Phangan island in Thailand. Koh Phangan in Thailand - a complete overview of the island Hotel deposits

The sea, beautiful beaches, hotels for every taste and friendly Thai people - this is the island of Koh Phangan. It became popular with tourists not so long ago; the infrastructure is still developing. Most vacationers know it as the venue for a large and noisy event. Any guest of the island will be able to choose the beach, the hotel, and the views to suit their taste. Here you can try local dishes, buy unusual souvenirs, admire temples and waterfalls, and just spend time with your family. This is a good alternative to other tourist areas in Thailand, where it has become very noisy and crowded.

In the Gulf of Thailand there is a small island - Koh Phangan. Total area – 125 sq. km. Most of the island is occupied by mountains covered with impenetrable jungle - 70% of the territory. The rest is a coastal strip with magnificent beaches and coconut groves. From the island you can see the neighboring island of Koh Samui, 15 km away. It is located 35 km away, and it is 55 km away from the mainland of Thailand.

The island has one central city - Thongsala and small settlements located along the coastline. Today the population of Koh Phangan is 10,000 people. Almost all of them are involved in the tourism business. According to legend, the island was a haven for pirates; after that, it was chosen by civilians who grew coconuts and fished. These areas of activity on the island are still actively developing today, but the main income comes from tourism.

Phangan became attractive for tourists relatively recently, when the more developed Samui became boring. Phangan attracts with its beaches and almost wild nature. It is great for a family holiday. All beaches are connected by concrete roads, and there are many hotels of various types. There are many cafes, markets, and souvenir shops in Togsala. There is everything for a comfortable pastime.

Weather in Koh Phangan

This island is suitable for holidays all year round. The temperature during the day ranges from +29 to +32 degrees Celsius, and at night it drops to +24 – +26.

The coldest and rainiest months are September-January. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs in October and November. The second rainy season falls in May and June. The high tourist season is considered to be July and August. In general, precipitation is not very heavy and long-lasting. They won't disturb sunbathers or large Full Moon Party participants, but swimming won't be as pleasant.

Beaches

Almost the entire coast of the island is occupied by beaches. These are long sand spits or small coves separated by a rocky coast. Almost any beach can be reached by road. But there are several bays where vacationers are taken by boat. All beaches are free, tourists can even freely visit the beaches of large hotels.

The shore varies in sand: fine white or larger yellow, as well as in depth. Some become very shallow during low tides.

The most popular holiday destinations are:

South coast(from Ao Ban Tai to Haad Rin Nok). The most crowded part of the coast overlooking Koh Samui. Thanks to the reefs, the beaches are quite shallow, which is ideal for families with children. Haad Rin Nok Beach hosts a famous party. On the shore there are many hotels and bungalows of different levels and for every taste.

West Bank(Ao Nai Wok – Haad Salad). Indented by small bays. This place is worth choosing for wild tourism. There are many inexpensive bungalows in the area. This part of the island is intertwined with many roads for ease of movement.

North Shore(Ao Mae Haad – Bottle Beach). Tourists are attracted by the small island of Ma, connected to the shore by a sand spit - a very picturesque place. Tourists usually choose the long and deserted Bottle Beach or Ao Chaloklum, where the central fishing port is located.

Orientalshore(Haad Rin – Ao Thong Nai Pan Yai). Some of the most beautiful beaches are located on this side of the island. Most of the coves can only be reached by boat, such as Haad Yao. This part of the island is distinguished by the greater depth of its beaches. For tourists, they offer both luxurious villas and simple bungalows.

What to do on the island?

Most of the island's guests flock to Haad Rin Nok beach about once a month for the Full Moon Party. It lasts 2-3 days and is very reminiscent of parties in Ibiza or Kazantip. At this time the moon is especially beautiful. A party means fluorescent body paints, trance, electro, techno music, various cocktails and drinks and a lot of people. Guests are entertained with competitions, fire shows, and professional dancers dance on stages. The only drawback: where there are a lot of people, there are a lot of pickpockets.

Full Moon Party (video)

After watching this video, you will find out how the Full Moon party takes place, what entertainment is there and how many people take part in this event.

For those who don't come on a full moon, there are several smaller parties for the new moon and half moon. You should plan your trip to the party in advance and make hotel reservations.

In addition to the party, you can get an unforgettable experience by enjoying diving and snorkeling. There are several particularly picturesque places in the Ma Island area. Diving schools are open all along the coast. Together with instructors, you can learn to dive and admire coral reefs and tropical fish.

Not far from Ao Chaloklum beach there is a safari park. Its main attraction is the elephants. You can ride them and watch tricks. There are shows with snakes and crocodiles several times a day. Small monkeys and squirrels live in the park. All animals can be fed, so it is worth buying fruits and nuts in advance. The park is open from 8 am to 6 pm daily.

Of the architectural attractions, tourists are attracted by two temples: Phu Khao Noi and Guan Yin. These are ancient functioning temples located on the mountainside. In addition to the unusual architecture, tourists can admire the views of the island from the terraces of the temples. The island itself is a single landscape monument with the most beautiful and unique sunrises and sunsets.

