About Koh Pha-Ngan || Get to Koh Pha-Ngan || Map of Koh Pha-Ngan || Beachs || Full Moon Party || Sightseeing
| About Koh Pha-Ngan |
| Koh Phangan is an
island paradise in the Gulf of Thailand (Southern Region). It is about
100 km from Surat Thani Province and about 15 km from the famous Koh Samui
Island.
Koh Phangan is the largest of Samui's neighboring islets with an area of 168 sq km. Over 70% of its total area is mountains and tropical forest. Lowlands are beaches and coconut fields. About 8,000 people live on Koh Phangan. Some are Chinese, whose ancestors migrated from China more than hundred years ago. The main population lives in Thongsala Town. Standard Thai is used as the official language but the southern dialect is more widely spoken among the local people. English is understood in business circles and tourist areas. More than 95% of the population are Buddhist but there are few Muslims in Ban Tai village. Koh Phangan is a district (Amphoe) of Surat Thani Province in Southern Region of Thailand. It is separated into 3 sub-districts (Tambon)--:Tambon Koh Phangan, Tambon Bantai and Tambon Koh Tao. The most important product of Koh Phangan is coconut. Each month Koh Samui and Koh Phangan produce more than 1 million coconuts export to Bangkok.Others are fishing and tourism business. |
| Get to Koh Pha-Ngan |
Koh
Phangan is about 3 1/2 hours from Surat Thani Province and 45 minutes
from Koh Samui Island by boat. The easiest way from Bangkok to Koh Phangan
is to buy joint tickets from Songserm Travel Center who operates joint
ticket (Ferry and Express boats, bus, train, air) to Koh Phangan:
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| Map of Koh Pha-Ngan |
| Beaches |
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| Haad
Rin Haad Rin is the most popular beach of Koh Phangan where the famous Full Moon Party takes place every month. It is about 12 km from the main town of Thongsala. Actually, it consists of two beaches, one on each side of Cape Rin at the southeast corner of the island. The east side has better beach which is good for swimming as well as snorkeling along the coral reefs at both ends of the beach while the west side has more selection of bungalows. Bungalows and huts on both sides cost from 4-50 US$ per night. Thong Nai Pan Thong Nai Pan lies on the northeast coast of Koh Phangan.It is about 13km from Ban Tai Village at the end of the rough dirt trail through the jungle. The two bays Thong Nai Pan Yai and Thong Nai Pan Noi are both wide and beautiful unspoiled beaches and there are many bungalow lodgings to choose start from 2-60 US$ Haad Sadet Haad Sadet is about 5 km from the main road to Thong Nai Pan. The beach lies at the mouth of Than Sadet or the famous "Royal Stream". Its small and quiet beach is good for swimming and there are few simple huts with some hours electricity available at about 2-5 US$ per night. Haad Tien Haad Tien is another hideaway paradise of Koh Phangan. The remote beach can be reached only by boat to the east side of Haad Rin. The ocean is good for swimming and snorkeling with only 2 bungalow services:-Haad Tien Resort, an inexpensive service, and The Sanctuary, a more upmarket and comfortable resort. However, during monsoon season (October-December), the rough ocean might make it difficult to get to those resorts. Check the weather forecast before making your decision. Chaloklum Bay Chaloklum is a large, attractive bay with several nice beaches. On the east end, enveloped in its own cove, is Khom Beach. Further west along the main beach are several more facilities. At the fishing village of Ban Chaloklum you can shop for basic provisions and catch taxis back to Thongsala. Bottle Beach (Haad Kuat) Bottle Beach is one of the most popular hideaways on the island, tucked along a secluded cove on the northern shore, it can be reached by hiking 3 km. along an island trail or by taking a boat from Chaloklum Bay to the west. Bungalows on this beach are closed during monsoon season (September to January). Mae Haad Mae Haad is one of the best coastal snorkeling sites on Koh Phangan. It is located about 3 km from Chaloklum on the west coast. There are several bungalows on the beach from 4US$ up and a small village called Ban Mae Haad where you can shop some food and basic provision. A good snorkeling place is along the coastal coral reefs and around the off shore islet of Koh Ma. Haad Yao & Haad Salat Two coves of isolated beaches, Haad Yao and Haad Salat are hidden behind mountain trek on the east of the island. The two beaches have their own attraction of snorkeling and beautiful sunset. There are many bungalow lodging to choose but all are simple hut with less facilities. Nai Vok & Vok Tum Nai Vok is just a short walk from the main town of Thongsala. The beach is quiet clean and has a beautiful sunset view with few bungalow facilities. Vok Tum has a wider beach and some better spot for snorkeling and swimming. Ban Tai and Ban Kai Ban Tai and Ban Kai are two small villages located halfway between Thongsala and Haad Rin. The beaches here are quite nice, with over two dozen bungalows to choose. Haad Thongsala On the east side of Thongsala Town lies a long and quiet beaches with many bungalow lodging. The beach here is good to swim in monsoon season because the wind and storm will come in opposite direction. It also has a nice sunset and it is not far from town. Chao Pao & Sri Thanu Chao Pao Bay is usually lumped together with neighboring Srithanu Bay. There are extensive coral reefs offshore for snorkeling, and an inland lake behind the cape called Lam Son for swimming and relaxing. There are many bungalow facilities along the beach, rates start from 3US$. |
| Full Moon Party |
 More
than ten years ago, a group of tourists found that the most beautiful
moon was in Koh Phangan. They arranged a party along the crescent-shaped
beach of Haad Rin to celebrate the Full Moon night. From then on, people
from all over the world came to join the celebration. And now there are
7,000-10,000 people at the party each month.
