Essentials
- City
- Koh Phi Phi Don, Krabi Province, Thailand
- Population
- Approx. 2,500 permanent residents; grows to 5,000+ with tourists
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps; Starlink available at high-end resorts like SAii Phi Phi Island Village
- Currency & Banking
- 1 THB ≈ 0.028 USD, 1 USD ≈ 36 THB. Multiple ATMs at Ton Sai Pier (Siam Commercial Bank, Krungthai)
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; skip the tap. Buy 1.5L bottles for ~20-30 THB at 7-Eleven
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type A/B/C sockets. Power outages are common during storms
- SIM Card
- AIS or TrueMove H; 30-day unlimited data plans for ~699 THB available at kiosks near the pier
- Banking for Expats
- Mostly cash-based; Revolut/Wise accepted at major hotels and P.P. Palmgarden
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses, resorts, and long-term bungalow rentals via local Facebook groups
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited; cards accepted at 7-Eleven and 4-star hotels, otherwise carry cash
- Short Term Rentals
- P.P. Casita (approx. 1,500 THB/night) or Airbnb apartments in the village area
- Budget Accommodation
- Voyagers Hostel (approx. 450-600 THB/night) or Blanco Beach Bar
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Ton Sai Village for convenience or Long Beach for quieter stays
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Loh Dalum Bay (east side) for a balance of social life and quieter guesthouses like Phi Phi Arboreal Resort
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking; major hubs are at SAii Phi Phi Island Village (limited access) or using 'DP Coffee'
- Best Cafe for Work
- Patcharee Bakery (Ton Sai); consistent Wi-Fi, AC, and good coffee (100 THB)
- Networking Events
- Unofficial meetups at 'The Only Bar' or 'Banana Rooftop Bar' during sunset hours
- Social Events for Expats
- Beach clean-up days organized by Trash Hero Koh Phi Phi (weekly)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- None. There are no motor vehicles except for emergency/police. Use Longtail Boat taxis
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not available; the island is pedestrian-only. Walking or boat are the only ways
- Best Beach Nearby
- Long Beach; 20-min walk from Ton Sai or 100 THB longtail boat ride
- Top Regional Airline
- Bangkok Airways (flying into Krabi or Phuket airports)
- Top International Airline
- Qatar Airways or Emirates (connecting through Phuket/Bangkok)
- Highway Access
- None; accessible only by ferry (1.5 - 2 hours from Krabi/Phuket)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Ton Sai Pier (Primary entry and exit point)
- Public Transport Passes
- None. Longtail boat prices are fixed/negotiated per trip (approx. 150-300 THB)
- Regional Travel
- Ferries to Phuket (450 THB) or Koh Lanta (400 THB) depart twice daily
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Phi Phi Hospital (Public) or Worldmed Clinic (Private, good for expats)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Keiritas Yoga; daily classes overlooking the bay (~400 THB/session)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Phi Phi Gym (near the water tower); daily passes for 200 THB
- Laundry Services
- Standardized at 50-80 THB per kg at numerous stalls in the village
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Order directly from restaurants for pickup or walking delivery
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Massaman Curry at Papaya Restaurant (approx. 120-150 THB)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Dow Restaurant; famous for high-quality vegetarian Thai food (approx. 100 THB)
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Mango Garden; Mango Sticky Rice is ~180 THB
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Local market stalls near the mosque in the center of the village
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Lazada.co.th (deliveries arrive at the pier, you pick up from local hubs)
- Grocery Delivery
- Not available; shop at 7-Eleven or the local fresh market
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Loh Dalum Bay (Fire shows at Slinky Hostel/Carlito’s Bar)
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; Singha and Chang are the standard beers (80-120 THB)
- Wine Bars
- Unni’s Restaurant; selection of imported wines and cocktails
- Street Food Stalls
- Ton Sai Market; grilled skewers for 10-20 THB
- Popular International Cuisine
- Cosmic Restaurant; famous for huge Italian pizzas (250-350 THB)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Phi Phi Viewpoint 1, 2, and 3 (Entry fee 30-50 THB)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Tsunami Memorial Garden inside the village
- Historical Sites
- Viking Cave (accessible only by boat; view from water)
- Religious Sites
- Koh Phi Phi Mosque (Ao Lo Dalam area)
- Annual Events
- Loy Krathong (November) celebrated with floating baskets on the sea
- Cultural Districts
- The Muslim Village area (near the north end of Ton Sai)
- Theater Venues
- None. Nightly fire shows on Loh Dalum beach provide the main entertainment
- Local Markets
- Phi Phi Market (Morning market for fresh fruit and local snacks)
- Music Scene
- Reggae Bar (includes Muay Thai matches) and Carlito’s Bar for live DJs
- Street Art
- Limited murals near the harbor and local guesthouses
- Cooking Classes
- Pum Thai Restaurant & Cooking School (approx. 1,000-1,500 THB)
- Art Galleries
- Simple gift shops featuring local shell art and photography
- Historic Buildings
- Original wooden bungalows tucked away in the jungle trails
- Local Heritage
- Sea Gypsy (Chao Ley) culture remains in small pockets of the surrounding islands
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh (15 min longtail ride; 400 THB entry fee)
- National Parks Nearby
- Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Hiking trail from Ton Sai to Loh Bagao Bay (approx. 1 hour walk)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Viewpoint 2 at sunset for the iconic 'H' shape of the island
- Birdwatching Locations
- Mangrove forests on the north side of Phi Phi Don
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Beachfront bars in Loh Dalum (Slinky, Blanco) have managed fires
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Kerry Express or Thailand Post (pickup near Ton Sai pier)
- Tech Repair Services
- None on island; must travel to Krabi Town or Phuket town
- Table Tennis Spots
- Standard at larger hostels like Ibiza House
- Language Classes
- Informal lessons at Pum's Thai School
- Libraries & Study Spots
- No libraries; many nomads work from hotel lobby lounges
- Community Centers
- Local village meeting hall near the administration office
- Gaming Lounges
- A few small internet cafes remain near the market
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Thailand; none available
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 120,000 THB per m² (Mostly leasehold only, foreign ownership restricted)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 80,000 THB per m² (Highland/Jungle areas)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 6,000,000 THB (50 m² leasehold condo)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,500,000 THB (50 m² jungle bungalow)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 10,000,000 THB (80 m² luxury villa)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 7,500,000 THB (80 m² hill-side property)
- Corporate Tax
- 20% (Standard rate in Thailand)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Resident if in country 180+ days; taxed on income brought into Thailand
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (over 5M THB)
- VAT
- 7%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- None currently active in Thailand
- Property Tax
- Land and Building Tax ranges from 0.01% to 0.7%
- Property Transaction Tax
- Transfer fee 2%, Stamp duty 0.5% (typically split between parties)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- LTR Visa (Long-Term Resident) offers 17% flat tax for high-skilled professionals