🇹🇭 My Southern Thailand Guide - tinyurl.com/82r9hnv7 🇹🇭 My Northern Thailand Guide - tinyurl.com/4wrzmsar 🇹🇭 The COMBO North+South Thailand Guide - tinyurl.com/3k24dtmm

The Thai authorities have done a great job to preserve this most beautiful location so everyone get to enjoy it without destroying it. The beach really looks like it was in the movie. So tranquil and the waters so pristine and enticing. A real paradise beach and island. Love it!

I was the Helicopter pilot for the aerial shots taken at Maya Bay in 1999/2000 for the movie “ The Beach “😝 The entire area was landscaped to suit the production including the installation of a floating Heli- deck to transport equipment and talent on a daily basis. Spent 3 weeks flying Leonardo DiCaprio around although he also spent time on set in a private live aboard yacht.. A beautiful area and nice to see it now the government has restored and protected the location.👍👍👍

@jomontanee

2 жыл бұрын

WOW!! You are in the history making indeed. This movie became the cult classic and inspired so millions of people around the world to “go for the exotic adventures”.

@chopperman10

2 жыл бұрын

@Trevor Smith - It was a movie mate lol 😂

@jj-if6it

Жыл бұрын

what was he like??

@jj-if6it

Жыл бұрын

@Trevor Smith There are heaps of hidden places in the world that are still unspoiled by western tourism. Also the shark thing in the movie is a joke which obviously went way over your head

@chopperman10

Жыл бұрын

@@jj-if6it like most stars I’ve flown during my career, he was just one of the boys. No attitude or pretense.

All I have to say is WOW. When I went there 7-8 years ago, there were like a million boats to go along with the 50 million people there. I’m so glad they closed it to let it revive. No more mass tourism. I can’t wait to see it in May.

@stangoodvibes

2 жыл бұрын

So just to clarify - *you* went there along with all the other 49,999,999 tourists, and now you're saying you don't want mass tourism??? 🤔 But you are going back **again** 🙄

@andrewpyers9558

2 жыл бұрын

@@stangoodvibes so just to clarify. It was the first time I’d been overseas & was naive to it. I was bitterly disappointed when I went there. Yes it was beautiful but it really was a shit show. They now have a cap on the number of visitors to the island so yes I’ll go back as it is beautiful & I don’t mind spending the money for the upkeep of the island

@stangoodvibes

2 жыл бұрын

@@andrewpyers9558 you want to go.see it again?? 400 baht + boat costs to shuffle along a wooden path with (still) hundreds of other people, just to stand on an OK beach but not be able to swim?? Wow, what an adventure that will be...

@andrewpyers9558

2 жыл бұрын

@@stangoodvibes each to their own mate. You do you I’ll do me. I’m not about to get in a slinging match with you on Paddy’s channel. You’re entitled to your opinion & I’m entitled to mine. Good luck to you 😘 😂

@stangoodvibes

2 жыл бұрын

@@andrewpyers9558 OK enjoy. Just don't go out any deeper than your knees or the lifeguard will blow his whistle at you 😅

One of the best decisions made by Thai authorities to preserve this unique place on earth

Thanks for taking me back to Maya Bay. I was there in 2008, it was beautiful then, but now it's spectacular without all the boats. More than happy to pay 400B entry fee, maybe Thai Tourism should look at doing this to more of their attractions that have been impacted by Tourism. Congratulations on reaching 60k subscribers. By the way, I think you are a real You-tuber with a real channel :)

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

haha thanks Connie!

@michaelhayward7572

2 жыл бұрын

I was there in 03 or 04. It was dreadful then, before the Chinese/Korean invasion, utterly spoiled by thoughtless mass hippy/rasta/gap year student tourism. The worst garbage/trash/rubbish mess i have witnessed on any Thai beach area, worse than the worst Thai places. My Thai wife was disgusted and angry to what it had become. Ao Nang was a idyllic by comparison. Edit, Nice to see places like this looking pristine and spectacular again.

@Amigazor

2 жыл бұрын

I was there 2008 too - beautiful place but way too much people.. I'm happy to see that they have fixed that problem and I hope it'll stay that way. :)

@gogetmaya

2 жыл бұрын

National park fee are asked almost everywhere now, not only in Phi Phi Islands. And sadly not all the money goes into conservation projects as good as the one in Maya Bay.