The natural attractions of the island are the following waterfalls:

• Paeng - expects a difficult climb up the mountain and magnificent panoramas of the entire island.
• Than Pravet - consists of several levels and is most popular among tourists.
• Than Sadet is extremely beautiful and was visited by about 20 royal families.

The entire island is a single attraction. Jungles and coconut palms, sandy beaches and rocky bays, sea and sun, an unusually huge moon - nature will touch the soul of any vacationer.

Hotels

There is a large selection of hotels and lodges available to guests of the island. You can rent inexpensive wooden bungalows or stay in large hotels (resort hotels). Rent of inexpensive housing is about 400 baht. The majority of expensive hotels are located on the south coast. The closer to the northern edge of the island and the higher in the mountains, the more affordable housing becomes. Some wooden bungalows may not have hot water or air conditioning.

During the high season, as well as during the Full Moon Party, hotel prices increase. At this time, it is worth booking a room in advance, or you will have to spend the night on the beach or in very expensive rooms. Local residents rent out houses both monthly and daily. The island is small, intersected by many roads, so you can choose a hotel anywhere.

There are small 2-3 star hotels on Koh Phangan, but the level of service and life in them is 4-5 star. Free internet is available everywhere. The service is unobtrusive and discreet. Thais love guests, but do not interfere with their vacation. They don’t speak Russian on the island; they speak English with a slight accent. You can choose a hotel right on the island’s pier.

I can recommend the Dreamland Resort on the beautiful Ao Thong Nai Pan Yai beach, Sandy Bay Bungalow on the more crowded Haad Yao beach, Neptune’s Villa, which is close to the popular Haad Rin and Milky Bay beaches, and Le Divine Comedie near Ao Ban Tai beach.

I also leave you a map with hotels that will help you choose a hotel at the right price on the beach you like.

Transport

From the pier to the hotel, tourists can take a taxi or walk to the highway and take the songthaew. Taxis can be closed with air conditioning or open. Taxi and songthaew fares are quite expensive, so tourists choose mopeds to travel around the island. The cost of renting for a day will be 250 baht.

On the island, some roads are concrete, and some are embanked. The roads are not very smooth in some places due to rainfall and mountainous terrain. Tourists should be careful, as falls from mopeds are a common occurrence. The roads run both along the coast and cross the mountainous terrain.

To travel to neighboring small islands and closed beaches, you can use taxi boats.

You need to walk carefully. Nuts often fall from coconut trees. This is life-threatening.

How to get to Koh Phangan?

Thailand's developed transport network will allow you to get to the island in the shortest possible time. A comprehensive ticket that includes several modes of transport will make the task easier.

If you want to visit Koh Phangan from Bangkok, you can choose several routes:

Airplane

Flights to Koh Samui or Surat Thani fly regularly. The Bangkok-Samui route is much more expensive than Bangkok-Surat Thani, since local low-cost airlines fly to Surat Thani province from Don Muang Airport. Having flown to one of the two airports, you can buy a comprehensive ticket to Koh Phangan directly there. It includes bus transfer and ferry transfer. It is better to book air tickets in advance on the Aviasales website. You can find plane tickets at the lowest prices using the low price calendar.

Bus

From Bangkok you can buy a package ticket to Koh Phangan. First you drive to Suratani and then take a ferry to the island. If you want to save time, you should choose a fast boat instead of a ferry.

Train

By train you need to get to Phun Pin station in the Surat Thani area, and then transfer to a bus and ferry to the island. You can also buy a combined Bangkok-Phangan ticket.

Complex tickets, including the crossing, are sold at the airport, bus stations and online on the website. Depending on the carrier, the journey from Surat Thani to Koh Phangan takes approximately 50 minutes.

See the map for the exact location of Koh Phangan.

Koh Phangan is a wonderful place for a holiday with children or a romantic trip. The island is most suitable for lovers of active recreation (diving, snorkeling, discos), as well as for those who love and know how to enjoy nature. The Thais have created all the conditions for this.

Koh Phangan is a small island off Koh Samui that can only be reached by ferry. Compared to the mainland and Koh Samui, there is very little civilization on Koh Phangan and this is its advantage. Koh Phangan is a fairly popular holiday destination, at a comfortable distance from the tourist boom of Samui, which is developing exponentially and is becoming less and less like a tropical island. The main activities of Koh Phangan that made it famous are diving. Although this is not all that the island has to offer, it is thanks to the parties that it is popular primarily among young people. And for its uninhabited places, it is in demand among fans of solitude and meditation.

If you don’t risk renting equipment and exploring the island on your own, then there is nothing wrong with buying a couple of the most popular excursions around Koh Phangan. Just to get to know the main attractions of the island in relaxation mode. This will at least save you money on rent, time on studying geography and preparing a route. Most compatriots have a sad two weeks of vacation, so the time needs to be used as optimally as possible. Leave all the organizational aspects to those who have eaten the dog and know exactly where and what time to arrive.

