Ban Thung Yee Pheng

Open Days: Please contact the community in advance to book activities

Opening Hours: Morning boat tour 05.30 - 07.30 / Evening boat tour 16.30 - 18.00 / Kayaking 08.00 - 16.00

 

Ban Thung Yee Pheng on Koh Lanta, Krabi, is a community-based ecotourism village on the eastern side of Koh Lanta Yai. It is known for its rich mangrove forest, nature-study boardwalk, saltwater canals, traditional paddle-boat sunrise tours, long-tail boat trips, kayaking, fish cages, local food, community products, and the peaceful Muslim coastal lifestyle that makes this area one of Koh Lanta’s most meaningful nature-based experiences.

 

Ban Thung Yee Pheng is located on the eastern side of Koh Lanta Yai in Ko Lanta District, Krabi Province. It is a community-based ecotourism destination shaped by mangrove forests, tidal canals, coastal livelihoods, and the long relationship between local people and natural resources. While many travelers know Koh Lanta for its beaches on the western coast, Thung Yee Pheng offers a quieter and more ecological side of the island. Here, the main attraction is not a beach or a viewpoint, but a living mangrove community where visitors can learn how forest, water, wildlife, food, and village life support one another.

 

The village name is linked to the local story of “Toh Yee Pheng,” an early settler associated with this area. After he passed away, the area became known as Thung Yee Pheng, and the name has continued as the identity of the community. Most villagers are Muslim and have lived in the area for generations. Traditional livelihoods include small-scale fishing, rubber farming, seafood-related work, community services, and conservation-based tourism. The village’s identity is therefore closely tied to water, forest, faith, work, and community cooperation.

 

The landscape of Ban Thung Yee Pheng is especially distinctive because it sits between foothill terrain, mangrove forest, saltwater canals, and Lanta Bay. The mangrove ecosystem is home to many forms of natural aquatic life, including shellfish, mud crabs, fish, shrimp, birds, fiddler crabs, and other small coastal species. The forest also works as a natural nursery for marine life and a protective barrier against coastal erosion. For the community, the mangrove is not only beautiful scenery. It is a source of food, income, ecological security, and cultural meaning.

 

The strength of Thung Yee Pheng’s tourism model comes from local conservation. Villagers recognized that the health of the mangrove forest directly affects fishing, food security, and daily life. Conservation came first, and tourism developed later as a way to support the community and share local knowledge. As a result, visitors are not simply consuming a nature experience. They are entering a learning space managed by people whose livelihoods depend on the forest remaining healthy.

 

The Thung Yee Pheng Ecotourism Center is the usual starting point for visitors. From the center, travelers can walk along the nature-study route and wooden boardwalk through the mangrove forest. The walkway allows visitors to observe mangrove roots, breathing roots, muddy ground, small crabs, canal edges, and coastal plants without stepping directly into sensitive areas. This makes the site suitable for families, students, educational groups, nature lovers, and travelers who want to understand mangrove ecology in a simple and accessible way.

 

The most memorable activity in Ban Thung Yee Pheng is the traditional paddle-boat trip to watch the first light of the day. The morning tour begins before sunrise. Local villagers paddle the boat and act as community guides, slowly taking visitors through quiet canals surrounded by mangrove trees. The sound of paddles touching the water, bird calls, cool morning air, and the changing color of the sky create a calm experience that feels very different from a fast island tour. The focus is on listening, observing, and letting the rhythm of nature set the pace.

 

The morning boat tour runs from 05.30 to 07.30. The boat leaves Thung Yee Pheng Pier before sunrise and moves through mangrove-lined canals toward the open bay. As the sun rises, the sky and water gradually change color, and the mangrove silhouettes become clearer. Birds begin to move, and the forest starts waking up. This experience is often described as a sunrise immersion in the mangrove forest and should be booked at least 1 day in advance.

 

The evening boat tour runs from 16.30 to 18.00. It offers a different atmosphere, with softer light, cooler air, and a calm transition from day to dusk. This round is suitable for travelers staying on Koh Lanta who prefer a relaxed activity after exploring the island during the day. Both morning and evening boat trips are guided by local villagers. One paddle boat can carry up to 6 passengers, creating a quieter and more personal experience.

 

For travelers who prefer to move by themselves, kayaking is available during the day from 08.00 to 16.00. Kayaking through the mangrove canals allows visitors to explore at a slower pace and see roots, waterways, small crabs, birds, and shaded forest passages at close range. Kayakers should wear life jackets, follow the community’s route guidance, avoid entering restricted areas, and never leave waste in the water or forest.

 

Long-tail boat tours are also available for travelers who want a more comfortable way to see the mangrove scenery. This option is suitable for families, older travelers, or visitors who prefer to sit back while a local boat operator takes them through the waterways. A long-tail boat trip can include views of the mangrove forest, canals, fish cages, and local fishing life. It helps visitors understand how the people of Thung Yee Pheng rely on the health of water, forest, and sea.

 

Local food is an important part of the Thung Yee Pheng experience. Community-linked dishes include rice with chili paste and dried fish, local vegetable curry, sticky rice desserts, fresh seafood, and meals using ingredients from the surrounding coastal ecosystem. During the morning boat tour, visitors may enjoy a simple breakfast such as hot drinks, sticky rice with dried mullet, and sticky rice with custard wrapped in banana leaves. The food is simple, but when combined with cool morning air and sunrise scenery, it becomes a memorable part of the trip.

