While there are multiple ways to get to the island, this guide will describe the simple and easiest method. If money is a constraint for you, it may be worth exploring other options (Bus to Ranong from Phuket or Bangkok).

The suggested dates in this guide are for people strictly coming for the wedding with no additional travel. If you are doing any additional travel please change the dates to suit your plans.

Flights to Bangkok

Flights from Melbourne(MEL) airport to Bangkok(BKK) range in price depending on airlines and stopovers. What flight you should book is based on a few factors:
- Your budget.
- If you are okay with stopovers.
- If you are heading directly back to Melbourne or would like to do some additional travel.
- If your going for The Rush (this will be explained further along in this section).

We recommend booking your flight from Melbourne to Bangkok for the 28th of November (28/11), with your return flight on the 4th of December (4/12). You will be staying in Bangkok for one night each way unless you are planning to do The Rush (see below).

Your Budget/stopovers:
Check https://www.skyscanner.com.au for return flights; if you're happy to stopover in Singapore(SIN) airport for a few hours the flight will cost around $470 per person (as of 1st of May). Whereas a direct flight will be a little more expensive.
These prices may be subject to change, and you may find cheaper and better suited flights by searching on your own.

More flights may be added that are cheaper or better, as such we will not suggest any particular flight. If you need help picking a flight, please reach out to us for assistance.

Flight from Ranong to Bangkok

Bangkok to Ranong

Flights to Ranong airport (UNN) leave from Don Mueang Airport (DMK), Bangkok's second airport that is about an 30 minutes out of central Bangkok. It is important to note that Don Mueang (DMK) is a completely different airport than Bangkok (BKK). Bangkok traffic is also notoriously bad, so please give yourself ample time to get over there.

While you could take a bus to DMK airport, a taxi is much easier and should be less than $30 AUD. I would highly recommend getting your hotel to organise a taxi for you a few hours before, or they may have a shuttle to DMK.

Section updated as the airline has recently changed flight times.

Book a return flight from Don Mueang (DMK) to Ranong (UNN) for 29th of November, returning on the 3rd of December.
There are 2 flights available on the 29th, one at 7:35 AM and the other at 3:25 PM. Please book the flight for 7:35 AM, as the 3:25 PM flight arrives too late for you to take a boat across to the island.

Currently a return flight is listed at $95 per person, but this may change closer to the date. If you are bringing luggage this may be more. This is a domestic flight and should take around 1.5 hours.

Ranong to Koh Phayam

From this point forward, things get alot more casual and in general, cash only.

After landing in Ranong, there will be mini buses, taxis and songthaews (basically a ute with chairs and a roof) waiting for one of the two flights a day to take travelers to Ranong pier. While a mini bus can be booked in advance, you should be fine to just show up. At worst, you may have to ask airport staff to help you call a taxi.

Once you arrive at Ranong Pier, you have two options to get to Koh Phayam. Speed boat or the slow boat (ferry).

Speed boat:
The speed boat is not for the frail or faint of heart, personally we love it. If you have any sort of mobility issues, a lot of luggage or infants this may not be the option for you. The speed boat can be extremely bumpy and potentially quite crowded depending on the conditions.
The speed boat will cost you 350 bhat per person (~$17) and will take approximately 40 minutes.
Tickets are purchased in cash near/at the pier and makes the trip to the island roughly every hour from 9am to 4pm.

Ferry/Slow boat:
Although information on the exact times of the ferry are spotty. Some sources say 10AM, some say 3PM, we will attempt to get confirmation. The slow boat is located at a different pier (Tai Kak Pier) than the speed boat, ensure you communicate that you specifically want to take the ferry/slow boat with your transport.

Koh Phayam to Ailay

Nearly there! Don't worry this is the easiest part.
After you've walked down the pier there will be many tuk-tuks, just tell them you want to go to Ailay. This should cost you 200bhat (maybe more for a bigger group) after a roughly 20 minute ride you will have arrived!

Your checklist

After RSVPing please:

Book a return flight to Bangkok airport(BKK) for the 28th of November, with your return flight on the 4th of December.
Book yourself some accommodation in Bangkok for the 28th of November and for the 3rd of December.
Book a return flight from Don Muang airport(DMK) to Ranong airport(UNN) for 29th of November, returning on the 3rd of December.
Buy travel insurance for your selected travel dates.
If you are planning to rent a motorbike, make sure to get your international licence as travel insurance will not cover you if you are not licenced and have an accident. Also make sure your travel insurance will cover motorcycle accidents!

A few days before leaving Australia:

Buy an esim
Complete a Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) within 3 days before arriving in Thailand (https://tdac.immigration.go.th/)
Visa on arrival
Tell your bank that you are travelling to Thailand (they may cancel your card if you do not)
Buy good sunscreen and mosquito repellent!

When arriving in Thailand:

Get cash out at airport or in Bangkok

Things to know

Thailand, especially more rural Thailand, is very cash-centric. Always carry a few thousand Thai bhat, and it is recommended to carry some Australian dollars as a back up.
The sunscreen we brought in Thailand was terrible, I (Cooper) actually got sun poisoning because of it - Bring Australian sun screen!
Check that all of your vaccinations are up to date (genuinely a good idea, please do this).
The tap water in Thailand is not safe to drink in any capacity, this includes brushing your teeth. Bottle water is cheap and readily available.
Toilet paper is not flushed... even in high end hotels there will be a bin next to the toilet for your used toilet paper. This is because the plumbing is not set up for toilet paper. Please respect this as you may cause serious damage to plumbing.

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