Ko Panyi

Fishing Village Thailand, Thailand

Ko Panyi is a fishing village in Phang Nga Province, Thailand, notable for being built on stilts by Indonesian fishermen. Two families from Java founded Ko Panyi in the 18th century and the population has since swelled to about 2,000 people. Fishing still makes up the large part of the village’s income, yet the growing influx of tourists has led residents to increasingly focus on selling goods and food to visitors. After the day crowds head home, the relaxed and entirely novel atmosphere in the village truly shines through: those out working for the day arrive home in long tail boats, children run up and down the winding concrete paths, and the smells of home cooking permeate the complex. Our own included dinner was a fantastic feast of fresh fish, Tom Yum soup, spicy chicken, and stir-fried rice, after which we were taught Thai Poker by the restaurant owner. Don’t expect a nightlife of any kind, for alcohol is outright forbidden, but watching the sun go down over the distant spires as the Muslim call to prayer sounds is the type of cultural experience many travelers yearn for.