Floating soccer pitch in Thailand
Football is a sport that brings the world together, whether played on freshly trimmed stadium fields or along dusty village streets. Enter Koh Panyee, a fishing village in Phang Nga Province of southern Thailand, that’s got a very special floating football field that sits atop stilts in the water.
Inspired by the 1986 World Cup
Image credit: @giuliogroebert
Until the recent decades, Koh Panyee used to be a quiet fishing island unknown to most travellers around the world. But thanks to its unique attraction, it stands as a popular tourist destination that reels in visitors who want to see it IRL.
Image credit: @va.sine
Their floating football pitch was born out of inspiration after the World Cup in 1986, where a group of footie fans decided to build a pitch on the water as they hardly had any land to play on. Soon, the group grew to be Panyee FC, which has won several regional championships in the country.
The island is surrounded by beautiful limestone cliffs and houses around 1,600 villagers
Image credit: @blowithand
The island is so popular among both local and international tourists today, largely thanks to the popularity of the team which helped bring villagers out of unemployment and poverty. TMB Bank even released a short film inspired by how Panyee FC and their iconic football pitch came to be.
Image adapted from: TMB Bank
With space being an issue, the then-young team had to resort to building a pitch out of wood scraps and nails, and tied fishing rafts together to bring it to life. Thankfully, it was later refurbished and is much safer to play on these days.
Image credit: @victor_kinny
And if Koh Panyee looks familiar, you may have recognised it from when it was featured as a pit stop on the 19th season of The Amazing Race.
Visiting Koh Panyee’s iconic football pitch
Image credit: @marinandben
Besides scoring goals, Koh Panyee is a beautiful island to visit to try some super fresh seafood and soak in the sun. Do note that the island’s community is predominantly Muslim, so dressing appropriately is important.
Pop by one of their famous seafood restaurants for a meal by the ocean. Spot the village’s mosque in the distance!
Image credit: @j_tsyhanok
The island can be reached via a longtail boat which can be rented from Surakul Pier. You can also get here via a motorboat from Tha Dan Port at Phang Nga Town. For more information, click here.
Cover images adapted from (L-R): @blowithand, @chris_stair