The island of Koh Phangan (Phangan) is the “Ibiza” of Thailand and a paradise for divers. Island in Thailand - Phangan Hotel deposits

Phangan Island (Koh Phangan) in Thailand located in the southern part of the kingdom, in the Gulf of Thailand of the vast Pacific Ocean between two other islands - a small one and a slightly larger one. Samui is located slightly to the south (), and Tao, on the contrary, is to the north. They are especially famous Koh Phangan beaches, which received the love of residents and tourists thanks to their snow-white sands, unique nature and stunning sea filled with a huge number of marine organisms. In addition, a party called !

In general, Koh Phangan is a very small island, only 168 square kilometers. At the same time, the distance from Koh Phangan to Koh Samui between the closest points is only 8 kilometers, and from Koh Phangan to Tao is slightly longer - 35. It belongs to the rather modest province of Sura Thani, and Koh Phangan is inhabited by only 15 thousand people. Thongsala is the largest city on the island, "Haad Rin"- the same beach where the main event takes place. It is divided into southern and northern parts: "Sunset Beach" And "Haad Rin". You can find combined routes and book a ticket through.

In general, Koh Phangan is the fifth largest island in Thailand. The peculiarity of its name is directly related to the Thai language, since “Phangan” comes from the word “Ngan”, which translates as “sand spit”. By the way, they can be seen from the island during low tide. They perfectly protect Phangan from the raging monsoons.

Phangan has changed quite imperceptibly over the course of a quarter of a century, from the very moment when the very first places for tourists to stay appeared on the island. Many local residents decided to change their activities, choosing serving tourists as their main occupation. For some 20-25 years, while tourism was developing on this island of Thailand, life has changed little, but over the past few years, literally 5-7, changes have become very clearly visible.

The oldest structure on the island is the Nai Temple, built in the village of Baan Nua, located in the south of the island. Historians suggest that this stupa was created four hundred years before Ayutthaya, in another period - Srivichaya.

Buddhism is the main religion of the inhabitants of the island, as well as for the whole of Thailand. On Phangan, you can also see Christian churches, and even places for Muslim prayers.

Phangan was considered the most beloved island of Rama V, the king who was most revered there. His portraits can be easily found almost everywhere on the island, and on the rocks you can see 9 autographs of the kings and rulers of Thailand.

A selection of the best hotels on Koh Phangan

Phangan Island in Thailand (Koh Phangan) located in the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea and is the fifth largest island in the country. Koh Phangan is connected to the mainland, the closest distance is 50 km, by regular ferry service. At the same time, less than ten kilometers separate Phangan and the famous island of Koh Samui, which is located to the south. It is Koh Samui that often becomes a permanent holiday destination, while Koh Phangan is seen as something of a nice addition and a place to go for just a few days or a day excursion. However, the island of Koh Phangan itself is quite interesting for a long-term vacation, where there are all the conditions for this.

THE CONTENT OF THE ARTICLE (you can click on the link for a quick transition)

Koh Phangan Island (Thailand) – general information

Like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan administratively belongs to the province of Surat Thani, and the island got its name from the Thai word “ngan”, which means “sand spit”, because during low tides you can see picturesque sand spits on some beaches of the island. Square Koh Phangan Islands is 167 square kilometers, which allows it to close the top five largest islands in Thailand. In terms of size, Phangan is not much inferior to the neighboring island of Koh Samui - only 1.5 times smaller. But compared to Phuket, Phangan is noticeably more compact: it is about 4 times smaller in area.

Almost 70% of Koh Phangan's territory is mountainous, covered with impenetrable tropical vegetation. The mountains themselves on Koh Phangan are not very high: the maximum height is 630 m (Mount Khao Ra). The remaining territory of the island is occupied by Koh Phangan's beaches and flat terrain suitable for traditional farming. A considerable part of the cultivated land is used as coconut palm plantations, which, combined with the unusually beautiful local beaches, give the island a truly paradise-like appearance.

Koh Phangan - weather and seasons

Despite the fact that Koh Phangan is a year-round resort, there are some peculiarities associated with the rainy season. Moreover, on Koh Phangan there are two periods of pronounced. The first begins in April and continues through June. At this time, not only does it rain often, but there is also a low water level in the sea, which during this period is also slightly cloudy. The second “wet” season can be caught by coming on holiday to Koh Phangan from September to November.

Accordingly, the optimal months for a holiday on the island are July-August and the period from December to March. This is if your priority is a beach holiday, you need bright sunny weather, minimal or no precipitation, clear sea water for snorkeling and diving, colorful photos from your holiday, etc. If the island of Koh Phangan (Thailand) interests you primarily as a venue for the famous Fool Moon Party, then you can come at any time of the year, and the music and cheerful companies will definitely not let you get bored.

Advantages and disadvantages of Koh Phangan

I warn you right away that the pros and cons of Koh Phangan listed below are somewhat arbitrary, because all people are individual and what I like may not be what you like at all. Therefore, I will try to describe the advantages and disadvantages of the island in the context of various types of recreation and the gender and age structure of tourists.

Of course, the natural beauty of the island is its most important advantage. The numerous beaches of Koh Phangan are so picturesque that they are often depicted in all kinds of tourist catalogs in the “Thailand” section, along with beaches, steep cliffs and islands sticking out of the water. Lush tropical vegetation, green mountains, snow-white beaches without umbrellas and sunbeds, turquoise sea water near the shore, beautiful waterfalls - all this makes you fall in love the first time and makes numerous tourists return to Koh Phangan again and again, at least for a few days.

Despite the large number of hotels that are now easy to find on almost every beach of Koh Phangan, the number of people vacationing on the island is still small even during the peak of the high dry season in Thailand. This gives a holiday on Koh Phangan some privacy and romance. Koh Phangan is perfect for all couples and families who prefer to relax away from the noisy companies of compatriots and tourists from other countries. There are a number of beaches on the island where you can relax all day in complete solitude.

You should forget about a relaxing holiday on Koh Phangan only on full moon days, when thousands of tourists from all over the world arrive on the island to take part in Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan, which usually lasts three days. However, this event only affects Haad Rin beach and other beaches bordering it and the pier; the rest, even at this time, are quite calm and quiet. By the way, it is precisely the silence and orderliness of relaxation on Koh Phangan that for some is also a disadvantage: those who like noisy companies, streets with bars and discos, following the example of Volkin Street in Pattaya, will clearly be bored here, especially in the evenings.

