Phangan in Thailand. Koh Phangan, which beach to choose. The atmosphere here is only vaguely reminiscent of Goan

Koh Phangan in Thailand (also Koh Phangan)- one of the popular tourist islands in the Gulf of Thailand in Thailand. Koh Phangan is located very close to its more popular and slightly larger neighbor - Koh Samui.

The island is part of the Koh Samui Archipelago, which includes two more large islands Koh Samui and Koh Tau, and many smaller islands.

The island is predominantly mountainous. Most of the island is occupied by tropical forests. There are several small waterfalls. Also, part of the island’s territory is used for Agriculture and coconut plantations. The coast of the island is mostly rocky, but there are bays and sandy beaches.

Population The island population is about 14,000 people as of 2012

Area – 125 km²
The approximate perimeter of the island is 40 km.
The highest point of the island is Mount Khao Ra, 630 meters.
The distance to the mainland is about 55 km.
Nearby islands/distance - Koh Samui (10 km), Koh Tao (35 km).
The main city is Thongsala.

Transport.

The island is connected to the mainland and nearby islands by ferries; the port is located in the Thongsala area. Thongsala is the central port of the island. There is also a port in the Haad Rin area, from here you can sail by neighboring island Samui.

The island can be reached in several ways. The first, the fastest, but also the most expensive is by plane to Koh Samui, then 15 minutes by bus and half an hour by boat (ticket purchased at the airport). The second option is by plane to the city of Surutthani. From here by bus and then by ferry (you can also buy a ticket at the airport). You can use not a ferry, but a night boat - a large boat that sails all night. The third option is to take a bus from the center of Bangkok and take the Lompraya boat. The fourth option is that Koh Phangan can be reached from Phuket, only buses depart between 9-10 am.

The main transport used on the island is motorcycles and scooters, which are easy to rent. Most of the roads have a concrete surface and two lanes, but some of them are in poor condition - the roads pass through mountains and often have a strong slope and sandy surface, damaged by rainfall. In this regard, the most common injuries among tourists are those caused by falling from motorcycles. Taxis are often pickup trucks equipped with a roof and benches.

Some of the island's beaches can only be reached on foot or by boat, most boats depart from Haad Rin Beach and the fishing village of Chaloklum.

The island is especially popular among young people from all over the world. Most of the people who come here are young people from European countries. The island offers its guests great beaches, which are more “wild” than the sleek and refined beaches of neighboring Samui or Phuket. Koh Phangan is also one of the best places in Thailand for diving and snorkeling. The atmosphere on the island as a whole is much calmer and in most places resembles a village, and on some beaches tourism infrastructure and is completely absent.

Of course, Koh Phangan is somewhat inferior in popularity, amenities and attractions to Samui. But there is something about it that makes some tourists return here, and not to Koh Samui. The atmosphere on Koh Phangan is different than on Koh Samui. It is not so touristy, one might even say somewhat “hippie”, youthful.

If you are a lover of good rest at any time of the day (including at night), then this is an ideal place to relax. Koh Phangan is famous for its moonlight parties Full Moon Party, which traditionally take place on the new moon, that is, once a month, on Haad Rin Beach. At this time, crowds of young people flock here, and Full Moon Party is highly rated among all the most famous parties in the world. You can have a blast under the huge moon, feeling the fresh breeze and feeling the atmosphere of the event. This party lasts about three days, so you won’t be bored.

If you don’t want to hear the noise of young people having fun, then on Koh Phangan you can easily take refuge on one of the island’s many beaches, in places far from civilization to complete the exotic effect. After all, during the rest of the party time, Koh Phangan is the standard for a secluded holiday, with azure sea and beauty virgin nature. You will be able to fully enjoy the tranquility of relaxation on the island, which has already become a rarity in more popular islands Thailand. You can hide under the shade of coconut trees, sheltering from the hot sun, and walk barefoot around sandy shores, which spread in a snow-white stripe along the sea. And the diversity of vegetation gives a holiday on this island a certain touch of romanticism.

Koh Phangan means strip of sand. When you watch the tides, you will notice numerous sandy islands.

Often, guests of Koh Phangan love a comprehensive holiday: doing yoga, having fun kiteboarding on the expanse of the sand spit, trekking through the jungle and taking boat trips.

This is information about Koh Phangan so that you have at least some idea of the island.

As for myself, having arrived at the main village of Thongsalu island and spent the night there, the next day I went to Haad Rin, the same one where noisy parties are held once a month.

Myself locality Haad Rin is not interesting at all, but the surrounding area is very beautiful.

