KOH PHI PHI
TRAVEL GUIDE - GENERAL
INFORMATION
Phi Phi Island
The name is derived from Malay and the original was Pulao
Pi ah Pi, where in pulao is the Malay word for island, and
pi, pronounced with only a half p sound, was very close
in pronunciation to the English word be; the ah was eventually
dropped, so the name was said something like Bi Bi. Later
the P was pronounced with a stronger aspiration and the
name became the Pi Pi we know today (the h with which it
is usually spelled is confusing and superfluous). The name
refers to the mangrove wood found there. Six islands are
in the group; Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Biddah Nok, Biddah
Nai, Yung, and Pai; total area is about 35 square kilometers.
They were incorporated into the national park in 1983. Some
of the interesting places to visit include.
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Phi Phi Don Island
covers a total area of 28 square kilometers : 8 kilometers
in length and 3.5 at its broadest point. At the north end
is Cape Laem Tohng, where there is a Chao Ley, or sea gipsy
village. These sea gypsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao
National Park, near the border with Malaysia. Diving at
Laem Tohng is excellent, as it is also at Hua Rah Ket to
the extreme south.
There are long beaches with rocks scattered about. Two curving
bays are especially beautiful : Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. This
is also where accommodations and tourist services are found.
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Phi Phi Ley Island
is an Island of 6.6 square kilometers. It is mountainous
and rocky. Tall cliffs rise straight up from the sea's surface
and 34 meters is the deepest Spot, at the south end of the
island and others. On the northeast is the famous 'Viking
Cave' so-called from the painting therein, which His Majestry
King Bhumibol was pleased to grant also the name 'Payanak'
meaning 'Serpent Lord', in honour of the villagers who gatter
swallow's nests on the island. Inside, on the east and south
walls of the cave, are paintings from historical times of
an elephant, and boats of various kinds : Arab prows, junks,
sharp-stemmed vessels probably of European origin, Steam
ships, and propeller-driven sailboats. It is theorized that
these are the work of sailors, or perhaps even of pirates,
because the island provides refuge during the monsoons and
lies on the main shipping lane from west to east. It was
thus a place suitable for offloading cargo and conducting
repairs.
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Weather
Rain Season : May - October
Best time for visit : November - April
Sea Temperature
The sea stays at a warm 29 degrees Celsius all year round.
No cold swimming, kayaking or diving!!!
Wind
From October 20th to April 15th Thailand island is dominated
by the light dry North Easterly winds. This gives dry blue
skies and starry nights.
May 15th to October 1st Phi Phi Island is dominated by moist
South Westerly winds. This gives a mixture of good days
with some wet periods.
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Provided by Tourism Authority of Thailand
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