Koh
Phi Phi 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.
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.
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.
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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