Ko Lipe (Thai: เกาะหลีเป๊ะ) (sometimes spelled Koh Lipe) is an island in Satun Province, off the Andaman Coast of Southern Thailand. It is 50km northwest of Langkawi, Malaysia, 67km west of Pak Bara, and 200km southeast of Phuket. It is part of a cluster of islands called the Butang / Adang Archipelago.
Ko Lipe is known for diving, snorkeling, beautiful white sand beaches, and a relaxed atmosphere. It has been referred to as "The Maldives of Thailand".
The name "Ko Lipe" is a corrupted version of the Malay name, Pulau Nipis, meaning "thin island".
In 1973, Tarutao National Park was established; however, Ko Lipe is outside of the jurisdiction of the neighboring 51 islands of Tarutao National Park, and as such, development is permitted on the island.
The island is home to about 500 Urak Lawoi sea gypsies ("chao leh" in Thai and "orang laut" in Malay) who are descendants of the first and only inhabitants of the island 300 years ago. Many of them fled in the late 1800s, when the Dutch mistook them for pirates, due to their nomadic lifestyle. Ownership of the island was disputed since it was uninhabited, and to prevent Malaysian encroachment, they were given a grant to half of the island and live in small villages, predominantly around the far east side of the island near Sunrise Beach. Although some are involved in tourism, many sustain from fishing and farming of rice and vegetables. They retain their animist beliefs in the spirits of their ancestors, the island, and the sea. Twice a year, during the full moon in late May or early June and in late October or early November, they hold a 3-day spiritual festival called pla juk or loy rua, where they pay respects to the memory of their ancestors.
In the 1980s, currency was introduced to the island. Resorts were constructed starting in the 1990s.
Tourism has resulted in water shortages, waste disposal issues, and other environmental problems. It is common to see garbage being burnt since there are not many reliable options for waste disposal. To help combat this problem, many restaurants and bars will refill used plastic or reusable water bottles for free or very little cost. Look for places with white water jugs or standard water dispensers to reduce waste.