This is not just any beautiful tropical island—it is a world-class sustainable destination that proudly won 1st Place in the Nature & Scenery Category at the prestigious Green Destinations Story Awards 2026 during ITB Berlin in Germany!
With a major global award guaranteeing its beauty, you simply have to come and experience this eco-friendly charm with your own eyes. Here are the absolute must-do highlights when you visit:
• Return Homes to Hermit Crabs: Become a part of our award-winning green movement by donating natural seashells to restore safe, plastic-free homes for native hermit crabs along the beaches.
• Catch the Sunrise on a Traditional Gondola: Board a traditional wooden hand-pulled boat at the Tung Yee Peng Community to breathe in the crisp morning air through a lush, zero-carbon mangrove forest tunnel.
• Immerse Yourself in Local Culture & Communities: Savor authentic southern cuisine and shop for handcrafted souvenirs to help directly distribute tourism income straight back to our local villagers and sea nomads.
Pack your bags and travel responsibly along the paths of a global champion! Let's make your next trip fun, meaningful, and community-supporting.
In Trang this time? Skip the usual beach day and go discover something a little different — the world of “Nipa Palms”! Take a little detour to Yan Sue in Kantang, a small community with a big story rooted in the local way of life. Here, nipa palms are more than just pretty greenery along the water — their leaves, fruits and stems are turned into food, sweets, natural dyes, handicrafts and creative local products.
And this is not a place to just look around — come make, taste, touch and chat your way through the community, from trying natural-dye batik and tasting local treats to making biochar soap and weaving with nipa palm stems. One visit, plenty to experience, plenty to discover, and lots of stories to take home.
So next time you’re in Trang, don’t just ask “Where should we go?” Ask, “Where’s Yan Sue?” — and let’s go find it!
More than just a getaway—it’s a chance to create something good for the community.
Ban Koh Klang, Krabi — a riverside community where travel becomes a meaningful learning experience.
• Craft & Culture: Discover traditional batik patterns and learn the art of crafting miniature Rua Hua Thong longtail boats.
• Nature Connection: Paddle through lush mangroves and explore the rich natural landscape along the Krabi River.
• Support Local: Every activity directly supports local people, with tourism income circulating within the community.
Getting there: Take a longtail boat from Chao Fah Pier in Krabi Town—just 10–15 minutes across the river. Once on the island, hop on a bicycle and explore at your own pace.
Turn an ordinary trip into a journey with purpose—support local crafts, connect with the community, and experience a genuine model of low-carbon, community-based tourism.
Thai Communities Are Going Global!
4 Thai tourism communities have just made their mark on the world stage!
They’ve been recognized with the prestigious PATA Gold Awards 2026 for outstanding work in sustainable tourism, announced in Kuching, Malaysia.
Visit Andaman Local takes you to 4 award-winning destinations worth adding to your travel list:
- Chak Ngaew Ancient Chinese Market, Pattaya.
A charming step back in time. Wander through this historic Chinese community and discover a side of Pattaya filled with heritage, local culture and nostalgic vibes.
- Pha Mi Community, Chiang Rai
Mountain views, local coffee and authentic Akha culture. Enjoy a simple cup of coffee with spectacular scenery while getting to know the community and its way of life.
- Nan Old Town, Nan
Slow travel at its best. Explore the old town by bicycle, visit beautiful temples and experience a community that puts sustainable tourism into practice.
- Khung Bang Kachao, Samut Prakan
The green escape just outside Bangkok. Cycle through lush gardens, connect with local life and experience low-carbon travel in one of Thailand’s most unique urban green spaces.
Four communities. Four different stories. One shared vision — sustainable tourism that puts local people, culture and nature at the heart of the journey.
These are the kinds of destinations that show how Thai communities can go global while staying true to what makes them special.
Start your morning at Samet Nangshe Viewpoint, where the first light of day paints the limestone islands of Phang Nga Bay in breathtaking colors.
Just a few minutes away, continue your journey to Hin Rom Community Pier. Hop on a traditional long-tail boat, cruise through peaceful mangrove forests, admire dramatic limestone cliffs, and experience the simple way of life of local fishing communities.
Complete your day with freshly caught local seafood, prepared with authentic southern flavors and served with genuine community hospitality.
More than a trip, this is a journey that supports local communities, celebrates nature, and encourages low-carbon, sustainable travel.
The Green Season is when this emerald stream truly comes to life.
As the rains return, Khlong Root transforms into a crystal-clear emerald waterway, fed by natural springs and surrounded by lush rainforest. It's one of Krabi's best places to experience nature at its most vibrant.
Paddle gently through the tranquil canal, discover the rich ecosystem, and support local communities along the way. It's a refreshing Green Season escape that reflects a more meaningful, low-impact way to explore the Andaman.
Start your day soaking in natural hot spring onsen at Raksa Warin, surrounded by misty air and lush greenery. Then hop on a boat to Koh Phayam — a laid-back island with no cars, sandy roads, cozy cafés, and crystal-clear sea.
In 2026, Ranong is quietly becoming one of the most exciting destinations on Thailand’s upper Andaman coast, with charming eco-friendly stays and a slow-life atmosphere that’s getting harder to find.
If you need a break from busy cities, Ranong might be exactly the escape you’re looking for.
Low Carbon, 100% Fun! For this Krabi trip, say goodbye to noisy boat engines and enjoy the ultimate chill vibes at "Ban Nai Nang Community"—a super-green destination that proves saving the planet is incredibly fun and delicious!
The absolute highlight you cannot miss is tasting fresh honey straight from the hives of "stingless bees"—the tiny heroes recognized by the UN as a global model for restoring over 6,000 acres of lush mangrove forest! After that sweet treat, grab a paddle, hop into a kayak, and glide silently through crystal-clear waters to greet the dramatic "Khao Garos" (Ghost Cliff) with zero emissions. Top off your day with their trending Zero Waste Cooking Class, where you'll make a crispy "Kratong Thong" (Golden Cups) that smartly upcycles leftover shrimp shells into edible cups to tackle food waste! Sip on a refreshing "Honey Mojito Mocktail" while learning how the community builds organic fish habitats (Tsang) to restore the sea. Every single Baht you spend here directly funds local livelihoods and nature restoration...
