Koh Pha Ngan
Thailand

"Your Personal Guide to beautiful Koh Phangan"

Koh Pha Ngan is a paradise known for its beautiful white sand beaches, endless nights and wild moon parties!


In this article you'll find:



So let's face it, 99% of all backpackers travel here to experience the moon parties.

A common sight is that travelers party all night, and sunbath during the day, curse that they got sunburned because they passed out on the beach, THEN they party again! ;-)

Koh Phangan is also a good place for backpacker couples -- this island has several romantic spots like Thong Nai Pan and Had Yao.

What's more romantic than having your dinner right on the beach, watching the amazing sunset...?

Occasionally you'll also notice the hippies who have been to Koh Pha Ngan a couple of times before, who return because of the relaxed atmosphere and the cheap weed/mushroom on the island.

My point: Whatever your purpose it is, Koh Pha Ngan has it all!

The island has a unbelievable gorgeous scenery and there's no shortage of cool activities! You can find all sorts of accommodation in Ko Phangan!

Cheap Flights to Koh Pha Ngan

There's no airport on Koh Phangan, only on the neighboring island of Koh Samui. There's also an airport in Surat Thani, the harbor town nearest Koh Samui and Phangan.

Cheap flights to Koh Samui/Surat Thani:

By ferry, it takes less an hour from Koh Samui to Koh Phangan (ex: with Lomprayah High Speed Catamaran).

For more information on Lomprayah ferries, visit their website (opens in a new window)

How to get to Koh Phangan --
by bus, train and ferry

From Bangkok:

You can either take the bus or train from Bangkok to either Chumphon or Surat Thani.

Many travelers use Lomprayah's services to get to the islands of Koh Phangan, Koh Tao and Koh Samui.

There are several companies of course, like Songserm express, Seatran Discovery etc.

How to get to Chumphon You'll be redirected to "How to get to Koh Tao". The link opens in a new window.

In May 2010, we bought tickets from Koh Phangan to Bangkok through Lomprayah.

Price: 1200 B (including ferry to Chumphon and bus to Bangkok)

Time: The ferry left Koh Phangan at 08.30 am and the trip to Bangkok (Khao san road) took 12 hours. Another ferry leaves at 13.00 from Koh Pha Ngan to Chumphon.

The ferry ride from Phangan to Chumphon was supposed to be comfortable, but we had to sit on the floor for one whole hour. That hour was literally just a pain in the ass. The ferry was packed with backpackers and tourists. These tourists were heading to Nangyuan island (the ferry takes a pit stop there before Chumphon) and were occupying 80% of the seats.

A lot of people had to sit on the floor. I don't pay 1200 B to sit on the floor!!!

In these situations it would logic to put up TWO ferries, and not just one!

When the tourists hopped on Nangyuan, the ferry was suddenly empty again.

Arriving at Chumphon pier we had to wait for 1,5 hour before the large VIP-buses took us to Bangkok. When arriving at the pier you need to redeem your ticket and get color stickers.

Each bus is divided into colors. If your sticker color is yellow, get on the "yellow" bus. You get one sticker to put on your shirt and one sticker for the backpack.

When we arrived in Bangkok, they dropped us off near Khao san road, arriving exactly after 12 hours.

Lomprayah's VIP-buses aren't comfortable; hard seats, no leg room and some woman's plant was touching my face during the entire trip. We didn't get any refreshments either which I'm used to when taking the government buses in Thailand.

I personally don't think that my 1200 B was worth the money. The next time I would use Chokeanan Tours. Lomprayah is good for short trips, not long ones.

From Koh Phangan to Koh Tao/Koh Samui

If you decide to take Lomprayah from Koh Phangan to Koh Tao or Koh Samui, these are the hours:

Visit Lomprayah's website

Important places to know about:

  • Police station up the Ban Chaloaklam Rd from Thong Sala. Phone nr: 077 - 377114.
  • Hospital in Had Rin, near the pier. Phone nr: 077 - 375471.
  • ATMs and banks in Thong Sala and Had Rin.
  • Post office near the pier.
  • You can rent bikes in Had Rin. Price: 200 B per day.
  • You'll usually get internet access at the bungalow/resort you`re staying at. Otherwise, there are loads of internet shops in Had Rin. And many travel agencies have internet access as well.


Koh Pha Ngan Articles



hadrin haad rin had rin koh pha ngan koh phangan where to sleep accommodation backpacking tips asia

Haad Rin

About Haad Rin and where to find accommdation on this peninsula! This is mostly Koh Phangan budget accommodation.

Welcome to Hadrin!



thong nai pan yai at sunset koh pha ngan koh phangan backpacking tips asia

Thong Nai Pan

About Thong Nai Pan Yai and Noi, where to find accommdation, food and activities!

Welcome to some of the best beaches in Thailand: Thong Nai Pan Yai and Noi!



had yao beach haad yao hat yao west koh pha ngan koh phangan backpacking tips asia

Had Yao Beach

About Had Yao beach,
where to find accommdation, food, drinks and activities!

Come and visit Had Yao Beach! ;-)



elephant rides thailand elephant riding trekking koh pha ngan koh phangan backpacking tips asia

Elephant riding in Koh Phangan

Personal review of the elephant riding in Koh Phangan
and Baan Suan Chang Elephant Camp near Phaeng waterfall!

Elephant Rides Thailand ;-)



muay thai fights koh pha ngan koh phangan backpacking tips asia

Muay Thai Fights in Koh Phangan

Here's one of the activities you can try on the island: Muay Thai boxing!

Our experiences from inside Thongsala boxing stadium in Koh Phangan:

Muay Thai Fights in Thongsala

Where to party

Click here to read about the amazing Half Moon Party!

Are you ready to join the Full Moon Party?

Heading for Thong Nai Pan Yai Beach and the parties there?

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koh phangan activities pyramid yoga course thailand beaches backpacking tips asia

Activities on Koh Pha Ngan

Wondering about what kind of activities there are on the island?

Trust me, you won't get bored ;-)

Welcome to Koh Phangan activities

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You're done with Koh Pha Ngan, where do you want to go next?

Are you going (back) to Bangkok?

Heading for Koh Phi Phi?

Going to Ko Chang Island?

Want to take memorable pictures? About choosing the right travel cameras and various camera brands

Return to Backpacking Tips Asia Homepage.



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