Pha Ngan Island (Koh Pha Ngan) is an island off the Central Gulf Coast of Southern Thailand, halfway between the islands of Samui (Koh Samui) and Tao Island (Koh Tao). Koh Phangan is located about 100 km off shore and about 15 km north of Koh Samui. The located in Surat Thani Province.
It is known as a land of coconut trees and surrounded by white sand beaches and aquamarine waters. the world famous full moon parties at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination. Koh Phangan features some of the most spectacular beaches in Thailand, most of which are still only moderately developed, providing visitors with easy access to either a wild beach party or a relaxing and quiet beach holiday. Koh Phangan is an ideal for those looking to party, relax, or engage in wellness programs, such as a yoga or meditation retreat.
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Koh Phangan was once the exclusive destination of backpackers who wished to escape the more commercially developed Koh Samui, there are now resorts that cater to all travelers, from honeymooners to families with children. That said, there are still many resorts that embody the hippie spirit of Koh Phangan and draw numerous budget backpackers looking to get away from it all, study meditation or yoga, or engage in other holistic, Ayurvedic or health oriented programs.
While each month thousands of young people flock to the world famous Full Moon Party in Haad Rin, where local and international DJs play music on the beach, there are dozens of other beaches in varying stages of development that are alternatively occupied by five-star beach resorts, budget beach bungalows, and a number of yoga, meditation, and health retreats.
Koh Phangan is a large island off the east coast of Surat Thani province in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Phangan is located about 100 km off shore and about 15 km north of Koh Samui. Most well known for its monthly full moon party, Koh Phangan features some of the most spectacular beaches in Thailand, most of which are still only moderately developed, providing visitors with easy access to either a wild beach party or a relaxing and quiet beach holiday.
Koh Phangan is a very special place, there are few places in this world where you can live out your desert island dreams of palm trees and white sand beaches, and still have a blinding night out at a rocking party every month. With the global notoriety that the Full Moon Party has gained as being one of the biggest and best beach bashes in the world, we get more than our fair share of hedonists gracing our shores. Each year the scene here grows with the ever-increasing number of party faithful that return, bringing their mates and spreading the vibe.
One thing most of them have in common is they want to find a relaxed and easy going place. It is rare how tranquillity and parties can mix so amazing on the island. On one side, you can have a good time at the regular happening parties attracting young people with a wide range of music, dancing and a relaxed atmosphere. As a natural eden-like island in the Southern Gulf of Siam, Koh Phan Gan serves as the ideal getaway retreat.
Haad Rin is home to the Full Moon Party and also houses about 3-5000 rather mad people, it is the island's nightlife capital and has Koh Phangan's biggest concentration of beach clubs that collectively put on the ultimate travellers get together. There are over 12 major sound systems running the length of Had Rin beach, catering for 8000 to 12,000 punters in low season, 15,000 to 20,000 in high season and up to 30,000 at New Year. Within this transient crowd of party animals some highly talented DJ's pass through, banging out their wares to the raging lunar explorers that have landed on planet party.
Climate
The best time to visit island and also high season is during December-March when the water is high, clean, and good for swimming. It's also not rainy and temperatures are pleasant. Another high season time is during July/August after dry season when water is raising. The worst time where you should avoid visiting island is during dry season April-June which makes all of the best beaches on the northwest coast (Mae Haad, Haad Yao, Chaloklum, Haad Khom) useless for swimming due to shallow water. Swimming in this season is possible only in north coast on beautiful Bottle beach and on dirtier less accessible east coast (Thong Nai Pan, Haad Sadet, Haad Rin), where only beach with good access/road and swimming possibilities is Haad Rin, which is not in low season so crowded. South coast should be avoided during all year because of bad water and sand.
Getting Koh Pha Ngan By Boat
From Koh Samui There are at least 3 ferries a day from Koh Samui's Big Buddha pier to Thongsala pier Seatran Discovery and Haad Rin Queen Ferry directly to Haad Rin. Boats also leaves from Nathon pier (Songserm Express) and Mae Nam pier Lomprayah) to Thongsala 3 times a day.
From Koh Tao get Songserm, Lomprayah or Seatran boats departs frequently from Mae Haad pier and arrives to Thongsala pier. Last boat from Tao to Phangan Island is 15:00.
Emergency contacts
Fire: dial 199
Police: dial 191 (077 377 114)
Tourist Police: dial 1155 (this supersedes the old "1699" number)
Phangan Rescue Centre: dial 077 377 118
