problem at all. It has some of the most spectacular coral reefs in the world.
Also opening up on the 15th of October are the Surin islands. The Surin Islands are an archipelago of five islands and are very popular for their awesome coral gardens and fine white sandy beaches. The Surin Islands are one of the most famous diving and marine life viewing sites in the world, and arguably the best in Thailand.
5 Star Marine Phuket is also opening up some of its tours which it has put on hold during the Phuket low Season, so back open from the 15th of October are the tours to Koh Ha and Koh Rock. These two islands combine stunning water clarity with a diverse range of colorful marine life and corals and therefore offer some of the best snorkeling opportunities you can find. (And they are number one on my list of Phuket Islands to visit)
Also opening up are the Private Phuket Tours to Koh Lip, famous for its white powdery sand beaches and coral-rich turquoise waters, and the Koh Mook 3 day 2-night tour which also includes Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan, and the stunning Emerald cave.
With many Phuket, Krabi, Phi Phi, and Phang Nga islands opening up and some amazing private Phuket boat tours from 5 Star Marine Phuket coming back, it is looking like after 2 years of Covid-19 this coming high season is going to be fantastic.
Which Islands Open in October 2022?
This October brings renewed excitement as our guests will be able to enjoy a number of re-openings giving access to more tropical beach destinations.
This time of year also marks the transition from the Monsoon to the dry season, when calmer winds and sea conditions make for an ideal mix. As these destinations are perfect for either day or multi-night private speedboat trips from Phuket, we have pulled together a list of the top 4 places to visit from October 2022 to help inspire you:
Maya Bay (Reopens 1st October 2022)
Maya Bay, located on Phi Phi Ley, is one of the most iconic sites in the Phi Phi islands. It became renowned after featuring as the main location for the 2000 film “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The plot focuses on a group of travellers wanting to create their own haven from the outside world at Maya Bay.
The stunning Bay will now reopen this October after being shut for two months (August and September 2022). Tourists were originally allowed to return in January 2022 after Maya Bay was closed for almost three and a half years.
This year’s closure was put in place in order to rebuild the island’s infrastructure and give the protected area a respite from visitors who had already returned to its beautiful bay. The shutdown of the stunning location serves as a reminder that an enormous amount of work has gone into repairing this bay.
From October when Maya Bay reopens, you will be able to see how the wildlife has returned and thrived; the bay is now home to clownfish, lobsters, and blacktip sharks!
Similan Island – (Reopens 15th October 2022)
snorkelling with diverse and rich coral and marine life
Similan Islands
The breathtaking Similan Islands will also reopen in mid-October again this year. A fantastic island-hopping site off Phuket’s west coast, the islands are teeming with incredible aquatic life, lush coral, and sandy white beaches.
Enjoy a spectacular private speedboat excursion to the legendary Similan Islands, a picturesque archipelago of 9 islands in the Andaman Sea in southern Thailand. These islands are only accessible for six months of the year – from the middle of October to mid-May; which means that everyone here at 5 Star Marine is extremely excited about this year’s reopening.
This is one of the most well-known island groups in the region, and it is famous for having some of the world’s most stunning coral reefs. When you first arrive you will see large rocks on the coasts of numerous islands, which form a particular characteristic of this location.
5 Star Marine’s fleet of luxury VIP speedboats has already been granted permission to visit the Similan Island National Park area, so you get to appreciate the natural marine richness and crystal-clear blue seas that this area has to offer.
Surin Island – (Reopens 15th October 2022
The Surin Islands are the ideal underwater playground for scuba diving and snorkelling in Thailand thanks to the beautiful coral reefs and soft, white sand beaches. Mu Ko Surin National Park houses the Surin Islands; which consists of a group of five islands located around 100 kilometres north of the Similan Islands.
Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai are the two main islands which have several unspoilt bays and are separated by barely 200 metres of clear water, which creates a shallow and popular snorkelling spot. These islands are still undeveloped, making this a natural habitat for an array of marine life and pristine coral gardens. The area is also known to attract whale sharks, which you might get the chance to see whilst out snorkelling with 5 Star Marine.
As with the Similan Islands, Surin Islands are also only accessible for six months of the year (from mid-October to mid-May).
Koh Ha and Koh Rok – (Accessible 15th October 2022)
By the middle of October, the Monsoon season is ending and the dry season begins, bringing with it more favourable wind and sea conditions. This is a great time to get out and explore, especially if you are searching for something a little more exotic and less well-known.
A private day or multi-night private trip to these magnificent locations will provide some of the greatest snorkelling in the world, combining spectacular water purity with a broad variety of colourful marine life and reefs for a truly unique experience. Whale sharks may also be seen between these islands throughout the season.
Koh Ha and Koh Rok are small islands located immediately south of Koh Lanta, situated within the Mu Ko Lanta National Park. By selecting to explore these islands you will be assured of fantastic snorkelling, lovely soft sandy beaches and fewer crowds than some of the more well-known islands. A bit longer to go compared to most of our other day trip options (which is why many happy clients select a multi-night approach); yet well worth every minute for the assured natural splendour.
We hope you are just as excited as we are about the opportunity to discover the reopened and accessible islands from October 2022!
For Bookings / Enquiries:
Shaun Stenning
+66 (0) 93720 6221
