Ko Phra Thong: Grasslands, Mangroves and Morgan Culture

Ko Phra Thong combines vast grasslands with mangroves, swamp forest and marine ecosystems. The island is also home to a Morgan community whose traditions and building style contribute to the cultural character of the place. If you are looking for a holiday rental on Ko Phra Thong, you can plan your trip around whether you would most like to explore the diverse habitats, the island’s natural environment or the community’s culture.

Grasslands, Swamp Forest and Mangroves

A vast grassland stretches across the centre of the island, with white Melaleuca trees growing here and there. Ko Phra Thong is therefore also known as “Thailand’s savanna”. The open grassland is clearly distinct from the wooded wetlands: areas of swamp forest covering at least 9,400 rai lie in the east and northwest. Near Khlong Chat, one type of swamp forest includes grasses, sedges and white Melaleuca trees.

The mangrove forest stretches along the eastern coast and along canals in the island’s interior. These canals include Khlong Chat, Khlong Lat Nang Chan and Khlong Mueang. Their names bring the island’s different landscape features into focus: coastal areas, waterways and open grassland each shape a distinct side of Ko Phra Thong.

Wildlife is also connected to these habitats. The swamp forest provides a feeding ground for various wild animals, including นกตะกรุม and นกเงือก. Deer use it as a resting area. Around Ko Phra Thong, seagrass beds and coral reefs also provide nursery and refuge areas for aquatic animals, including dugongs and sea turtles. A bird survey on the island recorded at least 137 species, including resident and migratory birds.

The island’s natural attractions thus extend from inland areas to the sea. If you enjoy exploring different habitats, the island offers several distinct points of interest: mangroves along the coast and canals, swamp forest and its wildlife, grassland in the island’s centre, and seagrass beds and reefs offshore. White-sand beaches and clear water complete the picture.

Morgan Traditions and Island Experiences

Tha Pae Yoi (ท่าแป๊ะโย้ย) is a Morgan seafarer (ชาวเล เผ่ามอร์แกน) community located by the water. The Morgan community preserves traditional practices of sea nomads, including พิธีนอนหาด and พิธีลอยเรือ. Traditional building methods are also part of the island’s cultural identity: the houses in the Morgan village (หมู่บ้านมอร์แกน) on Ko Phra Thong are built in the tied-house style (เรือนเครื่องผูก). Visitors interested in the island’s culture will find specific traditions and a named building style here, rather than just a general description of village life.

A nature trail offers another point of interest for travellers who want to learn about the island’s natural environment. You can also cycle around Ko Phra Thong. These options appeal to different interests: the trail focuses on nature, while a trip around the island puts cycling centre stage. When choosing a holiday rental, you can first consider which of these aspects of the island you would like to shape your trip.

The native orchid เอื้องปากนกแก้ว is also found on Ko Phra Thong. Villagers from Thung Dap cultivate this orchid to preserve the species and sell it to tourists to take home. The plant is thus not only part of the local flora but also connected with a specific activity carried out by villagers.

Getting There and Getting Around

The boat journey from Khura Buri Pier (Tha Ruea Hua Thanon) to Ko Phra Thong is estimated to take about 1 hour and 10 minutes. The island lies about 2 kilometres from the shore at Khura Buri. For road travel, the route follows National Highway 4, Phetkasem Road, through Phetchaburi, Prachuap, Chumphon and Ranong to Khura Buri.

Motorised farm carts, four-wheel-drive vehicles or motorcycles with sidecars are used on Ko Phra Thong. This is because the roads are narrow and in places covered with loose sand. These road conditions are a practical consideration for getting around the island and should be taken into account alongside the boat journey when planning your stay.

Other local pages for orientation: Bang Toei, Khura, Takua Pa, Amphoe Ko Yao, Amphoe Thai Mueang, Thai Chang, Bo Saen and Thung Kha Ngok.

For the broader travel overview: Phangnga.