If following the crowds isn't your idea of a relaxing vacation, check out these smaller islands that have begun to develop infrastructure to accommodate foreign visitors. These Thailand secret islands are excellent alternatives to the well-traveled tourist trails around Koh Samui and Phuket. Backpackers, as always, are the trailblazers of new exotic destinations, and the Thai islands on this list will undoubtedly become very popular very soon. You should visit these 10 most underrated islands in Thailand, while they are still relatively unknown to avoid crowds.

1. Koh Mak
2. Koh Kood
3. Koh Yao
4. Koh Libong
5. Koh Lao Liang
6. Koh Khram Yai
7. Koh Phra Thong
8. Koh Nang Yuan
9. Koh Phayam
10. Koh bulon lae

1. Koh Mak

Koh Mak, the forgotten little sister to nearby Koh Chang, is truly uncharted territory – and it intends to stay that way. Almost the entire island is privately owned by five families who carefully manage its development and ensure that its businesses are entirely local. You can visit this island by choosing our Thailand tour packages at the Pickyourtrail website.

This policy applies to national banks as well, so there are no ATMs here. It aspires to be completely self-sufficient, with its emphasis on ecotourism and a low-carbon philosophy visible in the extensive biking trails that span the mostly flat terrain.

2. Koh Kood

Koh Kood, Thailand's fifth-largest island before Cambodia, has a population of only about 2,500 people, the majority of whom live in small fishing communities centred on four main built-up areas. People come for peace, but they stay for the beaches. This island is a part of our list of most underrated islands in Thailand.

Because of the island's low population density for its size, much of it remains undeveloped and uninhabited, providing intrepid visitors with a wealth of opportunity to explore hidden bays, waterfalls, estuaries, and, of course, often entirely deserted beaches.

3. Koh Yao

While Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi draws crowds every day to experience The Beach, Koh Yao's Phang Nga Bay allows visitors to channel Mr. Bond himself as the location for scenes from the 1974 film The Man with the Golden Gun. The twin islands of Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai are located between the tourist hotspots of Phuket and Krabi.

The island attracts travelers wary of the beaten path due to its impressive cliffs and peaks typical of the Andaman's limestone-cut islands. The local community, primarily of Moken or Sea Gypsy descent, has steadfastly preserved their culture and way of life, unaffected by the aggressive change that often comes with tourism.

4. Koh Libong

Koh Libong, also in Trang province, is the largest island in the region at 40 square kilometres and is home to Muslim fishing villages, a rare feature in the overwhelmingly Buddhist kingdom. This island is a part of our list of most underrated islands in Thailand.

The eastern mangroves of the island are part of the protected Libong Archipelago Wildlife Reserve, which is home to one of the last natural habitats of the endangered dugong, a sea mammal related to the manatee. To ensure responsible engagement and environmental conservation, trained naturalists lead tours for visitors eager to spot the chubby "sea cow."

5. Koh Lao Liang

This remote island national park is the pinnacle of exclusivity for those truly seeking to go off-grid – only 50 people can stay there at a time. But don't mistake its remoteness for luxury. This island is a part of our list of most underrated islands in Thailand.

There are no bungalows or resorts, but all visitors stay in a camp that is only open five months a year during the dry season on the island. These sea-facing tents, on the other hand, are right on the beach, mere metres away from the warm, crystalline waters of the Andaman. The two-room tents are spacious and comfortable, with generator-powered electricity and fans to keep you cool when the sea breeze fails.

6. Koh Khram Yai

This deserted island, just a few kilometres off the coast of Pattaya, makes a unique day trip for nature lovers looking to escape the chaos of Bangkok but avoid the hordes of teenagers who flock to party in Koh Samet. Its geography, which includes rocky cliffs and dense jungle, has kept it undeveloped and uninhabited.

So, while you can't stay overnight on the island, it's worth the trip to see the unspoiled beauty, which is protected by law as part of a marine protection zone. Except during sea turtle mating season, when visiting is prohibited to help preserve the endangered species, charters to the island run regularly.

7. Koh Phra Thong

Koh Phra Thong, or "Golden Buddha Island," is the closest island to the Surin Archipelago and a popular starting point for visitors to the Mu Ko Surin National Park. The park, which covers over 140 square kilometres of open water, is home to the world-famous scuba diving site Richelieu Rock, which was discovered by famed explorer and conservationist Jacques Cousteau. The coral-rich waters are popular with visitors hoping to see a whale shark or manta ray, both of which are revered by the local Moken people, who are of animist culture.

8. Koh Nang Yuan

Only a short distance from diving paradise Koh Nang Yuan is the only landmass in the world with three distinct islands connected by sand spits.

The incredible beachfront is popular with day-trippers, but the dock closes at 5 p.m. when guests of the island's only resort have the paradise entirely to themselves. Because of its topography, you can see both sunrise and sunset from the island, either from the beach or from its lofty viewpoint.

9. Koh Phayam

This mangrove-woven gem is located in the Andaman Sea, close to the Burmese border. While only a 45-minute speedboat ride from Ranong's jungle-dense centre, don't be fooled by its proximity to the mainland – the paradise is noticeably devoid of cars, 7-Elevens, and other chain stores known for carving up beachfront.

While more resorts are catering to traveller requests for luxuries such as air conditioning, WiFi, and 24-hour electricity, the vast majority of beachside bungalows retain their humble, yet tranquil charm.

10. Koh Bulon Lae

Far from Bangkok's industrial haze, Koh Bulon stands out as a regional model for sustainable tourism. This speck just North of the Malacca Strait is surrounded by five kilometres of coastal caves, jungles, and white sand beaches. It is a stone's throw from nearby Koh Taratao and Koh Adang, whose mountainscapes can be seen to the south.

It's so small that you can walk from one side to the other in under 20 minutes. The local Moken, or "Chao Lay," gets their energy from solar panels, and a waste-free lifestyle reigns supreme, resulting in frequent power outages and limited WiFi for tourists.

Still unsure where to go? These 10 most underrated islands in Thailand honeymoon islands will give you major couple travel goals. Begin a new chapter in your life by planning a honeymoon in Thailand or a family visit to these islands. Relax under the sand or play beach volleyball with your family. There is a list of other places you can visit while on your Thailand trip. Let's go explore!!