Memories from 1987
The best part of the trip to Koh Panyi is getting there, that is if you go from Phang Nga. The journey begins on a longtail boat that will take you through narrow waterways lined by mangrove forests and their native wildlife. The bay is full of huge limestone rocks and caves and the scenery really is spectacular. Although I made the trip mid day (like everyone does) exploring this area at sunrise or sunset is on my list of 'must dos'. The area was made famous by James Bond 007 for the making of the film "The Man with the Golden Gun" back in 1974 and since then is on every tourist itinerary. This is a sight seeing trip, don't expect to be sunbathing on the golden sands of the island, it is a very small island with an interesting leaning rock and Koh Tapu (Nail Island) just off it's shore which is probably the most photographed rock in the bay. A 30 minute photo session is probably the normal if you are on a guided tour, just enough to explore the souvenir stalls that cram the island's tiny beach.
However before the days of James Bond was Koh Panyi, a small village built on stilts. The village has it's own mosque and school and even it's own football team and floating football pitch. This football pitch has been documented by A World of Football on their website.
Before the tourists the sole income of the community would have come from the sea but now there are souvenir shops and floating restaurants that seem to be expanding year by year.
I haven't been back to Koh Panyi since 1987 so the only photos here are old scanned memories of my visit, but if you want to see more then please visit Jamie Monk's Blog because he has some great photos and a great story from his recent visits.
The best part of the trip to Koh Panyi is getting there, that is if you go from Phang Nga. The journey begins on a longtail boat that will take you through narrow waterways lined by mangrove forests and their native wildlife. The bay is full of huge limestone rocks and caves and the scenery really is spectacular. Although I made the trip mid day (like everyone does) exploring this area at sunrise or sunset is on my list of 'must dos'. The area was made famous by James Bond 007 for the making of the film "The Man with the Golden Gun" back in 1974 and since then is on every tourist itinerary. This is a sight seeing trip, don't expect to be sunbathing on the golden sands of the island, it is a very small island with an interesting leaning rock and Koh Tapu (Nail Island) just off it's shore which is probably the most photographed rock in the bay. A 30 minute photo session is probably the normal if you are on a guided tour, just enough to explore the souvenir stalls that cram the island's tiny beach.
However before the days of James Bond was Koh Panyi, a small village built on stilts. The village has it's own mosque and school and even it's own football team and floating football pitch. This football pitch has been documented by A World of Football on their website.
Before the tourists the sole income of the community would have come from the sea but now there are souvenir shops and floating restaurants that seem to be expanding year by year.
I haven't been back to Koh Panyi since 1987 so the only photos here are old scanned memories of my visit, but if you want to see more then please visit Jamie Monk's Blog because he has some great photos and a great story from his recent visits.
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