Excursions are sold on every corner, starting from the main pier of Koh Phangan -. Moreover, it doesn’t even matter whether you have a Russian-speaking guide or everything will be conducted in English - there are few complex historical places on Koh Phangan that need to be talked about a lot. You will read about the main attractions on the Internet and all you have to do is get there and see with your own eyes. If you start your exploration of the island from a hotel or resort, then first of all talk to the administrator at the reception - he already has all the necessary contacts.

What to see on Koh Phangan

Chinese temple

Buddhist temple Phu Khao Noi

Buddhist temple Paa Sang Tam

Laem Son Lake

The largest freshwater lake on the island, which in the relatively recent past was a tin mine, which was subsequently flooded. Located in the western part of Koh Phangan, next to Chao Phao beach. This place is popular with locals; they like to have picnics on the shore, in the shade of the trees. The lake has some water activities and attractions for children - Wipeout Water Activity Center. There is also a good local cafe on the shore. Laem Son Lake is suitable as a place for relaxation with children and a picnic in nature, purely as a variety of leisure activities on vacation.

Paradise Falls

Sramanora, Tan Pravet and Tan Sadet waterfalls

The Sramonora waterfall is also located close to civilization; there is even a bungalow next to it where you can spend the night. The waterfall itself is not very big, with a natural pool in which you can swim. There is a cafe next to the waterfall, and noisy Waterfall Parties are also held regularly. There is also a dance floor and a protective canopy from the rain and sun, and there are also unpleasantly large boulders that seem ready to collapse. A few kilometers north of Sramanora there are two more waterfalls: Tan Pravet and Tan Sadet.

Tan Prawet is the most popular waterfall on the island among tourists. This is a very beautiful multi-level waterfall in the jungle. It is not easy to get to, but it is worth the effort spent on overcoming the path. Moreover, there will be untouched tropical nature around, rich in colors, smells and sounds. The best time to visit the waterfalls on Koh Phangan is after the rainy season.

Tan Sadet is famous for being visited several times by King Rama V. The waterfall even has a stone on which the king left an inscription in 1888. The waterfall is considered sacred and the water from it is used in ceremonies. Than Sadet Waterfall is essentially a cascade of small waterfalls, about three kilometers long. The stream is noisy, broken by large boulders and delights with natural pools. The road to the waterfall starts from the beach of the same name - Than Sadet.

Wang Sai Waterfall

Tan Sadet National Park and Phaeng Falls

Than Sadet National Park is located three kilometers from Thong Sala. The main attraction of the national park is the Phaeng Noi and Phaeng Yai waterfalls, with an observation deck at the top. An eco-trail runs through the national park to the highest point of the island - the top of Mount Khao Ra. In order to see the waterfalls, you need to climb up the mountain from the village. First there will be a small waterfall, and then a large multi-cascade, along which you can climb higher and higher. Opposite the first Phaeng there is a branch trail to a nearby hill, at the top of which is the Dom Sila viewpoint, but it is quite difficult to climb.

Viewpoints of Koh Phangan

Due to the hilly terrain, there are many viewing platforms on Koh Phangan, but not all of them are easy to drive to. At Had Rin Beach, at the Wat Khao Tam temple, next to Phangan Utopia Resort there are observation points that offer good views and can be easily reached by transport. In Than Sadet National Park, there are observation decks above the Phaeng Waterfall () and on Mount Kao Ra, from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding area. It also offers a good view of the coast. There are species-specific restaurants like and or authentic bars like Magic Caffe on the beach.

Bar Amsterdam

Diving and snorkeling

Koh Phangan is one of Thailand's popular diving destinations. There are places around the island where beginners and experienced divers are traditionally taken. Of particular interest, from the point of view of diving, is the Ang Thong Marine National Park, which consists of many small islands with corals and a rich underwater world around them. The island has several diving schools and a large offer of sea excursions with the opportunity to observe the underwater world. For those who do not like to dive, snorkeling is suitable. A good place for this is the small island of Koh Ma, located off the coast near Mae Haad Beach.

Boat excursions, Ang Thong National Park

This place cannot be called a direct attraction of Koh Phangan, but Ang Thong National Park is one of the most popular destinations for boat excursions from Koh Phangan. This archipelago is part of the Surat Thani province, like Koh Phangan and Koh Samui, and is of volcanic origin. Over millions of years, the rocks in the sea have acquired bizarre shapes, similar to the figures of animals or mythical creatures. One of the most interesting places in the archipelago is the island of Koh Mae, where a small salt lake, Thale Nai, has formed. The archipelago is interesting not only for its surface part, but also for its underwater world. There are several famous diving spots around the islands with beautiful bottoms. In Ang Thong you can stay overnight in a bungalow or tent, or you can go on a one-day excursion directly from Koh Phangan.

Elephant Safari

There are elephant safaris in almost every resort in Thailand, and there is such “entertainment” on Koh Phangan. In addition to elephants, you can also see monkeys and other animals in this place. Here they offer to ride through the jungle on an elephant, but this pleasure is quite dangerous, given the cruelty of the training methods and the frequent cases of elephant attacks on people. Either the driver will be trampled, or the tourist will be impaled on a tusk, there is little pleasant in all this. The elephant is not meant for people to ride, but feeding and touching it is a cute thing. Phangan Elephant Safari is located next to the Chinese Temple, it offers half-hour and hour-long elephant rides, and shows with different animals several times a day.

