Koh Phra Thong is an idyllic, untouched wilderness north of Khao Lak on Thailand's Andaman coast. A place where you can truly escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

No sound except the gentle lapping of the waves on the empty beach and the singing of birds in the early morning, no crowds, no shops, just you, a hut on the beach, a hammock, crystal-clear water and pristine coral reefs just a short snorkeling trip away.

Koh Phra Thong lies 120 km north of Phuket and, although only 43 km from the bustling Khao Lak, the journey requires a bus, boat, and 4x4. This makes the arrival feel very remote. The island is relatively flat, with dense mangrove forests bordering a winding lagoon system on one side and white sandy beaches on the other.

In the 1990s, several promising holiday resorts sprang up here, but most of them, along with several nearby villages, were destroyed by the 2004 tsunami. Reconstruction took a long time. Ten years later, a few new resorts have opened, and visitors to the island now find a landscape that seems frozen in time – a snapshot of coastal village life in Thailand many years ago.

For those who find lounging in a hammock or strolling along the pristine beach too monotonous, there are plenty of alternatives. Birdwatchers will love a sunrise jeep tour through the island's savannah – a vast, golden grassland from which you can watch the sunrise over the mountains of the distant Khao Sok National Park as the birds awaken all around.

You can also grab a kayak and explore Koh Pra Thong and the fringing reefs of the two nearby small islands of Koh Pling Lek and Koh Pling Yai, or take a longboat further to Koh Khai to snorkel through coral gardens full of colorful sea fans.

Excursions to the local fishing village and turtle reserve are also offered, as well as night fishing trips with squid fishing boats or to the nearby Pling Islands.

At the southern end of the beach at the Golden Buddha Retreat you can take part in yoga and meditation classes, and at the northern end you can enjoy fantastic Thai food at the Moken Eco Village.

Moken Eco Village is a boutique resort with a small number of bungalows, each powered by solar panels on the roof. There is no air conditioning, but the bungalows are naturally cooled as they are built on stilts and equipped with louvered windows and two ceiling fans.

Your four-poster bed is equipped with a mosquito net, and all windows have screens, ensuring an undisturbed sleep. Each cabin has a raised veranda for relaxation, and hammocks in the garden invite you to unwind.

There are twelve bungalows with different layouts. Some are suitable for couples, and a large semi-detached house is suitable for families or larger groups.

The resort organizes longboat transfers from Khura Buri, the nearest port. Khura Buri is about an hour from Khao Lak by bus or taxi. Alternatively, overnight buses are available from Bangkok. Further information