Koh Phangan in Thailand - a complete overview of the island. Phangan Island (Koh Phangan) in Malibu Thailand - a beach for families with children

Koh Phangan, or Koh Phangan in local parlance, is located in the Gulf of Thailand, 56 km from mainland Thailand and 15 km from Koh Samui.

You are unlikely to be able to buy a package tour here, and there is an opinion about this place that a lot of unusual people live here - vegetarians who practice abstinence from alcohol, sex, communication, etc. In fact, such people live everywhere, and in your city, although it is far from the island of Koh Phangan, such people live too.

In fact, there are informal personalities on the island of Koh Phangan, but not in such numbers as on the beaches of Goa. The version that Koh Phangan is the Thai Goa, as is often written about on websites, is far from the truth.

The atmosphere here is only vaguely reminiscent of Goan

Yes, the island of Koh Phangan has become the venue for the largest open air in all of Southeast Asia - here

There is a monthly Full Moon Party. It happens on a full moon. Several thousand people gather.

But on other days there are no freaks and meditators on the beaches, no people playing the pipe, no snakes in a basket, no guys with dirty hair and shabby clothes, drugged by something, beggars, etc.

The island of Koh Phangan lives an unobtrusive but rhythmic life. Even merchants are absent on most beaches and do not interfere with the sun shining on vacationers.

Fuul Moon party

First, about the most famous! As mentioned above, this party happens every month on the night of the full moon on Haad Rin Beach. On this beach, life begins to boil 3-4 days before the party. The excitement ends 2-3 days after the Fuul Moon party. If you are not eager to attend this event, then it is better not to come to Haad Rin on such days.

During the indicated near-full-moon week, Haad Rin will have crowds, noise, dirt, and accommodation prices inflated by 5 times. This event is not reflected in any way on other beaches of Koh Phangan.

In fact, Haad Rin 3 days after the party is clean, hotel prices return to normal levels and the entire party crowd has already left.

Who lives on Koh Phangan

As it turns out, the local population is not Thais, but Burmese. There are Thais, of course, too, but there are much fewer of them. So it’s worth showing off your Thai knowledge on Koh Phangan.

Beaches of Koh Phangan

The beaches on Koh Phangan are very beautiful, memorable and different. Most with crystal clear water. But this is external. When entering the water on many beaches you find a rocky bottom, which makes swimming uncomfortable or not possible at all.

Haad Rin

Haad Rin is actually a small area in the south of the island, which occupies a small promontory of land. There are two beaches here: Haad Rin Nok and Haad Rin Nai. The first one is located in the eastern part, so sunrises are seen here. The second is in the west of the peninsula, and here they watch sunsets.

Haad Rin Nok– a large beach, wide, sandy. This is where the Full Mo night party takes place

on Party. Lovers of nightclubs, bars and dancing until the morning prefer to stay in hotels on this beach.

Another thing Haad Rin Nai– the beach is very small. The place is quiet and secluded, but you can always walk to Haad Rin Nok and plunge headlong into the fun.

There are many shops, cafes, and guesthouses near both beaches.

Ban Kai

If you move along the coast from Haad Rin to the northwest, you will next come across Ban Kai beach. The beach is quite wide, and numerous hotels and bungalows are conveniently located between the coconut plantations. There are also many restaurants, bars, shops, but not as noisy and crowded as Haad Rin.

The sand is a little rough and the shore becomes narrow in some places, especially in the east near the small rocky headland.

The sea is very rough, so swimming is good, despite the fact that it is very shallow here. There is a coral reef 400 m from the beach, but in the season from April to November, snorkeling is not always possible here (low water).

Ban Tai

This beach is also suitable for nightlife. Once a month the Black Moon Culture party takes place here. There is plenty of cheap housing and good infrastructure.

This is one of the longest beaches on the island of Koh Phangan, its length is about 2 km. The sand is coarse, with stones in the surf, broken shells, a rocky bottom, shallow water, and the shore is in some places protected from erosion by stone fences.

The entrance to the water has a rather large slope, which nevertheless becomes very gentle after about three meters. As a result, to a depth normal for an adult, you will have to walk from 50 to 200 meters.

Bang Charu

If you want to live closer to the administrative center of the island, then it is better to settle here. The beach is quite clean. The coast is wide, there is a lot of sand.

Thongsala

The beach in Thongsala is not for swimming or sunbathing. There is a parking lot for local boats and a port here, so the sea is dirty. But housing here is naturally cheaper than in Haad Rin and on the nearby beaches.

In general, Thongsala is the administrative center and main port of Koh Phangan.

