Mu Ko Phai (or Koh Pai) is a small uninhabited archipelago belonging to the Eastern Seaboard Islands of Thailand. The largest island is Ko Phai, located about 21 Km to the west of Pattaya. The name Ko Phai means "Bamboo Island", in Thai. This island is located at the South East end of the Bay of Bangkok, on the eastern side of the Gulf of Siam. Administratively Ko Phai belongs to the Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chonburi Province.
Ko Phai is almost 4 Km in length and its maximum width is about 1.5 Km. It is a quite craggy wooded island and a great part of its coast is formed by rocky cliffs. The whole island is high, but its highest point is only 150m and there is not a single peak dominating above the others. There is a light house on the summit of the island.
The closest land to the Ko Phai group is Ko Lan, located about 14 Km to the east of Ko Phai's eastern shore. These islands can be reached in about 2 hours by boat from Southern Pattaya harbor. The rental rate depends on the size of the boat and the destination. All these islands are a protected natural area under the supervision of the Royal Thai Navy. Visitors ought to bring their own food and water and they are not allowed to stay overnight on Mu Ko Phai.
Beach Scenery Adjacent islands
Other islands of the group include:
* Ko Luam, or Ko Lueam, is a high rocky island wooded at the top much like Ko Phai; highest point 135 m. It is located to the NW of the main island. Ko Lueam has a small islet, Ko Lueam Noi, off its eastern coast.
* Ko Man Wichai, 2 Km in length and highest point 64 m
* Ko Klung Badan highest point 50 m
* Ko Hu Chang are all located to the south of Ko Phai
Scuba diving
One of the main attractions of the island group are some well-preserved coral reefs. A World War II-vintage ship of the Royal Thai Navy, HTMS Khram (ex USS LSM-469), was sunk 300 m to the east of Ko Phai in January 2003 in order to create an artificial submerged reef. The wreck is located in an area suitable for scuba diving.[3][4]
The islands are presently under the supervision of the Royal Thai Navy. The Ko Phai group of islands are situated at a distance about 13 kilometers from Pattaya and takes 2 hours to reach by boat. There is a light house on top of a hill at Ko Phai. Visitors can enjoy relaxing-moments, swimming, fishing and diving down to view the coral.
