James Bond Island

Koh Tapu...

If Mister James Bond had not decided in 1974 to pass by this place... this island would certainly be completely unknown to the general public.
But here's the thing... James Bond, it makes you dream and the Thai people have taken advantage of this name without even the slightest "copyright".

The tourist who comes to Thailand for the first time and sees the name James Bond Island on a number of brochures in travel agencies is bound to be caught...

There is no specific "James Bond Island" tour from Phuket

This few minutes visit is usually included in the bay tours of the kind:

  • Koh Panyee tour
  • Canoe trip
  • Speed boat trip (Koh Phi Phi, Koh Bamboo, Koh Tapu) etc.

Note that if you arrive by longtail boat from Koh Panyee for example, you will have to pay 200 baht per person (5 €) to walk on the sand of Koh Tapu.

Personally, I don't find this expense justified, but each one makes according to his desires.

If you are driving to the area from Phuket, this is the style of signs you can see along the 4-lane road to Phang Nga & Krabi .

Then just take the nearby road and go to the river bank. There, families and locals are waiting for you and offer you to go to Koh Panyee and Jmes Bond Island...

The price can be discussed...




Koh Panyee
At the Samchong pier, I take the opportunity to take some pictures of the people we meet
Beautiful faces typical of the region, always easy to photograph
Voici le type d'embarcation pour rallier les petites îles comme Koh Panyee ou encore James Bond Island

 KOH TAPU


Koh Tapu, (James Bond Island)... yes, 20 years ago, it was a small island where you could come and have your picture taken in front of the rock (the highlight: tapu)... there were not many people, it was nice.

Nowadays, you have to pay for access, there are endless shops and they all sell the same junk... when you take the little path that leads you to the other side, you see rubbish thrown away by some disrespectful or simply stupid tourists.

Anyway, as this visit is usually part of an organised tour from Phuket or Krabi, you will end up there by necessity without having to pay an access fee (this is usually included in your tour ticket) but if you are on a small private boat you will have to pay 200 baht per person: it's expensive, too expensive. You might as well stay on your boat and look at this little island from where you are, you will have just as much fun.
James-Bond-Island

 Aerial view (Google Earth) of James Bond Island

 Places visited South Region...