Mini golf

A mini golf course is located next to Wat Phu Khao Noi. The place is far from crowded, and the golf itself is not very spectacular, only 12 holes of varying difficulty. You can stop by for a change, especially since the area is well-groomed and green. In addition to golf, there are all sorts of small entertainments for children and adults, and a cafe.

Full Moon Party and others like it

One of the symbols of Phangan, thanks to which it has become known far beyond the borders of the kingdom, is the Full Moon Party. It is held once a month on the southernmost beach of the island -. At this time, finding housing in the surrounding area is very problematic due to the large influx of people wanting to participate in the bacchanalia. During the holiday, entrance to the main party beach is paid, and the famous Phangan fire shows are also held there.

Since there are a lot of people who want to buzz, in addition to the full moon, the Half Moon is also celebrated on Koh Phangan. The Half Moon Party is held a week before the Full Moon Party and a week after it, in the area of ​​Ban Tai Beach. In addition, several more regular festivals are held on Koh Phangan: Black Moon Party, Jungle Experience, Sramonara Waterfall Party (at the waterfall of the same name), Shiva Moon Party, Moon Set Party, Reggae Party and various Pool Parties. Separately, you can also mention the cult parties in the two neighboring bars Guys and Iden, as well as the techno party in Lighthouse. In general, for those who want to party, the choice of parties on Koh Phangan is large and varied. .

Koh Phangan Island or Koh Phangan is located in the Gulf of Thailand, in the province of Surat Thani, at a distance of 15 km from the well-known and beloved island. The name Koh Phangan comes from the Thai “Ko” - “island” and “Ngan” - “sand spit”, because during low tides, which are pronounced near Koh Phangan, you can see these sand spits around the island.

70% of the island's area is occupied by mountains covered with tropical forests, the remaining 30% is beaches and coconut plantations. The King of Thailand, Rama V, loved to visit Phangan. He first came to the island in 1888 and after that he came here 14 more times.

Koh Phangan Island

Tourism on Koh Phangan has begun to develop in the last 30 years, after the first bungalows for tourists were built on the island. Before that, local residents were mainly engaged in fishing and growing coconuts.

Island Phangan (Kho Phangan) has become famous among tourists for hosting Full Moon Parties, which take place on the day of the full moon and attract thousands of people from all over the world. Also on Phangan there are Half Full Moon Party, Black Moon Party, Shiva parties, and other party events :)

But you shouldn’t think that Koh Phangan is an island of young people and drunken parties (otherwise many people don’t choose Koh Phangan for a vacation for this very reason). In fact, parties don’t happen that often, and if you don’t go to Haad Rin during the full moon, you might not even know that there’s some kind of party on the island until the morning :) Koh Phangan, in addition to parties, is famous for its still untouched nature and beautiful uncrowded beaches!

Thong Sala - the capital of the island

The island's capital and main port is located in Thong Sala. The main ferries from Koh Samui and from Samui arrive here. You can read how to get to Koh Phangan.

Here, in Tong Sala, there are large stores - Tesco Lotus, Big C, Makro. But don’t count on the same wide selection of products as in: for example, Tesco generally disappointed us: there is almost no choice of fruits, meat, or fish. There is no water, there are empty shelves where cookies and nuts should have been. I don’t know where the island’s centenarians buy food...Next to Tesco Lotus there is a good cafe with low prices, delicious Tom Yum and pizza. We had lunch there a couple of times.

Big C supermarket on Koh Phangan. In the evening there is a Thai food market in the parking lot.
Supermarket Makro on Koh Phangan

Also in Tong Sala there is a market (prices there are higher than in the markets of Samui) and a night evening market with Thai food (we didn’t visit, so I can’t say anything about this place).

Transport on Koh Phangan

From Thong Sala port you can get to the selected beach by sorengo (local minibus), the fare is 100 - 300 baht per person, depending on the distance.

You can rent a bike right away (the average cost of renting a bike on Koh Phangan is 200 baht ($7) per day), but be careful when renting bikes on Koh Phangan. There are some peculiarities here:

• firstly, all rental offices require an original passport as collateral, and not a copy (as in Samui)
• secondly, they often rent out faulty bikes with bad brakes (like they gave us and because of this we fell when riding down the hill)
• thirdly, there are a lot of money scams when returning the bike: they start pointing out minor scratches even on the bottom of the bike and demanding money for repairs
• fourthly, the roads on Koh Phangan are very dangerous - be extremely careful! And in the evenings, dogs also rush right under the wheels and try to bite your leg!

Transport such as taxi-boat is also developed on the island. It is better to get to some beaches by using them. Especially if you are with children.

