Urak Lawoi: the sea nomads of Ko Lipe and their changing world

On the far edge of Thailand, amid the warm swells of the Andaman Sea, lives a people whose way of life has stayed unusual for generations. They are known as the Urak Lawoi, often called sea nomads. They don’t roam the mainland: their routes are the open waters, and their homes are on islands and in boats.

Who the Urak Lawoi are

These communities live in southern Thailand, including on Ko Lipe. In the past they led an almost itinerant life—moving from place to place, fishing, gathering shellfish, and living off what the sea provided. They call themselves people of the sea, and even now, as everything around them shifts, the water remains their main source of livelihood and inspiration.

Their language and traditions

The Urak Lawoi have their own language, close to Malay. Yet fewer people use it—especially children. Schools teach in Thai, and the mother tongue is steadily receding. If this continues, it could disappear in time.

Their culture runs deep: they sing and dance, mark festivals by their own customs, and believe that everything around them—trees, water, wind—is alive. Some villages now have Buddhist temples and influences from other religions, but core practices still revolve around nature.

When tourism arrived

Ko Lipe, home to many Urak Lawoi, has become a magnet for visitors. It has earned a nickname as the Maldives of Thailand for its striking beaches and clear water. Prosperity followed—but so did pressure.

Fishing grounds once used by locals have given way to hotels. Land that long felt like theirs sometimes ends up in other hands. Some families lose access to the shore and, with it, their familiar rhythm of life. It’s a tough break, because the sea is not just a job; it is part of who they are.

What comes next

There are projects that help the Urak Lawoi preserve their culture: schools where children learn the mother tongue and programs that provide support. Today they still build boats, hold rituals before heading out to sea, and tell their children how their ancestors lived. As long as those traditions are passed on, the people endure.