Personal Travel Companion

Crystal waters and perfect white sand beaches are plentiful around this small island in the Gulf of Thailand.  The island has a history of catering to the backpacking / hippie crowd, culminating in a monthly festival called The Full Moon Party (often touted as the world's largest beach party).  Don't let this scare you off though.  The festivities are cornered on a single beach in one small town (Haad Rin) at the very tip of the island and only last about three days.   It's very easy to find yourself a slice of isolated quiet life throughout the island.  Even in Haad Rin.

As a natural paradise island in the Southern Gulf of Thailand, Ko Phangan serves as the perfect getaway retreat, where one may go relaxing on the many quiet deserted beaches including the beautiful Chalok lam Bay, Ban Tai, Ban Khai, Haad Yao, Haad Salat, Haad Son and the Mae Haed beaches. There are many activities in which to participate including snorkeling and learning to dive at the distinctive island of Ko Ma, trekking in the footsteps of Thai Royalty at Than Sadet National Park steeped in history and culture, or seeking adventure in the nearby Ang Thong archipelago composed of over 40 islands endowed with pristine beaches, natural caves and the tranquil Tha Laem Nai. Ko Pha Ngan has over 250 resorts to choose from, ranging from the budget 80 baht a night beach hut without private toilet to luxury air-conditioned accommodation with private swimming pool.

Diving:

The waters around Koh Phangan are beautiful but are not the best for underwater activities.   Neighboring Koh Tao; however, is well known for exceptional diving and trips over to that island are easily found plus the ferry from Thong Sala runs directly to Koh Tao.

Waterfalls:

The island has four year round waterfalls and several other more seasonal ones to visit.  The waterfalls have been popular with Thai royalty.  Many of the Rama have been known to visit the falls.

Nam Tok Phaeng is off the main road between Thong Sala and Ban Chalok Lam, in the center of the island.  A third waterfall, Nam Tok Than Prapat, is situated near the eastern shore and can be reached by road or boat.  Nam Tok Than Prawet is northeast, near baby of Ao Thang Nai Pan.

Getting There:

The island of Koh Phangan does not have any airport of it's own so to get there you must first find your way to the larger of it's neighboring islands, Koh Samui.   Koh Samui can be reached either by plan (only a 90 minute flight from Bangkok) or by ferry from the mainland port Don Sak.  Unless you happen to be in the area of Don Sak it is usually best to just catch a flight since plane fares in Thailand are very cheap and run several times a day like busses (Bangkok Airways & Air Asia).  I recommend Air Asia as I have used them quite a bit and never had any problems at all.   You'll love the Koh Samui airport (at least I do)... it is reminiscent of the landing area of "Fantasy Island".   I half expect to see Mr. Roarke and Tattoo come out to great us.  It's pretty much just a bunch of open air thatched bungalows with a pleasant garden to wait in (so much different than Western airports with their obsessive security).

Once landed in the airport, just catch a taxi to the Ferry Pier. (get more ferry infromatin here)   Very easy to do.  There will be many taxi drivers waiting to take you there.  Jumping in the back of the "taxi trucks" will save you some cash and help you meet other people heading the same direction.

Ferry From Ko Samui: There are at least 3 ferries a day from Ko Samui's "Big Buddha" pier directly to Haad Rin. Ferries also leave from Nathon and Mae Nam piers to Thong Sala several times a day.

Full Moon Party (and half moon and black moon)

Each month on the crescent shaped sands of Haad Rin beach, thousands of party goers flock to wiggle and dance and indulge in heathen activities.  Numbers vary but 7,000-10,000 people are said to make the trip each month.   There is no admission, as there is really nothing organized in the first place.   Essentially the party is nothing more than all the beach bars setting up MC's with huge speakers and pointing them out toward the beach.   Booze are sold by stands on the beach itself from end to end and all the bars are open all night.   Fire dancers roam the beach performing and I've been told that performing stages are set up.    How it this different than any other night at Haad Rin?  It is not.   Only difference is the number of people grows 20 fold and there is not usually a stage on the beach.   And of course, there is a full moon (half moon or no moon on those party days which are far less attended).

For more information try these two sites:  Thailand Moon Party & Full Moon Party Thailand.  ( might also suggest searching "full moon party" at YouTube.com to see videos of the event.

Note: my experience in Haad Rin during "normal" days (only three days after the Full Moon Party) was very pleasant.  The town was clean, quiet and friendly.   If giant beach partys are not your thing, don't let the party scare you from checking out this incredible beach town.  Just check your moon calendar and stay clear that week.

Warning: While drugs are plentyful at the festival, so too are the cops and roadblocks.   Fines are steep and jailtime is not unheard of.

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