Infrastructure Koh Phangan Islands It is developing rapidly, but is still far from perfect. There is only one large Tesco Lotus supermarket on the island (in the main island town of Thong Sala) with a fairly meager selection of things that cannot be found in the usual 7Eleven. Also, don’t count on good shopping in the big shopping centers on Koh Phangan, because there aren’t any there yet. But if you just need holiday essentials, groceries and fresh thailand fruits– all this is easy to find both in the village of Thong Sala and on the most populated other beaches of the island.

The island's own airport is under construction, so you won't be able to get to Koh Phangan directly: you'll have to get to the island by ferry or boat for now. However, such a boat trip usually takes 20-30 minutes, so there’s nothing wrong with that. Especially if you know the schedule and piers on Koh Phangan and Koh Samui from which transport between the islands of various sea carriers departs. By the way, this useful information can be found in an article published earlier on the site.

Another problem is the roads of Koh Phangan: if you want to visit the fairly popular and well-maintained beaches of the island, there will be no problems: high-quality paved roads will probably be built to them. But if you want to visit truly wild and uninhabited beaches, you will have to travel along dirt roads in places of terrible quality, so those who have registered for the first time and specifically on Koh Phangan should not risk their life and health when driving on such roads.

The cost of living on Koh Phangan depends on your preferences for living conditions and the availability of additional amenities. There are both expensive high-category hotels and quite budget accommodations. In addition, you can always stay in a tent and eat in the restaurant of the nearest hotel at quite affordable prices. Using the hotel search form below at the best prices, you always have the opportunity to save money and plan your vacation budget in Thailand in advance. Just choose to zoom in on the Phangan beach you are interested in on the map and find out the cost of the hotels located there.

Things to do on Koh Phangan Island in Thailand

Despite the fact that the island is quite calm and is primarily conducive to a quiet and measured holiday, there is something to do on Koh Phangan besides lying on the beach closest to your hotel. By the way, there are several dozen beaches on the island, which can be easily verified using Koh Phangan island maps in high resolution. Below is a short list of things you can do on Koh Phangan to diversify your holiday on the island.

★ Participation in the Full Moon Party. The famous beach party is held, as its name suggests, every full moon of the month on Haad Rin Beach. Deafening music, fashionable DJs, buckets of alcohol and a crazy atmosphere will be remembered for a long time even by those who in ordinary life do not really like going to clubs and discos.

★ Participation in other parties. If you think that besides the full moon party there is nothing for young people to do on the island of Koh Phangan, you are deeply mistaken :). Twice a month there are Half Moon Parties, once a New Moon Party and several other parties, information about the dates and locations of which, the cost of participation, other features and rules of behavior at such parties can be found in a separate article “Parties on Koh Phangan: places, dates, cost”.

★ Diving on Koh Phangan is one of the best in the entire Gulf of Thailand. The island offers both excursion diving, i.e. diving in the company of experienced instructors and professional diving. You can find many places to rent scuba equipment, as well as undergo professional training at one of the local schools and receive an international certificate. There are also many snorkeling spots near the island, and in the Tonga Sala area there is a local branch of the country's largest kitesurfing school.

★ Visiting the picturesque beaches of Koh Phangan with light sand, where spending time is a pleasure. While vacationing on the island, it would be foolish not to visit at least 5-7 of its beaches, each of which may differ from its neighbors in its atmosphere, water color, coastline, etc. Some will be attracted by clean and well-maintained beaches Koh Phangan Islands close to expensive hotels, while others will simply be fascinated by the wild beaches, which no one cleans up from shells thrown out by the sea and tree trunks bleached by the sun and sea salt.

★ Visiting the natural and man-made attractions of Koh Phangan. This category of entertainment includes trips to the island’s numerous waterfalls, Phangan National Park, visits to a Buddhist and Chinese temple, a fishing village and an elephant village. You can read more about this in the article “Sights of Koh Phangan and excursions on the island”, which examines the most interesting objects of Koh Phangan and lists the cost of visiting those where it is charged.

That's it for the review Koh Phangan islands in Thailand completed, more detailed information about the island's beaches, transport on Koh Phangan, parties, excursions and attractions can be found in separate articles by clicking on the links above.

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Phangan, also known as Phangan (Kho Phangan) is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand with an area of ​​125 square km. The name of the island has the following origin. Particle "Ko" means "island" and the second part - "Ngan" translated as "sand spit".

The attractions of Koh Phangan are plentiful and worthy of admiration. The island is located at a distance of 56 km from the mainland, the distance from neighboring islands is as follows. Koh Phangan is 16 km away from Koh Samui and 35 km from Koh Tao.

Just as the sun is destined to rise in the sky, just as spring is destined to come after winter, so Koh Phangan, due to its incredible beauty, was destined to satisfy tourists who want to relax and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a beautiful oasis.

Koh Phangan Island and tourism

What is noteworthy is that the tourism business on the island began to function not so long ago, less than thirty years ago. However, at the moment, the island of Koh Phangan has become the epicenter of popularity among young Europeans. And all thanks to the opportunity to take part in entertaining events and vibrant parties in the southern part of the island.

This resort is universal. Because in addition to lovers of noise, music and vivid impressions, the souls of people who want to indulge in a quiet, blissful holiday in the lap of peaceful and beautiful nature can also find shelter there. The second category of tourists can find everything they want in the west and north of the country, full of harmony and exoticism.

Full Moon Party

The island of Koh Phangan in Thailand may differ from other resorts with a unique celebration called Full Moon Party - a delightful celebration held directly in the lap of nature, hundreds of participants take part in it at one time.

Events take place monthly in the middle of the night. Any such event is attended by thousands of lovers of a good holiday from different parts of the globe. Local residents claim that at the chosen point the full moon is most beautiful and attractive. The event takes place over 3 nights. The main trends in the musical accompaniment are modern styles, which young audiences love to party to.

The tradition started in 1985. Today, a pass to the celebration costs 100 baht. These rates are valid for visitors using boats to moor near the venue on the day of the celebration. People arrive from . For all other visitors, admission to the celebration is free.

