Kontakt Photo Missions #06:
KHO PHAYAM, THAILAND
May 9th, 2025 – After a night in Phuket, we took the bus north to Ranong and shuttled over to a ferry which took us out to a little island called Kho Phayam. It is one of Thailand’s last remaining jungle paradises that is not packed with tourists or luxury hotels. Our friends had stayed there before and convinced us to visit the island and chill for a few days before the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. Located on the Andaman Sea, Kho Phayam has a land area of just over two kilometers and there are no cars on the island. The most common form of transportation were scooter taxis that took us down narrow jungle paths to our lodge called Little Hut.
I love the way these descending slopes layered against each other giving them such a pronounced depth in the photo above. Seeing the unspoiled jungle vegetation brought us back to another way of life. Cash was king no one took cards and cell reception and WI-FI was scarce.
The island faces west and the sunsets are truly spectacular. Every evening, we would end up on the big beach “Aow Yai” to watch these and I captured many photos of the bay as the sun set behind the boats on the horizon.
Energy is generated by diesel generators and solar panels, and most of the villagers make a living through cashew and rubber plantations, or fishing. At night when the generators went off the wildlife would take over and the sounds in the jungle became like a loud orchestra. I spent a few of these nights wandering on the island and photographing the lush gardens and jungle pathways through long exposures.
There was also a full moon that week which meant more illumination and some my night shots ended up looking almost like day, especially on the beach ones above. The beach had so much texture, with sweeping layers of sand, little sand balls made by sand bubbler crabs, and a variety of seashells.
We ate and drank at the small bars and restaurants which were scattered across the beach. ‘Rasta Baby Bar’ at the end of the beach was my favourite. It had so much character, with reggae music playing and the Jamaican flag flying. Apparently hippies came to the island in 1972 and the Rastafarian way of life was adopted by some locals.
Kho Phayam is a place to unwind and disconnect, unlike the islands on the countries East Coast which have the infamous full moon parties and way more visitors. Dubbed “Thailand’s Last Paradise,” its small size and limited development help preserve its charm. If you’re looking for a peaceful retreat and a taste of the old way of life, this is the spot for you!
Look for more Kontakt Photo Missions in the coming months. For prints, on canvas or paper please email us for sizing and pricing info!
Copyright Adam Bialo | Kontakt Films | 2025