Taxi-boat on Koh Phangan

We vacationed on Koh Phangan several times. We arrived from Koh Samui by boat to the port of Thong Sala. We lived several times on our favorite Phangan beach, Tong Nai Pan Yai, on Baan Tai (not to be confused with!) and on Haad Yao beach. Our first impression of Phangan in comparison with Samui, where we are: on Phangan there are higher mountains, scarier serpentines, taller trees, more nature, almost empty roads and very few people. After Samui, it seemed to us that we were in Paradise (if only the roads were better 🙂). But prices for everything are 10-20 percent higher, even in 7 eleven stores.

Koh Phangan is famous not only for its parties, but also for its white sand beaches and natural parks with waterfalls.

Map of Koh Phangan (Koh Phangan) with beaches and attractions

Hotels on Koh Phangan

The best hotel deals on Koh Phangan:

Beaches of Koh Phangan (Koh Phangan)

The main port is Thong Sala, it is better not to swim in the sea here, although there is some kind of beach and hotels on the shore.

To the east of Thong Sala there is a good asphalt road along the sea. We drive along it, passing the beach Ban Tai(more about ours), which smoothly flows into Ban Kai Beach, I considered it for living, but I didn’t like that it was close to the port. There are cafes and shops along the road. There is also a small observation deck here - View Point, but as always we were unlucky with the weather - we did not see any beautiful views.

View from the observation deck near Ban Kai Beach - in good weather you can see Koh Samui

About 200 meters from the shore there is a coral reef. In summer (from about May to October), when the tides on Koh Phangan are pronounced, swimming here is problematic. Take this into account when choosing a beach. Not far from Ban Tai beach, somewhere in the jungle 🙂 the Half Moon Festival and Shiva Moon Party take place.

After the observation deck, a steep mountain begins, the first time we even decided not to go up it, the second time we went, but with difficulty. Then the road begins to wind, sometimes up, sometimes down, and eventually leads to the famous beach, where the Full Moon Party takes place.

These are the views on the way to Haad Rin Beach

There is no road north of Haad Rin Beach that you can ride a bike on. There are beaches there Haad Yuan Beach, Haad Thin Beach And Haad Wai beach. You can get to them along a small path, but it is better to rent a boat - about 300 baht ($10) one way. Not cheap, but you can enjoy complete peace and quiet there.

Near Ban Tai beach the road turns into the mountains. If we drive along it, we will pass the Safari Park, where you can ride elephants, feed them and pet them :)

At first, along the road there is still some civilization, small cafes and shops, then the good road ends and a section of the road begins with a dirt road through the jungle.

Last stop before the JUNGLE! 🙂

At the roundabout the road diverges: if you turn right, the road leads to the beach Than Sadet Beach .

This is a secluded beach that is located near the Than Sadet Waterfall, which the royal family loved to visit. We didn’t get to this beach, although we really wanted to. Fell off the bike on the way to him.

A good new road leads directly from the circle to the beaches and Thong Nai Pan Noi.

On the first beach we stayed for several days at the Dreamland Resort hotel. I think this is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island: easy access to the sea, almost no tides, few people, and at the same time there are shops and restaurants (only one day in early November we were bitten by sand flies here...). We found a very tasty one, where we enjoyed Tom Yum every evening. I recommend this beach to everyone for a holiday!

Video from Thong Nai Pan Beach:

Even further north there is a beach (on maps it is often marked as Haad Khuat Beach) is a very beautiful beach, with fine white sand and turquoise water.

Here, as well as on the beaches of Tong Nai Pai, the tides are almost not felt. You can get to Bottle Beach by bike along a mountain road (I don’t recommend doing it like we did)

Fun Road to Bottle Beach

or along the path from Chaloklam Bay or, the best way, by boat.

Video of Bottle Beach

In the very north of Koh Phangan is Chaloklam Bay, which can be reached either by the direct Thong Sala - Chaloklam road or by a ring road along the western coast of the island. Nearby there is a beach that I advise everyone to visit and admire the interesting combination of white, very fine sand and strange coniferous trees

Malibu Beach - a combination of flour-white sand and coniferous trees

In the north-west of Koh Phangan there is a beach and a small picturesque island Kho Ma near him.

Mae Haaad beach and Kho Ma islet near it

This beach is the best place for snorkeling and diving on Koh Phangan. There are several diving schools here.

The west coast of Koh Phangan is filled with beaches Salad Beach, , Chao Phao Beach, Hong Kong Beach, Wok Tum Beach. Long-term accommodation can be found on these beaches.

Houses for long-term rental on Koh Phangan near Hin Kong Beach
This is the beach near the houses, the sea in this area of ​​the island is very shallow

There are shops, beach cafes and other tourist infrastructure. You can watch magnificent sunsets from these beaches.

We lived for three days on the beach in a hotel. This beach seemed quite crowded to us, with many Russian-speaking winterers.

Sights of Koh Phangan Island

There are also plenty of attractions on the island of Koh Phangan, but mostly these are natural beauties, and not some temples or museums :)

There are several waterfalls on the island of Koh Phangan, one of which we visited.

On the road between Thong Sala and Chaloklam Bay there is a beautiful one, which offers a magnificent view of the island, in the temple there is a statue of Guan Yin, there is a very good atmosphere here.

There are also many Buddhist temples on Koh Phangan.

