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.
Phi Phi Island