@connielinz879

2 жыл бұрын

@@gogetmaya That's a shame all the money doesn't go back into conservation projects. I think it would be in Thailands interest to spend all the money on the environment as people are starting to travel more consciously.

as i'm in Canada, watching this in my office. with the -40° winds blowing snow outside my window. and paddy gives a shoutout. nice to know you're thinking about us while living in paradise.

This is gorgeous, truly beautiful. I am so glad they brought the beach back to good ecological health, and well worth the 400 baht to keep things clean.

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

100% and great to see the nursery for the sharks thriving

That's so wonderful they've rejuvenated such a stunning location !!! Let's pray they monitor visiting numbers so there isn't a repeat of what happened 🙏

That shark in it’s natural environment touched my Heart! 💗 thank you!

I'm sitting at my home office desk in cold and snowy Moscow and remembering an absolutely fabulous island trip around the Similans in Dec '19 when the Maya Bay was still closed. It is so nice to see it now opened and in good order. Thank you very much Paddy, you've literally taken me there :))

@Coolerzebra

2 жыл бұрын

Always welcome You back to Thailand again anytime , Mr. Alexander สวัสดีครับ

@1980zander

2 жыл бұрын

@@Coolerzebra Thank you! I would be happy to visit that wonderful country again, and to stay for several months 😊👍🏻

@beneaglesfield3258

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah I agree,the Similian islands are unbelievable

Maya Bay has to be one of the most breathtaking places on this earth! 🙏🏻🌏 I believe my jaw might still be laying on that beach since 2008 from it dropping so hard seeing all that beauty, lol. And also I can see the rock in the water where I cut my hand on some coral/shells so I started to bleed like crazy, lol..oh what a day it was. Can’t wait to come back to Thailand, haven’t been since 2019 and I miss it all day, every day 💕🙏🏻🇹🇭 Thank you for a great video Paddy and congrats on 60.000 subs 🍾🎊

Absolutely stunningly one of the most beautiful spots in the world! Great video Paddy. Congrats on the 60k, now on the road to 100k

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

Absolutely stunning.. kudos to everyone involved for turning it around and getting it back to whether it was.. it was a nightmare before to say the least.. very clever creating an entry from the back bay.. and all very aesthetically done as well.. Cheers for the quick tour

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

Absolutely agree, they did a great job!

Thailand...truly heaven on Earth!!!!

Absolutely amazing Paddy . I remember being there in 2015 with the crowds I’m so happy to see what it has become. Thank You for bringing me back to one of the most beautiful places not only in Thailand but the world 🌎. Congratulations on your 60k your on the way to 100k . I’ll be watching this over and over again . Good to see ya mate Karl too .

Appreciate this, Paddy as I AM stuck in a Canadian winter, and videos like these get me through the -30C days.

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

oh wow

@kanediantai5116

2 жыл бұрын

Winnipeg Winterpeg

Hi Paddy I’m Thai in oversea so I have never been back to homeland almost 3 years so just wanna thanks for an awesome video , is so nice , I been here before many years a go look forward to see your next thx thx 👍👍🙏🙏🙏

Maya Bay looking amazing and good to see it’s not full of boats again 😊 loving your Bangkok videos too Paddy , giving us lots of ideas of places to visit that we’d never had thought off .. thanks for that 🙏

Looks absolutely beautiful ! I was there the last day of mass tourism, before it closed. It needed to happen ☀️

So stunning.. wow... The BEACH. I miss Thailand

Absolutely incredible what they have done by landing the boats away from the beach. When I was there it was a disaster of people and boats, this will be so much better for the aquatic ecosystem. Will be landing in Bangkok on April 9 and taking my chances with test and go and test again.....I might just have to go back down to Maya Bay while I am there and experience its majesty the way it should be experienced.

I watched this video of Paddy on 65 inch TV screen in my office, the resolution of the picture gave me goosebumps!! Maya Bay is really beautiful right now.🏝 /Awesome !👍 Thanks for this, Paddy.🙏🏻

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

Wow... Jealous

@chermarl5955

2 жыл бұрын

@@PaddyDoyle. Why envious? There was nothing to be envious of in this small cold square room.🤕 It's completely different to you who was there and really touched it.🏝️💦🌴🌊🌿🐟

@jomontanee

2 жыл бұрын

Me 75” and I was jaw dropping. Speechless. Mesmerized.

