KOH LIPE
ABOUT KOH LIPE
Koh Lipe (Lipe Island) is a hidden gem nestled in Satun Province, Thailand. on the Thai/Malaysian border. Located approximately 85 kilometers from Main Land. This vibrant tropical paradise has earned the reputation of Thailand’s best-kept secrets, which is populated with small islands and known for its coral-rich waters. From research paper’s announced that our Lipe is contains around 25% of living creatures in World’s species.
The island is well-suited for habitation due to flat terrain and gentle hills. Covering just 2 square kilometers area, this medium-sized island in the Adang-Rawi Archipelago in the Strait of Malacca, Andaman Sea. The highlight is the nature of coral surrounding the island, beautiful bay, and soft sandy beaches. The main beaches: Hat Bundaya or Pattaya Beach has a concave shape and fine white sand. On east side of island also has Hat Chao Lay or Sunrise Beach where you can watch the beauty of sunrise with green and clear water. Accommodation is available on Koh Lipe including Chao Lay village or the Urak Lawai community, which mostly engaged in local fishing.
Adang-Rawi Archipelago is part Tarutao National Marine Park. As located in the southwestern coast, the typical climate characteristics is tropical, with temperatures remaining fairly high and consistent throughout the year. The Adang-Rawi Archipelago is influenced by two monsoon seasons: The southwest monsoon during between May to late October or early November, which blows from the ocean towards the southwestern coast of the island, the Urak Lawoi people referred as “the Prat Wind”. Often brings heavy waves, and thunderstorms. Locals usually avoid working far from shore during this season. The northeast monsoon is starts from November and lasts until April, which blows from the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand towards the eastern coast and then southwestward to the western sea, affects the northeastern part of the island. Locals called “the Outgoing Wind”. During this period, there is less of rain and calmer seas, making it a suitable season for tourism.
“Paper’s Island”
the Hidden gem
of Andaman
During high season (October to June), there are several locations from which travelers can take a ferry or speedboat to Koh Lipe, including: Koh Lanta, Pak Bara, Phi Phi, Trang, and Langkawi (Malaysia). During low season (Mid-June to mid-October), the only way to get to Koh Lipe is by speedboat from Pak Bara. The ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe operates from mid-October until mid-May From Langkawi, The ferry schedule will be one trip or two trips daily depends on months, travelers can depart and arrive at Kuah Jetty Terminal or Telaga Harbour Terminal. From Koh Lipe, travelers can depart and arrive at Bundhaya Resort or Pattaya Beach. The journey will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Protected, Do Not Harm.
To be a variable tourist in National Park, it’s important to keep in mind the impact you have to the natural environment. Simple rules, Don’t harm animals, Place natural things back where you pick them up, Don’t left garbage, and use Reef-friendly sun screen.
Increasing number of population and tourism in recent years has resulted in number of new development to support accommodation and transportation along its coast which offers verities of facilities and services to match any budget. Another side from positive economic grown, There is an environment issues about waste management, wildlife conservation, and energy supplies. The parks department has been control the amount of building on the island as many developers have built resorts on National Park land. Upon Arrival at Koh Lipe, visitors are charged with National park admission and environmental fee.
Around 25% of
World’s species is
lives in Koh Lipe!
HISTORY
The word “Lipe” comes from Urak Lawoi languages means “a sheet of paper” because the island has a flat area and no high mountains. The people living on Koh Lipe and other islands in the Adang-Rawi Archipelago are divided into two groups of Urak Lawoi.
The first group of Urak Lawoi migrated from Koh Lanta around the 1890s. This group settled on Koh Lipe, which is the most suitable island for settlement compared to others. The favorable geographical conditions of Koh Lipe, with its flat terrain for building homes and farming, as well as the abundance of both terrestrial and marine resources in the archipelago, supported the traditional livelihoods of the Urak Lawoi.
The pioneer and leader of the Urak Lawoi during this period was Toh Khiri, a Muslim from Indonesia who arrived about 100 years ago. He traveled from Aceh with four friends in search of land. Toh Khiri fell in love with an Urak Lawoi woman and decided to settle on Koh Lipe. Toh Khiri became the first person to establish a permanent residence on Koh Lipe.
In 1909, another group of Urak Lawoi migrated to settle on Adang-Rawi Archipelago due to political reasons related to border demarcation. When the Thai-Malaysian border was being defined, the governor of Satun (Phaya Phuminart Phakdi) requested Toh Khiri to encourage sea people from Koh Sireh in Phuket and Koh Lanta in Krabi, both Urak Lawoi communities to settle in the Adang-Rawi Archipelago. This was to provide evidence that the land belonged to Siam by demonstrating the presence of Siamese families.
Thus, it can be said that initially, In 1897 the Urak Lawoi only established their settlement on Koh Lipe. However, from 1909 onwards, their settlement expanded to other islands within the Adang-Rawi Archipelago.
The settlement of the Urak Lawoi in the Adang-Rawi Archipelago underwent another change with the establishment of Tarutao National Park in 1974. This designation required the Urak Lawoi, who had been living on various islands throughout the archipelago, to relocate to areas permitted by the park authorities. As a result, they were restricted to living only on Koh Lipe and parts of Koh Adang. Since 1974, the Urak Lawoi have resided exclusively on Koh Lipe and parts of Koh Adang. The government designated this area as Village 7 of Tambon Koh Sarai, Amphoe Mueang, Satun Province, and this village is known as “Ban Koh Lipe”.
