Phi Phi Islands

The name is thought to come from the Malay Pulau Api-Api, after a mangrove tree known locally as the fiery tree. Thai Malay fishing families settled Ko Phi Phi Don in the late 1940s and much of the island was later planted with coconuts. Tourism grew from the 1980s and accelerated after Maya Bay appeared in the 2000 film The Beach. The islands lie within Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, which charges a visitor fee first introduced in the 1990s.

On 26 December 2004 the Indian Ocean tsunami struck Ton Sai and Loh Dalum bays from both sides of the isthmus, destroying most of the buildings and killing many residents and visitors. The village was rebuilt with international help and a tsunami warning system was installed. Heavy visitor numbers later damaged the reef at Maya Bay, which was closed in June 2018 and reopened on 1 January 2022 under stricter rules.

Ko Phi Phi Don has a small permanent population, many of them Muslim families descended from the original fishing settlers, alongside a large number of Thai workers from elsewhere who staff hotels, restaurants and boats. Daily life centres on the narrow lanes of Ton Sai, where supplies arrive by boat and are moved in handcarts. Fresh seafood, southern Thai curries and roti are easy to find, and the island's mosque and village life sit right beside the backpacker bars, so modest dress away from the beach is appreciated.