Landmark· Koh Surin Tai· Thailand
Moken Village (Ao Bon)
9° 24.3′ N · 97° 51.7′ E
Ao Bon Yai, the single village where the Surin Moken sea nomads, an estimated 150–330 people, consolidated after the 2004 tsunami. Their oral tradition of the laboon (the 'seventh wave') got them to high ground before the waves hit.
Practical
Coordinate is the OSM-mapped village on Surin Tai. It is visited by most Surin day trips, so arrive early or late to avoid the crowd. Land by dinghy at the beach. The Moken keep a traditional lifestyle, so ask before photographing people, buy handicrafts directly, and do not hand out sweets. The Southeast Asia Pilot calls them the Singh (Lion) tribe of Chao Lay.
Best for
Meeting the Moken sea-nomad community
Season
Mid-October to mid-May
Nearby
- Loi Reua Moken Ancestor Festival (Surin)Right here
- Koh Surin Nua Park HQ Anchorage (Chong Khad Bay)0.8 NM away
- Ao Suthep Snorkel Trail (Surin Tai)1 NM away
- Surin Islands Wildlife (turtles, macaques, gecko)1.1 NM away
- Surin National Park Fee and Burmese Border Permission1.1 NM away
- Ao Chong Khad Beach and Park HQ (Surin)1.2 NM away
- Ao Mae Yai, Koh Surin Nua1.2 NM away
- Ao Tao (Turtle Bay)1.4 NM away