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[00:01.13] Todd: So I’m here in Bangkok with Jerri and she is Thai. And, Jerri, I thought we would talk about Thai islands.

[00:09.88] Jerri: Of course.

[00:11.13] Todd: So there are some major islands. Can you first talk about the major resort islands in Thailand?

[00:16.13] Jerri: Yes. So as most of you know, Thailand is probably visited because of its islands.

[00:22.38] So the most well-known ones would be Phuket and Koh Samui, which are both down South in Surat Thani.

[00:31.13] And yeah, I think those are like the main destinations. They have changed quite a lot since the last 10 years.

[00:38.13] It’s quite developed, so it’s an island where, you know, if you really want like a very nice resort and have like a convenient place, like malls are everywhere.

[00:49.63] There’s also like international schools so a lot of people now move to live at Phuket or Koh Samui.

[00:55.63] It’s like a little Bangkok but by the beach.

[00:57.38] Todd: Oh, really? Wow. And Phuket really developed quickly after the terrible tsunami, right? So it’s really rebounded and now it’s quite vibrant. Correct?

[01:07.88] Jerri: Yes, yes, yes. Correct, yeah.

[01:08.88] Todd: Okay. So both Samui and Phuket are the more traditional maybe tourist package islands.

[01:16.38] Jerri: Yes.

[01:16.88] Todd: Are there some smaller islands or less known islands that you would recommend?

[01:21.38] Jerri: Yes. We have a lot of islands in Thailand. Just near Koh Samui, you have Koh Phangan, which is also known for its full moon party.

[01:32.63] That is the high season, but Koh Phangan is actually really nice apart from the full moon.

[01:42.13] If you visit the other less well-known beaches, Hat Rin, which is where the full moon party happens.

[01:45.88] There’s a lot of hidden beaches that is very quiet, very relaxed, and it’s not as developed as Koh Samui so you still feel that island lifestyle.

[01:54.63] There’s a lot of small businesses, local shops.

[02:00.13] Todd: Oh, that sounds nice. You know, I actually have not been to Koh Phangan but I’ve been to Koh Tao. And that’s the diving island, correct?

[02:09.63] Jerri: Yes, yes, yes.

[02:10.13] Todd: Yeah. Can you talk about that?

[02:10.63] Jerri: Yes, of course. So Koh Tao is known for its crystal clear water and corals for diving, so a lot of people go there to get their diving certificate.

[02:22.13] That’s actually the best place to do it. And you can spend like three days there, do the course, and then the island itself is also quite remote.

[02:30.38] So there’s a few stores, not as much as in Koh Phangan. But yeah, it’s nice and quiet, and…

[02:38.38] Todd: Oh, that’s beautiful. There’s some other ones too, right? So there’s Koh Chang. Can you talk about that?

[02:45.39] Jerri: Yes. Koh Chang is closer to Bangkok so you can drive there. It takes about five hours. It’s in Trat Province.

[02:51.64] Koh Chang is a big, big island. And yeah, some people like it, some people don’t, because it’s less vibrant, I would say, compared to like Koh Samui or Phuket.

[03:04.38] But there’s a lot of big resorts there and the beach is also really beautiful.

[03:09.39] Todd: Yeah, I have to confess. It’s my favorite island by far.

[03:11.63] Jerri: Yeah, yeah.

[03:12.63] Todd: So I first went there 25 years ago and it was really quiet then. I mean, incredibly quiet. And the movie came out, The Beach.

[03:20.13] Jerri: Right.

[03:20.64] Todd: I remember when I saw that movie, I’m like, “Oh, that’s Koh Chang.”

[03:22.63] There was nothing to do on the island, and so that’s… It’s beautiful. It’s a natural park, correct?

[03:27.38] Jerri: Yes, yes. Correct, yeah.

[03:29.13] Todd: There’s another little one near Bangkok called Koh Samet, correct?

[03:34.13] Jerri: Right. Yes, yes. That’s a very popular one, especially for Thais to go during the weekend.

[03:38.64] It’s like a two-hour drive from Bangkok, in Chonburi Province. All you do is you drive there and then you take a quick boat, about 30 minutes.

[03:49.88] It’s also a national park so there’s entrance fee, but it’s really nice.

[03:54.88] The beaches are smaller but there’s like different beaches and a recommended activity would be just to rent a bike and then drive around the island.

[04:05.13] Takes about like a half a day but all the beaches have their own unique character, which is nice to see.

[04:11.63] Todd: Oh, that’s so awesome. Actually, when I was there years ago, I don’t think they had the road around the island.

[04:15.88] Jerri: Yeah.

[04:16.38] Todd: But I remember they had… It was just amazing, beautiful beaches.

[04:19.13] Jerri: Yeah.

[04:20.13] Todd: So there’s two more that are quite famous or one that’s very famous, and that’s Koh Phi Phi.

[04:25.38] That’s way down in the South. And there’s also Koh Lanta which is not too far away, I think, as well.

[04:29.88] So can you talk about those?

[04:31.63] Jerri: Yes. These two I haven’t visited. I don’t remember visiting them but I know a lot of people go there for its clear water.

[04:39.63] And Koh Phi Phi, I believe, has the well-known sand in the middle of the ocean that you can walk across one island to the other, and it’s known for taking a boat and the water is very clear.

[04:55.63] And Koh Lanta… Yeah, Koh Lanta, I think it’s also known for the same reason as Koh Phi Phi, for its crystal clear water and there’s beautiful resorts there, too.

[05:09.13] Todd: Great. Okay, so I’m going to put you on the spot.

[05:11.38] If you had to choose one island to visit, recommend one place, where would you go?

[05:15.64] Jerri: Koh Phangan.

[05:16.63] Todd: Koh Phangan!

[05:17.38] Jerri: Without thinking, yes. Absolutely, yes.

[05:19.63] Todd: Really? And why?

[05:21.13] Jerri: It’s always… It’s a place that feels like home to me because my mom is there, as well.

[05:28.88] So we know the locals, which makes a difference.

[05:30.13] And also, I think the island hasn’t – you know, it’s not developed but there’s also like things to see and you really feel like you’re on holiday, really feel like you’re going on an adventure.

[05:44.13] Todd: Oh, man. I think I want to go there right now.

[05:46.38] Jerri: Yeah.

[05:47.63] Todd: I’m serious. I have a week and I’m like, “I’m going to go an island!”