Why go to Koh Phi Phi, Thailand

Author: Matt Preston Become a contributor

Win a 15 day overland tour of Thailand for 2 people. Worth over $2000!

Phi phi is known as the party island on the west coast of Thailand so the thought of spending 9 days there seemed a little excessive. As it turned out it was the right amount of time considering our experience!

We arrived by boat from Krabi town as we’d missed the early boat straight from Railay. It’s only an hour and a half from Krabi’s main port. Be sure to barter a good price for your tickets. Never accept the price they quote. It’s often twice what you should pay.

Arriving in Koh Phi Phi is an event itself. The army of people trying to make you go to their hotel or get

you on another boat to smaller islands is pretty intense after an uneventful journey.

Armed with a badly drawn and highly inaccurate map to a hotel we’d been recommended we set off walking through the tight streets and market stalls. We opted for a different hotel after seeing and smelling the rather dodgy room. We paid 1000 Baht for an air con room at the ‘K House 2′ opposite the posh hotel of ‘P P Casita’.

We bumped into our Aussie friend once again and soon our first night in Phi Phi was what everyone’s must be. Drinks on the beach as we watched fire shows and crazy drunk tourists getting burnt by flaming skipping ropes.

A lazy day on the beach the next day, swimming in the very shallow and unbelievably hot sea. We decided a night off the booze was in order as we’d trek up to the view point the next day for a great view of the hour glass shaped strip of sand that is Koh Phi Phi.

The trekking started off fine although I could tell something was upsetting my body. By the time we were at the view point I knew something was up but stupidly pressed on and trekked down the other side to Ralee beach. It wasn’t long before a long boat back to our beach was much needed and I only just made it back to our hotel before a very violent 24 bug kicked in. Debs soon felt the same and the next day and a half are a blur of being sick, sleeping and watching a lot of movies on the satellite TV. Never has a TV and air conditioning been such a life saver.

It seems that 24 bugs and colds are common on Phi Phi. Partly because the streets and bars are narrow and crowded. Also partly I think as winter illnesses make it over to the islands from the tourists only away for a week or two.

We met up with friends from Brighton and London thankfully when we were recovering and who promptly got food poisoning and spent a day or two in bed as well!

Thankfully we did manage a day trip out on a boat. Snorkeling and kayaking around the frankly stunning islands of Phi Phi. Including Maya bay where the movie ‘The Beach’ was filmed and is now a beautiful yet tourist infested beach so has lost some charm.

It was at this point that the idiotically unthinkable happened as I gasped at the realisation my wedding ring had slipped from my finger at some point during the previous 2 hours and was undoubtedly gone forever. Words really can’t describe what it feels like to lose your wedding ring so I urge all married people. If you go snorkelling and there’s even a hint of slight movement of your wedding ring, take it off and keep it safe!!

Despite illness and lost priceless possessions we had a great time on Phi Phi. Some fun nights out on the beach buying cheap drinks from the mini-mart instead of the extortionate prices in the bars. Meeting up with old friends and even discovering we knew people that worked in the wonderful Stones Bar on the beach.

Phi Phi was one of the worst effected by the Tsunami on boxing day 2004 but has picked itself back up and is once again a very popular and fun place to go. There’s a distinctly Thai feel despite the many western style bars, restaurants and resort hotels and the surrounding islands are well worth a visit.

Win a 15 day overland tour of Thailand for 2 people. Worth over $2000!