Oh Koh Phi Phi, What have you become?

[Harrisfan]

14 hours ago, still kicking said:

I just went to Hua Hin. I don't swim anymore due to my age, but it's it's a nice place 

It is a nice place. Gotten better over the years. The islands are worse. It also has value hotels and not overcrowded.

[spidermike007]

All of the Southern Islands have been decimated over the years with way too many tourists, way too much development, and a commercialism that's rivaled only by Southwestern Bali, which is hell on earth. The only southern island left that has any semblance of normalcy is perhaps Koh Phangan, which is still quite delightful. 

[Formaleins]

On 6/19/2025 at 1:51 PM, Cornish Pasty said:

I’ve just returned from a (very) short holiday on the Island of Koh Phi Phi, my first visit since before the tsunami of 2004.

 

I could not believe my eyes…

 

Straight off the bat you are greeted by 2 men screaming ‘20 baht, 20 baht help protect island..’

 

Of course I paid and went on my way (you don’t have much choice really).. I later found out through a local who lived there that the 20 baht doesn’t go to cleaning up the island, it was covered in trash and smashed up from a storm last year. Nothing was actively being fixed. And then the hassle starts. “hey man, where you go?” “you need taxi boat?” “man, taxi boat..” Relentless hassle from the moment you step onto the shore.

 

And then I saw it, the dreaded golden arches, right there in front of my face. It was a Mcdonalds…

I almost threw up on myself.

 

When I was last there (around 2002) all that was there were a few local eateries and a couple of local bars. Mass tourism hadn’t even kicked off yet, but my god has it kicked off now.. It’s all money, money, money. Even if you want to go and swim/snorkel in the bay they charge you 600 baht for the day, also 600 baht to rent a deck chair for the afternoon!! Most places along the beach also charge PAYING CUSTOMERS 10 baht per piss as well..

 

Then there’s the muslim chants. I hadn’t noticed it in 2002, but apparently Phi Phi is 80% muslim now, not sure if it was back then. I distinctly remember having a masaman pork curry with my ex when I first landed. Not the case now, it’s definitely a pork free zone..

 

I thought I was dreaming. Then I went to the 7/11. 20 baht for a small water. You are lucky if you can find a coffee for less than 100, and that would only be a tiny cup. Then theres the tourists. and oh so many tourists… I thought I had gotten off the boat in the middle of Chelsea! Full of young, tatted up, permed up, shirtless cockneys posting on social media all day, telling everyone back home how great the island is… If only they knew.

 

Phi Phi, you are naturally beautiful. Your beaches are amazing, your limestone cliffs are top notch too, but for gods sake PLEASE drop the mass tourism model before it’s too late. I swear, if I hear another cockney accent within the next 48 hours I’m gonna go back and jump off of one of those aforementioned limestone cliffs..

 

Rant over.

 

Mark.

I went to Koh Phi Phi Lek about 20 years ago, it was unspoiled, hardly any tourists, great swimming and snorkelling , beautiful scenery, great guest houses and hotels restaurants and bars, all very much on the quiet side.

 

All of this totally ruined! Just like Phuket, I'll never go back again, totally spoiled.

[Scouse123]

34 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

The only southern island left that has any semblance of normalcy is perhaps Koh Phangan, which is still quite delightful. 

 

Except on the full moon parties, I suppose.

[Real Name Hidden]

I visited Koh Phi Phi during covid, it was very nice, 90% of the businesses were closed.  

 

 

I also visited Ko Lipe.

[spidermike007]

2 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

 

Except on the full moon parties, I suppose.

Correct. And those are quite easy to avoid. 

[Scouse123]

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Correct. And those are quite easy to avoid. 

 

I am thinking of visiting two islands later this year: Koh Chang, which I know, and then crossing over to Koh Kood for 3 nights.

[Real Name Hidden]

1 minute ago, Scouse123 said:

 

I am thinking of visiting two islands later this year: Koh Chang, which I know, and then crossing over to Koh Kood for 3 nights.

FYI: You can save several hours by taking a speedboat from Bang Bao on Koh Chang, takes 2 hours to Koh Kood instead of 6-7 hours going back to the mainland, but they never had life jackets when I took it. TiT

[Hummin]

If you don't like Muslims because they are Muslims, don't go to Krabi.

 

Simple as that

 

When that is said, best people in Thailand, but Phi Phi is a sh.t hole and have been for 25 years. Never liked the place. 

[Rimmer]

Off topic bickering posts and replies have been removed

[Scouse123]

6 minutes ago, Hummin said:

If you don't like Muslims because they are Muslims, don't go to Krabi.

 

Simple as that

 

When that is said, best people in Thailand, but Phi Phi is a sh.t hole and have been for 25 years. Never liked the place. 

 

The Muslims I have known in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the South of Thailand have been fine; the Malaysians (whom we met up with in Cambodia) drank alcohol as well.

 

I didn't suddenly like them because they drank,

 

I liked them because they were nice, easygoing people and religion was hardly mentioned, except for them stating the restrictions they had in Malaysia.