Sritanau

Moving further north we get to Sritanau beach. There are few people here and it is clean. Nearby is Laem Son Lake, a favorite vacation spot for local and visiting Thais.

Haad Chao Pao

There are more vacationers here than on Sritanau, but much fewer than in Haad Rin. Chao Pao consists of small coves. The tides here are not so strong and you can swim in any season, although the depth near the shore is shallow.

You can see the reef and rocks, you can probably try snorkeling there.

Haad Yao

A popular beach in the northwest of Koh Phangan. The beach is really beautiful, its images can often be seen on advertising brochures on the island of Koh Phangan. Lots of greenery, lots of clean and white sand. There is not much water at low tide, but enough for swimming.

It has everything you need for a relaxing beach holiday. The downside is that it’s a bit far from Thongsal and even more so from Haad Rin (the opposite side of the island).

Haad Salad

Also a popular beach. Located in the bay of the same name. From here it is very close to Mae Haad beach and its calling card - Mae Island. There is a coral reef in the sea near Haad Salad Beach. Because of this, on the one hand, Haad Salad is suitable for snorkeling - you can rent a mask and fins and admire the corals.

On the other hand, sometimes it is not very comfortable to swim. The entrance to the water is gentle, the depth is shallow, and if you move further into the sea, you can injure your feet on fragments of coral.

To go explore the underwater world, you can contact one of the dive centers, of which there are many on Haad Salad. The cost is on average 1000 baht. This fee includes equipment, a little instruction (especially useful for beginners) and a boat ride for a sufficient distance to sail.

Mae Haad

Mae Haad beach is located at the northernmost point of the west coast of Koh Phangan and is considered one of the most beautiful and best beaches on the island. The beach is very picturesque, wide, a lot of greenery, it has very clean sand and sea. It is also the best snorkeling spot on Koh Phangan.

During the day it is crowded, in the evening the beach is empty, only those who live in local hotels remain.

They also say you can walk along the seabed and walk to the neighboring island. The small island of Koh Mae is located very close to Koh Phangan. The sea near the northern coast is shallow, because of this, during low tides the sandy bottom is exposed and a “road” is formed leading to Koh Mai.

Chaloklum

This is a bay in which there is a port and an adjacent fishing village. Therefore, the sea and beach here are dirtier than in other areas. The length of Chaloklum Beach is approximately 2.5 km

In the center there is a fishing village. Many street and beach restaurants in the bay offer dishes prepared from fish and seafood caught by local fishermen.

Housing prices here are more affordable. The place is popular mainly among surfers: the waves are higher in this area.

Bottle Beach

A small white sand beach is located next to Chaloklum. This beach is rightfully considered one of the most beautiful beaches not only on the island of Koh Phangan, but throughout Thailand. However, there is no paved road to this beach yet.

People usually come here for one day from neighboring areas - just to swim in the clear sea and lie in the shade of palm trees.

The big advantage of Bottle Beach is that you can swim there in any season, there are no pronounced ebbs and flows and the sea is always deep, unlike many other beaches on Koh Phangan.

Thong Nai Pan Noi

The beach is located in the northeast of the island. It's deeper here than on the west coast of Koh Phangan. There are few hotels and shops here, as well as vacationers. To get here, you need to drive across the entire island, off-road, for which a motorcycle is more suitable than a car. Another option is by boat from Chakloklum.

Tong Nai Pan Yai

The beach is located near Thong Nai Pan Noi when heading northeast. It cannot be called crowded and popular, because getting here, again, is not easy - there is no proper road. If you travel from Thongsal, you will have to cross the entire island. But the nature here is beautiful. The sea is shallow, calm and clean, suitable for families with children.

Haad Sadet

The beach is located in the east of Koh Phangan. There is good depth here, but there are waves. This place is suitable for surfing. If you want to ride the waves, keep in mind that there are no surf schools or rental equipment on the beach; you will have to bring it with you from another point on the island.

Haad Yuan

So we return to Haad Rin. The last one in the review will be Haad Yuan Beach in the southeast of the island. Next up is Haad Rin. The beach is quiet and calm, there are not many places to stay, and therefore there are few people. Most often people come here for one day just to relax and swim in the clean and calm sea.

The greenest island in Thailand

So it is considered. Even the kings of Thailand are among Phangan's fans. Here, even ordinary bushes, palm trees and grass have such a special green color.

What kind of tourists come to Koh Phangan

The huge number of European youth immediately catches your eye. On the contrary, there are few Russian tourists. They write that for the most part Russians simply live on Koh Phangan or fly in for the winter with their children.

