About excursion
About Koh Yao The enchanting district of the Koh Yao islands, encompasses some 44 small islands and covers an area over than 140 square kilometers. Nestled in this archipelago lie two main islands – Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai. In English, these names translate to “little long island” and “big long island” respectively. Although Koh Yao Noi is the smaller of the two islands, and only covers an area of just 45km2, it is more developed than its neighbor Koh Yao Yai. According to local legend the strait between the two islands was created when a very angry Naga (mythic Dragon) crashed through on his way to Krabi to see his fiancé being married to his younger brother. Rich in natural beauty, Koh Yao constitutes one of the last bastions of untouched wilderness in the region. It is also the perfect starting point to explore the famous limestone cliffs rising out the emerald-green water. Not to mention caves, lagoons and tiny secluded beaches awaiting discovery. According to figures in the Koyao directory, Koh Yao has a population of about 14,000 people. Koh Yao Noi being approximately 6000 and Koh Yao Yai just 8000. It is believed the original inhabitants of the Koh Yao Islands were the Andaman Sea Gypsies. Now, like a lot of Southern Thai people, the villagers are a mix of Thai, Malay, Burmese and Chinese descent. The island‟s local residents carry out a traditional way of life, with their main source of income generated from fishing, rubber and palm oil production, rice and coconuts. Tourism, although not a large industry in the area, is becoming more important. Nevertheless, you could still see the simple lifestyles of those peaceful communities. Religion Buddhism is the prevalent religion in Thailand, however the vast majority of inhabitants in Koh Yao are in fact Muslim. There are some estimates that suggest that up to 95 per cent of the population in Koh Yao Noi are Muslim. So please respect public decency. Taking topless sunbath, wearing swimsuit or any inappropriate clothes on the street are considered offensive by locals. This is also the reason why we can‟t serve bacon for breakfast. Down town Down town is marked by a three-way intersection where you'll find our only 7-eleven which has an ATM machine, there are four more. You will also find the fresh market, all the souvenir shops, two internet places and the pharmacy. The police station and the post office are nearby, along the road that leads to Manoh Pier, where you can catch boats to Koh Yao Yai and Phuket. A map of Koh Yao has been given to you. It will show you the different villages and point of interest as restaurants, bars, beaches and more. Of course, if you need any more information about our lovely island, we will be happy to help you.