 

It's the fanatics I cannot be bothered with and their overt hypocrisy, and those constantly wanting preferential treatment because they are Muslims, I have found in my experience, it's mainly the Pakistani Muslims and some of the African Muslims, such as Somalis.

 

They want to bring their baggage and rules with them.

 

One is a failed state, and the other struggles to get its act together, despite having a population of 215 million.

[Scouse123]

5 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

All of the Southern Islands have been decimated over the years with way too many tourists, way too much development, and a commercialism that's rivaled only by Southwestern Bali, which is hell on earth. The only southern island left that has any semblance of normalcy is perhaps Koh Phangan, which is still quite delightful. 

 

 

Does that include Koh Lanta?

 

I have a British friend who is about to relocate there, and he asked us to go down and meet up.

 

My other half refused and wouldn't talk about it further. She just told me to go on my own.

 

Funnily enough, she mentioned visiting Bali; she went there about 25 years ago, but after yours and other comments, I think I'll pass on it.

[Hummin]

15 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

The Muslims I have known in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the South of Thailand have been fine; the Malaysians (whom we met up with in Cambodia) drank alcohol as well.

 

I didn't suddenly like them because they drank,

 

I liked them because they were nice, easygoing people and religion was hardly mentioned, except for them stating the restrictions they had in Malaysia.

 

It's the fanatics I cannot be bothered with and their overt hypocrisy, and those constantly wanting preferential treatment because they are Muslims, I have found in my experience, it's mainly the Pakistani Muslims and some of the African Muslims, such as Somalis.

 

They want to bring their baggage and rules with them.

 

One is a failed state, and the other struggles to get its act together, despite having a population of 215 million.

 

Well said

 

I did some climbing with the best climbers from Thailand back in the days at Tonsai Ao Nang. They where Muslims. 

[marin]

17 minutes ago, Hummin said:

I did some climbing with the best climbers from Thailand back in the days at Tonsai Ao Nang. They where Muslims. 

As did I but 30 years ago they were more like Rasta Muslims, fun times indeed on the lesser known east side of Railay. 

[simon43]

41 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

 

Does that include Koh Lanta?

 

I have a British friend who is about to relocate there, and he asked us to go down and meet up.

 

My other half refused and wouldn't talk about it further. She just told me to go on my own.

 

Funnily enough, she mentioned visiting Bali; she went there about 25 years ago, but after yours and other comments, I think I'll pass on it.

 

Last year I was looking around for a place to base myself after retirement (which was last week!).  I stayed in Koh Lanta for about 6 weeks but decided that despite the nice beaches it wasn't the place for me.

 

Why?  3 words will tell you:  "Black crows everywhere".  Absolutely depressing place to see so many  'tented' women.  No place for my retirement.....

[proton]

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

If you don't like Muslims because they are Muslims, don't go to Krabi.

 

Simple as that

 

When that is said, best people in Thailand, but Phi Phi is a sh.t hole and have been for 25 years. Never liked the place. 

 

It's not the people, no matter how many nice muslims there are that does not alter the ideology they follow, or the life of their disgraceful prophet. He was self confessed terrorist, slave owner, thief, killer and child abuser. No good ever came from his made up teachings.

[Hummin]

15 minutes ago, marin said:

As did I but 30 years ago they were more like Rasta Muslims, fun times indeed on the lesser known east side of Railay. 

It was a good mix indeed. 

[Hummin]

1 minute ago, proton said:

 

It's not the people, no matter how many nice muslims there are that does not alter the ideology they follow, or the life of their disgraceful prophet. He was self confessed terrorist, slave owner, thief, killer and child abuser. No good ever came from his made up teachings.

Well based on what Christians have done, I believe we should be square soon

[proton]

3 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Well based on what Christians have done, I believe we should be square soon

 

No comparison, Islam more than 148k terror attacks since 1979 killing over 210k people, thats not including the 6k plus in Southern Thailand

[Cornish Pasty]

16 minutes ago, proton said:

 

It's not the people, no matter how many nice muslims there are that does not alter the ideology they follow, or the life of their disgraceful prophet. He was self confessed terrorist, slave owner, thief, killer and child abuser. No good ever came from his made up teachings.

Tremendously put, proton..

 

Mark.

[Aforek]

On 6/19/2025 at 2:42 PM, Gandtee said:

It was paradise in 1985. I thought I'd died and landed in heaven. I was taken out on a fishing boat with an all-Muslim crew. They were great. The skipper even let me helm the boat when coming back in in the early hours of the next morning. I went back there twenty years ago and I could have cried at what they have done to it. Much the same as many other places in Thailand. And in other countries I suspect. Killing the goose that lays the golden egg. So sad.

What you say reminds me of Pukhet and Ko Samui ( about in 1980 ) 

now I live upcountry, no tourists and I know it will stay the same because there is nothing special for tourists  and I am very happy here 

Thailand destroys his treasures, yes, but not every country

 

I am French and there is in my country a very touristic place ( Bretagne, Brittany ) : south is very well preserved, I went 10 or 15 years after a first stay, nothing has changed  .... I always compare this situation with Thailand and I am very sorry when I see what Thailand has done, all this for money 

[The Old Bull]

I was there around 2002 before there were any ATM's I had to get a ferry over to the mainland to get some cash. It was OK for a while after the tsunami as the boats had been purged from the beach. Now the boat free swimming areas have continued to get smaller every year.

