Part of the pristine six mile beach in front of Baan Tugae
Location: Koh Phra Thong, Thailand, Asia (Golden Buddha Beach, 3 Hours North of Phuket on Andaman Sea.)
Accommodations: House, 2 Bedrooms + Other (See Description), 2 Baths (Sleeps 4-6)
Keywords: House
Koh Phra Thong (Golden Buddha Island) is one of the largest and least-known islands in Thailand, lying just off the southwest coast of Thailand in the Andaman Sea about three hours north of Phuket. It is far from the area currently affected by a separatist movement further south. Once inhabited by pirates and ruffians, it is now only home to a few fishermen. AND Golden Buddha Beach (GBB for short) Resort:
The resort, one of only two on the island, comprises about 40 large plots at the northern end of a six mile (yes, you read that correctly - six mile) stretch of pristine deserted beach. About half the plots have been built on, and the GBB members association ensures that all buildings are appropriate to the environment and to the plot. A deliberate policy of keeping things quiet and simple and environmentally sound is pursued by the management and house owners.
The Baan Tugae plot (#31) is 1500 square metres of jungle, immediately adjacent to the beach. One of the more densely wooded plots at GBB, it has numerous medium-size and smaller trees that support staghorn ferns and birdnest ferns, as well as many orchids. The fruit trees attract great hornbills and long tailed macaque monkeys. Occasionally sambar deer or wild pig from the island interior come foraging. A large number of harmless lizards share the plot - common geckos, flying lizards, and a couple of tugae lizards (after which the house is named - notice the door and cupboard handles!) have taken up residence in the sala.
The accommodation at Baan Tugae comprises two separate houses, and a sala.
The Houses:
Each house is about eight feet off the ground, one on stilts, and the other built above a storeroom. The houses are built of good quality wood with louvered teak doors and windows. The roofs are thatched. Each house comprises a large verandah (three by four metres) that looks out to the sea. Immediately behind is a bedroom (four by four metres), with queen-size double bed. Leading off each bedroom is a good-sized bathroom (three by four metres) with shower. The bathrooms are open-air, giving good views of the surrounding forest while retaining privacy. There are built-in cupboards in both bedrooms and bathrooms.
The doors and windows (no glass!) can be left open at night, taking advantage of the breezes. It is like living in a jungle tree house. In fact it is living in a jungle tree house!
The Sala:
The sala is a six by six metre raised open plan (read: no walls!) structure of wood and thatch with an additional six x four and a half metre uncovered wooden deck at the front (beachside). The sala contains a small kitchen, a large family sized table, benches, easy chairs and cushions. It is connected to the two houses by a paved walkway.
The Golden Buddha Clubhouse:
In one of the most idyllic settings on the island, just overlooking a small fresh water lake and over to a wonderful sheltered beach (where you first land at GBB) is the GBB clubhouse. The clubhouse is about 500 metres along the beach or through the woods (we like to offer a variety of approaches!) from Baan Tugae. It contains a restaurant, bar, office, very small shop, library, and telephone/internet access.
Food:
Delicious, fresh, home-cooked meals are available at the clubhouse. Breakfast is ala-carte Continental/Thai, including fresh baked bread (an occasionally croissant!). Lunch and dinner are buffet-style. Lunch is usually pasta dish, salad, and fresh fruit, while dinner is Thai style - soup, seafood, four or five meat and vegetable dishes, and fruit. There is always vegetarian food available. The cost for meals is about $17 per person per day (reduced rate for children) for all you can eat! While there is a small kitchen back at Baan Tugae, we do not use it that much, as the clubhouse food is so good.
Next to the clubhouse there is a bar that serves soft drinks, juices, beer, wine, and the best pina colada east of Puerto Rico.
The Climate:
The dry season lasts from November to May, and the monsoon from June to October. GBB is one of the coolest places (you can say that again!). OK, I will. GBB is one of the coolest places in Thailand's hot season. The temperature is pretty consistent through the year (maximum 32-36, minimum 18-22).
