Wonderful Tourist Locations in Thailand

The Phi Phi Islands is one of the most amazing tourist attractions in Thailand, between the large island of Phuket and the western Andaman Sea coast of the mainland. The islands are administratively part of Krabi province. Ko Phi Phi Don meaning island in the Thai language is the largest island of the group, and is the only island with permanent inhabitants, although the beaches of the second largest island, Ko Phi Phi Lee are visited by many people as well. The rest of the islands in the group, including Bida Nok, Bida Noi, and Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Pai), are not much more than large limestone rocks jutting out of the sea.

Phi Phi Don was initially populated by Muslim fishermen during the late 1940s, and later became a coconut plantation. The Thai population of Phi Phi Don remains more than 80% Muslim. The actual population however, if counting laborers, especially from the north-east, from the mainland is much more Buddhist these days. Phi Phi Leh also houses the Viking Cave, from which there is a thriving bird's nest soup industry. Ko Phi Phi was devastated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 2004, when nearly the island’s entire infrastructure was destroyed.

Viking Cave

One of the most famous places to do a little Phi Phi Island sightseeing is on the island of Phi Phi Ley. It is here that is home to the striking Viking Cave. Other Phi Phi Island attractions do not draw half the crowd that Viking Cave can draw. The cave is 3.2 square kilometers in size. There are Viking ship cave drawings on the walls, which is how it got its name. Thousands of birds perch on top of the soaring cave ledges. Local demonstrators climb these ledges without any harnesses or safety devices to collect the nests. It draws a huge crowd.

Maya Bay & ViewPoint

Another important place for Phi Phi island sightseeing is the famous Maya Bay. This is also located on the island of Phi Phi Ley. It is here that the feature film, The Beach was made. When Phi Phi Island sightseeing on the island of Phi Phi Don, one place not to miss is the Phi Phi ViewPoint. Tourists can hike up the steep trail where they view the entire Phi Phi Town down below. This is one of the Phi Phi Island attractions one should never miss. If you have the stamina, the long hike is worth the effort.

Phi Phi island attractions are all striking by nature. Every part of a Phi Phi Island sightseeing trip includes elements of breathtaking beauty. Phi Phi Island is the epitome of relaxation, and beauty.