📸 Photo: Beautiful Thailand

Photo Credit: Instagram @Shutterbuglebanon

The Phi Phi Islands pronounced ‘Pee Pee’ are six: They lie 40 kilometers (25 miles) southeast of Phuket an island group in Thailand between the large island of Phuket and the Straits of Malacca coast of Thailand.

The islands are reachable by speedboats or long-tail boats most often from Krabi town or from piers in Phuket Province.

Phi Phi was devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami of December 2004, when nearly all of the island's infrastructure was destroyed.

Contents

1 History

2 Geography

3 Administration

4 Climate

5 Transportation and communication

6 Tourism

7 Medical

8 2004 tsunami

9 Post-tsunami reconstruction

10 Impact of mass tourism

11 Gallery

12 See also

13 References

14 External links

History

Gypsy boat, Ko Phi Phi

From archaeological discoveries, it is believed that the area was one of the oldest communities in Thailand, dating back to the prehistoric period. It is believed that this province may have taken its name from Krabi, which means 'sword'. This may come from a legend that an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city's founding.[citation needed]

The name Phi Phi (pronounced "phi-phi") originates from Malay. The original name for the islands was Pulau Api-Api ('the fiery isle'). The name refers to the Pokok Api-Api, or "fiery tree" (grey mangrove) which is found on the islands. The island is located at 7.6782° N, 98.7657° E.

Geography

and are part of Hat Nopparat Thara-Ko Phi Phi National Park. The national park covers an area of 242,437 rai (38,790 ha).[2] which is home to an abundance of corals and marine life. There are limestone mountains with cliffs, caves, and long white sandy beaches.[3]

Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Le are the largest and best-known islands. Phi Phi Don is 9.73 square kilometres (3.76 square miles): 8 kilometres (5.0 miles) in length and 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) wide. Phi Phi Le is 2 kilometres (1.2 miles). In total, the islands occupy 12.25 square kilometres (4.73 square miles).