 

During the travel season, villagers may sell local souvenirs such as tie-dye cloth, coconut-shell products, and community-made items. These products are meaningful because they are linked to local materials and local skills. Buying directly from the community helps distribute income to households and supports the idea that conservation and livelihoods can move together. For travelers looking for souvenirs with a real connection to Koh Lanta, Thung Yee Pheng is a good place to support local makers.

 

Ban Thung Yee Pheng also fits well with the larger green tourism direction of Koh Lanta and Krabi. The community focuses on careful use of natural resources, low-impact activities, and local participation. Visitors are expected to respect the forest, avoid loud behavior, avoid feeding wildlife, avoid touching aquatic animals unnecessarily, and keep all waste out of the mangrove area. Responsible behavior helps keep Thung Yee Pheng balanced as both a natural habitat and a community tourism destination.

 

Getting There from Krabi Town involves traveling toward Koh Lanta. Take Highway 4 on the Krabi-Trang route to the Ban Huai Nam Khao junction, then continue on Route 4201 toward the Ban Hua Hin vehicle ferry. After crossing to Koh Lanta Noi and then to Koh Lanta Yai, continue to the Lo Du Yong junction and turn onto the eastern island road. Follow the Sala Dan - Thung Yee Pheng - Old District - Sanga-U route for about 7 km to reach Ban Thung Yee Pheng. The route is suitable for private cars, rental cars, and rented motorcycles on Koh Lanta.

 

Travelers using public transport can take a service from Krabi Town to Koh Lanta and then arrange local transport or ask the community to help coordinate a pick-up. Because some activities start very early, especially the 05.30 sunrise boat tour, travelers who want the morning experience should stay on Koh Lanta the night before and confirm all meeting details with the community in advance.

 

Ban Thung Yee Pheng can be visited in several ways. A half-day visit can include the boardwalk, mangrove learning route, kayaking, a long-tail boat ride, or fish cage visit. Travelers staying overnight on Koh Lanta should consider the morning or evening paddle-boat experience, as these are the most atmospheric times of day. Visitors interested in deeper learning can arrange community meals, local product visits, mangrove conservation discussions, or guided interpretation with local people.

 

Nearby attractions can be included in the same itinerary. Lanta Old Town, the Koh Lanta Community Museum, Sanga-U Village, Khlong Nin Beach, Long Beach, Laem Tanod, and Mu Ko Lanta National Park can all be combined with Thung Yee Pheng depending on the amount of time available. The eastern side of Koh Lanta gives a quieter and more local atmosphere, while the western side offers beach resorts, sunsets, and easier access to beach facilities.

 

Visitors should remember that Thung Yee Pheng is a Muslim community. Modest clothing is recommended, and travelers should ask before taking photos of people, homes, or private areas. During water activities, wear a life jacket, follow the guide’s instructions, move carefully in the boat, and avoid disturbing wildlife. Choosing community-run services helps keep tourism income in the village and supports the conservation work that protects the mangrove forest.

 

In summary, Ban Thung Yee Pheng in Krabi is one of Koh Lanta’s best destinations for travelers who want a calm, ecological, and community-based experience. It combines mangrove forest, saltwater canals, nature-study boardwalks, paddle-boat sunrise tours, kayaking, long-tail boats, fish cages, local food, community products, and Muslim coastal life. With advance booking and respectful travel behavior, Thung Yee Pheng offers a deeper understanding of Koh Lanta as a place where conservation, livelihood, and tourism support one another.

 

 

A: Ban Thung Yee Pheng is located on the eastern side of Koh Lanta Yai in Ko Lanta District, Krabi Province. It is an ecotourism community known for mangrove forests and saltwater canals.

 

A: It is known for mangrove scenery, a wooden nature-study boardwalk, sunrise paddle-boat tours, long-tail boat trips, kayaking, fish cages, local food, and Muslim coastal community life.

 

A: Yes. Visitors should book at least 1 day in advance, especially for the morning and evening paddle-boat tours, because boats, local guides, and meeting times must be arranged.

 

A: The morning boat tour runs from 05.30 to 07.30, and the evening boat tour runs from 16.30 to 18.00. Kayaking is available from 08.00 to 16.00.

 

A: From Krabi Town, travel to Koh Lanta via the Ban Hua Hin vehicle ferry, continue to Koh Lanta Yai, then follow the eastern island road from the Lo Du Yong junction toward Thung Yee Pheng.

 

A: It is suitable for nature lovers, families, cultural travelers, ecotourism visitors, kayaking enthusiasts, and anyone who wants a calm mangrove experience away from the busier beach areas.

 

A: Visitors should book in advance, wear modest and comfortable clothing, bring sun protection, mosquito repellent, a dry bag, and follow the community guide’s instructions during water activities.

 

A: Travelers can combine the visit with Lanta Old Town, the Koh Lanta Community Museum, Long Beach, Khlong Khong Beach, Khlong Nin Beach, and Mu Ko Lanta National Park.