Ko Phi Phi - Thailand's "Treasure"

Many readers will surely remember the film "The Beach," starring Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio. Based on the novel of the same name by Alex Garland, the film tells the story of a young tourist who is drawn into a criminal plot. Besides the thrilling storyline, audiences were also captivated by the stunning ocean scenery filmed in the Ko Phi Phi archipelago of Thailand.

Visitors should explore Ton Sai Bay on boats.

Paradise

The Ko Phi Phi Islands, located in Krabi province in southern Thailand, consist of six islands: Ko Phi Phi Don, Ko Phi Phi Leh, Bida Nok, Bida Nai, Ko Mai Phai, and Ko Yung. Only the larger island, Ko Phi Phi Don, is inhabited. The people of Ko Phi Phi Don are predominantly Muslim, so visitors should maintain a respectful and modest demeanor to avoid offending the locals. Visitors can fly directly from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Krabi airport via Thai AirAsia and then take a ferry to the islands.

Speaking of famous destinations in Ko Phi Phi Don, the first to mention is Ton Sai Bay. The limestone cliffs and tropical forests lining both sides of the bay create a picturesque landscape. Visitors should try cruising around Ton Sai Bay on a boat, then continue their journey to climb the island's highest mountain (186m) or hike north to Loh Dalam Bay (also known as Lo Dalum). Loh Dalam Bay is famous for its sheer cliffs and stunning diving spots.

The most beautiful diving spots in Ko Phi Phi Don are located on the western side of the island. The warm ocean currents and thriving coral reefs create an incredibly rich underwater world . Countless tourists have been captivated by the "forest" of sea anemones or the schools of clownfish, salmon, and barramundi swimming freely. If lucky, visitors might even spot leopard sharks and blacktip sharks hunting for prey. Within this world-famous "forest" of sea anemones lies the wreck of the King Cruiser, which sank off the coast of Ko Phi Phi Don in 1997 after hitting a reef. The wreck is now home to schools of tropical fish, making it an ideal spot for diving enthusiasts.

The entire small island of Ko Phi Phi Leh belongs to Hat Noppharat Thara - Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. It boasts Maya Bay – the main setting of the movie “The Beach” – and is listed among the most beautiful bays in Southeast Asia. It feels as if Mother Nature, out of love for Maya Bay, built mountains around it to protect it. Maya Bay is always crowded during the summer months, so visitors should choose the off- peak season to visit.

Ko Yung Island is actually a mountain in the middle of the sea. From January to April each year, hundreds of wading birds, brown herons, egrets, white storks, and brown storks come to nest on the cliffs. This is the time when they mate, lay eggs, and raise their young. Any bird-watching enthusiast should visit Ko Yung Island during this period.

Experience the unique local culture.

Besides beach tourism, the Ko Phi Phi archipelago is also famous for its cuisine. The ancestors of the local people came from Malaysia, Indonesia, and India. They brought their dishes to their new home, the most famous of which is the rice bowl. Ko Phi Phi rice bowls are served with masama curry, fish stew in fish sauce, or chicken stir-fried with peas. And visitors shouldn't miss the accompanying achat. Achat is a Thai-style pickled cucumber made from cucumbers, red onions, chili powder, and apple cider vinegar.

When talking about sweets in Ko Phi Phi, you have to mention khao niao (mango sticky rice), o-aew (shaved ice with jelly made from betel nut), thong yip (egg tart), and khao mao tod (fried bananas topped with puffed rice and sesame seeds). People in southern Thailand tend to drink more milk than those in the north. So it's no surprise that the most popular drink in Ko Phi Phi is cha rohn, a milk tea made from Ceylon black tea leaves and hot milk.

Nightlife in Ko Phi Phi is incredibly vibrant. Bars and nightclubs on Ko Phi Phi Don are packed with people every night. They come to drink, dance, and watch fire dance performances. The art of Ko Phi Phi fire dancing has been recognized as a national cultural heritage. In recent years, local entertainment venues have also organized Muay Thai competitions – a traditional martial art and popular sport in Thailand – or traditional wrestling to attract more tourists.

Besides national holidays like Buddha's Birthday and Songkran, the Ko Phi Phi archipelago also hosts Krabi Boek Fa Andaman – the Andaman Sea Opening Festival. While previously held during the calm season, Krabi Boek Fa Andaman now marks the start of the tourist season throughout Krabi province. Held annually at the end of November, the festival includes traditional music and dance performances, processions, beauty pageants, and fireworks displays. However, the most attention-grabbing event is the Boat Racing Championship. On this day, boatmen who earn their living for a short period have the opportunity to don their competition uniforms and participate in a fierce race that rivals professional boat racers. The lively atmosphere of this competition attracts not only locals but also tourists, as it allows them to learn more about local customs and culture.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/ko-phi-phi-kho-bau-cua-thai-lan-675803.html