Koh Phi Phi

The Phi Phi Islands constitute an intriguing archipelago within Krabi Province. They are situated between the expansive island of Phuket and the coast of Thailand along the Straits of Malacca. These islands, which had between 2,000 and 3,000 residents as of 2018, are a popular travel destination in Thailand. Every one of the six islands forming the archipelago enhances the natural beauty and cultural value of the area.

The largest and most populated island in the group, Ko Phi Phi Don, is the main meeting spot for residents as well as visitors. Though smaller, its counterpart, Ko Phi Phi Le, has gained international recognition for its perfect beaches and movie stardom. The remaining islands—Bida Nok, Bida Nai, and Ko Mai Phai—are essentially massive limestone formations rising out of the sea that add to the amazing archipelago’s scenery.

Thai Malay fishermen arrived on Phi Phi Don in the late 1940s, so starting the history of human living on the island. The island then turned into a coconut plantation, which prepared the ground for future financial expansion. Maintaining the island’s strong Muslim majority, more than eighty percent of the native Thai population of Phi Phi Don is Muslims. But the flood of temporary workers has changed the religious landscape; looking at the overall population, the majority is Buddhist.

Accessibility of the Phi Phi Islands is one of the main factors contributing to their popularity among travel destinations. Among other watercraft, ferries, speedboats, and classic long-tail boats let visitors reach the islands. Usually starting from Krabi town or ports in Phuket Province, these ships provide passengers freedom in their travel to this island paradise.

The Phi Phi Islands gained recognition all around after the 2000 release of the British-American film “The Beach.” Ko Phi Phi Le was the principal filming site, so bringing the islands front stage on a global scene. Still, this fresh celebrity wasn’t without controversy. Allegations of damage to the island’s ecosystem—including non-native palm tree planting and alterations to the beach areas to fit book descriptions—have surfaced about the filming. The incident sparked debate on how to balance environmental preservation with tourism expansion even if the directors refuted these accusations.

Concurrent with the release of “The Beach,” the Phi Phi Islands experienced a notable surge in tourism. This rise in tourists brought both environmental problems and economic possibilities. The fragile ecosystem of the islands suffers more as more people visit, which emphasizes the need of conservation projects and responsible travel methods.

One of Phi Phi Le’s unique characteristics is the culturally and commercially important “Viking Cave.” The focus of a vibrant business in this cave is the gathering of edible bird nests, a delicacy in Chinese cuisine and a main source of income for the nearby villages.

On December 26, 2004, the terrible Indian Ocean tsunami struck the Phi Phi Islands. A terrible outcome of the impact was the damage of practically all the infrastructure of the islands. This natural disaster changed the history of the islands by means of extensive reconstruction and modified the surrounding topography.

Geographically, the Phi Phi Islands lie around 46 kilometers southeast of Phuket. Comprising an incredible 242,437 rai (92,852 acres or 38,789.9 hectares), they are a vital part of the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi National Park. This protected status has been absolutely vital to preserve the natural beauty and biodiversity of the islands.

The archipelago is defined by magnificent limestone mountains, sheer cliffs, mysterious caverns, and large white sand beaches. Apart from enhancing the visual attractiveness of the islands, these geological characteristics provide homes for a great range of species. The vibrant coral reefs found in the nearby seas make the Phi Phi Islands a snorkeler’s and diver’s paradise.

At 9.73 square kilometers, 8 kilometers long, and 3.5 kilometers wide, Ko Phi Phi Don is the biggest island. The smaller sibling of Phi Phi Le covers two square kilometers. Together covering an area of 12.25 square kilometers, each island enhances the unique beauty and ecological value of the Phi Phi Islands.

For visitors wishing to see the Phi Phi Islands, there are many ways of getting about. Within the same province as the islands, Krabi boasts the closest airport. Alternatively, visitors might fly to the airports in Phuket or Trang and then combine road and boat travel to reach the islands. Convenient for many visitors is Phuket’s direct road and sea connections. It should be mentioned that Trang and Phi Phi’s road and boat connection across Koh Lanta is only accessible in some seasons, usually November to March.

Being a national park helps to preserve the natural surroundings of the Phi Phi Islands, so preserving the glistening waves and immaculate beaches that have brought the islands worldwide recognition. To help to fund local infrastructure and preserve this natural beauty, the Thai government instituted a nominal 5 baht per person visitor fee in 1992. This charge helps with essential services including waste management, waterway transportation, and tourist security.

“The Beach” debuted in 2000, and the Phi Phi Islands‘ notoriety shot to previously unheard-of heights. The way the movie presented the breathtaking scenery of the islands drove travel skyward. While this boom brought economic benefits, concerns about how mass tourism would impact the fragile island ecology also grew.

Responding to these concerns, authorities have acted to protect the most sensitive areas. One interesting example is the June 2018 Maya Bay on Phi Phi Le tourist closing. The first idea was to close the area for at least a year so allowing the ecosystem time to recover from overtourism‘s consequences. Such actions show a growing awareness of the need of balancing environmental protection with tourism expansion to ensure the natural beauty of the Phi Phi Islands for next generations.