KOH LIPE’S DECLARATION
When the ancestors uttered the words “We are Siam” 114 years ago. The waters, sea, and islands of Tarutao have continued to belong to Thailand. Descendants of the sea gypsies continue pioneering through the faith of the ancestors, peace and respect for nature maintaining the multicultural ethnicity of the Urak Lawoi in Satun. Under the principles of community rights and fairness, join in creating sustainable development to the area that protects the way of life of the Urak Lawoi, Lipe and Koh Adang ethnic from now on.
Race and Traditional
The originally settled race on Koh Lipe is the sea gypsies, called “Chao Lay” who’s still live in Chao Lay village which is located on the East side of the island. Originally tribe from Malaysia, Chao Lay speak Rawi – a combination of Thai and Malaysian languages. After the definition Tarutao as Thai’s territories, Chao Lay is also registrated as Thai and using the last name “Haad Thalay” from since.
Before the announcement of the establishment of Tarutao National Park in 1974, the Urak Lawoi people lived widely in the area of the Adang-Rawi Archipelago, such as Koh Lipe, Koh Adang and Koh Rawi, especially at Koh Lipe. Then after established of Tarutao National Park, according to the rules of the national park, results The population from various islands in the Adang-Rawi archipelago must migrate to live on Koh Lipe. and some parts of Koh Adang only at present Koh Lipe has a population of approximately 1,800 people, of whom over 1,200 are Leu Rak Lawoi people.
Old Culture traditional of local people or Urak Lawai is called “Per La Chak”. The villages will be grating around and built a boat and than floated it away, belief their would floate away suffering and misfortunes from the communities. This traditions held two times per year, during 13th – 15th evening of the sixth lunar month (May) and 12th lunar month (November).
Moreover, Urak Lawai also beliefs about black magic. Making charms from the tears of the Yong catfish (dugong), using magical spells to treat disease, looking at auspicious times, beliefs about occupations. and beliefs about the use of talismans.
Getting around
Popular activities for visitors to Koh Lipe does include water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking, boat trip around islands and reefs while drinking and dining, particularly fresh seafood on walking street and sight seeing of natural views.
KOH ADNAG
Ko Adang is the second biggest island within Tarutao National Marine Park, in Thailand, very close to Ko Lipe island. The island is 6 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide. The highest point on the island is 690 meters. Adang is surrounded by only few sandy beaches, but the offshore coral reef is abundant. The hilly interior is covered in dense jungle. There are two waterfalls on Ko Adang.
There are some mountain trails suitable for hiking through the jungle forest. View points along the way offer views over the nearby island of Ko Lipe and the sea panorama behind.
The island is very quiet and undeveloped, thanks to being part of Tarutao National Park. On the southern tip (closest to Ko Lipe) there are camping facilities, as well as bungalows, all belonging to the national park. There is also a ranger station. Long-tail boats can be hired to get to other sights on and around Ko Adang, including a black sand beach to the north of the island.
KOH RAWI
The island It is located just one kilometre from ko Adang. This island has an area of about 29 sq km, with a beautiful beach, crystal clear sea, and serenity. There is no accommodation on the island. Visitors usually come here to enjoy swimming and diving on the coral reef.
Ko Ra Wi is very beautiful sandy beaches and coral reefs. There are several small islands around Mu Ko Ra Wi including Ko A Dang Ko Li Pe, Ko Dong, Ko Hin Ngam, and Kao Yang . Diving can be done around Ko A Dang and Ko Rawi. The area of Ko Ra Wi is mountainous and covered with forest and has a waterfall where water runs all year round.
KOH YANG
Koh Yang is located between Koh Adang and Koh Rawi, northern from Koh Hin Ngam. This island has beautiful sandy beach in both side. The area around the island is covered with hard corals such as staghorn coral. mustard coral, and beautiful fish in the coral reef. Very suitable for snorkeling.
KOH HIN NGAM
Located to the southwest of ko Adang and is a small island. The beach has black rocks of different shapes with beautiful patterns. When touched by water, they become a beautiful lustre. On the island, there is a sign warning about the curse of Chaopho Tarutao regarding the prohibition of bringing rocks or moving stones out of the national park area.
JA BANG
oh Jabang located in the East of Koh Hin Ngam and between Koh Adang and Koh Rawi. It takes only 20 minutes by long-tail boat from Koh Adang. In the sunshine day, Koh Jabang is offering you the best scenery of under waterworld.
This is one of the diving site that has a magnificent view of coral reefs, this site is also loaded of marine life which those photographer will like it more, this is the prize when you visit the place these beautiful scenery.
HAT BUNDHAYA
Hat Bundhaya or Pattaya Beaches is located on southesat side of Koh Lipe, about 700 meters from Hat Chao lay.
HAT CHAO LAY
The Sunrise Beach on Koh Lipe, also known as Haad Chao Ley, is a beautiful white sandy beach and, moreover, one of the most fascinating beaches in Thailand. It stretches for about 2 kilometers over the entire eastern side of the island and is considered the best swimming spot for a stay on Koh Lipe. The crystal clear and almost kitschy turquoise blue sea is beautiful.
WALKING STREET
Walking street is the heart of Koh Lipe. It’s the centre – the village. It is typical of many villages that you find on islands all over Thailand with narrow, interconnecting paths connecting to its main walkway. Walking Street is the place to go for massages, 7/11’s, ATM’s, pharmacies, clinics etc… It’s also a good place to purchase snorkelling trips and onward tickets to other destinations in Thailand from one of the many travel shops. Walking Street offers a number of hotels situated on and close to it.
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