Taylor Weidman Photography

Moken Sea Nomads

Ko Surin, Thailand · Photographs by Taylor Weidman

Often called sea nomads or sea gypsies, the Moken are a seafaring people who for centuries lived nomadically on the Andaman Sea. However, due to stricter border control, commercial overfishing, rapid development, and tourism, the Moken have gradually been forced to adopt a settled lifestyle. Today, the Moken who live in Koh Surin National Park—one of Thailand's most remote group of islands—have it better than many of their kin: they're still able to live a lifestyle largely based on tradition and the sea. On these islands, it's possible to see free-diving Moken men spearfishing in the water or groups of women foraging along the shores, tidal pools, and mud flats.

Danong, an indigenous Moken man, hunts for fish using a traditional bamboo spear near his village in Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Danong, an indigenous Moken man, hunts for fish using a traditional bamboo spear near his village in Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Danong, an indigenous Moken man, hunts for fish using a traditional bamboo spear near his village in Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Danong, an indigenous Moken man, hunts for fish using a traditional bamboo spear near his village in Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
The Moken village in Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
The Moken village in Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
A Moken man builds a small boat (called Sampan) in his village in the Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
A Moken man builds a small boat (called Sampan) in his village in the Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
An indigenous Moken man takes his boat out from the beach near his village in Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
An indigenous Moken man takes his boat out from the beach near his village in Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Nguy, an indigenous Moken man, rows a sampan out from his village in the Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Nguy, an indigenous Moken man, rows a sampan out from his village in the Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Nguy, an indigenous Moken man, rows a sampan out from his village in the Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Nguy, an indigenous Moken man, rows a sampan out from his village in the Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Moken men carry parts from a long tail boat engine to shore before fixing a broken propellor.
Moken men carry parts from a long tail boat engine to shore before fixing a broken propellor. The foremost boat is one of only a few Kabang left in the world. Traditionally, Moken would live most of the year aboard Kabang and each boat would hold a nuclear family.
Koh, an indigenous Moken woman, washes her face with freshwater after making charcoal in the jungle.
Koh, an indigenous Moken woman, washes her face with freshwater after making charcoal in the jungle.
Nguy, an indigenous Moken man, takes his boat out as the tide comes in.
Nguy, an indigenous Moken man, takes his boat out as the tide comes in. The boat on the left (identified by it's unique prow design) is one of only a few Kabang left in the world. Traditionally, Moken would live most of the year aboard Kabang and each boat would hold a nuclear family.
Moken women return to a waiting boat after foraging for food on the rocky shores of the Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Moken women return to a waiting boat after foraging for food on the rocky shores of the Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Moken children forage for food during low tide.
Moken children forage for food during low tide.
A young Moken boy with his face covered in Thanaka takes a break from playing games in front of the village's spirit poles.
A young Moken boy with his face covered in Thanaka takes a break from playing games in front of the village's spirit poles.
Hook, a Moken man, fishes for lobster in the waters near his village in the Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Hook, a Moken man, fishes for lobster in the waters near his village in the Ko Surin National Park, Thailand.
Moken women ride through rough seas on a trip to forage for food on a nearby beach.
Moken women ride through rough seas on a trip to forage for food on a nearby beach.
Moken women forage for food during low tide at a beach near their village in Ko Surin National Park.
Moken women forage for food during low tide at a beach near their village in Ko Surin National Park.
Hook, an indigenous Moken man, holds a three-pronged throwing spear and searches for fish in the waters of Ko Surin National Park.
Hook, an indigenous Moken man, holds a three-pronged throwing spear and searches for fish in the waters of Ko Surin National Park.
Akoo, an indigenous Moken man, in his home in Ko Surin National Park.
Akoo, an indigenous Moken man, in his home in Ko Surin National Park.