koh lanta ko lanta

Nor Hyaa - Octopus - ˹éÍËÂÒ

Mr Baw catches an octopus with bare hands
Hnor Hyaa
 crab catch
Crab caught bare-handed to use as bait for Nor Hyaa
local koh lanta fishing traditions

 is the Koh Lanta island local term for Octopus. The real name for octopus in Thai is "Pla Meuk Yaks" (»ÅÒËÁÖ¡ÂÑ¡Éì), meaning "Giant Ink Fish".

The author was inspired to make a whole article about this, due to his amazement at the adept technique applied by his friend Baw.Using a simple coconut leaf stem, a piece of wire and a kitchen fork, Mr. Baw is able to catch up to 10 octopus with his bare hands within a half hour session. Crabs and shellfish are gathered at the same time inbetween finding Nor Hyaa. This is the story of Baw and the Nor Hya Hunt.

koh_lanta_ko_lanta_octopus_baw32.1.jpg
octopus hunt - crab catch as bait

Baw lifts a rock in search of a crab for bait to catch the Octopus
The crab must be small enough for bait

 crabs under the rocks on Klong Khong Beach

Several stones must be lifted before Baw finds a crab of adequate size

 crabs and octopus hunting

Baw begins to find his calm concentration, and starts to scour more diligently - the crabs are scarce today!
baw and daughter kluay hunt for crabs

Baw continues the crabhunt with daughter Kluay close behind

 live crab caught with bare hands by Baw

Baw shows the author the crab he has caught for "Nor Hyaa Bait"

 crab as bait

The claws of the crab are removed to be used as Octopus bait"
making homemade octopus catching kit

Baw sits on the reef to quietly make the Nor Hyaa catching kit, using everyday materials from mother nature and a simple household fork!"

 making crab bait close up pic

Three ingredients to successful Octopus catching - a kitchen fork, a coconut leaf stem, a piece of wire - all that one needs more is the crab claws to lure the Octopus with!"

 koh lanta style octopus bait

kitchen fork, coconut leaf stem, a piece of wire and crab claws.(plus what's left of the rest of the crab!)"
making the octopus bait

Baw skewers the crabmeat onto the coconut leaf stem


Almost a shame to waste the luscious crabmeat! but 10 Nor Hyaa will prove more nourishing for Baw's family of four (plus the author, who eats a lot).

baw inserts the bait into the den of the nor hyaa

Mr. Baw inserts the bait into a hole hoping for sign of the nor hyaa.

baw inserts the bait into the den of the nor hyaa

Baw's fork thrust is a failure (which is rare), and so he has to revert to rapidly trying to grab the Nor Hyaa

grappling with the Nor Hyaa (octopus)

Baw grabs the norhyaa and grapples with it before it can retreat into the underground den

koh lanta klong khong beach - octopus hunting

The Nor Hyaa begins to give up the struggle - the fork has penetrated deeper whilst grappling, and the Nor Hyaa has become weak.

koh lanta klong khong beach - octopus hunting

The Nor Hyaa begins to give up the struggle - the fork has penetrated deeper whilst grappling, and the Nor Hyaa has become weak.

koh lanta klong khong beach - octopus hunting

The Nor Hyaa is finally overcome and Baw can finally free one hand to reach for the skewer

koh lanta klong khong beach - octopus hunting

The Nor Hyaa has to be pulled off Baw's arm using considerable force, but with great care, as the suckers of the tentacles can rip off the skin if one pulls too fast.

koh lanta marine life and local fishermen

koh lanta klong khong beach - octopus hunting
 koh lanta klong khong beach - octopus hunting

BAW'S DIARY ENTRIES
Baw and the Nor Hyaa Hunt