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 Koh
Yao Is located in the south of Phang-nga Bay, 42 kilometers away from
the mainland of Phang-nga Province. It is a district of Phang-nga
Province with a total area of 141.067 square kilometer, consisting of 44
islands. Of these islands, the two most important ones are Koh Yao Noi
and Koh Yao Yai, which is twice the size of Koh Yao Noi.
Koh Yao Noi is the center of government with all government offices
located there. Koh Yao has many tourist attractions that still maintain
their natural beauty along with many beautiful beaches. The people of
this island lead a simple life bond with the sea along with making a
living from the sea. Apart from this, not far from the coast of Koh Yao
are many exotic islands, which increase the beauty of Koh Yao.
Largely unaffected by booming development in nearby Phuket, Koh Yao retains its traditional Muslim culture almost unchanged.
There are a few bungalow operations providing basic but very charming
accommodations. Rental vehicles are not an option, although sometimes
you can strike a deal with people at the bungalow to use their
motorcycle. Beside, you can charter Tuk Tuk for sightseeing around the
island. Traveling to Koh Yao Yai is like traveling back in time.
 History
During the end of the Ayutthaya era, Koh Yao,
Koh Lang and Laem Pak Pra were under Thalang , which shows that Koh Yao
used to be under the government of Thalang or Phuket of now. In 1903 Koh
Yao changed its status to a sub-district and later in 1988 was changed
to a district. It is believed that the early population of Koh Yao
sought refuge from war in Trang and Satun provinces.
Those who came from Trang settled on Koh Yao Noi while those from Satun
settled on Koh Yao Yai. Now (in 2002) Koh Yao has a population of
12,490, most of which are of Muslim faith. The main income of the
population of Koh Yao are from rubber, coconut, and cashew nut
plantations, fishery, and herding.
Koh Yao Noi
Koh Yao Noi is the location of Koh Yao
District Administrative Office. Interesting tourist attractions on Koh
Yao Noi are as follows:
Tha
Khao Beach is about five kilometers away from the Koh Yao
District Administrative Office. This beach has many colorful rocks and
pebbles. A short distance away from the beach is a small island called
Koh Nok which can be reached on foot during low tide or by canoe during
high tide.
Pa
Sai Beach is about seven kilometers away from the District
Administrative Office. This long stretch of white, pristine beach is a
place where you can swim and is shady with lots of trees. It also
provides a spectacular view of the islands.
Klong
Jaak Beach from a viewpoint on this beach you can see almost
the whole of Koh Yao.
Ao
Kian is under the control of the Phang-nga Bay National Park,
located on the north of Koh Yao Noi. It has a lush forest with many
large trees, along with a white beach and a perfect swimming place.
Apart from this, tourists may hire a boat from Koh Yao
to Pa Koh , which is a group of more than 100 islands, such as Koh Lao
Ka Lao, Koh Lao La Ding, and Koh Pak Bia. They can also go snorkeling at
Koh Hong in Krabi.
Koh Yao Yai is the
largest island in Koh Yao District and has many interesting beaches,
such as Ao Thi Kud, Ao Klong Son, Ao Sai, Lo Pa Raed beach, Ao Laan, Ao
Hin Kong, and Laem Nok Og. Lo Jaak pier is an important pier from Koh
Yao to Phuket. The water at the pier is clear and schools of fish swim
near the bridge at the pier. Visitors can see the production of dried
anchovies (pla ching chang) here. There are inexpensive bungalows on the
island along with home-stay accommodations with the local people, who
make a living by fishery or agriculture, to learn their lifestyle.
Beautiful beaches on Koh Yao Yai are:
Loh
Jaak Beach and Loh Jaak pier is an important pier from Koh
Yao Yai to Phuket. Merchandise worth over 100,000 baht pass through
this pier daily. The beach here is white, and the water is clean and
clear. Schools offish swimming near the bridge are a beautiful
attraction. Visitors can also go fishing or search for shells or see the
production process of making dried anchovies (pla ching chang).
Long-tail boats can be hired to go to Koh Kai Nok or Koh Kai Nai. There
are two trips leaving the pier to Phuket everyday at 8 pm and 2 pm
daily.
Loh
Pa Raed Beach is located in the middle of the island, on the
west coast. The long, white beach is parallel to coconut plantations,
ideal for camping, swimming, and seeing different types of shells, along
with the lifestyle of the Hua Tong boat fishermen. Moreover, there are
beautiful rocks on the north of the beach.
Klong
Son Beach is ideal for camping amidst the
wilderness where you can see boars, mouse deer, and various kinds of
birds. You can also take a walk on the beach and look for shells or
arrange a campfire night.
Ao
Thi Kud is located on the west of the island. At the north of
the bay is a cape with a beautiful view.
Ao
Laan has a beautiful beach where you can also go swimming. To
the north of the beach has deep waters. Getting to this beach would be
more convenient by boat.