@chermarl5955

2 жыл бұрын

@@jomontanee Yeah, I want Paddy to always do 4K-5K. it's so good.🤗👍

Hi Paddy, I was there and the other islands a few weeks ago and it was amazing how beautiful it is out there. Like you said, the white sands are just wonderful. I also had a chance to do some snorkeling. I had the opportunity to see these islands and Phuket. Also traveled to Chaing Mai and Bangkok. I am glad I was able to see a lot of Thailand. Again, thank you for sharing your travels.. Thank you for sharing

Much nicer than when I was there years ago. I'm sure it smells better without all the boats running in and out. Beautiful. Great to see the environment winning for once.

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

You got that right!

It's hard to believe the movie THE BEACH was released 22 years ago in 2000! It's funny to think that people are still talking about this movie that was filmed on Koh Phi Phi over two decades ago!

@jomontanee

2 жыл бұрын

Its impact is beyond belief.

Absolutely breathtaking! You're right, it is so clean and pristine. Hopefully it stays this way. I'll be there in a few months.

Looks fantastic. I’m in bed in Cardiff with covid, so perfect viewing fir me! I did visit about 7 years ago, on a day out from Koh Jum, but it was incredibly overcrowded and we didn’t land the boat. Did a spot of snorkelling round the corner though and it was glorious. Good to see them taking control of tourism and its affects.

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

Get well soon ☺️

@garethpotter

2 жыл бұрын

@@PaddyDoyle. Thanks Paddy. Very much enjoying your recent content - and great to see you less stressed.

Stunning! The regeneration period has done wonders and it looks so revitalised now wow! Amazing Vid once again Paddy great work👌🏾

Watching from cold Toronto, Canada, and so envious! I actually wished these beautiful places remain tourist-free to preserve the environment!

Just great to see this place in a pristine condition again. Looking forward to the ol' Paddy adventures.

Thank you for this vlog, Paddy. Was there in 2003. That new entrance is fantastic. Hopefully limits the boats that come in. I regret spending too much of my time there taking photos instead of relaxing and soaking it in. Hopefully will return one day. 🙏

Cheezy jump accomplished. Dang, that place is gorgeous.

I love the beaches in the south and east of Thailand, they’re beautiful...

Wow....Phi Phi island 2022 is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I'm watching from Toronto Canada 🇨🇦. Short and simply vlog, but I really enjoy watching it.

So beautiful. I just saw the other day that this area had reopened. Thanks for taking a little trip to show us. ❤️❤️

The absolute great time to visit Maya bay, the nature just recovery to great point and it not overtourist

There are not enough adjectives to describe the beauty of Maya Bay...another great video Paddy 😁

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

@jomontanee

2 жыл бұрын

I just grasp for air! Speechless.

Im sat here, in an incredibly dull, grey, rainy north of England watching.... And im loving it because im heading there in a few weeks! Absolutely cannot wait!

@jomontanee

2 жыл бұрын

Welcome you in advance. I wish you have the best time of your life and make a lot of beautiful memories here in my beloved country.🙏🇹🇭🥰

Looks absolutely beautiful. I've never actually been to Maya Bay itself even though I've lived on Phi Phi and visited many times, mainly because of the hordes of reef-killing tourists that got worse as the years wore on, but maybe I'll pony up the farang price and visit next time I'm there.

Absolutely beautiful!!! 😍😍🥰 Yet another one for my bucket list 🥰❤️🇹🇭

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

It really is!

Awesome video, thanks mate! I miss Phi Phi! So glad to see it flourishing

Truly enjoyed the immersive walk around the beach 🏝 and loved seeing the shark. Thanks for sharing this, Paddy!

