Koh Phangan

The Island is situated in the Gulf of Thailand  (South East Thailand.). It is most famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination.  Having said that, the island is growing and changing, but at a controlled gentle pace and without mass tourism. The aim is to go for the boutique tourist and not that mass tourist.   Koh Phangan still holds that charm of “real island living” feeling that Thailand has been known for. There is still a sense that this is still an Island, with clean, stunning beaches that are not covered in white plastic sun loungers and unbrellas, and a much more varied choice of restaurants and bars to cater for the more sophisticated sates that are coming to the island.

So, why choose Koh Phangan? Koh Phangan is now considered to be one of Thailand’s up and coming tourist destinations, as stated in a recent article published by Thailand Property Report/April 09 issue. Because 70% of Koh Phangan is dedicated national park land, you can be assured that the island will always maintain its natural tranquility.

This paradise island is a perfect place for you to get away from the hustle and bustle of life. Take a stroll along kilometers of white sandy beaches.

The name Koh Phangan comes from the word ‘Ngan’ meaning sand ‘bar’. In many places around the Island, just offshore, you will find these sand bars which protect the Island from the strong monsoon.

There is evidence that there were settlements of people on Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, and their islets from more than two thousand years ago. Some historians and archaeologists believe that the first group who migrated to Ko Pha Ngan were the Muslim sea Gypsies (Pygmy, Semung, and Proto-Malay) who travelled by boat from the Malay Peninsula.

Ko Pha Ngan has been a long time favorite of past kings of Thailand. Specifically Rama V, or Chulalongkorn visited Ko Pha Ngan 14 times during his reign. The oldest structure found on Koh Phangan to date is Wat Nai, the old stupa Ban Nua village near Ban Tai. A stupa is a mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics, typically the remains of a Buddha or saint, used by Buddhists as a place of worship. It is thought to have been built around 400 years ago.

Ko Pha Ngan featured prominently in Alex Garland's 1997 novel The Beach.

Geography of Koh Phangan

Two thirds of Koh Phangan is mountainous. The mountain range in Koh Phangan extends to form the same range as the mountain in Surat Thani and Nakorn Si Thammarat provinces. Due to the mountains, there are many rivers on Koh Phangan. The highest peak is Kao Rha, 627m. On the west side are beautiful gulfs and beaches.

• Chalok Lam - picturesque beach at the northern tip of the island.
• Haad Chao Phao - beautiful beach fringed by a vibrant coral reef, on the western part of the island.
• Haad Mae Haad - wide sandy beach joined to Koh Ma by a sand spit, which is a National Marine Park with some of the best diving and snorkeling on Pha Ngan; there is also a small village and a variety of resorts, restaurants and bars.
• Haad Salad - an idyllic cove with several high-end resorts on the north-western part of the island.
• Thonglang Bay - located between Chalok Lam and Mae Haed this almost undiscovered bay offers a delightful and peaceful escape from the crowds.
• Haad Rin (Hat Rin) - famous Full Moon Party.
• Haad Yao - long white sandy beach just north of Haad Chao Phao, slightly more developed with more beach bars and restaurants.
• Haad Son - a beautiful bay with beach next to Haad Yao.
• Sri Thanu - A volcanic peninsula to the south of Haad Son and Haad Yao with bays and beaches.
• Ban Tai - the longest stretch of uninterrupted beach on the entire island facing Koh Samui.
• Ban Kai - from Ban Tai through to Haad Rin this beach offers an idylic setting - just minutes from the full moon party.
• Thong Nai Pan - scenic area on the north-eastern part of the island that includes the neighboring beach resorts of Ao Thong Nai Pan Yai and Ao Thong Nai Pan Noi.

Weather/Climate

Always between 28 and 38 degrees! Jan - March is High Season and usually great weather. April - May tends to be very hot and so some rain storms. June – October is warm, sunshine, sometimes wind and occassional showers. November - December is low season (monsoon) with heavy rainfall and strong winds but many sunny days too! But being an island in the middle of the Gulf , the weather on Koh Phangan can be unpredictable.

