Koh Lipe

	Koh Lipe, until a few years ago one of southern Thailand’s most idyllic island, is now somewhat spoiled and is no longer recommended.
The island is part of the Tarutao group, but was unfortunately exempted from the Koh Tarutao National Park’s conservation laws, with predictable effects.
	It is now, along with Railay’s Tonsai bay and Koh Phi Phi’s central isthmus, one of the worst three polluted beach destinations in Thailand, mainly due to the presence of a large number of budget hotels in a small area. Rubbish lies around, noxious odours abound, and the garbage that is collected is burnt on smelly fires. The cheap and inadequate sewerage disposal systems add to the reek.

Jack-hammers and angle-grinders thud and whine, the soundtrack to the ongoing hotel construction boom. No top quality resorts are under construction, however, as their patrons would not tolerate the environment.

Many visitors are these days disappointed by Lipe. They come expecting a peaceful destination and are surprised by the loud music blaring out from the party bars during the evenings and early hours. The next morning they hit the beach and are dismayed to be further deafened by the longtail boats constantly roaring around. To Lipe’s boatmen it appears to represent an inch on the manhood to remove an engine’s muffler, so most do so, to cacophonous effect. How anybody can relax on Lipe’s main Pattaya beach is a mystery.

For travellers intent on visiting Lipe we can arrange all transport and accommodation. However, we reccomend visitors consider some of the following alternative beach destinations, instead: Koh Lao Liang, Koh Jum, Ao Nang, Koh Lanta, Koh Yao Noi, Khao Lak, Railay, the Similan islands and the Surin islands.

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