Oxygen

Cruising and Refit in Thailand

After sailing nearly three-quarters of the way around the world, the Catana Oxygen, the second to bear the name, stopped in Thailand for a refit… The perfect opportunity to follow it up with a truly beautiful cruise…

Oxygen

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Published 05/06/2026

By Gilles Ruffet

Issue: 208

Published: aug. / sept. 2026

Discover this issue

Who: Isa and Guy
Multihull: Catana 50
Where: Thailand

It’s been about a month since we returned on board. That’s how long it took to finish the preparations and, above all, complete the major refit carried out here in Thailand, under the supervision of Bruno and his team. The work done has erased the marks of 10 years of intensive sailing: centerboards, teak sugarscoops, etc. Oxygen is looking brand new again. We’re finally setting off on our first tacks towards the west coast of Thailand. The winds are still blowing in the right direction, but it won’t last much longer; the northeast monsoon is drawing to a close. We’re taking advantage of this to visit this area, which has been described to us as very beautiful. I have to tell you: if you’re looking for a destination far removed from mass tourism, Koh Phayam is a real gem. Located in the Andaman Sea, near Ranong, it’s an island where life moves at a leisurely pace, without cars or large hotel complexes, just jungle, sea, and a very relaxed atmosphere. Oxygen anchors in front of the small village, whose houses are built on stilts. The people who live here are called Moken, the people of the sea. It can be reached by sea or by sandy paths. On foot, it’s definitely the easiest way. The atmosphere is peaceful, almost timeless, and enchanting music seems to float throughout the village. Then we attend the water festival, Songkran, for the Thai New Year. Everyone takes to the streets with tons of water stored everywhere, everyone splashing each other. We witness mega-concerts. Convoys of pickup trucks wind through the streets, all loaded with water containers full of ice. Then we head to Phi Phi. It’s a wonderful place, even if it’s crowded. In fact, the Ko Phi Phi archipelago is one of Thailand’s most popular destinations. It’s true that you can’t help but be captivated by its impressive limestone cliffs and turquoise waters. But we much prefer the uninhabited Phi Phi, wilder and more peaceful. Anchoring at the foot of the cliffs remains an awe-inspiring experience. The night brings a slight anxiety, quickly replaced by a feeling of absolute calm, almost unreal, where you find yourself alone in the world. Then we head to Koh Hong, a small island located in Phang Nga Bay, between Phuket and Krabi. Its inner lagoon can be explored by kayak or aboard a non-motorized boat. A local guide takes us there, leading us through narrow passages and showing us caves hidden in the rock. The silence is almost total, without any engine noise or commotion, only the birdsong accompanies us. What bliss! Then we set off for James Bond Island, world-famous since the filming of the 1974 movie The Man with the Golden Gun. Since then, this iconic site has been part of Ao Phang Nga National Park. Afterward, we reached the anchorage at Chalong before heading to the southern islands.