Ko Lipe Off The Beaten Path

I spent a month traveling around the islands in the Andaman Sea.
Ko Lipe is starting to have the feel of Ko Pi Pi. It is not as bad as Ko Samui yet... the constant loud growl of the engines from the longtail boats takes away from any great appeal for relaxing in the sand spit on the north end of Ko Lipe just down from Mountain resort and stay away from Patayya Beach!!! Yikes..that place is zoo with so many boats in the water it is almost impossible if not foolish to even try to go for a swim.

Sunset beach is the best place for a somewhat relaxing stay at Porn's resort.
But if you had hoped to go to Lipe to get away from reality and to live on a tropical island like Gilligan...than cross Lipe off your list. It is filled with shops and the general tourist thing...even tattoo shops are everywhere now..
But if you are a city person and crave the packed in like sardines resort atmosphere than Lipe is your place...
In short..I was not too happy with what is happening to Lipe...but I guess we are all to blame..we all love the islands of Thailand too much and the Thai's are doing what everyone else does...earning a living.
Lipe is a fine place to use as a jumping off place for the rest of the islands in Taratauo National Park...but in my opinion would never be my destination again. If you are a backpacker you will not like Lipe...although...it is a good place to resupply with food, clothes, sunscreen or to exchange your money...
Have fun!