Double Awards in Phuket

Assalamualaikum my friends. Surprisingly, Phuket was the first flight destination in my life. I went there alone, purposely to attend a conference participated in by lecturers and students from the serumpun region: Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Thailand.

I engaged in various exciting activities in Phuket, including attending the conference, presenting my paper, exploring the town at night, visiting landmarks, enjoying lunch and dinner, boating, sketching, and more. However, the highlights of this trip were receiving awards, the Best Paper Award and “the award” of exploring Koh Pan Yee Village, known as a Muslim floating village. These two moments have lingered in my mind ever since the visit.

On 6th August 2025, I departed from Malaysia in the late evening and arrived in Phuket at around 8.00pm (Phuket time). The distance from Phuket Airport to Hotel Le Erawan in Phang Nga was quite far; it took about 1 hour and 30 minutes by van. Alongside me were several lecturers from UPSI and the VIP of the conference.

Around 10.00pm, we stopped at a local Muslim restaurant for dinner, located just opposite our hotel. The area had several stores such as 7-Eleven, a gas station, KFC, and Cafe Amazon. I ordered beef soup noodles and kopi O. I felt fortunate to share a table with these respected figures who have contributed significantly to the field of Malay language and literature. We checked in at 11.30pm and prepared for the next day’s programme.

After breakfast, we were divided into three seminar rooms, and I was placed in the second group. The conference began at 8am, and each participant was given 20 minutes, including the Q&A session. My presentation started at 11am, where I presented on Mah Meri sculptures. The session went positively, with many arguments, insights, and constructive suggestions. I truly appreciated every helpful feedback shared by the experienced audience.

At 4pm, all presentations concluded, and we were invited to the hotel rooftop for inspiring lectures and dialogue sessions by four speakers, including a Sasterawan Negara and representatives from Malaysian and Thai universities, as well as Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kuala Lumpur. Afterwards, we had tea and took group photos against the backdrop of undulating hills, vast oil palm plantations, and clusters of commercial and residential areas.

In the evening, participants relaxed freely. Many visited the stores nearby, while I chose to sit alone at the hotel cafe, sketching and reflecting. The atmosphere was harmonious, with local riders passed by on their motorcycles, some without helmets, others walking or driving casually, and at one point I noticed a lorry transporting babi. It was a scene of everyday life, raw and real.

I did not expect the conference to include an award ceremony that night. The ceremony consisted of a formal dinner, live cultural performances, speeches, and a lucky draw. Awards were allocated in three categories, and I was shortlisted under the culture category, known as Anugerah Azah Aziz. When my name was announced as the winner, I felt incredibly cheerful and grateful. The participants around me were supportive and positive. I took photos with them and extended the night with more introductions and conversations. It was a truly momentous night, and of course, I slept peacefully afterwards.

The next morning, breakfast was simple, milk, coffee, peas and cornflakes were my favourites. We then went on a tour to several landmarks, including James Bond Island, Phang Nga National Park, and Koh Pan Yee Village. The entire excursion was nature-centric, as Phang Nga is surrounded by mangroves and limestone hills.

We explored by boat and encountered many Western tourists, some on luxurious yachts, others on long-tail boats. At James Bond Island, there were souvenir shops, swimming area, stalls, and small hills for hiking. Many tourists were swimming and enjoying the scenery freely.

We also did kayak through a hidden lagoon area surrounded by mangroves, small caves, and even a floating restaurant. We just sat at the back while exchanging stories and and learning Thai language with a kayak man.

In the afternoon, we headed to Koh Panyee Village, a floating Muslim village, and spent about three hours there. As I approached the village, I saw a golden mosque, timber houses, small jetties, parked sampans, children running, and tourists dining at seafood restaurants. While many sampans were plain, the boats were colourful and vibrant.

After lunch, we explored further into the village. The houses were interconnected by irregular pathways, some concrete, mostly timber. Homes stood closely along these paths, with many villagers operating small businesses in front of their houses, selling food, clothing, toys, and more. They mainly spoke Thai, with only a few understanding English.

The settlement was informal and organic. Some kept birds in cages as a hobby. House entrances often faced each other, creating intimate communal spaces. You could glimpse kitchens, parked sampans, hanging laundry, living rooms, and upper floors from different perspectives. Many residents were sitting outside and chatting with neighbours. As it was Friday, some had just completed Friday prayers at the mosque. I managed to perform jamak Zohor and Asar prayers there.

The village also had two schools: an Islamic school and a regular secondary school, as well as a floating futsal court, which I later learned had gone viral. Children played with balls and toys along the pathways, some returning from school, men smoking casually, and women observing visitors curiously.

My friend and I had coffee at a local stall before leaving. Some villagers were enjoying fresh coconut drinks. I found myself deeply immersed in every behaviour, movement, and spontaneous arrangement of houses, pavements, stalls, and furniture. The spatial informality and human interactions fascinated me, and everything in there was like pure art. I wished I could have spent more time there.

Later, we returned to the hotel and had free time. I decided to explore Phuket town at night by hiring a local driver. The journey was long. Upon arrival, most restaurants and malls were closed, while bars and clubs were lively with music and dancing. The streets were filled with Grab and Line riders, couples, and tourists walking along the beach. I realised the area was not particularly Muslim-friendly, and halal food options were limited. After two hours, I returned to the hotel and rested.

On the final day, it was time to say goodbye. We congratulated one another and exchanged wishes for future meetings. Participants from Perlis returned by van, while those from Kuala Lumpur and Perak flew home. I departed from Phuket at 3.30pm, carrying with me a deep longing for Koh Pan Yee Village. Winning the Azah Aziz award was meaningful, but the true informal award for me was the sweet memory of that village.