Haad Rin Nok Beach

The holiday is held inside the territory Haad Rin Nok beach . At your disposal are nightclubs, cozy bars, dance areas, shops where you can buy something to eat or quench your thirst. Especially popular among young people is the plastic cocktail bucket, where fancy combinations of cocktails can be created.

Haad Rin Beach is full of hotels. But, despite their great number, on party days they are completely occupied by numerous people who want to become part of a wonderful celebration.

We can give you some practical advice: when going on a trip, you need to book a hotel room a month, or even two, in advance, so as not to really spend your entire vacation on the sand. In this area there is a transport called Songthaew - these are cars with a canopy, inside of which there are benches on which passengers sit. During festive events, a large number of these pickup trucks are busy transporting tourists. You can ride this pickup truck for 300-600 baht per passenger for one direct flight.

Having got a taste for it, and not wanting to stop purely within the Full Moon Party, local residents introduced a number of other events:

• Half Moon Party,
• Black Moon Party,
• Jungle Experience, these parties are also in demand.

What makes them different from Full Moon Party is that they take place in the middle of an island jungle and have a special specificity and goals. The timing of the events is not the same, so every tourist has the right to attend several parties at the same time. For example, the Jungle Experience takes place on the same day as the Full Moon Party.

If you are a sports fan, you will definitely like it here. Since this resort has many chances and options to relax actively and get thrills using water sports and entertainment. If you have arrived on the island in order to give peace to your soul and delight your eyes with beauty, you have at your disposal the wild beauty of pristine nature, deserted beaches that look like a piece of paradise, and a calm, quiet life.

Koh Phangan - prices

• Transportation by road from Thongsala to many parts of the island costs 140-200 baht per person.
• A scooter ride can cost from 200 baht per day.
• Residential rental costs from 300 baht per day.
• Food costs from 110 baht per tourist for one meal in a wonderful restaurant or cozy cafe.

How to get to Koh Phangan

There are the following options for the path to a resting point, where now not only your thoughts and dreams, but also you yourself can rush:

• You have the opportunity to travel to the island by air from. Koh Phangan is deprived of an airport.
• The points from which you can continue your journey after your flight are Surat Thani and.

Flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui cannot be called cheap, but they can certainly be called the fastest and most comfortable. You can get to the pier from the airport by car. Then take a ferry for a fabulous voyage to Koh Phangan.

The cost of ferry transportation is 200-300 baht one way. To avoid worries regarding the organization of the transport chain and the timing of flights, at the point of departure by air on Samui, it is recommended to take advantage of the opportunity to buy a combined ticket, which includes transportation by bus and a ferry trip.

Method 1

Let's consider the following option. You can fly to a nearby airport in Surat Thani . Our advice is to use the services of local airline companies, as their prices look much more tempting and attractive. The most profitable option is to engage the services of the following companies that have managed to establish themselves as a responsible and attentive transport service provider to the wishes of clients:

• Thai Smile,
• Lion Air,
• Nok Air,
• AirAsia.

Air carriers Air Asia and Nok Air provide the opportunity to purchase combined ticket (Joint ticket) , which includes plane + ferry + bus, is a very convenient option for people who want to pay more attention to their vacation rather than its organization.

Ticket prices from Bangkok to Surat Thani fluctuates around the level 1300 baht, for flights operating in the evening after 17.00 you can often get discounts, so you have the opportunity to get tickets for 600 baht (there are no return flights from Surat Thani).

Method 2

The next way to get to the resort is transportation by bus . Buses operate to a stop in the city of Surat Thani. Here you have the opportunity to purchase a comprehensive ticket. This will give you the opportunity to travel by bus to Donsak pier and take a ferry to Koh Phangan. If you like this method, take it into account in your budget, leaving for this trip 300 baht. In addition, there are flights departing directly to the Donsak pier. From here there is the possibility of departure by ferry.

The Bangkok-Surat Thani flight operates from the Bus Terminal in the south of Bangkok (Sai ​​Tai Mai or Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal). Flight price approx. 500 baht, it is possible to choose a bus class.

With the help of vehicles, you can easily get to Surat Thani from anywhere in the southern part of the country: Krabi, Hat Yai and other resorts.

Koh Phangan island what to see

There is no better creation of art than what is created by nature. The beaches of the island are the most attractive and entertaining part of it. As well as beautiful waterfalls and exotic nature. For natural energy and freshness, head to Than Sadet Park. You can get there at any convenient time without any entrance fee.

Admire the multi-tiered Peang waterfall, Lake Laem Son surrounded by coconut palms. Great places to relax. Must visit Wat Thong Sala temple .

It's great to visit Koh Phangan with children. Here they will find not only a lot of interesting entertainment. But in general, such a trip is an unforgettable experience for a lifetime. Something that your child will remember at a conscious age as a children's fairy tale, a wonderful kingdom of beauty and nature... Where you will definitely want to return and bring your children.

Thailand... A country that is generous with sun, warmth and hospitality. The land of eternal summer and eternal smiles. They say that in Thailand it is impossible to frown or walk around in a bad mood. Nature itself acts as a healer and heals from blues and depression, melancholy and despondency. Among the many paradises lost in this small country, Koh Phangan Island occupies not the least place. Thailand is proud of this oasis of relaxation, where the gentle sun and velvet sandy beaches invite foreign guests tired of everyday life into their arms. Have you never been there before? What are you waiting for? You can spend your next vacation exploring the sights of this country.

Koh Phangan Island (Thailand) on the country map

A charming town that attracts tourists with its beauty, it occupies very little space on the map. Yes, he is miniature in real life, he cannot be called a giant. The area of ​​the island is 168 sq. km. And this little one is only 15 km in diameter. But, despite such small size, the island of Koh Phangan (Thailand) enjoys well-deserved popularity among local residents and is well known to foreign guests.

History of the name

Previously, this shelter for tired tourists was called Koh Phangan. It is still often called that way. It owes its name to the word “Ko”, which is translated into our usual language as “island”, and another word from the vocabulary of the inhabitants of the southern provinces - “ngan”, this word means “sand barrier” or “strip”.

The name is telling, because the coastal part of the resort is replete with many sandy islands and sediments. They protect the island from sometimes aggressive waves and strong monsoons.

