Indian Ocean tsunami: How a coastal community in Thailand miraculously survived without casualties

Traditionally, they lived on boats with fishing as a main source of food and income, only staying on land during the monsoon season.

In recent decades, there has been a gradual shift in the Moken way of life, as more turn to permanent housing on land and work in bigger cities.

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Fang Klathale, a member of the Moken community, has called the ocean her home for most of her life.

But now, at 96 years old, Fang is staying in mainland Thailand in order to be closer to medical services.

While her age and healthcare needs have compelled her to move, she is worried that younger members – many of whom have also left their homes to work in cities – are losing touch with their culture.

“The kids these days don’t speak the Moken language. They don’t understand it anymore. They’re all speaking Thai now,” she told CNA.

Fang’s traditional home is on Koh Phra Thong, one of the hundreds of islands in the Andaman Sea, about an hour’s boat ride away from mainland Thailand.

Only about 800 people live on the island. Unlike nearby Phuket, few tourists visit and islanders live a quiet life.

The island used to house three schools but today, only one remains.