On the island you can visit the Than Sadet National Park and climb the highest mountain of the island - Mount Khao Ra, its height is 620 m. The journey to the mountain takes about 2 hours.

There are several safari parks on Koh Phangan where you can ride elephants

many viewpoints - observation platforms

Observation deck near Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach
View of Koh Ma island from the observation deck near the Utopia Hotel

many spa salons with Thai massage, several yoga schools.

Climate, weather on Koh Phangan

Best time to visit Koh Phangan Islands– January-March and July-September. It gets very hot in April, rain is possible in May-June, and November-December is the rainy season. I wrote about the rainy season. In summer, low tides are pronounced, especially on the southern and western shallow beaches. During this period of the year, it is better to choose Thong Nai Pai or Bottel Beach for relaxation.

conclusions

They say that Koh Phangan is the island of Karma, that this island tests people. I don’t know if this is true or not (I don’t believe in this nonsense...), but the fact that this island attracts many informal individuals is yes. It’s very strange, but on the same island of Koh Phangan, yogis get along and enjoy life with cheese-eaters (who, as you know, don’t drink, don’t smoke, don’t party and look evil at us, lovers of meat and fresh beer :) and lovers of smoking weed, and hippies, and lovers of trance and parties and parties with alcohol until the morning. Fortunately, in recent years more and more people have been coming to Koh Phangan ordinary people 🙂 After all, Phangan is beautiful nature and beaches! There is something for everyone on this island.

Will we return to this island? – definitely Yes! I want to go to my favorite beach again :)

Will I be able to live here for a long time? – No! There is little infrastructure for life, the choice of products in stores is small, and prices are inflated. Maybe people are becoming raw food eaters here precisely because there is no normal meat and fish in stores :) But I really like to eat delicious food :)

You can book a hotel on the island of Koh Phangan using the map on which the island's hotels are marked: select the place where you want to stay, hover over the hotel, read the hotel information and book a room.

Koh Phangan (Koh Phangan, Koh Pha-Ngan) is one of the five largest. It has one feature that makes it unique of its kind. We are, of course, talking about the Full Moon Party - a grandiose open-air party that gathers several thousand people in one place. None (famous for its nightlife) or anything like that. Only one of the Phi Phi beaches has something similar, but only on a much smaller scale.

The island of Koh Phangan is located in the southwest of the Gulf of Thailand, 100 km from the coast of Thailand (Surat Thani province) and 16 km north of Koh Samui. Its total area is 170 sq. km, perimeter about 50 km. The name comes from “Ngan”, which translates from Thai - “sand barrier”. This definition was not chosen by chance, since the coast of Koh Phangan is quite shallow and at low tides sand deposits are exposed around it, which form a network of small islands. There is a big advantage to such “barriers of sand” - in any weather, the coastal waters are calm and you can swim in them even in strong winds, since the sand dunes reduce the force of the waves.

The island's landscape is 65% mountainous, covered with forests and coconut palm plantations.

The local population numbers about 10,000 people, mostly immigrants from China who settled on this land more than 100 years ago. The vast majority of local residents profess Buddhism and only 6% are Muslims.

Phangan is the favorite island of the kings of Thailand; they visited it much more often than other resorts.

Koh Phangan island on the map of Thailand

Story

Archaeological excavations indicate that the first settlements on Phangan were at the beginning of the 1st century BC. According to historical data, these were “sea gypsies” - pirates from the south. Their descendants still live here, but are now engaged in fishing. In the century before last, the Chinese began to move to Phangan from the island of Hainan, who made coconut oil and sent it by ship to the capital of Thailand - Bangkok.

The modern history of Phangan dates back to the early 80s of the last century, when the first tourists appeared here. Over time, local beauty began to attract more and more people and the island began to expand, hotels, bars, restaurants, shops and banks appeared.

At the moment, Koh Phangan combines the beauty of untouched nature and all the benefits of civilization (with the exception of some “wild” beaches).

There are spa salons, massage parlors, night discos, high-speed Internet and much more, which a modern person cannot do without.

How to get to Koh Phangan

There is no airport on Koh Phangan. The easiest and fastest way to get there is to fly to the neighboring island of Koh Samui, and from there take a boat ride.

Cheap flights to Bangkok

You can buy air tickets to Thailand as profitably as possible using special search engines that collect data from all airlines.

If you would like to save on a rather expensive flight to Koh Samui, then it is better to use alternative airports in Chumphon, Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat. From there you can get there by minivans and buses, and then by ferry.

You can also get there from any corner of Thailand by buses, minivans, trains and, at the end of the route, ferries. Tickets are sold at travel agencies and bus stations. If you don't want to bother with this, you can.

Transport

Transport and roads of Koh Phangan are a separate issue. There is no circular paved road encircling the entire island. The paved highway that runs close to the coast runs only from Haad Rin to Chaloklum village and Haad Khom beach in the north. The entire east and northeast turned out to be in “flight” - it seems like you start driving on asphalt, but after a few kilometers it stops and the gravel-sand extreme begins. The road winds up and down, right and left, so riding a moped on it can be dangerous.