And returning to the youth, it is clear that our average graduate does not have the opportunity to save enough money and rush off to travel around Asia for a couple of months. So the European youth completely occupied Phangan.

Observation decks with bars

The island of Koh Phangan is full of bars with observation decks. Great idea. The views from the observation decks are different because they are located in different parts of the island.

Roads on Koh Phangan

A very unexpected fact was the quality of asphalt roads in Koh Phangan. It is very high. But the terrain is mountainous, the roads are winding and narrow in places. During the rainy season, it often happens that the mountain comes down onto the roadway.

Mountainous terrain and winding roads do not allow high speeds. Those who want to drive are nevertheless visible. They are distinguished by the presence of bandages and plaster. You shouldn't experience the steep turns on Koh Phangan. Even experienced drivers can't handle driving here. Be careful and better move between beaches on four wheels, i.e. by taxi!

Hotels on the beaches

There are many good hotels on Koh Phangan, and the prices are very low. For 1,000 baht per day you can easily find a decent hotel on the first coastline. The hotels are mostly clean and new, with many rooms with air conditioning.

Hotels in Koh Phangan:

A special feature of Phangan hotels is deposits. Most hotels require a deposit.

Shops, markets, fruits on Koh Phangan

7-Eleven stores are not available everywhere. Tested on the following beaches: Had Rin, Thong Nai Pan Yai, Chaloklam, Had Yao, Srithanu. Also available in Thongsala. Prices are about 10% higher than mainland prices.

There are also medium-sized supermarkets in Thongsala near the pier: Tesco Lotus, Big C and Makro.

There are two main markets on the island. Both are again in the Thongsala area.

The makashnitsa that Russian tourists love are very rare.

Another feature of holidays on the islands is that there is a problem with fruit. Fruit stalls, with a poor choice, and not on all beaches. So it’s not easy for those who love non-meat food on Koh Phangan.

Phangan. Attractions

Koh Phangan Island is not full of attractions. Several temples and neighboring islands.

Wat Pho Temple

The temple is located near Ban Tai Beach, between Haad Rin and Thongsala. Tourists often come here, but not primarily for the views of Thai architecture, the silence and tranquility of this place.
The main goal is to visit the herbal sauna at the temple. In addition to these spa treatments, you can get a Thai massage here.

Wat Chakloklum

Apparently, Wat Chakloklum is located near the fishing village of the same name, which was discussed above. Therefore, the temple is more popular among the locals. This is what, in my opinion, makes him especially interesting. If you find yourself in the Chakloklum area, stop by and admire the white and gold facade and beautiful interior.

Ang Thong

An archipelago is located between the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan and the Thai mainland. This is a national park, an excursion there is very popular from Koh Samui, but you can also sail from Koh Phangan. The archipelago consists of 42 two tiny islands with a total area of ​​only 18 sq. km. The uniqueness and beauty of this place is in its landscape: rocks, caves, rich flora.

Season on Koh Phangan

Compared to other regions and areas of Southern Thailand, Koh Phangan does not have distinct wet and dry seasons. There are two periods when precipitation increases - from May to July and from October to December.

Ko Phangan in autumn and winter: there are a lot of tourists, and as a result, hotel prices are inflated. The weather is not the best, waves, the sea throws garbage and algae onto the sand, low tides at night. But high season...

Ko Phangan in spring and summer: few tourists, discounts in hotels 50-70%, sunny weather, few or no waves, clear water, clean beaches, low tides during the day. Low season...

The high season on Koh Phangan lasts from November to February. It is called high not because during these months there is clear sunny weather and good sea. In winter, there is a large influx of tourists who fly to the Thai islands to bask. Peak season - December, New Year.

The rainiest months are October and November. And in winter the weather on Koh Phangan is rather tolerable, there are many sunny days, but there are also a lot of rainy and cloudy days. Probably, if you choose the winter months, then it is better to go in February-March. But in winter there is a high tide season on Koh Phangan.

How to get there

The area of ​​Koh Phangan is 125 sq. km. No place for an airport was found on such a small piece of land.

The closest airport to the island is on Koh Samui. Two major Thai airlines operate regular flights here from Bangkok - Bangkok Airways and Thai Airways.

Getting to Koh Phangan is not a problem from the mainland either. In any case, you need to take a ferry to the island itself. By the way, it departs from the same Donsak pier from which ferries go to Samui.

From the cities of Thailand, you can use private tourist or government buses to travel. Tourist bus tickets can be purchased at any agency.

You can come to the island with your bike or even by car, then still by ferry.

