Koh Yao Phang Nga Bay Map

Koh Yao Island sometimes written Ko Yao or Ko Yoa. The Island is made up of 2 large islands: Koh Yao Noi (Little Long Island) and Koh Yao Yai (Big Long Island). Located in The south of Phang Nga Bay between Phuket and Krabi province. Covers an area of 137.6 square kilometers. Koh yao Noi is half the size of its counterpart but all of the government offices and most of the population are located on Koh Yao Noi. In the beginning of 1700 century people from the southern of Thailand (Trang, Krabi, Satun and North of Malaysia) moved to Ko Yao Yai and Ko Yao Noi. Nowadays the particular dialect spoken on the islands still bear obvious Malaysian lexical traces. Many words in native language are from Melayu. The name of the villages and nearby islands are still in Melayu for example; Loh Jak, Loh Parek, Loh Paoh, Pulau Ayam, Pulau Bunga, Pulao bilek, Tukun Musang ect.

The total populations in Koh Yao Noi and Koh Yao Yai approximately 13,000 (in 2008) 99 per cent of the locals’ people are Muslim. They have retained their traditional Muslim culture and therefore traveling to Koh Yoa islands is like traveling to peaceful island and virgin land. The people on the islands are friendly. Especially the name of Koh Yao islands have gained worldwide attention in 2002 after receiving the world legacy ward for destination stewardship from Conservation international and International Geographic Traveler magazine for the eco-friendly home stay programs and eco-tourism offered by Koh Yao local residents. The main industries on the island are fishing and rubber planting. A little rice farming and some fruits, palm and coconut plantations are evident. Boat building and farming techniques here have been passed from father to son and, while many of the youngsters leave Ko Yao to seek the bright lights of Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi.