Phi Phi Don is an Island in Thailand that was initially populated by Muslim fishermen during the late-1940s. The island later became a coconut plantation.
The resident Thai population of Phi Phi Don remains more than 80 percent Muslim. The actual population however—if counting transient workers, it is more Buddhist than it is Muslim.
The islands came to worldwide prominence when Phi Phi was used as a location for the 2000 British-American film The Beach. This film caused some problems as it attracted much criticism, with claims that the film company had damaged the island’s environment, as the producers bulldozed beach areas and planted palm trees to make it more resemble descriptions in the book, an accusation the film’s makers contest. An increase in tourism was attributed to the film’s release, which resulted in increased environmental degradation. (article source)
