Koh Yao Islands
 Koh
Yao Noi remains a beautiful island, where most people still believe
that the island should be preserved from human degradation.
Sea Gypsies (Moken people) were inhabiting the Bay before anybody
else, except maybe other nomadic people like forest hunters and
collectors (Sakai, Negritos). The 3,500 or so inhabitants of Koh
Yao Noi are thought to be recent migrants from the Malay Peninsula
(Satun, Trang).
The Mon population, linguistically and culturally belonging to
the Khmer ethnolinguistic group, did settled in peninsular Thailand
since ever, ruling maritime states like the one of Ligor (Nakhon
Si Thammarat). They melt continuously with Southern migrants
from Malaysia and with Northern rulers (Thai), over centuries of
commercial exchanges and political conflicts. Most probably the
Mon stock remains prevalent for most of the people living nowadays
in Southern Thailand, including people of Koh Yao.
Numerous cave paintings hidden in the many islands of the bay,
extending from 2000 years ago to last century, attest the influence
of distinct communities in the emergence of a mixed origin population,
living now in the provinces of Phang Nga, Phuket,
Krabi and Satun.
The most recent migrations (17th-18th century) from Satun and Trang
to Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi is attested by the fact that the
particular dialect spoken on the island still bear obvious Malaysian
lexical traces, particularely regarding toponyms and vernacular
names of the flora species.
The main industries on the island are fishing and rubber planting.
A little rice farming and some fruit, palm and coconut plantations
are evident. Boat building and farming techniques here have been
passed from father to son and, while some of the youngsters leave
Koh Yao to seek the bright lights of Phuket,
most return to their tight knit community.
| Tourist Attractions in Koh Yao District: |
Koh Yao District consists of a group of islands
with beautiful beaches in Phang-nga Bay. there are all together
44 islands. The two most important islands are;
Koh Yao Yai (Yao Yai Island): This is the biggest
island in Koh Yao District. There are many beaches on the island,
such as Tikud Bay, Klong Sorn Bay, Sai Bay, Lo Pa Raed Beach, and
Laem Nok-ok. Lo Pier is an important pier on Yao Yai Island. The
water at the pier is sparkling clear with school of fish swimming
around. Visitors can also see how the local villagers make dried
anchovies, a famous product of the island. On Yao Yai are inexpensive
bungalows for rent along with home-stay (tel. 0-1270 -2533) programs
with local villagers in order to learn their lifestyle. Visitors
can also rent a long-tail boat to go snorkeling at Khai Nok and
Khai Nai islands.
 Koh
Yao Noi (Yao Noi Island): Koh Yao District administrative
office is located on this island. There are many beautiful beaches,
such as Pa Sai Beach and Tha Khao Beach. There are resorts, inexpensive
bungalows, or home-stay programs available on the island. Visitors
can also rent a boat from Yao Noi to "Pa Koh", numerous
small islands nearby, such as Lao Ka Lao Island, Lao La Ding Island,
etc., or to Hong Island in Krabi. For more information, Please contact
Koh Yao Noi Ecotourism Club tel. 0-7659-7428,0-7659-7244.
Apart from the beautiful nature on Yao Yai and Yao Noi islands,
visitors can find handicraft made by the local housewives such as
fish-scale flowers, flowers made from leaves of Para rubber trees,
dried anchovies, shrimp paste, etc.
Travelling to Koh Yao Islands
From Phuket
:
-
 Bang
Rong Pier in Tambon Pha Khlok,
Thalang District To Manoh Pier on Yao Noi Island. The trip takes
I hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Bang Rong Pier between 10:00-12.00
hrs.
- To Chong laad and Khlong Hia Piers
on Yao Yai Island. The trip takes I hour and costs 50 baht, leaving
Bang Rong Pier at 12.30 hr.
- La em Hin Pier in Tambon Koh Kaew,
Muang District To Laem Yai Pier on Yao Yai Island. The trip takes
I hour 20 minutes and costs 50 baht, leaving Laem Hin Pier at
2 p.m.
- Thien Sin Pier on the way to
Koh Sirey in Phuket
Town To Lo Pier on Yao Yai Island. The trip takes an hour
and costs 50 baht, leaving Thien Sin Pier at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Rassada Port in Tambon Rassada,
Phuket
Town To Lo Pier on Yao Yai Island. The trip takes an hour
and costs 50 baht. On Sunday-Thursday the boat leaves Rassada
Port at 2 p.m. On Saturday the boat leaves at 6 a.m.
From Phang-nga
- Customs Pier in
Tambon Koh Panyee To Sukkhaphiban Pier on Yao Noi Island. The
trip takes I hour 30 minutes and costs 100 baht, leaving the Customs
Pier at 12.00 a.m. except Sunday.
From Krabi
- Thalane Pier
in Ao Luek District
- To Baan Tha Khao Pier on Yao Noi Island. The trip
takes I hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Laem Sak Pier at noon.
- To Chong Laad Pier on Yao Yai Island. The trip
takes I hour and cost 50 baht, leaving at noon.
Coming Back from Yao Islands
- From Yao Noi Island to Bang Rong
Pier, Phuket
:
The boat leaves Manoh and
Sukkhaphiban piers at 7 and 7.30 a.m. There are 3-4 trips a day.
- From Yao Noi Island to Thalane Pier, Krabi
: The boat leaves Tha Khao pier at 7.30 a.m.
- From Yao Noi Island to Customs Pier, Phang-nga
: The boat leaves at 7 a.m.
- From Yao Yai Island to Bang Rong Pier:
The boat leaves from Chong laad and Khlong Hia piers at 7 a.m.
- From Yao Yai Island to Laem Hin Pier:
The boat leaves from Laem Yai Pier at 8 a.m.
- From Yao Yai Island to Thien Sin Pier:
The boat leaves Lo J ak Pier at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- From Yao Yai Island to Rassada Port:
The boat leaves Lo Jaak Pier at 8:30 a.m. on SundayThursday and
Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
- *Note: -Timetables and rates may
change.
- Apart from those that run according to the aforesaid
times, boats must be chartered.
- From Yao Yai Island to other small islands:
Long-tail boats can be chartered.
- From Manoh Pier on Yao Noi Island to Chong
Laad Pier on Yao Yai Island: There are long-tail boats
running all day long. The trip takes 15 minutes.
Khai Nok Island: This island is well know for
its rocks, beaches and clear water. Visitors snorkel and see beautiful
coral and fish. Dolphins can also be spotted here. There is a restaurant
on the island
Khai nai Island: This is a small island with
beautiful sandy beaches, coral and fish. Travelling to these 2 islands,
visitors can buy tours from a tour agency or charter a boat at Koh
Sirey Pier, Laem Hin Pier, or Chalong Bay. Another choice is to
charter boat from Yao yai Island.
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