Koh Panyee
A Muslim fishing village on stilts under a limestone cliff in Phang Nga Bay, home to the floating football pitch and the lunch stop on James Bond Island tours.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
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Details
- Phone
- 076 481 188
Full opening hours
Tours that include Koh Panyee
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Koh Panyee.
Why go, and how to do it well
Koh Panyee is a village more than an island. Around 1,600 people live in houses on stilts built out over the water beneath a towering limestone cliff in Phang Nga Bay, with the mosque on the rock behind. The community was founded by seafaring families from Java in the late 19th century, and it still lives mostly from fishing. Its most famous landmark is the floating football pitch the village children built after watching the 1986 World Cup; the Panyee FC youth team that grew out of it went on to win regional championships.
Most visitors arrive as the lunch stop on a James Bond Island tour, which means a seafood restaurant on the water and the souvenir lanes behind it at the busiest hour of the day. To see the village as a village, come before 10:00 or stay the night in one of its simple bungalows, when the boats have gone and life returns to normal.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
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Tours that include Koh Panyee
Skip-the-line entry, guided visits and day-tour combos around Koh Panyee.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Koh Panyee, round out your day in Phuket with contrasting stops nearby.
Ko Panyi, Subdistrict, Mueang Phangnga District
Open in Google MapsTips for Visiting Islands
Check Island Closures
Similan Islands, Surin Islands, and Koh Tachai close mid-May to mid-October. Some smaller islands reduce ferry service in monsoon season. Always verify schedules before planning your route.
Snorkel Gear Is Cheap to Buy
Rental gear is often scratched and ill-fitting. Buy a decent mask and snorkel at a Big C for 300–500 THB — cheaper than two days of rentals and much more hygienic.
Bring Cash to Smaller Islands
ATMs on smaller islands like Koh Kood, Koh Mak, and Koh Yao charge high fees and sometimes run out of cash. Withdraw enough on the mainland before heading over.
Koh Panyee: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Koh Panyee worth visiting?
Koh Panyee holds a 4.4★ rating from 39 Google reviews — a strong rating for islands in Phuket.
What are the opening hours of Koh Panyee?
Koh Panyee is open 24 hours a day — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Koh Panyee?
The best months to visit Phuket are November – April, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: June – September (rough seas).
Where is Koh Panyee located?
Koh Panyee is at Ko Panyi, Subdistrict, Mueang Phangnga District, in Phuket. Getting around Phuket: Grab (widely available); Tuk-tuks (fixed routes, negotiate).
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