Koh Yao

Ko Yao (เกาะยาว), sometimes written Koyao, is a group of islands between Phuket and Krabi. There are two main islands, Ko Yao Noi ("Small Long Island") and Ko Yao Yai, with Noi being the more developed of the two.

Ko Yao Noi remains a beautiful island, where most people still believe that the island should be preserved from human degradation.
Sea Gypsies (Moken people) were inhabiting the Bay before anybody else, except maybe other nomadic people like forest hunters and collectors (Sakai, Negritos). The 3,500 or so inhabitants of Koh Yao Noi are thought to be recent migrants from the Malay Peninsula (Satun, Trang).

The Mon population, linguistically and culturally belonging to the Khmer ethnolinguistic group, did settled in peninsular Thailand since ever, ruling maritime states like the one of Ligor (Nakhon Si Thammarat). They melt continuously with Southern migrants from Malaysia and with Northern rulers (Thai), over centuries of commercial exchanges and political conflicts. Most probably the Mon stock remains prevalent for most of the people living nowadays in Southern Thailand, including people of Koh Yao.

Numerous cave paintings hidden in the many islands of the bay, extending from 2000 years ago to last century, attest the influence of distinct communities in the emergence of a mixed origin population, living now in the provinces of Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi and Satun.
The most recent migrations (17th-18th century) from Satun and Trang to Ko Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi is attested by the fact that the particular dialect spoken on the island still bear obvious Malaysian lexical traces, particularely regarding toponyms and vernacular names of the flora species.
The main industries on the island are fishing and rubber planting. A little rice farming and some fruit, palm and coconut plantations are evident. Boat building and farming techniques here have been passed from father to son and, while some of the youngsters leave Ko Yao to seek the bright lights of Phuket, most return to their tight knit community.

There are regular public boat services from Phuket, plus most resorts operate their own shuttle boats, and Destination Air flies there with floatplanes several times daily.

Ko Yao Noi covers about 50 square kilometers and has approximately 18 kilometers of concrete and dirt road around it. Great for bicycling and walking.

Ko Yao Noi is mountainous in the centre and has beaches to either side. The East side has beaches suitable for swimming and snorkeling and the West is a picturesque blend of rice flats and mangrove trees. The island is a sanctuary for at least 4 species of hornbills, very commonly seen around.

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Rawai beach

Rawai is located at the southern tip of Phuket. It is much less touristy than nearby Kata and Patong beaches and an excellent place to experience some real Thai culture.

Rawai is quite spread out and a scooter is highly recommended. The longer your hire period, the cheaper it becomes and is possible to hire one for around 120baht/day. Otherwise expect to pay 150-200baht/day depending on the type of scooter.

Rawai beach itself is only used to moor fishing boats, long tail boats and speed boats, for snorkeling and sightseeing trips to neighboring islands and swimming there is not recommended. Mid 2007 a new pier has opened. There is a Sea Gypsy Village by the pier with shops and longtail boats for rent. Lots of seafood restaurants on the beach, this is where Phuket Town comes on the weekend for a beach party. There are a few popular cocktail bars on the beach for a limited but fun night life. There are several low end guest houses and a hotel on the beach. At the top end is the Evason Resort. Nai Harn beach is only a few minutes away by scooter or taxi or local bus and is one of the nicest beaches on the island. Popular with Thai people as well as tourists it is a protected cresent shaped beach less than 1km in length. There is also a very nice Budhist Temple there looking over the lagoon. Most of the other beaches are dominated by resorts and shopping and bars. The high end Meridian Phuket Yacht club sits on a hill at one end of the beach. In particular 'Promethep Cape' is recommended for views of the sunset over the Andaman sea. There are tourist shops and a popular restaurant with a nice view of Nai Harn beach.