The story of Ko Panyee’s floating football pitch

In so many ways, Phang Nga Bay is a remarkable location. Remarkable for its dramatic scenery, which famously served as a backdrop to iconic scenes in the James Bond classic ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’. The Bay is also known for the village of Ko Panyee (Ko Panyi), an incredible display of ingenuity by the nomadic Muslim fishermen who first established a village on stilts here between 200 and 300 years ago. And more recently, another remarkable chapter was added to the story of this location following the unlikely rise of the village football team, Panyee FC.  

Inspired by the World Cup

Mexico is one of the co-hosts for the 2026 World Cup. The last time the country hosted the biggest sporting event on the planet was in 1986, and it was that tournament in Mexico that inspired a group of Thai youngsters on Ko Panyee. Crowded around a tiny television screen watching match highlights, the kids on Ko Panyee wanted to play on their own pitch. But there was an obvious problem. No football pitch. Depending on where you lived, Diego Maradona was being feted or hated in that summer of ’86. But while the Argentinian number 10 was weaving his magic, the Thai youngsters showed that you don’t need the ‘Hand of God’ to succeed. They achieved their dreams with their bare hands, the optimism of youth, and the entrepreneurial endeavour ingrained in them as part of this close-knit island community.

The video below is from a campaign by TMB Bank in 2011. The video may be old, but it beautifully captures the story of the Ko Panyee football team and how small steps can make a difference. The researchers used interviews with the original players, and the film features local children to retell the story.

After school and in their spare time, the youngsters set to work building their dreams. Using fishing rafts and any scraps of wood they could find, they managed to cobble together something resembling a pitch. No jumpers for goalposts here. With nails protruding, ragged edges everywhere, no stability, and no barrier to stop the ball going in the sea, this was a health and safety manager’s worst nightmare. But this was Thailand in the 1980s. Health and safety was not a priority. In many areas of Thai life, it still isn’t. Mai pen rai. If there’s a nail sticking up, don’t step on it. If you kick the ball in the water, you’re the one who has to jump in and get it. 

The pitch was complete. Far from perfect, but complete. The boys had silenced the many doubters who said they were crazy to form a football team, let alone build a pitch. At first, it was just kickabouts between themselves. That was enough to keep them happy. To start with, at least. It was ‘sanuk’, but they soon wanted another challenge. To test themselves and their newly-honed skills against a team on a proper pitch. 

Opportunity knocks

Call it fate, call it destiny; Thais call it ‘chok cha-dtaa’, and it came in the form of a simple leaflet. A leaflet that had been brought over from the mainland promoting a one-day football tournament on the Phang Nga mainland. The boys wanted to play, but were they good enough? There was only one way to find out.

Before they left the village, there was a surprise. The community had seen the effort and commitment of the youngsters. The villagers had pitched in to buy proper football kits and boots for the boys who were representing their community. Some also travelled to the mainland to cheer the team on.

The team were nervous, but the skills they learned stood them in good stead. The Ko Panyee lads wouldn’t have known it at the time, but their story had similarities with Maradona. Diego Armando was also barefoot when he was learning his skills on the uneven Buenos Aires street pitches. Like the Argentinian, their footwork and close control were a product of their tough environment. Despite their initial lack of confidence, the boys realised they were better than they thought, and they progressed to the semi-final. 

In heavy rain, the Panyee team trailed by two goals to nil at half-time. They decided to ditch their heavy, wet boots at the interval and play barefoot in the second half. It was an inspired decision. They levelled the match and looked like they could go on to win. Sadly for them, it was not to be, with a last-minute winner for their opponents breaking their hearts. They were still proud of their achievements and so were the villagers.

The team lost on the day, but ultimately they won because the tournament was the catalyst for football on Ko Panyee to really take off. More people of all ages wanted to play. A better pitch was built. The foundations were laid for Panyee FC to become one of Southern Thailand’s most successful youth football teams.

It started with Mexico ’86 and an improbable dream in the unlikeliest of locations. The Ko Panyee community showed that dreams can come true. You have to believe and put in the work, but it can happen. 

Upgrades to the pitch
The effects of the sea air and tropical conditions have meant that the original pitch has been repaired and upgraded several times over the years. In 2o24, a full refurbishment of the historic floating pitch was funded by the Gumball 3000 Foundation, with a new surface laid and fencing added to stop the ball going in the sea.

Visiting Ko Panyee

Most tourists visit Ko Panyee from Phuket as part of a one-day tour that takes in other attractions in Phang Nga Bay, including ‘James Bond Island’. Trips can also be organised from Krabi and Khao Lak. While these group tours are convenient, it can get crowded during the high season (November-February), with several boats arriving at the same time. Ko Panyee is used as a lunch stop on many tours of Phang Nga Bay, so the busiest time is late morning to early afternoon.   

If you are staying in Phang Nga town, you can opt for the quieter alternative of hiring a private longtail boat from one of the piers near town: Surakul Pier or Tha Dan Pier. Prices are negotiable, but expect to pay in the region of 2,000 Baht for a private trip. The trip takes around 25 minutes, and you should aim to arrive before 10 AM to beat the tour groups. Once you’ve visited the football pitch, help support the local economy by buying from the village vendors and eating at the restaurants on Ko Panyee.  

It’s also possible to stay overnight at a few homestays on Ko Panyee. Not all are easy to book online, but James Bond Bungalow has an online presence and a Facebook page. If you do stay overnight, be extra respectful of your hosts and the community.

When visiting Ko Panyee, please respect local culture. While tourism helps the local economy, this is still a Muslim village, and visitors should dress and act respectfully. Ask permission before photographing residents and be especially respectful near children and religious activities. Don’t bring alcohol or pork to the island and avoid bringing single-use plastics with you.

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