'''Ko Yao''' (???????), sometimes written ''Koyao'', is a group of islands between Phuket and Krabi. There are two main islands, '''Ko Yao Noi''' ("Small Long Island") and '''Ko Yao Yai''', with Noi being the more developed of the two.
Understand
Ko Yao Noi remains a beautiful island, where most people still believe that the island should be preserved from human degradation.
Sea Gypsies (Moken people) were inhabiting the Bay before anybody else, except maybe other nomadic people like forest hunters and collectors (Sakai, Negritos). The 3,500 or so inhabitants of Koh Yao Noi are thought to be recent migrants from the Malay Peninsula (Satun, Trang).
The Mon population, linguistically and culturally belonging to the Khmer ethnolinguistic group, did settled in peninsular Thailand since ever, ruling maritime states like the one of Ligor (Nakhon Si Thammarat). They melt continuously with Southern migrants from Malaysia and with Northern rulers (Thai), over centuries of commercial exchanges and political conflicts. Most probably the Mon stock remains prevalent for most of the people living nowadays in Southern Thailand, including people of Koh Yao.
Numerous cave paintings hidden in the many islands of the bay, extending from 2000 years ago to last century, attest the influence of distinct communities in the emergence of a mixed origin population, living now in the provinces of Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi and Satun.
The most recent migrations (17th-18th century) from Satun and Trang to Ko Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi is attested by the fact that the particular dialect spoken on the island still bear obvious Malaysian lexical traces, particularely regarding toponyms and vernacular names of the flora species.
The main industries on the island are fishing and rubber planting. A little rice farming and some fruit, palm and coconut plantations are evident. Boat building and farming techniques here have been passed from father to son and, while some of the youngsters leave Ko Yao to seek the bright lights of Phuket, most return to their tight knit community.
Get in
Arrive via Phuket International airport, then transfer from Phuket airport to pier to take public boat. There are regular public boat services from Phuket, plus most resorts operate their own shuttle boats, and [http://www.destinationair.com Destination Air] flies there with floatplanes several times daily.
Get around
Ko Yao Noi covers about 50 square kilometers and has approximately 18 kilometers of concrete and dirt road around it. Great for bicycling and walking.
See
Ko Yao Noi is mountainous in the centre and has beaches to either side. The East side has beaches suitable for swimming and snorkeling and the West is a picturesque blend of rice flats and mangrove trees. The island is a sanctuary for at least 4 species of hornbills, very commonly seen around.
Do
Professionel Muay Thai with a worldchampion in boxing and Muay Thai, diving at Koh Yao International Diving School at Lam Sai Village Hotel in Ban Laem Sai at Koh Yao Noi
'''Eat'''
There are some restaurant and food stalls on Ko Yao Noi and some more opened just recently, including really good seafood restaurants near the beach. There are not to many restaurants offering Western food, but some basics like french fries, Burgers or Spaghettis you can even get here.
Thai Hideaway Restaurant: Enjoy a special night in a private Pool Villa Restaurant with amazing views. Fresh Seafood BBQ's, as well as authentic Thai food and sandwiches are available. Please book in advance. (jasmin@thaihideaway.com)
patarasak. ood view restaurant kohyao noi. 76-597445. ttp://www.goodviewkohyao.com. The good view restaurant kohyao noi fresh seafood Livefish,crab,LOBSTER,oyster,Wine Collection...Wi-FI Zone...UBC..."good taste good view good song(LIVE MUSIC)"
Drink
patarasak. atarasak. ohyao. 76-597445. ww.goodviewkohyao.com . www.goodviewkohyao.com the good view restaurant good taste good view good song...
patarasak. ood view restaurant. 76-597445. ttp://www.goodviewkohyao.com. The goodview restaurant kohyao noi phang nga "good taste good view good song (LIVE MUSIC)_"Wine Collection ,Cocktail_VISIT US AT www.goodviewkohyao.com"
The Pyramid Bar,Mots Place
Good live music in the high season, great atmosphere, friendly owner(mot) vand lots of fun!Pool table and good times!
Sleep
Thiwsonbeach. 8/4 M.4 T.KohYaoYai . huket Town & Bang Rong Pier. 819567582. ww.thiwsonbeach.com. 2 Noon. 00-3000 Baht. 12 Private Beach Front Bungalows. Views of Pang Nga Bay. Stunning sunrise. www.thiwsonbeach.com
Transfer
Transfer from Phuket Airport to Kohyao noi by private car and private long tail boat and speedboat
Transfer from Phuket Airport to Hotels on kohyao noi
Transfer from Krabi to Kohyao
please contact koh yao transfer 0868103413 and booking online at (http://www.kohyaotravel.com/transfer.htm)
Ko Yao Noi
Noi features four upmarket resorts.
Lam Sai Village Hotel - with pool and air conditioned rooms - Also has Muay Thai training available (http://www.lamsaihotel.com)
The Paradise Ko Yao Boutique Resort and Spa (http://www.theparadise.biz)
Ko Yao Island Resort (http://www.koyao.com and http://koyaoisland.com)
Koyao Bay Pavilions (http://www.koyaobay.com)
Evason Hideaway
Thai Hideaway: Dan's Koyao Retreat - Private and secluded Hill Pool Villa (http://www.thaihideaway.com)
Santisuk Resort - good location good view good rate for you visit www.kohyaoguesthouse.com
Ko Yao Yai
Koh yao travel guide and hotel resort reservation (http://www.kohyaotravel.com)
Elixir Resort (http://www.elixirresort.com), which hosts Elixir Divers (http://www.elixirdivers.com) dive center on the resort permises
Yao Yai Resort (http://www.yaoyairesort.com)
Thiwson Beach Resort (http://www.thiwsonbeach.com)
Contact
Being one of the biggest islands in the Phang Nga Bay archipelago, Ko Yao Noi is home to a hospital, several schools and a post office. 24 hour electricity supply, Internet access, mobile telephone connection and Automatic Teller Machine are available.
Get out
[http://kohyao.info/ Koh Yao Information]