Transport

By Plane

The closest airport is Ko Samui (USM) which has frequent flights from Bangkok and Phuket, but also regular flights from other destinations such as U-Tapao, Singapore, Chiang Mai and Kuala Lumpur. Transportation to the ferry dock is easy to find at the airport. Ferries depart several times a day with the last one around dusk. From Ko Samui: There are at least 3 ferries a day from Ko Samui's "Big Buddha" pier directly to Haad Rin. Ferries also leave from Nathon and Mae Nam piers to Thong Sala several times a day.

By Boat

One of the easiest way to get to Ko Phangan is by the regular ferry service from Ko Samui or from Koh Tao, the two closest islands. Of course, there are direct ferry services to Ko Phangan from the mainland itself from Chumpon and Surat Thani. There are many services available, the two main ones being Lomprayah and Seatran which are both very reliable. If you are prone to seasickness, it may be wise to take some medication before the ferry ride.

By Motorcycle

The best way to get around is to hire a jeep or motorcycle. This gives you the freedom to explore and find the many hidden gems on the Island. There are many Songthaew (taxi’s) on the Island if you are not experienced on a motorcycle. Please do take care if you do hire a motorcycle and ALWAYS wear your crash helmit, the Police carry out frequent checks and will fine you for driving without one.

By Songthaew (taxi)

Songthaew pick-up truck taxis criss-cross the Island. As of 2009, taxi drivers have cartelized to fix prices to 200 baht a ride - no bargaining.

See & Do

The beaches of Koh Phangan are much less crowded than those in Koh Samui. They offer an escape to a more tranquil setting to enjoy and to relax. As not all of them have been developed, many are quite deserted and make  Ko Pha Ngan into a more family-friendly tourist destination.

Water Sports - Mae Haad and Koh Ma are probably the best spots on the Island for snorkelling and you can also take a trip to Angthong Marine Park which is 2 hours away by boat. If you want to step it up a level then there are some lovely sites around the island for Scuba Diving which are perfect for both beginners and trained divers. . From easy dives off the beach to longer trips by boat you can experience the world of tropical diving. The waters around Koh Pha-Ngan are much nicer than most people know. Sailrock is undoubtedly the most famous dive site in the Gulf of Thailand and provides a great range of marine life, spectacular underwater scenery and rock formations. There are many dive schools on the Island but Sail Rock Divers are the only to hold the 5 star creditation. Other water sports include wakeboarding, windsurfing and kite surfing, sailing and kayaking. Fishing trips are also widely available.

Hiking and trekking can be done all over the island. There are many trails, you can walk from Haad Rin to Haad Tien, from Chaloklam to Bottle Beach, up one of the waterfalls – Than Sadet or Phaeng or up Khao Raa to the highest point on the island to take in the spectacular views. You can even go for an elephant ride! Than Sadet-Ko Pha-Ngan National Park The park is named after the river Than Sadet (lit. Royal River). The river forms the largest waterfall on the island, which was visited by several Thai kings. Especially Rama V liked the placed and visited 14 times.

There are many Muay Thai gyms such as Chorenrit Muay Thai Camp in Thong Sala offering training and work out facilities, as well as camps such as "Horizon" located in Haad Tien (east) which is an intensive training camp. There are also frequent matches in Thong Sala and Haad Rin for spectators who don't want to learn the sport.

Yoga is offered at many places across he Island, for all levels. The island was uninhabited until about 600 years ago when passing monks realised its tranquillity and spiritual importance and settled in Wat Phu Khao Noi just outside Thongsala.  As well as a party Island Koh Phangan is also know for its healing and spiritual side with many Yoga schools and holistic healing and health spa.

The herbal sauna at Wat Pho is a great relief after long party nights. It's near the 7/11 branch in Baan Thai, on the south-western side of the island. Don't forget to leave a donation, Always wear a sarong (over your bikini) - remember that you are on temple-territory and locals find nudity offensive.

If you're into fire, you'll find spinners and twirlers on many of the beaches.
And of course, last but not least, the worlds biggest party, the famous full moon party which is held every month on the full moon, Haad Rin beach

There is an ever increasing selection of international restaurants and bars you may want to try. The nightmarket in Thong Sala is not to be missed, here you will find all kinds of Thai foods for you to sample. 
With so many things to see and do your time in Koh Phangan will be truly memorable.