Ko Phangan

Ko Phangan (also Koh Pha Ngan, Thai: เกาะพะงัน, pronunciation: [ p ʰ kɔ á.ŋan ] ) is an east of the Isthmus of Kra island located in the Gulf of Thailand.

Pha - ngan is also the headquarters of the administration of the district ( Amphoe - Management District) Koh Pha Ngan of Surat Thani Province.

Geography

Koh Phangan is located 60 km north-east of the Thai mainland. It is 125 km ² the second largest island of the named after approximately 15 km south-west to the neighboring island of Samui Archipelago ( Muu Ko Samui), which includes still about 60 other islands; including Ko Tao, Ko Nang Yuan and the 40 islands of the Ang Thong National Park ( setting for the novel The beach, but not location of the associated movie The Beach). Just offshore Ko Phangan are a number of very small ( about 1 km ² and smaller) of uninhabited islands such as Ko Tae Nok and Ko Tae Nai in the West, Ko Maa in the northwest or Ko Kong Than Sadek in the east.

The interior is largely mountainous and covered by jungle and partly of secondary forest. The highest mountain is 635 m high Khao Ra in the north of the island.

The capital and main port is Thong Sala ( ท้อง สา ลา ). The following regular ferry services exist:

• From Thong Sala to the provincial capital of Surat Thani on the mainland,
• By catamaran ferry from Thong Sala nonstop about Koh Tao to Chumphon, also on the mainland, and from there with the same company by bus to Bangkok
• From Thong Sala to the northern neighboring island of Ko Tao,
• From Thong Sala to Na Thon and to Bo Phut Ko Samui (connection to the Mae Nam found only in high season instead, ie from approximately December to May level. December 2013 ) and
• Haad Rin to Bo Phut ( Ko Samui).

Population

Half of the approximately 10,000 inhabitants live in Thong Sala. The rest is distributed among about 15 mostly lying on the coast villages. The population is around 90% of Thai, the followers of continental Southeast Asia Theravada Buddhism are widespread. There are also in the capital, a Chinese community, mostly descendants of the early 20th century immigrant from the island of Hainan fishermen, and in the village of Ban Kai, in the southwest of the island, a small Muslim community.

Economy and Tourism

As to the larger sister island of Koh Samui, the management of palm plantations and fishing have traditionally been the most important economic sectors. They are still after tourism the largest sources of revenue. The company exports mainly the product obtained from coconuts copra. In addition, mats are made ​​from the fibers of nuts, used the wood as a building material and for the production of everyday objects and still often the leaves used for ceilings of houses. Another agricultural product of the island is rubber.

Since the 1980s, the tourism is growing steadily on Ko Phangan. After Samui had already been largely developed for tourism, especially after the opening of the local airport, examined many of the long-haul travelers, previously, in comparison to other tourist destinations in the region (such as Phuket, Bali) very calm and contemplative atmosphere of Samui had enjoyed an alternative - and found them in the unwegsameren neighboring island of Phangan. The beaches of the east coast, where the mountains often reach the sea, are still for the most part only with the traditional long boats of the fishermen who serve here as water taxis, accessible. Only in two places at Haad Sadek and the two parts of Thong Nai Pan Beach, is a more or less paved road connections to the road on the west side of the island.

In addition to the island's capital, is rapidly becoming the near the southern tip Phangan ( Haad Rin ), this place Hat Rin to the tourist center of the island. Especially in the days immediately before and after full moon nights here meet monthly young travelers and DJs from around the world to the Full Moon Party. Your early adopted the Full Moon Party in the late 1980 's. Today in the coming season from December to February over 10,000 ravers together especially on the beach of Hat Rin Nok, the eastern, sunrise -facing side of the isthmus to celebrate until dawn. The Full Moon Party is still known for high drug use of many visitors, which is threatened with severe penalties in Thailand and while during the party, the procedure is aggravated also with investigators in civil since the beginning of the 21st century. As in Buddhist Thailand often coincide with religious holidays full moon nights and parties are not welcome on such days, it is sometimes in one night place shortly before or after the actual full moon.

Attractions

• The National Park Than sadet Koh Phangan is located in the northeast of the island. The approximately 65.93 km ² large park was opened on 31 December 1983.

Impressions of the island

Bay Hat Tien

Sunset at Ao Wok Tum

Long Tail Boat at Bottle Beach

Lonely beach in the east of the island