From Donsak Pier the ferry takes 2.5 hours to reach Phangan. Arrival at Thongsala pier.

Opinion about the island of Koh Phangan

Beach holidays on Koh Phangan as a whole should be highly rated. Yes, many beaches are small, but the water is clear, a beautiful blue or greenish color of the sea, few waves, snow-white sand, beautiful views and privacy without a huge number of tourists. There are a large number of beaches to choose from.

Koh Phangan (Thailand) is an island in the Gulf of Thailand, located in the southern part of the country. You can find it if you move from Koh Tao in the direction of Koh Samui. Regarding the cardinal directions, Samui is located south of Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao is located to the north. There are few attractions on Koh Phangan; tourists come here mainly for the comfortable beaches with fine, white sand and beautiful sea. If you are a party animal and cannot live without music and dancing, be sure to visit the Full Moon Party, which is held every month on the full moon on Haad Rin Beach.

Photo: Thailand, Koh Phangan island.

Koh Phangan Island - tourist information

The area of ​​Koh Phangan island in Thailand is about 170 square meters. km - you can cross it from south to north in just a quarter of an hour, and the journey from Thong Sala to the northern beaches will take about 30 minutes. The distance between the nearest points of the island and Koh Samui is only 8 km. To get to Koh Tao, you will have to travel 35 km. The local population is 15 thousand people. The capital is Tong Sala.

Most of the island is mountains and impenetrable tropical forests, but the remaining third of Koh Phangan is made up of luxurious beaches and coconut tree plantations.

Interesting fact! Phangan in Thailand is the favorite vacation spot of the monarch Rama V. The king visited it in 1888 and then came here at least a dozen times.

Translated from the local language, the name of the island is translated as Sand Spit. The fact is that at low tide, spits form, most of them in the south of Koh Phangan. On a full moon, the water goes more than half a kilometer into the sea.

When choosing a place of residence, you should focus on the following criteria - young people come here during the full moon, they book rooms near Haad Rin. Those who come to Phangan for a long time stay in the north; families with children and admirers of yoga practices settle in the west.

Good to know! Transport from the mainland arrives at the northern western edge of the island, there are markets and shops, and souvenir shops.

Tourist holidays on Koh Phangan were not always comfortable and enjoyable. Tourism has been developing here most actively for three decades. Today hotels and bungalows have been built on the island, but previously the local population was only engaged in fishing.

Photo: Koh Phangan Island, Thailand.

What to see on Koh Phangan

Of course, the attractions of Koh Phangan cannot be compared with large European cities and tourist resorts. Nevertheless, interesting places have also been preserved here. Koh Phangan Island in Thailand boasts several authentic attractions of interest to tourists.

National Park

Than Sadet Park was founded after the first visit of the monarch. An area of ​​66 hectares is located in the east of Koh Phangan and is considered the most exotic. Here you can visit two waterfalls, the highest mountain of Phangan (about 650 m).

Than Sadet Waterfall is the highest on Koh Phangan and means Royal Stream. This is a cascade of water flows formed by boulders. Its length is more than three kilometers. Local residents consider the water here sacred.

Phaeng Waterfall is the most picturesque place on the island, located 3 km from the capital. Only a physically prepared tourist can get here. For travelers there is an observation deck from where you can see the islands of Tao and Koh Samui in Thailand.

Good to know! For hiking in the jungle, choose sports, comfortable shoes and clothes. It is advisable to have a map of tourist routes with you.

Be sure to visit the beautiful Laem Son Lake, located among coconut trees. Remember that fishing is prohibited - the natural attraction is under state protection. But tourists are allowed to bungee jump and relax in the shade of exotic plants.

Mount Ra is completely hidden by virgin rainforest.

Entrance to the park is free, you can walk here without any time restrictions, but only when it is light. It is best to buy a tour and visit the park accompanied by an experienced guide. Also, many tourists go on trips for several days with tents. You can only move around the park on foot.

Translated, the name of the temple means Sanctuary of a Small Mountain; the landmark is located near the pier in the capital. The oldest temple of Phangan. Followers of various meditation techniques often come here. There is an observation deck from where you can see the entire southern part of Koh Phangan. The attraction features ancient Thai architecture.

The attraction is a temple complex - the central part is a white pagoda, surrounded by eight smaller pagodas. In the temple you can learn Buddhist culture.

Practical information:

• the temple has a strict dress code;
• if you want to talk to an English-speaking monk, plan to visit after lunch;
• the local population believes that by visiting the temple, you can find happiness;
• the attraction is located a few kilometers from the capital on a hill;
• on Monday the temple is closed;
• visiting is free.

