Koh Panyee: The Floating Village That Feels Like Another World

Tucked into the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay is Koh Panyee; a village built entirely on stilts above the water. It was founded over 200 years ago by Indonesian fishermen and has since grown into a floating community with homes, shops, a mosque, restaurants, and even a soccer field, all suspended above the sea.

Walking through it, I couldn’t help but feel like I had stepped into a scene from the movie, Waterworld. The floating pathways, the houses perched on stilts, the backdrop of jagged cliffs, it felt surreal, very cinematic. There were narrow wooden walkways weaving through homes and storefronts, kids running barefoot, the smell of grilled seafood in the air, and the echo of the mosque’s call to prayer in the background.

One thing that stood out was the presence of bird cages — small ones, each holding a single bird. They were everywhere. And while I’m sure they hold cultural or personal meaning for the locals, it gave the place an eerie, almost haunting feeling. I’m going to be honest and tell you I definitely examined one of the cages to see where the door or opening was and I gave thought to setting them free.

There’s something deeply humbling about seeing a village like this; built not for tourists, but out of necessity and resilience. Koh Panyee isn’t polished. A lot of the homes didn’t have any window coverings and most had their front doors open. A great amount of homes appeared not to have furniture and many people were sitting out on the floors in front of their homes socializing. It’s like nothing I have seen before. The whole community, it challenges your mind and stays with you in a way.

If you go, do more than snap a photo or stay towards the front of the community where all the shops are located. Walk through the paths towards the mosque and take the time to explore a little.