In the monsoon period (the low season for rental) it seldom rains for the whole day. There are heavy showers followed by a dry period when it is possible to clearly see Koh Tachai Island, and the Surin Islands, 35 and 50 kilometers to the west and northwest respectively. In the summer months the sea is usually much rougher - great for boogie- and skim-boarding, or body-surfing. During the monsoons and other occasional rainy periods see-through tarpaulins are lowered to provide a degree of protection (for the fixtures and fittings, rather than the people!). We love the monsoon period because of the contrasts, the lushness, and the fact that we often pretty much have the whole island to ourselves.
Getting there:
Getting to GBB is absolutely part of the fun and the GBB experience! The closest airport is Ranong, served by a once daily flight from Bangkok on Phuket Airways. A GBB car will meet you (by prior arrangement) and take you just over an hour south to Kuraburi pier where a Thai long tail boat will take you out to GBB, a one and a half hour trip. Alternatively, you can fly to Phuket (almost hourly flights on Thai Airways) and a GBB car will drive you north to Kuraburi - just over two hours. Umm, remember that there is no pier at GBB - you land directly on the beach into knee/thigh deep water! As I said - part of the fun!
What to take:
·Sunscreen, after-sun lotion, insect repellent, (anti-histamine?)
·Lightweight cotton beach/summer wear, with a light pullover/sweatshirt for evenings
·Travel laundry soap. A modest laundry service is also available
·Binoculars for bird and game-watching
·Plenty of good books, but there is a rotating library at the clubhouse
·Not much else
Vacation Rental Features
- Other Amenities
- Electricity generator from 6-11 pm, 240 volts, fans in bedrooms, but only to 11 pm, bedding and fresh towels daily, bottled drinking water, internet access from office - slow-ish, but OK for e-mails, telephone service from office, no phone connections to Baan Tugae, cell-phones sometimes work from Baan Tugae or beach if you are lucky and persistent and have the right provider, mosquito nets (malaria not a major risk in Thailand, but is present, Risk is higher in rainy season), black flies ("no-seeums") make occasional appearances - can leave nasty bites that affect some people, Take usual precautions - apply repellent and wear long sleeved/legged clothes in evening, sleep under net, switch off lights when not in use, have anti-histamines available if susceptible to allergic reactions, Sorry - absolutely no air-conditioning, no television, no piped music, no jet skis or powerboats, no karaoke or girlie bars, no shopping malls, no sex tourism, no rampant commercialism
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Other Activities
- What to see and do apart from relax, sleep, eat, swim, read, and generally laze about, snorkel around two small islands just off the beach (gear can be rented from the clubhouse), explore the interior of the island (an African savanna-like expanse), birdwatching - stupendous (list of birds identified at GBB available in information pack in each room), kayak - particularly exciting and interesting is to kayak up mangrove lined inlet off the bay flora and fauna, turtle project, research centre and museum at GBB (see Naucrates website for more details) - and you (or the kids) can often help with research, library at clubhouse, Surin Islands - the best snorkeling in Thailand, Stupendous! 55 minutes in fast speed-boat, arranged through GBB office, visit to local fishing village, visit to nearby nature reserve on Koh Ra, next-door island, Thai traditional massage, Yoga (one/two week yoga retreats for all levels held almost solidly from December through until April)
Rate Details (In Thailand Baht)
Standard Rate .. Baht 2800/night for Each House (we throw in the sala for free!).
The Standard Rate from November 1, 2004 to April 30, 2005.
Peak Season Additional Charge of Baht 600/night for Each House.
Peak Rates Applicable from Mid December to Mid January.
Low Season Rate (May to October) .. Baht 1680/night for Each House..
Transfers NOT Included.
Extra Mattresses Can Be Provided: Baht 400/night.
December 2004: Approximately Baht 40 = $1 OR Baht 75 = £1.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Property Photos
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- Part of the pristine six mile beach in front of Baan Tugae - Koh Phra Thong, Thailand - Golden Buddha Beach Resort!
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- The view of Golden Buddha Bay from the Clubhouse - Koh Phra Thong, Thailand - Golden Buddha Beach Resort!
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- The steps leading up to the veranda and bedroom/bathroom - Koh Phra Thong, Thailand - Golden Buddha Beach Resort!
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- Tha Baan Tugae sala, just a few steps from the beach
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #49505
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This listing was first published here in 2004.
Date last modified - Tuesday, April 05, 2011