At about one o'clock in the afternoon, after checking into the hotel and having a little rest, I went out to explore and go for a walk.

First of all, I headed to Haad Rin Beach, which is more precisely called Haad Rin Nok. It was quite cloudy that day, but the sun came out from time to time

Phangan Island (Koh Phangan) in Thailand located in the southern part of the kingdom, in the huge Gulf of Thailand 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, Phangan is 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 most Big City islands, "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 activity. 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 Koh 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 island

On the island Phangan (Koh Phangan, Koh Phangan) in Thailand Summer can be experienced all year round. Thanks to the beach parties that began to be held on the island in the 1990s, it gained popularity and competition Spanish island Ibiza. The sand spits that give the island its name block the monsoons, so Koh Phangan almost always enjoys good weather.

How to get to Koh Phangan

The shores of the island are washed by the Gulf of Thailand. From mainland Thailand it separated by 55 km of water. Koh Phangan is easily accessible by ferry, speedboat or boat from the coastal city of Surat Thani or Koh Samui.

Aircraft local airlines from Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Chiag Maya landing on Koh Samui. Planes from Bangkok land in Surat Thani.

From Samui boat takes passengers to Koh Phangan in half an hour. A ferry runs between the islands, and you can rent a private boat. The ferry or boat route from Surat Thani will take a little longer. You can get to Surratani by train; it’s cheaper to take the bus.

Time on the island

There is a three hour difference between Moscow time and Koh Phangan time. Acclimatization usually proceeds without problems.

Weather for a week

All year round the air temperature remains almost constant at 26 degrees. It rains in November and December. The driest month is February. September on Koh Phangan is the most suitable month for a holiday.

Beaches on Koh Phangan

The island is almost entirely covered with tropical forests and mountains. The coast of the island is indented with coves and lagoons with narrow strips of beach. The purest water and fine White sand make these places ideal for swimming.

When planning a trip to Koh Phangan, be careful when choosing a beach. It should fit your lifestyle.

The largest beach, Haad Rin, located in the southwest of the island. It stretches along the sea for 5 kilometers. During the full moon it becomes very noisy and parties are held there. To visit small, secluded beaches, you can use a “sea taxi”.

The most attractive beaches in the east of Koh Phangan are located in the coves of Thong-Nai-Pan Bay.

In the north, tourists willingly visit sand beach Chalok Lam, located near a fishing village. Its length is more than two kilometers and it is characterized by fairly strong ebbs and flows, so it is comfortable to swim there only during the period of high water, from December to the end of February. The nearby bays of Had Khom and Had Thong Lang offer swimming all year round.

The west coast is decorated with the magnificent Mae Haad beach, from which you can walk along a sandy spit to the island of Ko Ma. The vegetation near the beach comes close to the water, so you can hide in the shade from the sun. Right off the coast it is quite deep, about one and a half meters.

The most beautiful sunsets can be seen in the south of the island, but the places there are not very suitable for swimming.

Hotels

Over the past 25 years, the island has been actively developing travel business and new hotels are being built. You can rent a room with WiFi and air conditioning for a very reasonable price, or stay in a bamboo bungalow with virtually no amenities.

The price of housing increases significantly during the period of parties. The further the hotel is from Haad Rin beach, the cheaper the rooms.

The most expensive comfortable Hotel Panviman Resort located on a rock in the middle of Thong-Nai-Pan Bay. You can rent a cheap bungalow on literally every beach.

It is advisable to book a room before your trip, especially during the period when parties are planned on the island.

Shopping

Shops with a variety of souvenirs can be easily found in any part of the island. Bright party dresses and handmade hammocks are especially appreciated.

Entertainment

Every month during the full moon, many young people from Europe come to the island to take part in the “Fool Moon Party” beach parties. Parties take place on Haad Rin Beach.

In addition to the noisy parties, which last only a few days, you will be offered an elephant ride. Traveling through the jungle, tourists visit. Before your trip, you can watch how elephants are bathed and hand-feed baby elephants. Children love the hilarious monkey show.

Wat Pho Temple

An active Buddhist temple is open to the public in the southwestern part of the island. Here, those who wish can use the herbal sauna; it is especially effective after stormy parties.

Than-Sadet Park

Here is Mount Khao Ra, the highest point on the island. Its height is only 630 m, but the climb to the top is very difficult route and is impossible when it rains.

As you move towards the top, you can admire the Paeng Waterfall. Another large waterfall, Than-Sadet, is located on the Royal River, its waters are considered sacred.