There are also many other interesting islands around
Koh Yao as follows:
Khai Islands
consist of two islands:
Koh
Kai Nog has rocks and beautiful beaches with clear water. You
can also dive around the island to see the coral and the various types
of fish. A school of dolphins can be seen here almost every day. Koh Kai
Nog can be reached by boat from Lo Jaak pier or from Phuket, which is 15
km away.
Koh
Kai Nai is a small island with beautiful
beaches and shady trees. There are no constructions on the island to
come between you and nature. Snorkelling here you will feel that you
truly are in a marine national park. See different types of coral and
underwater marine life up close. It takes about 25 minutes by long-tail
boat to get to Koh Kai Nai from Loh Jaak pier.
The islands can
be reached from Koh Sirey, Laem Hin Pier and Chalong Bay in Phuket
by hiring a boat or contact tour operators.
Koh
Rang Nok (Li Peh) is one of the many islands
where swallows make their nests. Swallows nests from Koh Yao are
considered to be of the highest quality. Normally visitors are only
allowed to see the island from the boat, as going on to the island would
be disturbing the swallows.
Koh
Nog is an island nearby Koh Yao Noi, It has beautiful beaches
suitable for camping. This is a very private island and can be reached
by a small long-tail boat, which can accept about 5-10 passengers per
trip. The price is about 300-500 baht per boat.
Koh
Phii (Pu Lao Hantu) This island has the skeletons of sea
gypsies in a cave. Sea gypsies normally pass by this island. Visitors
can go diving around the island. The island is also another place where
swallows make their nests and visitors are not allowed on it.
Travel to
KohYao
is available from Phuket, Phang-Nga and Krabi, but leaving from Phuket
is the most convenient.
From
Phuket
Bang Rong Pier in
Tambon Pha Khiok, Thalang District, (from the Heroines Monument to the
tenth kilometer) There are boats going to:
- Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The trip takes 1 hour and costs 50
baht, leaving Bang Rong Pier at 11.00, 12.30,14.30,17.00 hrs.
- Chong Laad and Khiong Hia Piers on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes
1 hour and costs 50 baht, leaving Bang Rong Pier at 12.30 hrs.
Laem Hin Pier in
Tambon Koh Kaew, Muang District, Phuket. There are boats going to:
- Laem Yai Pier on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes 1 hour 20 minutes
and costs 50 baht, leaving Laem Hin Pier at 2 p.m.
Tien Sin Pier on
the way to Koh Sirey in Phuket Town, there are boats going to:
- Loh Jaak Pier on Koh Yao Yai, The trip takes an hour and costs
50 baht, leaving Tien Sin Pier at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Rassadana
Port in Tambon Rassada, Phuket Town, there are boats going
to:
- Loh Jaak Pier on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes an hour and costs
50 baht. On Sunday-Thursday the boats leave at 2 p.m. On Saturday the
boats leave at 6 a.m.
From
Phang-nga
Customs Pier in
Tambon Koh Panyee to Sukkhaphiban Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The trip takes 1
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, there are boats going to:
- Baan Tha Khao Pier on Koh Yao Noi. The trip takes 1 hour and
costs 50 baht, leaving Laem Sak Pier at noon.
- Chong Laad Pier on Koh Yao Yai. The trip takes 1 hour and costs
50 baht, leaving at noon.
Travel from Koh Yao
- From Koh Yao Noi to Bang Rong Pier, Phuket. The boat leaves Manoh and
Sukkhaphiban pier at 7 and 7.30 a.m. There are 3-4 trips a day.
- From Koh Yao Noi to Thalane Pier, Krabi The boat leaves Thao Khao pier
at 7.30 a.m.
- From Koh Yao Noi to Customs Pier, Phang-nga. The boat leaves at 7 a.m.
- From Koh Yao Yai to Bang Rong Pier, the boat leaves
from Chong laad and Khiong Hia Pier at 7 a.m.
- From Koh Yao Yai to Laem Hin Pier, the boat leaves from Laem Yai Pier
at 8 a.m.
- From Koh Yao Yai to Tien Sin Pier, the boat leaves Loh Jaak Pier at 8
a.m. and 3 p.m.
- From Koh Yao Yai to Rassada Pier, the boat leaves Loh Jaak Pier at
8.30 a.m. on Sunday-Thursday and Saturday, and 2.30 p.m. on Friday.
Note
- Timetable and rates may change.
Apart from those that run according to the aforesaid times, boats must
be chartered.
- From Koh Yao Yai to other small islands : Long-tail boat can be
chartered
From Manoh Pier on Koh Yao Noi to Chong Laad Pier on Koh
Yao Yai, Ther are long-tail boats running all day long. The trip takes
15 minutes and costs 20 baht.
Souvenirs
- Fish Scale Flowers: are made by the Housewives of
Koh Yao Club by creating flowers, such as roses, geraniums, and
bougainvillea from fish scales.
- Dried Anchovies (Pla Ching Chang): are made from small anchovies that
have been boiled and then sun-dried. These dried anchovies are rather
salty but very nutritious and can be used in many local dishes such as
dips, soups, or curries, or simply deep-fried and eaten as a snack.
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