If you have never ridden a motorbike, then under no circumstances go along the broken roads to the east and northeast of Koh Phangan. True, they are being built in this area, but very slowly. A smooth highway without serious ups and downs is available only in the area from Baan Kai to approximately the center of the western part of the island. There is also a good road through the center of Koh Phangan from Thongsala to Chaloklum. When approaching Haad Rin, very steep ascents and descents begin (albeit paved). You should be especially careful on them after sunset, when the headlights of oncoming cars can blind you.

On the roads of Koh Phangan you can travel by tuk-tuks (cost 100-250 baht depending on the distance), motorcycle taxis, rented motorbikes or cars.

Beaches

Koh Phangan is the most versatile tourist resort in terms of beaches, where people with completely different tastes and ideas about an ideal holiday can be happy. Their number has exceeded two dozen, each with its own characteristics and differences.

Some places on the island are very party, they will be ideal for young people and entertainment lovers. This is primarily the eastern Haad Rin Nok, where every month on the full moon the world-famous Full Moon Party takes place. In the open air, on the seashore, a grandiose disco is held, where several thousand people have a blast. In fact, there are parties on Koh Phangan every day, they are just on a smaller scale than during the Full Moon Party.

The Black Moon and Half Moon Party are also very popular. The latter is carried out in the jungle, where there is no housing within a radius of one or two kilometers. In general, the theme of parties on Koh Phangan is very developed and if your vacation does not include a Full Moon Party, then don’t worry - there are various parties held almost every other day: Shiva Party, Parties by the pool, at the waterfall, etc. If you want, you definitely won’t leave without vivid impressions!

But there is another Koh Phangan, where even in the midst of the Full Moon Party it is quiet and calm, and on the coast in any season you will not meet many people. These beaches are located west of the town of Thongsala and 10-15 km from Had Rin.

There are also completely “wild” places on the island, which can only be reached by motor boat, or along a narrow path passing through the mountains. True, they cannot be called completely wild, since there are several hotels and a couple of restaurants there. This is where the infrastructure ends; you won’t find any bars or discos there. Such inaccessible corners are located in the east and northeast of the island.

Koh Phangan Island is also suitable for couples with children, since everything is provided for the little ones - there are pharmacies, shops, and a hospital.

In this regard, the best area is Thongsala, where the main pier of Koh Phangan is located, where boats from the mainland arrive. This is the most developed place on the island, the largest selection of housing, eateries, all major bank branches are also located here. On the other hand, this is largely a Thai area, so you won’t find nightclubs and discos within the town; it’s quiet and peaceful here at night (there is activity only next to the night market and further along the road to Ban Tai and Ban Kai). The only downside to Thongsala is that the beach is full of boats, so it's not particularly suitable for swimming. But there is also good news. Just a 15-minute walk to the west and you will find yourself on the excellent and secluded Nai Wok beach. You can live here, and if you need pharmacies or shops, then walk to Tongsala.

What to do on Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is good for diving and snorkeling. There are equipment rental offices, and experienced instructors will help you take your first steps to scuba dive.

If you love active recreation, you like everything unusual and new, then you can enjoy elephant riding, kayaking, safaris, mini golf, water skiing and motorcycles (not on all beaches) and much more. If you have never tried this, then experienced instructors will teach you everything.

Koh Phangan is not as rich in attractions as neighboring Samui. However, you can go to waterfalls, observation decks or look at temples (there are both Thai and Chinese). To travel to some waterfalls and viewing platforms, it is better to hire a taxi than to get there on a rented motorbike, since the path will not be easy, and on some sections of the road even dangerous.

For gourmets who know a lot about food, there are many different restaurants on the island of Koh Phangan, where there is a wide selection of dishes of national and European cuisine.

If you are not planning a trip only to Koh Phangan, then we offer you.

Important information

• When renting a motorbike, be extremely careful. Drunk or high oncoming drivers can pose a danger, especially on party days, in addition to poor quality roads.
• When going to a party, do not take extra money or valuables with you - there are cases of theft.

Climate and weather on Koh Phangan

Phangan's climate is similar to the neighboring islands of Koh Samui and Koh Tao. Throughout the year, the average temperature varies slightly from a maximum of 29-32 during the day, to a minimum of 24-26 degrees Celsius at night.

The article will show you the beautiful, green, wild island of Koh Phangan, with charming sunsets and crazy seascapes. And yet, where is this island?

The resort of Koh Phangan is located in the Gulf of Thailand and belongs to Thailand, the island area is 49 square meters. miles, the population of the island is 12,000 people.

It is known for its parties until the early morning, a worthy replacement for Kazantip and Ibiza. The island became popular thanks to the Full Moon Party. The party is held once a month under a full moon, which takes place on a 5-kilometer beach Haad Rin.

A couple of days before the “full moon”, young people from all over the world come to the island to “hang out”. During the party, cocktails with alcoholic drinks are carried right along the beach in buckets.

On other days, the island attracts tourists with its wild, pristine beauty, deserted beaches, scorching sun, beautiful views and the leisurely, carefree life of local residents.

