This island in the Southern Gulf of Thailand was once known primarily as King Chulalongkorn’s favorite vacation getaway. In the past 20 years, the place has developed rather rapidly from “backpacker’s best kept secret” to “tourist hot spot”.
The tiny island has plenty to offer: pristine beaches made for swimming and snorkeling; accommodations to suit any budget; fun outdoor activities for adults and kids alike; and, for partygoers, Haad Rin’s notorious “Full Moon Parties”: described by one blogger as “a monthly ‘Burning Man’” with a surfeit of trance music, fire-spinners, drugs, and alcohol.
To get to Kho Phangan, take a Government Bus from Bangkok; this will take you to the provincial capital of Surat Thani, where you can board a ferry to Thong Sala on Koh Phangan. The Koh Phangan Experience Guide has a handy guide to all your transport options into and out of the island.
