The name Phi Phi is derived from old Malay name for the island, which was origianlly Pulao Piah Pi.  Pulao is the Malay word for island.  Pronunciation of the Pi  part of the name was very similar to the English word " be".

The "ah" was eventually dropped and so the name became somrthing like Bi Bi. Later the "p" was pronounced with a stronger aspiration and the name became the Phi Phi which we know today.

Bird eyes view of Phi Phi Island	Phi Phi don

The name refers to mangrove forest here. There are six island altogerther in the group- Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Ley, Biddah Nok,Yung and Pair - with a total ares of 42 square km. They area was officially preserved as a national park in 1983.

What are of much greater interest to ordinary tourist are the colourfull coral and exotic fisges of many different colours and shapes. Large fishes such as blue marlin are occausionally caught.

Phi Phi is a paradise in the Andaman Sea. Visitors to Phuket should not miss it if the schedule is not too tight.