Phê Vé
March 30, 2026 • 2 min read
Nearly two decades ago, I spent a month in Ko Lipe, a place often described as a tranquil paradise. Electricity was available only a few hours a day, beachfront bungalows cost about $2, and the end-of-season boat rides were a special event. My days were blissfully simple: lounging on the sand, readi
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Looking Back at Ko Lipe of Yesteryear
Nearly two decades ago, I spent a month in Ko Lipe, a place often described as a tranquil paradise. Electricity was available only a few hours a day, beachfront bungalows cost about $2, and the end-of-season boat rides were a special event. My days were blissfully simple: lounging on the sand, reading books, snorkeling among the coral, and then back to the sand again. There was just one bar on the island for a bit of nightlife and only five eateries to explore.
It was a time of making new friends, connecting with the locals, and picking up a bit of Thai. However, I hesitated to return, fearing that the paradise I once knew had been lost to time. The prospect of rampant development and commercialism made me reluctant to revisit.
✈️ Tìm chuyến bay giá tốt
Đặt vé ngay với giá ưu đãi từ các hãng hàng không
Ko Lipe Today: A Disappointment
Eventually, I found myself compelled to return to Ko Lipe during a recent journey through Southeast Asia, and I was shocked. Ko Lipe has become overly commercialized, much like other tourist hotspots such as Koh Phi Phi. The once pristine beaches are now crowded with boats, pollution is spilling into the sea, and concrete resorts have sprung up among the palm trees. The coral reefs are gradually dying due to the pollution from boats.
Tourists flock to the island, but the culinary scene has shifted to mediocre Western fare, with few people opting for authentic Thai cuisine. Local residents have been pushed out, making way for large developers. As a result, the local population sees little benefit from this tourism wave, with most workers on the island coming from the mainland.
Don’t Let Ko Lipe Lose Its Identity
Once a dream destination, Ko Lipe now fills me with a sense of regret. It seems there’s little hope for revival, given the unmanaged and unsustainable development. If you’re planning a trip, consider other islands like Koh Lanta or Koh Mook, where tourism is managed more responsibly.
Choices That Impact the Future
Choosing not to visit Ko Lipe may seem like a small voice, but it could be a stepping stone toward change. We’ve witnessed shifts as consumers become more conscious about their travel choices. Here’s hoping that one day, Ko Lipe can find a more sustainable path forward.
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