Phi Phi Island : The name is derived from Malay and the original was Pulao Pi ah Pi, where in pulao is the Malay word for island, and pi, pronounced with only a half p sound, was very close in pronunciation to the English word be; the ah was eventually dropped, so the name was said something like Bi Bi. Later the P was pronounced with a stronger aspiration and the name became the Pi Pi we know today (the h with which it is usually spelled is confusing and superfluous). The name refers to the mangrove wood found there. Six islands are in the group; Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Biddah Nok, Biddah Nai, Yung, and Pai; total area is about 35 square kilometers. They were incorporated into the national park in 1983. Some of the interesting places to visit include.
Phi Phi Don Island covers a total area of 28 square kilometers : 8 kilometers in length and 3.5 at its broadest point. At the north end is Cape Laem Tohng, where there is a Chao Ley, or sea gipsy village. These sea gypsies emigrated from Koh Lipeh in Tarutao National Park, near the border with Malaysia. Diving at Laem Tohng is excellent, as it is also at Hua Rah Ket to the extreme south. There are long beaches with rocks scattered about. Two curving bays are especially beautiful : Ton Sai and Loh Dalam. This is also where accommodations and tourist services are found.
Phi Phi Ley Island is an Island of 6.6 square kilometers. It is mountainous and rocky. Tall cliffs rise straight up from the sea’s surface and 34 meters is the deepest Spot, at the south end of the island and others. On the northeast is the famous ‘Viking Cave’ so-called from the painting therein, which His Majesty King Bhumibol was pleased to grant also the name ‘Payanak’ meaning ‘Serpent Lord’, in honour of the villagers who gather swallow’s nests on the island. Inside, on the east and south walls of the cave, are paintings from historical times of an elephant, and boats of various kinds : Arab prows, junks, sharp-stemmed vessels probably of European origin, Steam ships, and propeller-driven sailboats. It is theorized that these are the work of sailors, or perhaps even of pirates, because the island provides refuge during the monsoons and lies on the main shipping lane from west to east. It was thus a place suitable for offloading cargo and conducting repairs.
Lanta Islands National Park Covers 152 square Kilometers of Lanta Islands. This island forms the most southern district of Krabi province. It was known long ago by its name in the Malay language, Pulao Satak, which means Long Beach Island. Later, so many Thais, both Buddhist and Muslim, came to live on the island that there seemed to be a million eyes, which is what some people think Lanta means in Thai.
Others hold that the name is corrupted from Javanese “lan-tas”, and means a fish grill (which is built of wood with a square grill on top where the fish are set in a circle). Several islands are in the National Park: Lanta Yai Island is where the District & National Park offices are located. The island geography is mountainous and rugged, especially near the southern tip; some beaches are gravelly, others have fine white sands. A clan of Chao Ley, or “Sea Gypsies” are resident on Koh Yao Yai and they preserve many of their ancient customs and ceremonies; e.g. the setting of ceremonial boats adrift to bring good luck and prosperity on the full moon nights of the sixth and eleventh month This and other features of their lives are open to view. To visit the island take a regularly scheduled ferry from Ban Hua Hin Pier in Tambon Koh Klahng, Bor Muang Pier in Tambon Sai Kao or Jao Fah Pier in Krabi Town.
Lanta Noi Island, Lanta Noi used to be a community of local people in the old days. The old life style and traditional-styled- houses can still be seen in this island, offering somewhat charming atmosphere.