Main Currency
Currency: Baht (THB)
Symbol: Bht
Consisting of two islands, Phi Phi Leh and Phi Phi Don, Ko Phi Phi is the Thailand of holiday dreams and tourist brochures. The emerald waters and remarkable sea- and bird-life are sublime, but rampant over-development of Phi Phi Don threatens to spoil the island's riches.
Before the 20th century
Krabi Province is thought to be the longest-inhabited area of Thailand; it's believed Homo sapiens lived in the region as long ago as 35,000 BC. As recently as 1945, the Phi Phi Islands were still only occasionally visited by 'sea gypsies' and not permanently settled.
Modern history
The first settlers arrived in 1950 from Koh Yai, north of Phi-Phi Island, in Phang-Nga Bay. Later settlers from Koh Lanta and Krabi provinces joined them. About 99% of the inhabitants of Koh Phi-Phi Don are Muslim. The call to prayer from the island's mosque can be heard in the village both the morning and evening.
Recent history
Before the tsunami of 2004, hastily slapped-together bungalows and tourist enterprises were attempting to cover every inch of available land on Phi-Phi Don. The filming of the popular backpacker movie The Beach on Phi-Phi Leh only increased the popularity of the islands and building stepped up a seemingly impossible notch. Struggling to sustain these numbers, the island's water supply dwindled, rubbish started to tarnish the once unspoilt bays and increased boat traffic scarred coral. The waves that came through on December 2004 dramatically changed the fate of Phi-Phi as they wiped out nearly every standing structure on the densely populated twin bays of Ao Ton Sai and Ao Lo Dalam. In terms of loss of life and property, Ko Phi-Phi Don was hit almost as hard as Khao Lak and Bang Niang in Phang-Nga Province. Since then, the island has staged a remarkable recovery, as old bungalows re-open and new ones spring up. Local environmental groups are encouraging the local population to carry out sustainable development in the hope of righting past wrongs.
Top Accommodation
No Accomodation has been rated yet.Top Restaurants
No Restaurants have been rated yet.Top Attractions
|
Ko Mai Phai
Ko Phi-Phi 
|
Ton Sai Tower
Ko Phi-Phi
|
|
King Cruiser
Ko Phi-Phi
|
A Perfect Day
By Brandon Presser
The perfect day on Ko Phi Phi starts around with a refreshing snorkelling trip. Adventure Club (www.phi-phi-adventures.com) offers early morning dives on which swimmers are guaranteed to see a reef shark (or their money is refunded!) It's a great way to jumpstart one's day. I like to bring along my underwater camera for some snaps of the friendly pelagics. Visibility is crystal clear, so the pictures always turn out really well. For lunch I prefer Ton sai Village's Fresh Market to the uninspired assortment of fàràng (foreigner) fast food. The market is located at the back of the village near Ao Lo Dalam. I always listen to what the person ahead of me orders to ensure that I sample a little bit of everything. When it's and the sun starts its daily trek towards the horizon, I head to the island's southern karst to climb up to Ko Phi Phi's legendary viewpoint. Pausing along the way to catch my breath (and take sips from my water bottle), I make it to the top in about 20 minutes - just in time to watch the light show with a gaggle of other sweaty tourists. Ko Phi Phi Leh (the filming site of The Beach) lurks on the horizon like a giant earthen crown rising up from the sea. There's a small photograph tacked onto a swaying palm - the shot was taken from that exact spot and details the ravaged island only hours after the Boxing Day tsunami struck Phi Phi, killing thousands. I like to keep things low key in the evening with a meal under fairy lights at one of the popular seafood joints along Ton sai Bay. Afterwards I head to Ao Lo Dalam for a few beers and lounge beats.
Weather in the region is typically 'tropical monsoon' - there are only two seasons: the hot season from January to April, and the rainy season from May to December. Monsoon winds, which change according to season, blow from the southeast, the southwest and the northeast. Temperatures during the year average 25ºC to 32ºC (77ºF to 89.6ºF) and the yearly rainfall averages 2568.5mm.
Average weather
fast facts
| Currency | Baht, THB (Bht) |
|---|---|
| Population | 1500 |
| Languages |
Thai (official) |
| Time zone(s) | GMT/UTC: GMT+7 |
| Measurements | Metric is widely used, but there are some local variations. |
latest offers
-
Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Honeymoon OfferReceive a complimentary bottle of wine & an intimate moment upon arrival night - A drawn sunken bath filled with ... more
-
Chiva-Som
Spa OfferStay a minimum of 3 nights & receive a Resort Spa Credit. more
-
W Retreat Koh Samui
Honeymoon OfferStay a minimum of 5 nights & receive a complimentary candlelit dinner In-Retreat or Namu Restuarant, 1 x In-Retreat breakfast ... more
latest offers
join our facebook group
follow us on twitter