The party begins at dusk, when the round yellow moon makes its appearance over the white sand beach. In twilight, small tables are lined up on the beach and thousands of lamps are lit.
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As
the evening progresses the beach explodes into a dancing frenzy as different
m.c.'s take their turn on the decks. There is something for everyone
here, trance, techno, drum and bass, commercial dance and reggae, no-one
is disappointed. Jugglers and fire-eaters entertain the crowds as the
night goes on and with the brilliant impromptu fireworks display, the
party atmosphere is complete. After a few hours it could be time to
chill-out for a while, maybe grab a drink or a bite to eat from one
of the many beach traders and wade out or sit down in the warm surf
of the Gulf of Thailand, pure, pure heaven.
TRIPS TO FULL MOON PARTY- Do not bring your valuables to the party. Thousands people are there, you'll never catch the thief. - Keep away from DRUGS, no matter what anyone says. Someone might try to sell them to you but remember DRUGS are ILLEGAL in Thailand and VERY STRONG PENALTIES. - Do not eat or drink anything that is offered by strangers. - If you don't plan to stay up all night at the party, you are advised to stay in bungalow facilities outside Haad Rin (unless you think you can sleep with that very loud party noise). Besides, there are more than hundred bungalow places to choose and you can go back to your bungalow anytime you like by all night taxi service. - DRINKS, DANCE AND HAVE FUN!! |
| Sightseeing |
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THONGSALA TOWN is the main town of the island. Beside all the business and government offices, you can still enjoy the scenery of sunset, see the fishermen loading fishes and crabs from their boats, and taste home-made food and fresh seafood from the local market. |
THONGSALA - BAN KAI ROAD
WAT NAI, the 400 years old stupas, located in Ban Nua (near Ban Tai Village) about 4 km from Thongsala Town on the road to Haad Rin. This old structure was built in Srivichaiya Architecture (9-13th century). From Wat Nai, a small dirt road will lead you to join the road to Thong Nai Pan Beach. At the transaction stands PHANGAN BIGGEST TREE , a giant Rubber Tree with 14 meters around. Back to the main road,a beautiful THAI HOUSE is located about 1.5 km from Ban Tai and BAN KAI BAY is another place you can relax and enjoy sunset. |
THONGSALA -CHALOKLUM
KUAN YIN SHRINE the beautiful Chinese temple at the mountain viewpoint overlooking Chaloklum Bay, has ornate decorations and a statue of Kuan-Yin, the Goddess of Mercy is housed in the highest building. CHALOKLUM FISHING VILLAGE has long been a famous spot for fishermen from all over the Gulf of Thailand. When the weather is fine with some 80-100 boats mooring in the bay, Chaloklum Fishing Village becomes alive with local products including delicious dried squids put on sale. About halfway up the road from Ban Tai Village to Thong Nai Pan Beach there's turn-off heading east at Thong Nang Village. This trail follows a river along which you'll see a series of waterfalls collectively known as Than Sadet Waterfall. Than Sadet is a historical site due to frequent visits there between 1888 and 1909 by Siam's great King Chulalongkorn, Rama V, whose initials are engraved on many big boulders along this rocky river. King Rama VII also left his initials on some stones there in 1926 and 1930, and more recently, in 1962 the current reigning monarch King Bhumipol Aduldej (Rama IX) followed his illustrious predecessor's footsteps and engraved his own initials on a stone. The water from Than Sadet was one of the sacred water sources for the blessing water in King Vachiravuj (Rama VI) and the present King coronation ceremonies. |
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