3 Days in Koh Man Nork
The plan was for Tik to bring her Mum and sisters to Bangkok last weekend and for us to all enjoy a weekend at a relaxing resort in Kantchenaburi together. Sadly the area itself was named in a few weather warnings and Tik’s mum was quite concerned about it.
Instead, we forgot about Tik’s family and went to the most romantic island resort I could ever imagine. It’s the first time I’ve traveled anywhere where the beaches and sea looks identical to the photos in their brochure.
We spent three days and two nights in Koh Mun Nork. Koh Mun Nork is a small island, about an hour further than Pattaya. It is not well advertised to westerners, and in fact the staff at the only hotel there do not speak English. The island is not cheap, and I’m sure this would deter a lot of Thais from visiting it. This makes the place very peaceful and extremely romantic. In total there were perhaps 30 people on the island, and finding a quiet spot to be alone was very easy.
Our sea-view chalet was surprisingly modern, with very few traces of bad Thai building work. It was clean and had a large sheltered front porch which we could relax on. I personally preferred relaxing on the pagoda which stretched out into the sea and the memory of being able to lie there, observing the stars, hearing the waves, with the girl I love will, I think, always stay with me.
We spent our time sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, reading and sleeping. It’s certainly fired my passions for gaining my PADI diving qualifications so that I can scuba dive. The water was so clear we could see all manner of beautiful fish and could follow some large crabs on the rocks.
We returned to Bangkok last Wednesday, completely refreshed and a smidgen sunburnt. Koh Mun Nork is a special place for Tik and I. We are looking forward to sharing it with Barry Dan and Lisa when they come to visit us next year. I am sure that a year on, the island will remain as unspoilt and exclusive as it is today.
Click here to drool over our photos
November 19th, 2005 at 1:25 am
[...] water practices and four forty minute dives. I thoroughly enjoyed snorkeling with Tik in Koh Man Nork a few weeks ago and have wondered just how it might feel to have that extra fre [...]
December 5th, 2005 at 9:41 am
Hi Martin,
Was browsing through the net for some information about Koh Man Nok, when i stumbled upon your blog - i’m going to find out more about the Koh Mun Nork Island Resort! It looks gorgeous on the website but i was convinced after i saw your personal pictures. Been craving for a nice peaceful beach and some diving to satisfy my diving-addiction. Anyway, your blog’s an entertaining read. I just arrived in Bangkok a few months ago and have signed a contract to work here for the next 2 years, so it’s interesting to read about another foreigner who’s been living here for 5 years.
Well, hope you had a good trip in Taiwan with Tik!
Regards,
shyn
February 4th, 2007 at 9:56 am
hi martin… just like shyn im looking for information about koh mun nork… my fiance and i decided to get married in Thailand — and im looking for a nice quiet private not so expensive place to hold a very simple beach wedding…
your pictures are great!
im working and living in Bangkok so i somehow know the loops around but never really went into that island
if you have other infos about this island to share with me… please do let me know… is there really one hotel in there?
thanks!
jessie
November 12th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
I have just returned from this beautiful island totally disappointed. It should go under the name Koh Rip-off. At four grand per night the least you could expect is a menu. For breakfast we were given “yesterdays left-over rice in fishy water” and you are not permitted to bring food to the island so you take what you are given! We were not given the bungalow as promised but a shack attached to a dorm although we were obliged to pay for the bungalow. None of the 21 who were there at the time were satisfied with the service. For the money there are many places which offer much more. Yes, the sand and sea are nice but that is all you get!