A Buddhist complex located in the center of Phangan (Thailand), 2-3 km from the settlement of Chaloklam. It is decorated with stairs, arches, there is an observation deck, comfortable benches, the surrounding area is very picturesque, covered with greenery.

The attraction was built in honor of the goddess of mercy Guan Yin. Most often women come here with children.

Good to know! There are dogs around the temple grounds, sometimes they behave too aggressively.

the entrance is free, you can visit during daylight hours.

Full Moon Party and nightlife

On Koh Phangan in Thailand, one of the most fun and visited parties in the World is held - Full Moon Party, which has already become a symbol of not only the island, but the whole of Thailand. Thousands of tourists come to Haad Rin Beach once a month to enjoy music, dancing and fire shows.

There are so many people who want to attend the party that many other parties are held on Koh Phangan, for example, a week before the Full Moon Party, a Half Moon is held not far from Ban Tai beach.

Read more about parties and nightlife on Koh Phangan.

Accommodation

The island in Thailand is constantly developing; today tourists are offered a huge selection of accommodation. The choice is determined by individual preferences and financial capabilities.

Prices for bungalows built on the beach start from 400 baht per night. The peculiarity of such housing is that there is not hot water everywhere; this issue needs to be clarified before booking.

There are many hotels on Koh Phangan in Thailand, the minimum cost of living for two per day is about 1000-1200 baht. Rates for rooms in three-star hotels range from $40-100.

Good to know! When choosing a hotel, be guided by the features of the beaches located nearby.

Undoubtedly, Koh Phangan (Thailand) is beautiful at any time of the year, even the king appreciated the beauty and atmosphere of the amazing island in Thailand. We have collected the most important travel information to help you organize your trip and enjoy your holiday.4

Video: overview of Koh Phangan island and aerial photography of the area.

Related posts:

A worthy successor to Spanish Ibiza and Crimean Kazantip is Thai Phangan (Ko Pha Ngan). This island in the South China Sea has become popular around the world thanks to the Full Moon Party, which takes place every month on the full moon on the five-kilometer Haad Rin beach. A few days before the full moon, progressive youth from all over Europe, the USA, Australia and Canada come here. Alcohol lovers will appreciate the sale of cocktails in a bucket, sold at many parties (200-300 ml of strong alcohol mixed with cola, energy drink, etc.)

The rest of the time, Koh Phangan is visited by lovers of wild beauty, deserted beaches and leisurely island life, which is becoming increasingly difficult to experience in more “promoted” Thai resorts. Some of the best beaches, especially in the north of the island, are best reached by Taxi Boat due to poor or non-existent roads. For those traveling for the first time, it makes sense to plan a visit to Ko Tao, or “Turtle Island” - a small island next to Phangan and, like Phangan, has its own unique charm.

The latest news from Koh Phangan is quite strange - for a month, all parties except Haad Rin must end at 2 am. Although there is another side to the coin - everyone who really needs it will be arranged or will end up at an after-party at someone’s home. And then everything will be as it should be! The road to Ton Nai Pan is almost ready. This made the locals remember their favorite rumor - Airport!!

Diving in Koh Phangan

Koh Tao

This islet north of Koh Phangan is even smaller than its neighbor. The main reason why tourists come here is the amazingly clear water and rich underwater world. Visibility off the coast of Koh Tao is much better than that of neighboring Samui and Koh Phangan, and the bays where the island's beaches are located are bordered by cliffs with caves and grottoes.

You can get to this wonderful island using the same routes as to Phangan. The only difference is that it is more convenient to get to it through Chumpon, since the vast majority of ferries going from there to Phangan stop at Koh Tao. But ferries from Koh Samui are just the opposite: first they stop at Koh Phangan, and only then go to Tao.

Ko Nang Yuan

Half a kilometer from Ko Tao there is another small island - Ko Nang Yuan. It's not even really an island, but three atolls connected by sand spits. In addition to its silence and beauty, the island attracts scuba diving enthusiasts and especially novice divers, since there are practically no currents near the island.

There is only one hotel here, and the island is essentially its territory: at night, only guests of this hotel are allowed to stay on Ko Nang Yuan. During the day, tourists come to the island as part of excursion groups, so to visit Ko Nang Yuan, you need to either buy an excursion or come to Ko Tao first: here you can take a minibus that goes to Nang Yuan twice per day (fare 150 THB), or by taxi boat, which costs twice as much. However, if a room in the only hotel in Nang Yuan is not booked, you will have to leave the island at 17:00.

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 (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 with 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.