Koh Phangan is located in the Samui Archipelago, a group of more than 40 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. The islands are part of the Surat Thani province with the capital of the province of the same name. The only form of transit to and from the island is momentarily by boat or ferry, where you can choose from various providers and locations on the island. The neighboring island of Koh Samui, about 20 km. from Phangan and about 40 km from the mainland, it houses a domestic airport. Flights to and from Bangkok, Phuket, Malaysia, etc. Departure per hour. The next airport is on the mainland in the province of Surat Thani.
Development on the island itself is progressing slowly, fortunately for locals and tourists as this leaves most of the islands nature untouched. The main population centers are along the west and south coast. The infrastructure is in good condition and you can rent cars or motorcycles almost anywhere on the island. Don’t forget to drive on the left.
Money matters are no longer a problem as every city or town offers at least one ATM. Expect prices for everyday items to be a bit higher than on the mainland, most items are shipped. Accommodation can be found in all price ranges, although high-end resorts are rare.
The main attractions for most visitors are the local Yoga Schools with teachers from all over the world and the infamous Full Moon Party.
At least the yoga schools are dotted around the island and they welcome you to all kinds of meditations or fasts to bring your inner self back into balance. The lush jungles and deserted coastlines of Koh Phangan certainly support the idea behind it, so it’s no wonder yogis keep coming back to this gem of nature year after year.
The Full Moon Party takes place on the sunrise beach at Haad Rin, the easternmost settlement and the most densely populated area on the island. Five to fifteen thousand ravers who dance their way to quiet every month and also provide a significant portion of the islands income. The future will tell how the Thais will deal with this knife edge.
In the past it was a very spiritual approach to the island. Four hundred years ago, a group of Buddhist monks were the first officially recognized settlers on Koh Phangan. It is said that they sensed the unique energies of the island and founded a monastery, just outside of what is now Thong Sala, the island’s main port. In the wake of the spiritual frenzy, even the kings of Thailand were drawn to Koh Phangan. And the first to visit it, fourteen times in total, was King Rama V. . His royal insignia can still be found, carved into a rock, near the Than Sadet waterfall. And even HM King Phumiphon Adunyadet came to visit this peaceful island several times.
More than thirty beaches and many activities make Koh Phangan an interesting option. Surfing, wakeboarding, diving, elephant rides, paint ball, fishing trips, yoga classes, kung fu classes, archery and much more are available to make your vacation complete.