Geographical position

The small island of Koh Phangan (Thailand) is located in Surat Thani, one of the provinces of the country. It is separated from the capital by 500 km. It is part of the famous Koh Samui archipelago, which includes about 40 islands. For such a small country as Thailand, this is a lot. Koh Phangan is located 15 km from the main Samui. Thong Sala is considered the main port of the town. It is also the capital.

Excursion into history

We rarely think about the past of the settlements we visit while traveling. Meanwhile, some of them keep whole scatterings of legends and interesting stories in the boxes of their cities.

Koh Phangan (Thailand) is notable for its archaeological excavations. They confirmed his advanced age. As it turned out, the existence of the island of Koh Phangan dates back 2000 years. In the 19th century, the Chinese began to emigrate here, resulting in a population increase. At the very beginning of the 20th century, about 300 families lived here. Nice, kind Thais did not pretend to have European charms. They calmly enjoyed the eternal sun and the generous gifts of the sea. They were mainly engaged in farming and fishing. But since the mid-80s the situation has changed dramatically. Thailand decided to get into the tourism business. And crowds of tourists from all over the world poured into this paradise country. I liked Thailand and began to talk about it more and more often. Today it is one of the fashionable resorts. Among the most visited regions of the country are the Koh Phangan Islands.

International airlines

Many international airlines offer flights to this amazing country. Therefore, you will not have any problems with your trip. Among the particularly notable ones are Lufthansa, Air France, Finnair and many others. When in Bangkok, you should pay attention to this: where the departure will take place. The fact is that all international flights land at the brand new airport. His name is Suvarnabhumi. But flights around the country are carried out from the old airport, which is called Don Mueang.

Koh Phangan (Thailand): how to get there

If you find yourself in the land of eternal summer for the first time, don’t worry: it’s impossible to get lost in Thailand. It is so compact and intuitive. If your goal is the island of Koh Phangan, you will have to get to it by way of transport. Of course, you will arrive from Europe by plane. All that remains is to choose your primary destination. There are several options.

1. Bangkok. It is located near Koh Phangan. However, in this cozy country everything is at hand. There is a bus from Bangkok to the island. This pleasure will cost from 500 to 1500 baht. Both tourist and local buses go to Koh Phangan. The first of them depart from the street, which is intended specifically for guests of the country, the second - from a regular bus station. You cannot give preference to any one type of transport. Both are equally comfortable and suitable for movement.
2. Surat Thani. This place also has a local airport called Surat Thani Airport. You can get to Koh Phangan by traveling by bus and then by ferry. The trip will take about 2.5 hours.
3. Samui. Here you will be greeted by the airport of the same name. From this city getting to Koh Phangan is easy. Ferries depart in this direction several times a day. The fare is from 5 to 8 baht. Travel time is about 40 minutes.

Beaches of Koh Phangan

Of course, many of us are attracted to a holiday in Thailand. The beaches of Koh Phangan represent a whole kaleidoscope of popular and not so popular places where you can swim in the sea waves, meditate while lying on the beach and absorbing the generous warmth of the Asian sun with every cell.

What beaches make sense to visit when arriving in Koh Phangan (Thailand)?

Sights of Koh Phangan

Despite its miniature size, there is also room here for the cultural values ​​for which Koh Phangan is famous. Thailand is a unique country that can boast of its traditions and monuments.

What do loving tourists say?

All of us, when going to some unfamiliar country, pester our friends and acquaintances who have already been lucky enough to visit there with questions. Before going to Thailand, it would also be a good idea to get acquainted with the opinions of experienced tourists. If you are attracted to the island of Koh Phangan, reviews will help you choose a place to stay, tell you about prices and which beach is best to prefer. People who have been there once remember their trip with a happy smile and dream of returning to this country again.

The island of Koh Phangan hides many attractive secrets and generous gifts. Thailand, whose photos evoke admiration for the beauty of its landscapes, has more than one such magical corner in reserve. So why not start getting to know them?

If you are going to independently vacation on the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand, then this photo article will help you decide which Koh Phangan beach to choose and which area of ​​the island is more convenient to live in if you come on vacation or for the winter.

Choosing a beach on Koh Phangan is a very important issue, because due to low tides, some areas are unsuitable for swimming for six months.

Koh Phangan (aka Koh Phangan, aka Koh Phangan) is my favorite island in Thailand. What about in Thailand - on the whole planet. I’ve been there 8 times in different years, traveled far and wide, rented accommodation on different beaches, so I have some idea about the subject.

The content of the article:

When to go to Koh Phangan?

The tourist season on Koh Phangan is from December to March and from August to September. It is very hot here from April-May, and in October-November it is the rainy season on Koh Phangan.

Why go to Koh Phangan?

They say that Koh Phangan is the island of Karma, where what was deep inside is revealed. Its atmosphere is compared to Indian Goa, but this is only one side of the island.

On Koh Phangan, freaks in acid T-shirts, weed smokers with dreadlocks and quiet tattooed alcoholics coexist peacefully with yogis, prana-eaters and people who do not go to extremes and just came to Koh Phangan on vacation/wintering/reconnaissance.

My Koh Phangan is a ride along the hills on a scooter, along a rutted road to secret beaches. It's a fresh wind in your face and cold in the evenings. These are unhealthy fried potatoes from a bowl of oil at the market. And Had Salad. And madly in love. And Hadrin at night. And a hammock with mosquitoes. And Malibu. And I’m in love again... But all this is my island. You will have it yours.

Haad Rin beach in the south of Koh Phangan

Rental housing on Koh Phangan

Hotels and bungalows in advance or on site?

Koh Phangan is the place where it's better in advance book accommodation if you are traveling for a short period of time ( up to 1 month) and know exactly the dates of your trip.

Especially if the trip occurs in December-March or August-September.

Housing on Koh Phangan is very specific. Cheapest bungalows ( 10-20$ ), which are located near the beaches, are usually very simple and dark, and sometimes without hot water. Not everyone wants to spend their holidays there.

Cheap good hotels ( 25-40$ ) are often occupied during the season, and rooms in expensive hotels (from 80$ ) there is no point in renting on location because the prices on booking sites are the same or lower.

If you are traveling during the Full Moon Party, then especially book in advance, because all budget options are always booked.

I once had to sleep for three nights in a hammock on my friends’ veranda, because the only available accommodation on the island was $200 hotels. Prices for the simplest bungalows had doubled or tripled, and even those storage rooms that had risen sharply in price were quickly booked by someone else while I was turning up my nose.