In the east of the park is beautiful lake Lem-Son shaded by coconut palms. Visiting the park is free.

Ang Thong Park

On the island of Koh Phangan you can book a tour to Ang Thong, sea national park. Forty one desert island included in its territory. Only small animals live on nearby islands, but in the depths tropical forest you can meet python and cobra.

Large limestone islands are indented with numerous caves. In beautiful lagoons you can explore the underwater world by snorkeling.

Co observation deck on the island of Vua Talab the entire Ang Thong archipelago is visible. In the middle of the island of Ko Mae Ko is an amazing salt Lake. Coral reefs near the many beaches on the islands are attractive for diving enthusiasts.

Diving and snorkeling

Phangan is recognized as one of the most interesting places for divers in Thailand. This place also attracts snorkelers. The island has excellent conditions for exploration underwater world, there are several diving schools.

From the piers Chalok Lam Beach usually boats with divers go on a dive. Test dives are held at Mae Haad Beach. The beach is surrounded by coral reefs that shelter marine life in their crevices. It is very pleasant to snorkel here.

Reviews about Phangan

Tourists who are tired of the crowded, overly civilized beaches of Thailand come to Koh Phangan. Those who prefer privacy and a relaxing holiday should consider holiday options in the northeast of the island. Wild partygoers prefer to occupy the southwest of Koh Phangan.

Before visiting the island, please read carefully moon calendar. You might not want to get up close and personal with the Rastafarians who roam the island during the full moon.
Choose a beach based on your lifestyle.
Don’t take a lot of things with you; you can buy everything you need on the island.

A selection of photos from Koh Phangan island in Thailand

Come to Thailand, and here you will have a good rest, gain new strength, and most importantly, decide how to proceed. In this article we will tell you about Koh Phangan, how to get there, about the party open air- Full Moon Party, Interesting Facts, weather and prices.

If you are already thinking about going on a trip to the country of Siam, then be sure to turn your attention to Phangan, as the locals call it Koh Phangan. Those who have been here at least once know that this is a real paradise on earth, and dream of returning here again!

This island is considered one of the most sought after resort areas, where vacationers want to go. You can often hear about it that it is the best place in all South-East Asia. Therefore, if you are thinking about a holiday in Thailand, be sure to pay attention to it.

Where is it located, map

The island of Koh Phangan on the world map will seem like just a small spot to you, but once you get here, you will completely change your mind. The population is about 10 thousand people. Most of them are from China. More than 90% of the population here professes Buddhism, and the rest is Muslim.

On Koh Phangan, more than half of the area is covered with mountains with forests and palm plantations. And if you are one of those who loves coconuts, then you will definitely love it here! The most unusual and varied, alcoholic and non-alcoholic coconut cocktails will delight you.

How to get to Koh Phangan from Bangkok?

There is no airport on this island.

Therefore, you can fly to Koh Samui or Surat Thani. Koh Samui is an island located next to Koh Phangan; Bangkok Airways, Thai Airways and low-cost airlines Nok Air and Air Asia fly here.

From Samui or Surat Thani you can easily and without problems get to water transport, it will take about 2.5 hours, ferries run several times a day. Below we will talk about this in more detail.

You can also get from Bangkok by bus, the bus goes to the island by ferry, ticket price is $20-30. The bus leaves from Southern bus station(Sai Tai Taling Chan) Bangkok.

With the help of various online air ticket sales programs, finding the most successful and optimal one for you will not be difficult at all.

How to get from Saumi to Koh Phangan

If you fly to Koh Samui, there are many ferries between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan; you can buy a bus+ferry combo right at the airport. Ferries depart from different piers: from Samui "Big Budda" boats go to Phangan's Haad Rin, and from Nathon and Mae Nam - to the main Phangan port of Thong Sala. Ferries cost 200-300 baht one way ().

The best disco on Koh Phangan

If you don’t know yet, Koh Phangan is one of the top five largest and most popular islands in all of Thailand. It has one unique feature that makes it so popular and famous. As many young people might have already guessed, we are talking about the Full Moon Party.

This is such a huge and truly grandiose open-air party. This party can accommodate several thousand people who will spend an unforgettable time here. Great amount young people rush here for this very reason! And it’s worth noting that it’s not in vain! After all, such adrenaline and emotions from nightlife, you won't get it anywhere else! Magnificent nature there are mountains around, forests, palm trees and a chic beach disco, will delight any person, even if he does not like parties.

The creators of this party guarantee that you will not find anything like it on any beach! Therefore, do not miss this event if you are already here!

