Do you want to visit Phi Phi, but don’t know what to expect?
The Phi Phi islands are an archipelago of 6 islands, with the 2 main islands being Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. These picture postcard islands are excellent tropical getaways in Southeast Asia and are one of the most popular private Phuket boat tours.
Phi Phi has pristine beaches, stunning limestone rock formations, and clear turquoise waters teeming with colourful sea life.
Phi Phi Don is the largest and most populated island of the 6. The second largest island, Ko Phi Phi Le is visited by many people and does have stunning beaches, and the other 4 islands which are not much more than large limestone rocks jutting out of the sea, such as Bida Nok, Bida Nai, and Bamboo Island.
History of Phi Phi and Maya Bay
Pileh Lagoon – This stunning inlet is found near the equally stunning Maya Bay beach. It is among the most beautiful places to visit in Thailand. It can get quite busy as you can only access Pileh lagoon during certain tide times.
Monkey Beach – Monkey Beach is located in Yong Kasem Bay; on the west coast of the larger Island of Phi Phi Don. Just be careful as the monkeys can be very naughty and are used to people so don’t show much fear.
Camel Rock – A rock that looks like a camel, hence the name Camel Rock
Viking Cave – Viking Cave is one of the most notable natural sites on Koh Phi Phi Leh. Located at the bottom of a tall limestone cliff it is home to a colony of swiftlets which are the birds that produce the nests for birds nest soup. The harvest of bird’s nests is rather a risky job – scaffolds are built with bamboo, on which the hunters climb in the dark to collect these valuable nests. Viking Cave owes its name to the paintings found in the cave – they represent various types of boats, including what resembles a Scandinavian Drakkar (Viking ship)
Ko Hong sits in-between the Koh Yao Islands and Krabi mainland, and already had a great name for itself with its stunning lagoon. Entering through a narrow passageway you are greeted by the scenic and mesmerising Ko Hong Lagoon. This striking turquoise body of shallow water is surrounded by high rock walls lined with lush mangroves giving a forgotten world feeling to it. Only accessible by small boat or longtail, some areas are so clear and shallow you can easily see your feet on the underwater sand.
After taking in the vibrant colours of Ko Hong Lagoon, let your adventurous side loose and make your way around to the most recent addition to the island; the breath-taking 360o Viewpoint. This impressive metal staircase structure was built in 2020, and was designed to give panoramic 360o views of Krabi and the surrounding islands. It certainly delivers, and is arguably one of the best seascape views of the Krabi island sets, Phang Nga Bay and surrounding islands in the national park that you can get from anywhere.
Last week some of Phuket beaches issued jellyfish warnings after there was an increase in stings. Phuket Marine Resources Conservation Centre with local administrative organisations have been stocking up the Phuket West Coast lifeguard stations with extra bottles of vinegar and other medical supplies to help treat stings. The west coast, including Patong Beach, has seen an increase in stings in the past week. The reports of jellyfish stings have all be minor with most people getting treated at the beach with vinegar.
More than 100 Thai and foreign couples in Phuket celebrated Valentine’s Day by registering their marriage across the island. For the special mass weddings here in Phuket, District Chiefs from around Phuket Island gave away gifts and souvenirs for the couples. In Mueang District every couple that registered was put into a lucky draw for more gifts including gold worth over 7,500 THB.
The close by Khai islands day trip is very good for families.
Coral Island, also known locally as Koh He, is an easy and family friendly day-trip destination from Phuket.
There are not too many things to do on this island but if you are feeling fit and strong you can hike up the hill to get stunning views looking south towards Phi Phi and north towards Phang Nga Bay.
Last week a large group of French motorbike racers in Patong were arrested and charged with various traffic offenses.
Phuket and its surrounding areas have been the backdrop for plenty of movies, and as a whole Thailand has always been eager to attract Hollywood and the international cinema industry as a way to promote tourism in the country.
The leatherback sea turtle is the largest turtle in the world. They are the only species of sea turtle that lack scales and a hard shell. They are named for their tough rubbery skin and have existed in their current form since the age of the dinosaurs.
Thai food emphasizes on lightly prepared dishes with strong aromatic components and a spicy edge. It’s all about the juggling of elements to create a harmonious finish.
Two chapters of the Rotary Club in Phuket have come together to help restore the coral reef at Maiton island, about 10 km south of Phuket. They will supply 39 3D-printed concrete frames and will drop them around the island. An MOU has been signed and the Rotary club will supply the frames to the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO). The project is being funded through the “Save Underwater World” project with funds raised by the Rotary Clubs and SCG. The frames will help corals grow naturally and also provide a habitat for a variety if marine animals.
If you have lived in Phuket over the past 20 years you would have heard about the New Patong Tunnel coming soon, every year. But, it seems that 2023 is different and that the tunnel is finally happening. The famous Patong hill that every tourist and local has to go over to get to Patong beach will finally get a tunnel. Discussion on the tunnel has been going on for over 20 years, and it has been a stop, start the project. But after all the delays and meetings, Thailand’s cabinet has now approved the 14.7 billion bath budget to construct the expressway connecting Kathu and Patong. The project should be starting in mid-2023 and should finish by July 2027.