On normal days and in the low season, you can find accommodation on the spot (you need to ride a scooter and look, and know where exactly to look), but there is not much point in this.

I had an experience when, while on Koh Phangan, I looked for accommodation locally, asked prices at the hotel reception or in a bungalow and it turned out that the price for these same hotels on the Internet was lower than when paying on the spot. In the end, I still booked at Agoda while standing at the reception.

Full Moon Party, 2017 schedule:

January 12
12th of February
March 12
11 April
May 11
the 9th of June
July 10
August 7
September 5
October 6
the 3rd of November
December 3

Which websites to book accommodation on?

Who you book with is your personal choice. If I need a hotel or condo in Asia, I use the search engine roomguru. It allows you to compare prices for the same hotel in all popular booking systems (agoda, booking, ozon, etc.) and shows where it is cheaper.

Then I book on the Agoda website (because sometimes it’s 5-10% cheaper) or Booking (because you can book without prepayment). On rumguru indicated final price per room including all taxes and surcharges.

Below are examples of prices for the Shiralea Resort hotel, found through roomguru. We see that the price for the same room when booking it on Booking is - 22$ , on agoda - 25$ , plus the booking provides free cancellation and deferred payment (you can book without paying). Therefore, it is more profitable to book this hotel through Booking.

BUT! Agoda has three big disadvantages:

• Prepayment. Payment must always be made immediately or two weeks before check-in. On booking, some hotels can be booked without payment

• Taxes. The price shown in Thailand hotel search results on Agoda does not include the Service Charge 10% and Hotel Tax 7% . The final amount to be paid can only be found out after clicking the “Book” button. But even taking into account the tax, the amount often turns out to be more profitable than on a booking. Need to check.

• Cancellation of reservation. If the booking booking conditions for most hotels provide for free cancellation, Agoda often states that the booking amount is non-refundable. If the trip is in doubt, it's better to overpay a few dollars and book on Booking.

If you go to booking on Agada, the price will increase to $165 (taxes 10+7%)

House on Koh Phangan for a month or more

If you are going for the winter for several months, then you need to look for long-term houses locally. You arrive, take a bike to Thongsala (the main town of Koh Phangan) and go on a journey around the island in search of a cozy nest.

Where do the winterers live? If you need a quiet and inexpensive place, this is most likely the central part of the island in the palm groves (not on the beach), as well as the west or northwest: Sritanu, Vung Tau, Had Yao.

In the north - near the fishing village Chaloklam. In the southwest in the Thongsala area, if you haven’t found it, then go towards Ban Tai (many cheap bungalows). The beaches there are very bad, so if you need a beach near your home, then it’s better not to look at the Ban Tai and Thongsala areas.

There are many houses on Koh Phangan, but they are often booked in advance by people who constantly go to the island for the winter. If you go during the high season (November-February), then good inexpensive houses will be 80 percent occupied.

Mostly houses are not located on the beach, but in the central part of the island away from the beaches. You need to drive on internal roads and ask Thais. The average price for renting a house on Koh Phangan is 9-12,000 baht ( 250-350$ ) for six months to a year, and 12-16,000 baht ( 330-450$ ) for one month. During peak season prices may increase.

You can also look for a house for a short period of time (up to a month), but, firstly, during the season, Thais do not want to rent out houses for less than a month, and if they do, they ask for the same price as for daily rentals.

How to get to Koh Phangan and public transport

The only way to get to Koh Phangan is by ferry. There is no airport on the island. If you are coming from Bangkok or Phuket, then you can buy a bus + ferry package, if from Samui, then by ferry or boat.

You can find out prices and buy tickets to Koh Phangan from other cities in Thailand (it’s better in advance, especially if you’re going during the Full Moon Party).

If you don’t want to stand in line (for some reason there is always a line for ferry tickets), you can check prices on the Internet and book tickets in advance using the Asian local search engine for local transport. They also sell tickets from Bangkok (bus+ferry) and other cities. Find tickets to Koh Phangan ↓↓↓

Public transport on Koh Phangan is provided in the form of a taxi - songthaew. They charge from 50 to 300 baht for the trip depending on the distance. For more information about transport on Koh Phangan, I recommend reading my article about - there I write where to rent a bike or car, how much it costs, what to do if you fall off a motorbike.

Where are there no low tides on Koh Phangan?

Koh Phangan means “sandbar island” in Thai. The island has very pronounced ebb and flow. They are especially noticeable with May to October, but even in winter the sea travels long distances.

Strong low tides occur on most Koh Phangan beaches in the middle of the month during full moon. On such days, the water can go 100 meters, and sometimes even 300, completely exposing the bottom. The tides are mostly low in the afternoon, so swimming is possible at most beaches before lunch. Low tides are especially noticeable in the south and west of Koh Phangan, but the northern beaches also suffer from a lack of water.

Koh Phangan beaches where you can always swim:

South: Haad Rin (Ful Moon Party Beach) - there are low tides, but you can always swim and Had Lila (neighboring) - at low tide the water is knee-deep

Northwest: Sri Thanu, Haad Yao, Had Salad - you can swim at low tides (knee-deep water)

North: Mae Had and Ko Ma, Malibu - low tides from March, not very annoying in winter

Northeast: Thong Nai Pan Yai, Thong Nai Pan Noi, Bottle Beach

East and southeast: all beaches are suitable for swimming at any time of the year, there are waves in winter

Malibu beach in the north of Koh Phangan

Which Koh Phangan beach should you choose?

The choice of beach depends on your interests and needs, and whether you can drive a bike. In general, Koh Phangan is a youth island where independent travelers come. Each beach is good in its own way and each has its drawbacks.

If you drive a bike, then it really doesn’t matter where you live. The island is relatively small, so almost any beach from any point can be reached by bike in 20-50 minutes. If you you don't know how If you drive a bike, then you need to approach the choice of a beach more responsibly.

Youth party- This Haad rin(many foreigners). Young people also often live in Thong Sala. The beach there is so-so, but there is cheap food and shops. Nightlife - south Had Rin and Ban Tai, evening life - bar Amsterdam

Family holiday with children- Sri Thanu, Haad Salad, Had Yao, Mae Had, Ao Thong Nai Pan Yai (in the northeast), Haad Leela - there are no waves on all these beaches.

