Koh Phangan is one of the 40-plus islands located in the Samui Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand. It is part of the Surat Thani Province whose capital is also known as Surat Thani. The slow progress in development on the island had proven to be quite fortunate for tourist and locals mainly because this has left the islands nature intact. The main population centers are on the south and west coast. The islands’ infrastructure is in good shape and you can rent motorbikes or cars nearly everywhere on this island.
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Main Attractions:
Yoga Schools
Several yoga schools are scattered around the island with teachers from all over the world. Therefore, you can experience all sorts of medication to get your inner self in balance. The deserted coasts and lush jungles of Koh Phangan support the entire idea behind it which ensures that yogis from all over the world keep coming back to the island.
The Full Moon Party
The Full Moon Party is held every month in Haad Rin on The Sunrise Beach which is the most densely populated area on the island. Approximately 15,000 people dance themselves to tranquility every month during the party. This provides a major share of the island’s income. The party goers are mainly accommodated in rooms that are scattered all over Koh Phangan. However, party goers who want to stay in Haad Rin must book rooms at least one week before the party. It is also possible to stay in Koh Samui and use ferries or boats to travel to and from the party.
The Beaches
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Koh Phangan has more than 30 beaches where both locals and visitors get to enjoy a very wide range of activities. Activities such as wakeboarding, surfing, elephant trekking, paint ball, yoga classes, fishing trips, diving, archery, and Kung Fu Classes make Koh Phangan an interesting choice to make your holiday a fulfilled one.
Travelling to Koh Phangan
The best and most convenient way to travel is to book the overnight sleeper train which will get you to Surat Thani in the early hours of morning. This ensures that you get to Koh Phangan in the afternoon.
Boat and ferry are the only means of transit to and from the island. Travelers can choose between several locations and service providers on the island; Ferry Samui is one of the most popular ferries in the area. There is an airport on the mainland in the province of Surat Thani. Additionally, there is a domestic airport located on the neighboring island of Koh Samui which is 20 kilometers away from Koh Phangan and 40 kilometers from the mainland. Flights to and from Phuket, Malaysia, and Bangkok depart on an hourly basis.
Travelling by Train
There are several trains that travel south from Bangkok to the island of Surat Thani on a daily basis. The train journey takes approximately 9 hours. Moreover, you must get a coach from the train station to Pier in Donsak. It is not hard to get a coach since there are always coaches waiting for travelers to alight from the trains. The boat or ferry journey from Pier takes approximately 4 hours depending on the prevailing weather conditions.
John Chen is a travel writer currently located in Bangkok, Thailand.
