Islands · Phang Nga Bay, north of James Bond Island
Koh Panyee
A Muslim fishing village on stilts at the foot of a limestone peak, where most Phang Nga Bay trips stop for lunch.
Access
By boat only
Time to allow
A lunch stop on a Phang Nga Bay day
Best time
Outside the middle of the morning, the busiest time according to one guide
Why go
Most Phang Nga Bay trips from Phuket stop here for lunch, in seafood restaurants built over the water.
Not for you if crowds bother you: according to one guide, the village is busy in the middle of the morning, especially from December to February.
What you will find
A fishing village built on stilts at the foot of a limestone peak, home to roughly 1,500 to 2,000 people, almost all Muslim. The minaret of its mosque is the landmark you see from the water.
It was founded about two centuries ago. Its floating football pitch was built by children in 1986 from planks and old fishing rafts, after watching the World Cup on television; it gave rise to the Panyee FC club, and the pitch is still there.
Getting there
By boat only, as a stop on a Phang Nga Bay day trip from Phuket. Not every trip stops here: check that the listing names the village if it matters to you.
Before you go
Cover shoulders and knees, especially near the mosque, and ask before photographing people.
Where this place leads
Common questions
What is Koh Panyee?
A Muslim fishing village on stilts at the foot of a limestone peak in Phang Nga Bay, home to roughly 1,500 to 2,000 people, where most bay trips stop for lunch.
Is the floating football pitch still there?
Yes. It was built by the village children in 1986, after watching the World Cup on television, and gave rise to the Panyee FC club.
How should I dress on Koh Panyee?
Cover shoulders and knees, especially near the mosque, and ask before photographing people.