View of the neighboring island of Koh Ma from the observation deck above Mae Had Beach

Infrastructure. The main market and supermarkets are located in the city area Tong Sala and partially Baan Tai. If you need cheap food, then it is better to buy it in Tong Sala at the market or in Tesco and Big C supermarkets. Prices in cafes in Tong Sala are also lower than on other beaches.

The infrastructure is well developed in the south on the beach Haad Rin and on the beaches Thong Nai Pan in the north-east. There are also many cafes, shops and fruit stands.

On other beaches there are mini markets, maybe one store and a couple of fruit stalls. You will mainly have to eat in cafes and restaurants at inflated prices or go to the Tongsala supermarket to shop.

Koh Phangan Beach Map

Click on the name and a description of the beach with a photo will open:

1. Thong Sala is the largest city

Thong Sala is the main and largest city of Koh Phangan. There is also a pier where ferries from Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Surat Thani arrive. This is the very first city that most people see when they come to Koh Phangan.

pros- infrastructure, a lot of young people. Minus- bad beaches.

Infrastructure

■ Exchangers and ATMs are concentrated on the main street, which begins immediately behind the pier. It is now more profitable to travel to Thailand with dollars. It's better not to take rubles. Cards are accepted only in expensive cafes and hotels; in stores only cash is accepted. For withdrawing money from a card at an ATM, a commission of 150-180 baht is charged

■ Transport. There are about 15 car and motorbike rental points in Tongsala. The cheapest place to rent a vehicle is on the main street.

■ Lots of cafes with Thai and international cuisine. Prices for food in cafes are also higher by 20%, and sometimes 40%, than on Samui and in Thailand in general

■ Buying clothes. In Thong Sala you can buy clothes and souvenirs. If you plan to buy T-shirts for the Full Moon Party on the day of the party, then the prices for them are the same everywhere on the island (two to three times higher than on regular days).

If the Full Moon Party is still far away, then it is more profitable to buy clothes in Tongsala. Unless, of course, you have the opportunity to shop in Bangkok, where things are even cheaper.

■ Koh Phangan Hospital (Koh Phangan Hospital) is located 4 km from the center of Thongsal.

■ Bangkok Hospital Samui Clinic (Koh Phangan) branch is located 3 km from Thongsala Pier. In case of insured events, insurers usually refer you here. You can read. The main thing is not to take insurance that has assistance from GVA

■ Evening market with Thai food. Located on the main street of Tong Sala. Opens at 12 noon. Most traders come in the evening - around 5 o'clock. At the market you can buy grilled fish (70 baht), salads (50-60 baht), necks, spring rolls, chicken, donuts, fruits and Thai dishes. The market is open until 10 pm, some traders stay even later. If you want to find a Russian-speaking company for your vacation or meet someone who has lived on Koh Phangan for a long time, come to the market in the evening.

■ Food market. There is a market on the main street that sells vegetables and fruits. There are shops of local residents that sell a minimum set of products. Prices are higher than on Koh Samui.

■ 2 supermarkets. Big C supermarket on the road from Thong Sala towards Ban Tai and Tesco Lotus in Thongsala. The selection of products there is not as large as in Tesco on , but still better than nothing.

■ Apart from Thongsala, there are no other large stores on Koh Phangan. There are 7/11 shops on every beach, but even at 7/11 on Koh Phangan the prices are higher than in other chain stores around the country. At 7/11 you can buy cookies, coffee, drinks, sandwiches, water, ice cream, alcohol, tobacco and hygiene products. Here and there there are small stalls with fruit, but it is still better to buy fruit in Tong Sala at the street market or in supermarkets - they are cheaper there.

Contingent.

There are a lot of young people, especially foreigners, on the streets and on the beach in Thongsala. The secret is that Tong Sala has the cheapest housing and infrastructure, and you can even ride a bike to good beaches.

Beach at Thong Sala.

The beach is so-so. The tides are pronounced there and the sea is dirty. Not the best place for swimming, but there is a beach, and this is a big plus. On Thong Sala Beach there is a branch of the largest kitesurfing school in Thailand, Kiteboarding Asia.

Although Thong Sala does not have a very good beach compared to other beaches on Koh Phangan, bungalows and hotels in the main town area are rarely empty. The bungalows stretch from the pier to the south along the coast.

Thongsala Beach can’t even be called a beach

Southern beaches of Koh Phangan

2 Baan Tai

If you move south from Thong Sala along the coast, the Baan Tai zone immediately begins (not to be confused with the paradise beaches of Ban Tai on Samui). On Koh Phangan, Ban Tai has disgusting beaches. There are some palm trees, branches, and garbage on the shore. Strong low tides, when the sea goes 200-300 meters away. It's shallow near the shore.

This is an area of ​​inexpensive bungalows and hostels. The main guests are guys who came to the Full Moon Party and could not find accommodation on Haad Rin (the southern beach where the party takes place). So that people don’t get too bored, a week before the Full Moon Party on Ban Tai they hold the Full Moon Festival and Shiva Moon Party

Bungalows in Ban Tai are very cheap (250-300 baht each), but there are more expensive accommodations. I would not choose these beaches for a holiday on Koh Phangan, although there are several quite decent hotels and resorts with green areas on Bantay.

3 Baan Kai beach

Starts immediately behind the beaches of Ban Tai. The views here are more pleasant, hills.

I wouldn’t live there, but the beach is not bad for a relaxing holiday for a couple of weeks if you are looking for privacy and quiet. Huge boulders, fruit trees, palm trees, tropical greenery. There is a coral reef 200 meters from the beach.

The main problem of these beaches, as well as neighboring Ban Tai, is low tides. From April to September-October the sea is very shallow, and sometimes there is none at all. You don't buy it.

After the observation deck above Baan Kai Beach, the road leading to Had Rin begins to wind. If you're not used to it, it can be scary to drive along it.

4** Haad Rin Beach

Full Moon Party Beach. Located on the “tail” in the southeast of Koh Phangan. There is a sunrise beach - Haad Rin Nok and a sunset beach - Haad Rin Nai, between them there is a settlement where travelers usually stop.

Haad Rin Nai is a sunset beach located on the other side of Haad Rin village. There is a pier where boats from Samui arrive during the Full Moon Party.