[daveAustin]

Similar with most tourist places. Pai was a delight in the 90s, with 50 baht bamboo huts, no traffic lights, chilled locals. Now is loaded with overpriced resorts, way too many people and noisy Israelis, rammed street markets, roaming police etc. 
 

Never did Phi Phi (and never will now), but Ao Nang was cool. Ridiculous now. Thailand of yesteryear is done. No point in lamenting it. Try another country, though I fear pretty much nowhere else will come close to how Thailand was. 

[Nick Carter icp]

20 minutes ago, daveAustin said:

Similar with most tourist places. Pai was a delight in the 90s, with 50 baht bamboo huts, no traffic lights, chilled locals. Now is loaded with overpriced resorts, way too many people and noisy Israelis, rammed street markets, roaming police etc. 
 

Never did Phi Phi (and never will now), but Ao Nang was cool. Ridiculous now. Thailand of yesteryear is done. No point in lamenting it. Try another country, though I fear pretty much nowhere else will come close to how Thailand was. 

 

  I do remember in the 90's and people were saying that Thailand was much better in the 80's .

   Actually everywhere used to be better five years ago , people have been saying that as along as I an remember 

[Scouse123]

10 hours ago, Aforek said:

What you say reminds me of Pukhet and Ko Samui ( about in 1980 ) 

now I live upcountry, no tourists and I know it will stay the same because there is nothing special for tourists  and I am very happy here 

Thailand destroys his treasures, yes, but not every country

 

I am French and there is in my country a very touristic place ( Bretagne, Brittany ) : south is very well preserved, I went 10 or 15 years after a first stay, nothing has changed  .... I always compare this situation with Thailand and I am very sorry when I see what Thailand has done, all this for money 

 

I agree with you.

 

I'm up in Isaan, and many people on the forums say it's boring.

 

Up here, you really need a car to get to the best spots, or you can fly out from the nearest local airport.

 

I moved here because of my partner, and honestly, when I first arrived, there was nothing. I was recovering from surgery at the time, so the peace and quiet actually helped a lot.

 

These days, it’s a busy and thriving little town. Still rural, but we have banks, large shopping centres (though not quite malls), some decent eateries, and plenty of food and drink spots that have opened up.

 

What I like most is that it’s non-touristy. Life moves at a normal, slow pace — typical rural Isaan.

 

Lately, more foreigners have been moving up this way. Many are people who can no longer afford to live in Pattaya and are trying their luck in the countryside. That is what one or two have said.

 

There's also a noticeable number of African schoolteachers here as well now. They are a nice bunch of people.

 

That said, most foreigners don’t stick around long.

 

Some are just visiting with their Thai partners from other parts of the country, while others give it a try living here. But many eventually leave — they miss the lights, energy, and excitement of the more touristy areas.

 

I should imagine in another ten years, it will still be Isaarn as we know it with a few minor changes.

 

However, it won't be the money grabbing and gouging that is found in tourist hot spots.

[Scouse123]

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  I do remember in the 90's and people were saying that Thailand was much better in the 80's .

   Actually everywhere used to be better five years ago , people have been saying that as along as I an remember 

 

I remember the early nineties onwards.

 

I visited  here in the late eighties, I was a short two week stay visitor with Kuoni, so irt was basically a package holiday.

 

But, in the Nineties, when I just got a flight and found my way around, Thailand was absolutely fantastic.

[Scouse123]

3 hours ago, Nick Carter icp said:

 

  I do remember in the 90's and people were saying that Thailand was much better in the 80's .

   Actually everywhere used to be better five years ago , people have been saying that as along as I an remember 

 

That's a true statement.

 

The UK was a great place in the 70s and 80s.

 

Look at it now.

[Harrisfan]

12 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

I agree with you.

 

I'm up in Isaan, and many people on the forums say it's boring.

 

Up here, you really need a car to get to the best spots, or you can fly out from the nearest local airport.

 

I moved here because of my partner, and honestly, when I first arrived, there was nothing. I was recovering from surgery at the time, so the peace and quiet actually helped a lot.

 

These days, it’s a busy and thriving little town. Still rural, but we have banks, large shopping centres (though not quite malls), some decent eateries, and plenty of food and drink spots that have opened up.

 

What I like most is that it’s non-touristy. Life moves at a normal, slow pace — typical rural Isaan.

 

Lately, more foreigners have been moving up this way. Many are people who can no longer afford to live in Pattaya and are trying their luck in the countryside. That is what one or two have said.

 

There's also a noticeable number of African schoolteachers here as well now. They are a nice bunch of people.

 

That said, most foreigners don’t stick around long.

 

Some are just visiting with their Thai partners from other parts of the country, while others give it a try living here. But many eventually leave — they miss the lights, energy, and excitement of the more touristy areas.

 

I should imagine in another ten years, it will still be Isaarn as we know it with a few minor changes.

 

However, it won't be the money grabbing and gouging that is found in tourist hot spots.

Udon is good