The Moken Village, located in the Surin Islands, is home to the Moken sea gypsies. There are about 400 Moken people in Thailand and around 2,000-3,000 in Myanmar. The Moken lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle, often traveling by sea. About 20-30 years ago, several Moken families settled permanently in the Surin Islands. Their way of life, which involves frequent relocation, allows them to live off the natural resources without harming the biodiversity of the Surin Islands.
Highlights of Activities to Do When Visiting Moken Village, Surin Islands
The Moken are an indigenous community living on islands in the Andaman Sea, descended from the Proto-Malay who have roamed these waters for over 100 years, Moken Village in the Surin Islands offers a variety of activities for those interested in exploring and understanding the local culture. Here are some must-do activities
Explore the Beautiful Nature: The Surin Islands in Phang Nga Province are known for their stunning natural beauty. You can visit places like Khao Naksik, Khao Lan, or Phang Nga Bay to explore nature and enjoy a leisurely stroll through local markets.
Learn About Local Culture: Immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of the local community by participating in activities and local festivals. Support local arts and culture and experience the daily life of the people through eco-tourism activities such as camping in nature, island walking tours, and interacting with the Moken sea gypsies.
Boat Tours to Nearby Islands: Take a speedboat to visit various islands in the Andaman Sea, such as Nok Island, Yao Island, and Similan Islands. Enjoy the convenience of boat travel to explore these beautiful islands.
Snorkeling and Diving: The Surin Islands are a peaceful haven surrounded by nature, especially the underwater beauty where you can see rare marine life. This area is one of the best snorkeling spots in Thailand and is definitely worth a visit.
Support Local Souvenir Shops: Purchase unique souvenirs from the local villagers to support their community and take home a piece of your experience.
How to get to Moken Village
Moken Village is located in Surin Islands, Phang Nga Province. Traveling to the island can be done through various tour companies. Traveling by speedboat mainly has 3 piers:
- Tap Lamu Pier, travel from the pier to the island takes about 2 hours in normal weather conditions.
- Ban Nam Kem Pier, travel from the pier to the island takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes in normal weather conditions.
- Kuraburi Pier, travel from the pier to the island takes about 60 minutes in normal weather conditions.
In the case of tourists staying in Phuket or Khao Lak, Phang Nga Province, tour companies provide a pick-up and drop-off service.
Open for visits every day (except during the monsoon season)
*Tour companies will operate near the pier and walking streets along the beaches.
**The price of a one-day trip tour is around 1,890-3,500 baht, depending on the transportation, activities and facilities.