Haad Rin Nok (Dawn Beach) hosts the famous Full Moon Party every month. I wrote more about this party and how to get to Haad Rin in the post:

Infrastructure

Since Haad Rin is the busiest and most party-oriented of Koh Phangan’s beaches, its infrastructure is well developed. There are several 7/11 stores, but the prices are higher than the stores in Thongsala. They sell clothes and souvenirs on the streets. Lots of cafes, bars and restaurants.

Who is it suitable for?

If your goal is hang out, drink, walk and have fun, then feel free to rent accommodation in Had Rin

Even though there is a party on Haad Rin Nok and the beach is considered not very clean, I really like it there because of the waves and the turquoise color of the water. There is music playing on the shore, there are a lot of young people.

If you, while in Thailand, only meet compatriots (as in, where almost everyone speaks Russian), and miss talking in English, you can fill the gap at Haad Rin - that’s where Europeans like to hang out. If you want peace and quiet, you can always escape from the noise to the rocks or to the nearby Had Lila beach.

Had Rin Beach

During the party, thousands of people come to Haad Rin for several days, and the rest of the time this Phangan beach is quite deserted and calm.

If the goal is simple relax in silence, then you can go to Haad Rin, but not on the days of the Full Moon Party. The nature around the beach is very beautiful; you can go on foot to other calmer and even wild beaches.

How to get there? The road to Haad Rin is steep mountains with sharp turns, so if you are not confident in your bike driving skills, it is better to take a taxi to Haad Rin ( 100 baht from Thongsal to Songthaew). If you are comfortable with a bike, then you can rent a bike in Thongsala and then ride the bike, but be very careful. On the eve of the party, there are checkpoints on the roads. Police check people for alcohol.

Before the party there are a lot of people on Had Rin

Bungalows and hotels on Full Moon Party Beach

There are a number of bungalows, prices for which start from 400 baht, and on party days they increase to 800-900 baht. There are also more expensive resorts ($100-200 per night). You can live in a bungalow right on the beach. Please note that in addition to full moon parties, Half Moon parties and other parties are held on Koh Phangan, therefore, living on Had Rin beach, you will hear music day and night.

I usually rented accommodation closer to Had Rin Nai beach (speed boats from Samui arrive there). There is a huge complex of simple bungalows for 400-800 baht per day (at booking, these bungalows can be rented for $8-15 per day). The advantage is that you can’t hear the music from the party, you can sleep peacefully, but at the same time it’s a 5-minute walk to the center of the fun.

Popular hotels in Had Rin:

5* Haad Leela Beach

Had Leela- the southernmost beach of Koh Phangan island. He is one of the most romantic and calm. Located just behind Haad Rin Nai. You can get to Haad Leela from Haad Rin on foot in about 5 minutes.

The length of the beach is 500 meters. There are wooden bridges on both sides of the beach - you can walk along them or sit in the gazebo. There are several viewing areas and a Buddhist temple. There are shops and cafes in Had Rin. It takes literally 7 minutes to get there from Had Lila.

The sea is shallow, and at high tide the water comes very close and floods the trees. The tides are clearly visible. At low tide, the water remains, but you won't be able to swim. You can only lie in the water. It will be convenient for children to learn to swim. The landscapes are idyllic. White sand, blue water, palm trees hanging over the water. Here and there on the shore there are sun loungers and hammocks for hotel guests.

You can come to Haad Leela the morning after the Full Moon Party, when it is extremely undesirable to swim at Haad Rin due to the garbage left after the party. If you are looking for a mix between a relaxing holiday and parties, you can rent an apartment on Lila Beach and go have fun in the evenings on Had Rin. In summer, it is better to choose another beach for relaxation or live on this one and go swimming at Haad Rin - there is always water there.

Koh Phangan hotels, Lila beach

On Haad Lila there are both very cheap bungalows and a couple of excellent resorts. For example, these:

I chose hotels because they had internet. Other housing on Koh Phangan in my price category was occupied at that time. By bike it’s about 10 minutes from here to normal beaches, so if you know how to drive a bike, you can look at housing in the Voktum and Hin Kong areas.

8 Sri Thanu

Sri Thanu (Baan Sri Thanu, Sritanu, Stirana) is a fishing village with developed infrastructure. Families with children love to relax on this beach; those who come to Koh Phangan for a long period of time often live in the Sritanu area.

The region of good beaches of Koh Phangan begins in Sritanu. This beach is wide, clean, with white sand. There are sunbeds with umbrellas and hammocks hanging. There are no waves. During low tides, the sea moves only 3-4 meters from the shore, so you can swim even at low tide.

The infrastructure is well developed. There are cafes, including traditional Thai cuisine, makashnits, an Indian restaurant, a lagoon with entertainment (you can jump into the lake from a mattress), yoga centers and schools. Starting this year, Sunset parties are also being organized in Sritanu, like in Arambol, only on a smaller scale. Jugglers, yogis and those simply wishing to say goodbye to the sun gather on the beach.

Bungalow in Sritanu:

11* Haad Salad

Haad Salat, aka Had Salad. This used to be one of my favorite beaches in the north-west of Koh Phangan, but now it has become too touristy and crowded.

There is some infrastructure there. There are several cafes (including a cafe with normal Thai cuisine), massage parlors, and several shops with a meager selection of food and clothing. Wooden bungalows on the shore, hotels.

This beach is more suitable for a romantic getaway or a holiday with children. There are no waves, the depth is insignificant, there is the possibility of snorkeling, you can swim to the reef, but there is no one specially under the water. The downside is the low tides, but even during low tide you can move away from the shore to lie in the water or swim.

When I first visited Haad Salad a few years ago, there were almost no people there. Now this beach enjoys unprecedented popularity, mainly among tourists from Russia and the CIS countries.

12* Mae Haad and Koh Maa Island

This is one of the most popular beaches located in the north of Koh Phangan. Here you can walk along the sand spit to another island - Ko Ma. If you are looking for a beach on Koh Phangan for families with children, you can consider Mae Had.

The water on Mae Had is clean, transparent, the entrance to the sea is gentle, and the depth is insignificant. There is plenty of housing right on the shore, there are several cafes and a couple of shops. There is nowhere to buy Thai food or fruit. The place is popular, so the prices in the cafe are overpriced.

