In Phang Nga Bay, James Bond Island is a popular tourist destination. The 1974 James Bond classic "The Man with the Golden Gun," which featured this island as the archnemesis' hideout, made the island an instant hit and contributed to a rise in tourism in the area. This had positive effects on a number of nearby attractions, including the Monkey Caves and Samet Nangshe viewpoint. One such attraction that benefited from James Bond Island's popularity is the floating Koh Panyee village, which is primarily used as a dining location during James Bond Island tours. We'll discuss some of the top methods for discovering the Koh Panyee floating village in this article. Explore the vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and exotic cuisine with our exclusive Thailand tour packages, offering an unforgettable journey through this enchanting Southeast Asian destination.
The Muslim village of Koh Panyee, where more than 350 families reside permanently, is located in the silts close to James Bond Island. The floating island is located in a protected bay at sea under the shadow of a tall limestone rock formation, which in and of itself is a draw. Typically, James Bond Island tours use the island as a pit stop. Some of the things that you could do here is to visit the mosque, floating football pitch, go shopping and explore the foods of Koh Panyee.
Koh Panyee benefits from a tropical monsoon climate as a result of its location. The best months for weather in Koh Panyee and other southern areas of Phuket are from December to March. It is typically advised against visiting Koh Panyee from July to October because of the heavy rain that makes getting to the village challenging. Reaching the island would be a herculean task during the wet monsoon season due to erratic water currents, high tides, and venomous insects that swarm in the marshes. Explore Phuket's beauty with our curated Phuket packages from India for an unforgettable island getaway.
Most of the inhabitants of Koh Panyee village are either direct or indirect descendants of a single family that first came to this area 200 years ago. The settlement prospered over time, and to mark their territory, a red flag was flown. This eventually led to the current name Koh Panyee, meaning "Island of Flag" in the local language. The village is a work of architecture, and it's still interesting to see how the concrete and wooden slabs have managed to preserve it. The community's amenities include a school, a mosque, a health centre, numerous little gift shops, and a few sizable eateries with views of the Andaman Sea. The village children constructed a floating football field out of fishing rafts and old wood scraps, which is worth seeing. Keep in mind that since this is a Muslim community, women are expected to follow the dress codes.
Settlements like Koh Panyee are rare; therefore, when you get the opportunity to visit the island, it is best to explore the islands and enjoy the natural beauty of the island with protruding limestone rocks as its backdrop. Some of the things to do in Koh Panyee include:
Koh Panyee's football pitch is one of its main draws. The local kids constructed a field out of wood and abandoned fishing rafts in the late 1980s, motivated by the FIFA World Cup. This resulted in the creation of Panyee FC, a well-known youth football team in southern Thailand. Since then, the villagers have taken to football with great enthusiasm, and Panyee FC is now one of Thailand's most successful soccer clubs. So visiting the football ground while touring Koh Panyee is a must.
The community of Koh Panyee is self-sufficient and has a school, a mosque, a health center, numerous little gift shops, and a few sizable eateries with views of the Andaman Sea to support itself. You can take a casual stroll along the narrow walkways of this village and explore the village; you can even buy some souvenirs. Souvenirs like batik prints, clothing, and seashell jewellery are sold in the shops of Koh Panyee. Don’t be afraid to bargain, as some shopkeepers may be selling these items at higher prices than on the mainland. You can also rent a kayak and paddle around the city and also visit attractions such as Lot Cave and Thalu Mountain.
Since Koh Panyee is primarily a fishing village, it is not surprising that the area is well-known for its seafood. There are numerous eateries throughout the village that serve both Thai and western food. In recent years, Koh Panyee also has its own hotels and bungalow resorts that are being constructed for tourists who would like to spend more time on this island.
Ko Panyi is located 53.1 kilometers from Phang Nga Bay's Surakul pier and is reachable by longtail boat for THB 1,700. Typically, there are a variety of tour packages available to get you to James Bond Island from Phuket or Krabi, and depending on which one you choose, you can plan a full-day or half-day visit. These packages frequently include Koh Panyee.
As previously stated, spending a few hours exploring Koh Panyee's distinctive floating village is worthwhile. Pickyourtrail specializes in creating customized travel itineraries, so if you're looking for the right plan, you can include Koh Panyee without deviating from your original itinerary.
The best time to visit Koh Panyee village is during Phuket’s peak season, which is during the months of December and January.
The best way to reach Koh Panyee village from Phuket is to hop on to the James Bond Island hopping tours that are available at Chalong Pier in Phuket.