Sights of Koh Phangan Island

Parties

The island is famous for its parties, here are some of the parties taking place:

1. Full Moon Party;
2. Half Moon & Black Moon;
3. Shiva Moon family;
4. Jungle experience;
5. Pool party

Full Moon Party Schedule:

• 09 June 2017
• July 10, 2017
• 07 August 2017
• 05 September 2017
• 06 October 2017
• November 03, 2017
• December 03, 2017
• January 01, 2018
• January 31, 2018
• March 02, 2018
• March 31, 2018

If you are not a fan of loud parties, or are simply tired of them, then you can go to Than Sadet Ko Phangan National Park. The park is named after the river that flows through it, “Than Sadet” or “Royal River”.

On the river there is the largest and most picturesque waterfall on the island. There is also a temple on the island between Thongsala and Chaloklum from which you can look out over Chaloklum Bay, and a little to the northwest there is an excellent snorkeling spot (Ko Ma).

Tattoo parlors

There are many tattoo parlors on the island, the prices for tattoos are not expensive, and local craftsmen make high-quality tattoos especially for tourists, so if you are an amateur, you can choose something for yourself and fill it, or touch up existing tattoos.

Diving

You will have a unique opportunity to plunge into the sea world with scuba diving, visit various underwater caves and other interesting places under water, together with an instructor.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is an opportunity to plunge into the marine world and see everything with your own eyes, as well as touch the amazing coral reefs, among which rare species of fish and other organisms swim.

Elephant ride

Elephant riding is a popular attraction - one of the “must-dos” for those who are on holiday in Thailand for the first time. Although elephants are not a native species to the island, having been brought here from the cooler regions of northern Thailand, three camps can be found that offer elephant riding treks where you can enjoy mountain and jungle walks.

Tourists have the opportunity to ride an elephant. The experience of riding an elephant is unforgettable as these giant creatures are incredibly graceful, especially when making their way through difficult terrain. If you are traveling to Koh Phangan with children, then they will surely be impressed by this trip and will remember it all their lives.

Yoga

The island has many spas, yoga, meditation, and relaxing massage salons. Yoga is a traditional method of practice inspired by T. Krishnamacharya and Pattabhi Joy of Mysore, India. Practicing it requires physical endurance due to constant movement from one pose to the next.

Practiced in the correct sequential order, yoga gradually leads the practitioner to rediscover his or her full potential at all levels of human consciousness. And through the practice of proper breathing, certain postures, gaze and energy locks, we gain control over the senses and a deep awareness of ourselves.

By practicing yoga regularly, a person gains stability in body and mind.

Kiteboarding

Riding a board (like surfing) with a kite (parachute). Kiteboarding is developing very quickly here, and if a couple of years ago it was considered impossible to ride during waves, as classic surfers do, now everything has changed. There are a number of kitesurfing schools on the island.

Kiteboarding or in other words - kitesurfing on Phanan Island is one of the most fashionable, vibrant and progressive areas in kiting. And the fun of riding a surfboard with kites has now become one of the most popular sports.

Beaches of Koh Phangan

Hotels and inns

There are many hotels and inns on the island. The closer the hotel is to Haad Rin beach, the higher the price of housing, and vice versa, the further from the beach, the lower the price of housing.

Hotels

1. Haad Yao
2. Haad Son
3. Ban Tai
4. Haad Salad

Webcam on the island of Koh Phangan Thailand

The Koh Phangan island webcam is located on the west coast, on the facade of the 3-star Sea Garden Resort hotel and is aimed at Chao Phao beach. In the foreground you can see a swimming pool located on the hillside, which gives tourists the opportunity to take magnificent pictures with the sea in the background.

In the morning and evening you can enjoy beautiful views of the sea during sunrise and sunset.

How to get to Koh Phangan island?

There is no airport on the island; the nearest one is on Koh Samui. To which you can fly from Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Singapore, Chiang Mai. The journey to the island takes about 20 minutes, the most expensive and fastest way is an individual high-speed boat.

They go at least 3 times a day, mooring near or in the Haad Rin beach itself. You can also get to the island by ferry, which can be found near Maenam and Nathon beaches.

The most comfortable transport option will be a government bus, which will transfer with you to Raja Ferry and go straight to Bangkok.

Koh Phangan Island Thailand on the map

How to use the card?

Our map of. Phangan is interactive and requires Javascript enabled in your browser to function.

List of objects on the map of the island. Koh Phangan

At the top left of the map you can see a link to “enlarge the map”. By clicking on it, the map will automatically open in a new window, offering you to see photos of the surrounding area and beautiful landscapes. Clicking on the “target” icon will take you to the place on the map where you are now.

Information about the object and transition to its description

• By hovering your cursor over an object icon on the map, you will see its name.
• By clicking once on the object icon, you will see the name of the object, its coordinates and a link to go to the object description.
• By double-clicking on the object icon, you will be taken to the object description (opens in a new window).

Route planning

You can plot a driving or walking route, determine the distance to any point or marker (hotel, attraction) on the map from your current location. Just click on the icon of an attraction or hotel, and in the tooltip that opens you will see a link to “get directions here.”