Interesting fact about the super soft ‘White’ sand your walking on, it’s actually sand from Whitehaven Beach, in the Whitsunday’s, Qld Australia. But still really beautiful to visit Maya Bay and a completely different view how I saw it in 2016. Will make the trip from Bangkok again soon. Thanks for the video mate, given me some inspiration for my next little short trip. Cheers,

ธรรมชาติสวยจริงๆ ฉันภูมิใจที่ได้เกิดเป็นคนไทย

Amazing 👏 the views and place looks so much better without the 1000 boats along the sands 🙌 well done thailand 🇹🇭 more picturesque, great video 🍻🍹

I'm in America in February but I'm not suffering in the cold. I'm in Florida and it's 82 degrees with sugar white, soft sand beaches. Even still, I'd rather be in Thailand, paradise on earth!

How fortunate you guys are to be able to experience the most beautiful places in Thailand and me and millions of other citizens in Thailand have never had a chance to experience it. It's really sad but. Wishing you all the joy of visiting my country and helping to preserve the environment for generations to come. For future visits we are always welcome to you..🙏🙏

Maya Bay looked absolutely stunning...the natural restoration did wonders for it, and that had to be the finest sand I've ever stood on...this video was amazing and reminded me of my trip there..well done

Approaching it from the back rather than from the beach like before, actually makes for a much more spectacular first glimpse

The best sand in Thailand is on Similan Islands but Maya is very close

Thank you Paddy. It's amazing. I was not able to visit Maya Bay in the past. Hopefully I can now. We had a much milder winter in the UK with crispy sunny days.

I visited back in 2009 and it was ruined with lots of tourist boats on the beach, you couldn't get a photo without hundreds of people in it. I didn't feel great about being a part of it. I'm so glad they actually cared enough to fix it and protect it. Covid did have some positives. Now I have to come back to be able to see the boatless beach haha. It's so beautiful. No swimming though is a bit of a shame, at least I got to do that.

Your video was definitely the break out I needed. In the middle of a Dutch winter, during having COVID myself and laying in bed ill … 🤒

Went there in januari when it just had reopened, 3 small baby sharks in a feet of water at around 2pm, 10people on the beach. Perfect as it should be

We were there about two weeks ago and it's absolutely gorgeous. Stay on Phi Phi and support the locals by hiring a long tail boat. Buy some pa tong go for breakfast (thai donuts with pandan sauce) they're super cheap and delicious. Start you boat ride early as the tours from Phuket get there about 10-10:30 - but the local long tail boat drivers know this and should organise to meet you about 8am. We went for a 4 hour ride to mulitple locations with a few snorkeling stops and it was plenty of time.

I was there before it closed and without all the people it looks incredible now❤️❤️❤️

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

100% agree!

great to be back. I went there back in 2005. but this looks even more beautiful than I remembered it. Fantastic video!

Love your work Paddy and I love your variety from the city high rises to nature reserves, keep it coming (no pressure though).

I was there in 2001 before it got crazy busy…..great place, beautiful memories.

Thank you paddy been watching all your videos on Thailand 🇹🇭 I'm going for the first time in January 2025 cannot wait your videos have helped us decide which route to take around thailand and where we would like to visit thank you Keep up the good work 👏

Hiya Paddy, Congratulations. 60K. I am sitting in my conservatory, sun on my face watching this. Thank you for the journey and for taking us along. The beach almost looks unreal. Beautiful. I heard that about the waters and suncream. It certainly has made a difference to the water. Beautiful drone footage. Perfect tunes. Great video. What a great picture at the end. You always make me smile. Thank you for sharing.

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful!

The white sand and a crystal clear water is such a amazing view.Your video make me want to go there.T T

ฉันคนไทยแท้ๆไปเที่ยวเกาะสเม็ด ยังต้องเสียค่ารถโดยสารอย่างต่างชาติเลย นี่คือข้อเสียของเมืองไทยจ้า ทำใจ

I love this place so much. As soon as the boat pulled up many many years back, I dropped my duds and dove off the roof into the crystal aqua. It was glorious.

Canada Checking in ! Thank you so much for making this video Paddy. Maya Bay is so Beautiful !

Nice jumping with your friend. I am so glad to not seeing ton of boats on the beach ,this will make every photos beautiful. I will go back to Maya Bay for sure.

