Ko Lipe

Ko Lipe is a small island in the Adang-Rawi Archipelago in the Andaman Sea, part of Tarutao National Marine Park in Mueang Satun District, Satun Province, southern Thailand. Known for its white sandy beaches, clear turquoise water and coral reefs, it lies near the Malaysian border. The island features three main beaches and a Chao Leh community, and serves as a base for snorkeling, diving and island-hopping within the national park.

Visitors can expect a small, walkable tropical island with three main sandy beaches - Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach - connected by concrete walking streets with no cars. The interior has resorts, restaurants, shops and dive centers, while the coastline offers clear shallow water, coral reefs close to shore, and longtail boats for island-hopping. The island is part of Tarutao National Marine Park with a Chao Leh settlement and viewpoints accessible on foot.

Ko Lipe was originally settled by the Chao Leh (Urak Lawoi) sea people who established fishing communities on the island. The island and surrounding archipelago were included in Tarutao National Marine Park, established in 1974 as Thailand's first marine national park, to protect the Andaman Sea islands and reefs.

The island is home to a Chao Leh (Urak Lawoi) community, traditionally sea nomads with fishing and boat-building traditions, whose settlement remains on Sunrise Beach area and contributes to the island's cultural character.