The tides are strong, but you can swim in the sea even at low tide. Around Koh Ma you can snorkel or kayak.

Hotels on Mae Had (Koh Phangan)

13 Chaloklum

This is essentially a fishing village, which is famous for its seafood (not cheap, but fresh and tasty).

Average prices for seafood in Chaloklama cafe:

Grilled fish - 250 - 300 baht
Grilled shrimp – 300 baht per serving

The beach on one side is filled with fishing boats and there is a pier. Chaloklam has pronounced low tides, even during high tides it is quite shallow. You can swim at the western end of the bay, but it’s better to go to the neighboring Malibu Beach.

14* Malibu Beach

Not everyone knows that in Chaloklum Bay there is another paradise beach called Malibu. It has a separate entrance. It’s easy to miss the turn; you need to look for the “Malibu Beach Bungalows” sign, then turn and drive along the sandy path until it stops. There you will find white sand, small trees creating shade, hammocks, turquoise water, and mountain views.

All infrastructure (cafes, shops, market, fish restaurants) is in the neighboring fishing village of Chaloklam. There is only one restaurant on Malibu beach (expensive and tasteless for Ty), and there are hammocks hanging on the trees.

Hotels on Malibu Beach

As for housing, there is only one bungalow complex, called Malibu bungalows. Prices on agoda 30-70$, Moreover, when I was in Malibu and asked the price at the reception, they called 60-100$ , so it's better to book online.

Eastern beaches of Koh Phangan

There are several isolated beaches in the southeast and east of Koh Phangan; they can only be reached on foot or by boat for 200-300 baht. I describe them in the order in which they are presented on the map - from south to north.

15 – Haad Yuan– suitable for a quiet holiday. There are bungalows and hotels, but you can only get there on foot (2 hours) or by boat (250 baht). Prices for housing and food are inflated. The beach itself is good: white sand, there are low tides, but they won’t interfere with swimming, there are waves in the sea, there are not many people.

16 - Haad Tian eats (Haad Thian east) — a small isolated cove surrounded by palm trees and bushes. There are several hotels, a good beach, waves in the sea, you can swim all year round. Prices for food and cafes are 2 times higher than the average on Koh Phangan. A boat to Had Rin will cost 300-350 baht

17 - Haad Sadet - steep white sand beach surrounded by tropical jungle. There are several hotels and expensive resorts on the beach, but that’s where the infrastructure ends. Unlike the previous ones, this beach is approached by a new concrete road with markings, fences and reflectors.

There are several more bays between Haad Sadet and Haad Tian; getting to them is not easy, but if you want to find silence on Koh Phangan and at least a partial absence of civilization and people, then go to the eastern beaches in one of the bays. On northeast civilization begins again and the part of the island inhabited by holidaymakers - the beaches of Thong Nai Pan. The rock divides Thong Nai Pan Beach into two bays: Yai and Noah.

18* Tong Nai Pan Yai

Ao Thong Nai Pan Yai- a long beach in a bay in the extreme northeast of Koh Phangan.

Fine white sand, gently sloping entrance. There are no waves, the sea is knee-deep near the shore. You can move 100 meters from the shore - there is sea up to your chest. There are enough people, but not very many. There are cafes on the beach; there are not only tourist cafes, but also cafes with traditional Thai cuisine.

The town has a hospital branch, an ATM, pop-up shops, a 7-eleven store, and fruit stalls. Developed infrastructure. Prices in cafes and shops are 30% higher than in Thongsala.

If you need infrastructure and a swimmable sea all year round, you can consider this beach as an alternative. There are low tides here, but you can swim in the sea even at low tide. Good for a beach holiday. There are no parties or much fun.

Koh Phangan hotels on Thong Nai Pan

There are cheap bungalows and several expensive resorts with a closed area, the best of which is:

20* Bottle Beach

The road to Bottle Beach is disgusting, but the beach itself is pleasant. There is this bungalow complex on it and this one behind 11$ .

There are several cafes and a lot of young people on Bottle Beach. The ebb tides are almost invisible.

You can choose Bottle Beach for your holiday only if you do not plan to frequently visit other attractions of Koh Phangan. The road from the beach is bad; it can take up to 40 minutes to get to the highway. It’s also scary to go there on a bike. You could easily fall.

My favorite Koh Phangan beaches

I summed up the results at the very beginning of this article, when I answered the question about which beach to choose. I hope the situation with the beaches of Koh Phangan is now clear to you. All that remains is to choose your own vacation spot on Koh Phangan and prepare for the trip.

List of my favorite beaches:

1. Malibu— you can only live in one place in Malibu, so many people live in other areas of the island, and come to Malibu to swim and sunbathe. You can eat either in a cafe on the beach or in nearby Chaloklum in the fishing village

2.Haad Rin, when there are no people gathered for the party. There are also many cafes on Haad Rin, the beach itself is good (when there are few people).

3. Had Leela- you can always run away from Haad Rin

4. Beach of nudist lovers

5. Had Salad when there is no tide

6. Bottle Beach

Dangers on Koh Phangan

1. Motorbikes.

90% of people who get on a bike for the first time fall off sooner or later. Not on the first day, but after a week.

If you are a bad driver or don’t know how to drive at all, find yourself an instructor, learn how to drive, and only then get on the road, especially if you plan to drive in the south, east or northwest.

There are slides there. 22 degree tilt, sharp turns. Be sure to take out medical insurance before your trip. You can read.

2. Wild animals.

If you are traveling to Thailand or Asia in general for the first time, watch videos, films, and read about the country. Phangan is an island, 70% of which is jungle and forests, 30% is areas developed thanks to tourism near the sea.

They live in Thailand Geckos. This is their home. You can watch a video about geckos so as not to be surprised and then write such reviews:

There was a small gecko in the room. In the morning, huge geckos the size of a small cat run across the roof. They stomp and make sounds similar to hiccups.

At night, various sounds disturbed me - rats running and squeaking in the attic ( approx. most likely not rats, but geckos), some unidentified animal making terrible sounds, alternating the bleating of a sheep, a toad and a cuckoo. At times it seemed that “it” was screaming right in our room. In general, I wanted to escape from the island the very next day.

Have heavenly beaches and deep seas!

Your Mila Demenkova