The Phi Phi Islands (Thai: หมู่เกาะพีพี, Thai pronunciation: [pʰīː pʰīː]) are located in Thailand,
between the large island of Phuket and
the western Strait of Malacca coast of the mainland.
The islands are administratively part of Krabi province. Ko Phi Phi
Don ("ko" (Thai: เกาะ) meaning "island" in the Thai language)
is the largest island of the group, and is the most populated island of the
group. although the beaches of the second largest island, Ko Phi Phi
Lee (or "Ko Phi Phi Leh"), 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 Phai), 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. The population is between
2,000 to 3,000 people (2013).
The islands came to worldwide
prominence when Ko Phi Phi Leh was used as a location for the 2000 British-American film The Beach.
This attracted criticism, with claims that the film company had damaged the
island's environment, since the producers bulldozed beach areas and planted
palm trees to make it look like the book, an
accusation the film's makers contest. The film's release was attributed to an
increase in tourism to the islands. 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 all of the island's infrastructure was destroyed. As of 2010 most,
but not all, of this has been restored.
GEOGRAPHY
There are six islands in the
group known as Phi Phi. They lie 50 km south-east of Phuket and are part
of Hadnopparattara-Koh Phi Phi National Park which is home to an abundance of
corals and marine life. There are limestone mountains with cliffs, caves and
long white sandy beaches. The national park covers a total area of 242,437 Rai.
Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le are
the largest and most well-known islands. Phi Phi Don is 9.73 sqkm: 8 km in
length and 3.5 km wide. Phi Phi Le is 2 sqkm. In Total the islands have a size
of 12.25 km2.
HISTORY
From archaeological discoveries,
it is believed that the area was one of the oldest communities in Thailand,
dating back to the prehistoric period. It is believed that this province may
have taken its name from Krabi, which means sword. This may come from a legend
that an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city’s founding.
The name Phi Phi (pronounced ‘pee
pee’) originates from Malay, the original name for the islands were Pulau
Api-Api (The Fiery Isle). The name refers to the Pokok Api-Api, which
literary translated as the Fiery Tree (Grey Mangrove)
which is commonly found throughout the Island. They were incorporated into the
national park in 1983.
source: wikipedia.org