Holidays on Koh Phangan will be a real holiday for your soul! Therefore, hurry up to come here and get your portion of unforgettable emotions!

Facts about Koh Phangan

The island covers an area of 170 square meters. km. It is located in the southwestern part of the Gulf of Thailand, part of the Samui archipelago, located next to Koh Samui and the province of Surat Thani. Its perimeter is approximately 50 km. So you can roughly imagine what size it is.

The name itself is translated from Thai language, means “barrier of sand.” And this is absolutely no coincidence! You will notice that the coast of the island is distinguished by the fact that it is quite shallow. During low tide, sand deposits remain around it, from which a network of small islands grows. By the way, this is a very good quality. Thanks to this, no matter what the weather is here, the coastal waters remain calm, which allows you to swim in them, even in strong winds, because the force of the waves will not be strong.

Weather in Koh Phangan

The air temperature during the day is 29-32 degrees, and at night - 24-26, which is not too different.

The weather on Koh Phangan is quite stable. Therefore, this place is very comfortable.

Prices on Koh Phangan

Prices for groceries and food in cafes are on average 15% higher than in neighboring Samui, even 7/11 prices are higher than the Thai average.

Prices for accommodation such as a bungalow on the beach start from 400 baht per day.

During the Full Moon Party there are special prices for accommodation, and can be twice as high as usual.

Beaches on Koh Phangan

The beaches of Koh Phangan are some of the most amazing places, where you can have a wonderful relaxation near the water. The best ones:

Haad Rin. This is the territory of noisy parties.
Baan Tai. From here you can easily reach national parks.
Tong Sala. It is considered the main village of the island.
Voctum Bay. It has a pleasant and calm atmosphere.

Renting housing on Koh Phangan

The main question is your accommodation on Koh Phangan. You have several options for where you can stay comfortably. This:

House rent
Villa rental
Hotels.

Hotel prices

Each option presented will be convenient and comfortable for you, you just need to take into account several important factors.

Do you need a quiet or noisy area?
Are you coming to relax with your family or company?
What is your purpose for coming to Koh Phangan - parties, relaxing by the water, visiting the sights.

Answer these questions for yourself, and you can easily choose the most suitable option. Be sure to book your accommodation in advance and find all the interesting things nearby.

Video

Choose your beach

Beaches of Koh Phangan

The peculiarity of Koh Phangan is that despite the fact that Koh Phangan has a reputation as a party island, most of the beaches far from the party venue have a calm and lazy atmosphere. Any large beach on the island can be reached by taxi from the pier, by motorbike or by boat. Some of Koh Phangan's small beaches are inaccessible and can only be reached by boat or through the jungle along difficult paths.

General orientation on Koh Phangan

A map of the island's beaches is above. From the map you can follow links to search for accommodation on each of the beaches. Below, also read about where to choose housing, focusing on your own preferences (in the section).

The western coast of the island is flatter and the beaches here are mostly long. Most of Koh Phangan's residential and tourist villages are located along the west coast. Along the coast is laid good road, they run between the beaches minibuses. On west coast The ebb and flow of the tides can be felt quite strongly, especially in the southern part of the coast and especially in the summer.

The east coast is mountains, jungles, serpentines, and dirt roads. The beaches are located very picturesque bays, getting to the beaches is not easy, some can only be reached by sea. On the beaches east coast You can swim all year round; there are practically no ebbs and flows here, but in January-February there can be strong waves.

Haad Rin Beach

East of Chaloklum in an isolated tiny bay with white sand, a completely relaxed atmosphere, bungalows and a couple of restaurants on the beach.

Chaloklum Beach, Koh Phangan (Thailand). Photo: Eva Buijs, Flickr

Bottle Beach, Haad Khuat Beach

- an almost legendary beach on the island of Koh Phangan, which can rightfully be called one of the most beautiful beaches Asia. It's not easy to get here (during the rainy season you shouldn't even try), but the strip snow-white beach, emerald water and an incredible atmosphere of complete relaxation are definitely worth the effort 😉

Haad Khuat Beach, Koh Phangan (Thailand). Photo: Christian Haugen, Flickr

Beaches of Thong Nai Pan Bay

Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai are two picturesque beaches located in the eastern bay of Koh Phangan, separated by mountains from the main part of the island. You can get here either through the jungle along a country road mountain road or by sea.

This place is ideal for the “few days on the beach away from the noise of civilization” format. By the way, on the beach of Thong Nai Pan Noi there are the most expensive SPA hotels of Koh Phangan, Thong Nai Pan Yai is a more democratic part of the bay with good choice budget housing.

It might be useful to read: