Fun Facts
• The name Phi Phi (pronounced ‘pee pee’) originates from Malay, the original name for the islands were ‘Pulao Pi ah Pi'. The name refers to the mangrove wood found there. (Side note: Phuket is pronounced 'poo-ket')
• Phi Phi is a melting pot of Buddhists, Thai-Chinese, Muslims and even sea gypsies or Chao Ley. The majority of the population is Muslim
• Phi Phi Island still has no motorized transport
• Phi Phi has 2 seasons - Hot and Wet. Hot season is from November to April, and Wet is from May to October - average temperatures are between 25ºC to 32ºC
• The national park covers a total area of 242,437 Rai
• This area is one of the oldest communities in Thailand dating back to the prehistoric period. It is believed that this province may have taken its name after the meaning of Krabi, which means sword. This may have stemmed from a legend that an ancient sword was unearthed prior to the city’s founding
• Phi Phi Islands is a world-class destination for rock climbing. There are over 600 routes in the area
• There can be as many as 10000 visitors a day to Phi Phi Island during peak months
• “The Beach” starring Leonardo di Caprio was filmed on Phi Phi Island * Phi Phi Islands were also the setting for the hide-out of "Scaramanga" in the same movie
• The word "farang" which most Thai people use to describe ALL foreigners, is thought to have originated from the French word "farangset", which is the Thai pronunciation of "Français", the French word for "French" or "Frenchman"
• Farang is also the Thai name for Guava fruit!
• It is estimated that there are 6 million Soi Dogs in Thailand,they call them Soi Dogs because they live on the streets. Soi is street or small street or alley in Thai language. A great foundation is The Soi Dog Foundation
• Thailand changed it's name from Siam as recently as 1949. The reason that it was called Thailand is a matter of some debate, there are those who believe that it's because it's the only country in South East Asia to have avoided European colonization & the word "Tai" in the Thai language means literally "free"