Koh Phi Phi, an archipelago in the Andaman Sea, is one of Thailand's crown jewels. With its stunning limestone cliffs, turquoise waters, and powder-white sandy beaches, the islands captivate travelers from around the globe. However, in the early 1990s, when mass tourism was still in its infancy, Koh Phi Phi offered a unique sense of seclusion and natural beauty.
The main island, Koh Phi Phi Don, the only inhabited island of the archipelago, was a quiet fishing village back then. Small wooden huts and bungalows lined the shores, mainly visited by backpackers and adventurous travelers. The famous Maya Bay, which later gained worldwide fame through the movie The Beach (2000), was an almost untouched gem – surrounded by towering cliffs that seemed to embrace it like a protective shield.
From my diary: “Everywhere, small fires burned, with smoke drifting through the coconut forest, making it feel almost mystical.” These impressions made Koh Phi Phi a place that sparked the imagination.
A highlight of the visit was the climb to the renowned View Point: “In the evening, we climbed to the View Point and had a fantastic view of the narrow strip of land between the two island peaks.” This unique land formation, dividing Phi Phi Don into two parts, is one of the region's most striking and beautiful features.
Not all experiences on Koh Phi Phi were purely positive, though. A snorkeling boat tour revealed that the environment was already feeling the impact of human activity: “The snorkeling trip was disappointing because the coral reefs were all dead, and there were only a few fish to see.” This experience highlighted the fragile beauty of nature and the need to protect it.
In 1990, Koh Phi Phi was a place where time seemed to stand still. Electricity was minimal, and instead of tourist crowds, visitors met welcoming locals who lived off fishing and coconut farming. While the archipelago has changed over the years, its core allure remains: an unparalleled natural setting that offers both adventure and relaxation. For those who experienced Koh Phi Phi in the 90s, it remains a memory of a time when paradise was still nearly untouched.