That is unbelievably stunning! I remember going to maya bay probably 2018 and don't remember having to walk through to the beach I thought the boat dropped us directly there? Or was that a different part of maya Bay we went to? Either way it wasn't that stunning so good job on the rehabilitation Thailand. When we went it was so packed I hated it, wasn't even picturesque it was so crowded lol

@jj-if6it

Жыл бұрын

I think it closed around 2019 to be revamped, so you would have seen it how it was before

We were there in 2004 (still slow tourism) and 2008 (already starting to get busy). Last year while we were traveling through Thailand, it was still closed so we had to miss it and couldn’t show it to our kids. Paddy, if you are looking for a paradise island, you should visit Koh Kradan in Trang province before the main tourist rush comes in.

OMG !!! The last frame/pic will blow everyone away. That is so pristine !!

Wow.... That's all. 🤣🥰 I could sit and listen and watch the waves roll in all day long.

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

Dreamy right 💕

@melissafrye76

2 жыл бұрын

@@PaddyDoyle. Of course!

Got this tour booked for the 7th. Weather has been cloudy and raining for the most part since we arrived last week. Fingers crossed we get weather like this for it

very very nice , thanks for sharing. We are preparing a trip to Thailand in the autumn of 2022 and this is very helpfull and well done. Enjoy your further stay there.

From Canada! - Nice to take us to the beach, Paddy!! All the best!!

Hi paddy great Chanel and content 🙏🇹🇭

Summer in winter times back here in The Netherlands buddy, thanks for bringing it to us in this amazing quality 🙏 And as always, C Ya in the next one, cheers 🙌🍻

I went there many years ago it was beautiful but so so busy , I love what the Thais have done to it now it looks amazing .

I was there 5 years ago. It was so packed with tourists it was like bieng at a music festival.

Lovely Paddy! We are currently under 5 inches of snow!!! Great to see Maya Bay again.

So much change - first time I was there was about 18 months after the tsunami. We were the only boat in the bay and had the place to ourselves. Went back in 2016 and it was like Blackpool! Packed with boats, swimmers, rubbish and hard to take it all in. So glad to see that entry ramp. Before you had to jump off the boat and swim and climb up onto a rope net.. was crazy

Thanks for sharing!! We are coming to Thailand later this year, your videos are giving us plenty inspiration!! x

Wonderful place , hope to be visiting very soon.

Wow, so stunning. Thanks for sharing this.

4:07 OH-MY-GODDDDDDDD!! Goosebumps.

🎉🎉Congratulations 🎉🎉 60k followers Paddy keep going to do for amazing vdo like this I'm always support your Channel from now on🥰

Beautiful felt like i was there , good to see arrangements made at lo sama bay and walking trail . i had seen the trail in 2019 during the phi phi tour from a distance but it was kind of under construction .

That's true the sand on Mya beach is definitly the withest and softest sand i've ever seen. I was there for one day between xmas and New years eve 22/23.

Hand on heart ,this has to be the only time i'm happy to see hardly any tourists Paddy for obvious reasons .The day i was on Maya bay a few years back it was packed full of people and boats 😒

Thanks Patty! I am stuck in the Canadian winter here in the province of Saskatchewan. Was supposed to be in Thailand this month but cancelled my trip because of the quarantine requirements. Glad I found your channel! Can be there from my armchair!

Bonjour paddy merci de nous montré ce paradis

I'm in love with your channel and all videos, Paddy. You safe my life from being homesick missing Thailand. Can't wait to go back there to beautiful Maya bay. Thank yous o much for sharing. Cheers ❤ 🇹🇭

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

Ah thanks 💕

I went there during the chinese new year weekend 2012. it was like Bondi Beach on Christmas day. You couldn't move with all the boats and people both in the water and on the beach. Its so much better now and i would love to witness it how it is now.

Omg this is so beautiful 🙏🏼❤️

Looks much better and peaceful than 10 years ago 😍

Gorgeous beach and area. Well worth your quick trip.👍😎

@PaddyDoyle.

2 жыл бұрын

Yes indeed!

Love it! Haven’t been there for years. Would love to revisit.

lol. I am actually watching this in the grips of winter in Canada. Would love to be there right now. Watched your video when it was closed

Welcome back to Thailand . I hope you enjoy your trip . I love this video Bring your friend . Bring all your friends. if they look like you . Finally thank you for your love my country .

I am coming there this Friday can’t wait to go to this place

It is absolutely stunning and it is great to see Maya bay with less tourists.