Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Koh Panyee
October 29, 2018.
Tags: Phuket, Tips
Koh Panyee, also sometimes written Koh Panyi or Ko Panyi, is a small fishing village in Thailand's Phang-Nga Bay. One of the key identifying features of the village is that it is largely built on stilts over the water. This makes for some great photos and a truly unique visiting experience. Here's what you need to know to make the most of your stay in the area.
A Bit of History
The village was originally built by Indonesian fishermen. All of the current residents, which encompass about 1,700 people, are descended from the original Muslim settlers. Back in the 18th century, Thai law only allowed Thai nationals to own land, which made it difficult for these nomadic fishermen to find a place to live. Because of this, they built the village over the water. This way, they would be able to provide easy access for incoming fishermen while also enjoying the protection of the bay.Over the years, as laws changed and more tourists began to flock to the region, the people were able to purchase land on the actual island. This enabled them to build a mosque, a freshwater well, and other essential structures.
Getting to Koh Panyee
The floating village is made up predominantly of residents' houses, a few local shops and several restaurants serving the day's fresh catch. There are few lodging establishments on the island, but you can stay in nearby Phang-Nga Bay or Phuket, where you'll find plenty of accommodation options.The easiest way to get to Koh Panyee is via long-tail boat. You can hire one in the harbor for about $50. You'll have access to the boat for around three hours, and the boats can usually accommodate up to 10 passengers. To make the most of your transportation investment, you'll want to spend as much time as possible in the village.
