View source for Ko Yao Yai

{{Short description|Island in Phang Nga bay, Thailand}}
[[Image:Tambon 8202.png|thumb|Map of Ko Yao sub-districts. Kao Yao Noi (1); Kao Yao Yai (2); Phru Nai (3)]]

'''Ko Yao Yai ('''{{langx|th|เกาะยาวใหญ่}}) is the larger of the two big islands in the [[Ko Yao Archipelago]]. The island group is in [[Phang Nga Bay]] in the [[Phang Nga Province]] of southern [[Thailand]]. ''Ko Yao Yai'' means 'big long island'. The other main island of the group is ''[[Ko Yao Noi]]'' ('little long island'), off Ko Yao Yai's north side and separated from it by a narrow sound. The two islands form Phang Nga's [[Ko Yao District]].
The population of Ko Yao is about 18,000 (2018). Ninety percent are [[Muslim]]s. The area of the archipelago is 147&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. It lies around 600 km south of Bangkok and about 50 km from Phuket or Phang Nga. Ko Yao Noi is more popular with visitors as it has more facilities.<ref name="BP-20190103">{{cite news |last1=Svasti |first1=Pichaya |title=Going Green |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/social-and-lifestyle/1604482/going-green |accessdate=2019-01-03 |work=Bangkok Post |date=2019-01-03}}</ref> 

[[File:Ko Yao Yai.jpg|480px|thumbnail|left|Ko Yao Yai Island]]

Legends say that the island of Ko Yao was split into two islands by battling sea serpents.<ref name="BP-20190103"/>

==References==
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==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090628224336/http://paddleasia.com/map_phang_nga_bay.htm Phang Nga Bay map]
*[https://kohyaoislandtour.com/tour/koh-yao-yai-elephant-sanctuary/ Koh Yao Yai Elephant Sanctuary (Koh Yao Elephant Care)]
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[[Category:Islands of Thailand]]
[[Category:Geography of Phang Nga province]]
[[Category:Islands of the Strait of Malacca|Yao Yai]]