Ko Phangan
Ko Phangan is located in the Gulf of Thailand and is the premier backpacking destination in Southeast Asia (for good or ill). Tourisst started discovering this area in the 1980′s and due to the fame of the Full Moon Parties, it has been popular ever since. There are tons of beautiful beaches but be prepared for a lot of partying at this destination. You can escape the madness that is Haat Rin (location of the Full Moon Party) and head to the northern or eastern beaches on the island. They tend to be a lot more low key and relaxed than busy Haat Rin and you would never know this was a party place or stay in Haat Rin and go crazy.
Buying a Travel Backpack
Finding Cheap Accommodation
How to Find a Cheap Flight
Getting off the Tourist Trail in Asia
Great Eats in Bangkok
My Local Guide to Bangkok
Khao Yai National Park
Songkran, Thailand’s Ultimate Water fight
Costs in Ko Phangan
- Hostel Prices: Here there are tons of guest houses, beach bungalows, and villages. Beach side bungalows start at 600 baht per night and go up from there. For a really nice place, expect to spend about 1,500 Baht. A cheap room can be found for around 300 Baht per night. During New Year’s and the Full Moon Party, prices increase by about 30%.
- Budget Hotel Prices: See above.
- Average Cost of Food: You can find local meals for around 40-50 Baht. At most tourist restaurants, especially around Haat Rin, will run you about 100-150 Baht per meal for Thai food. Western meals will cost closer to 200 Baht.
- Cost of Internet: 3 Baht per minute though some places offer free wi-fi.
- Transportation Costs: Songthaews (pick-up truck taxis) criss-cross the island for around 100 baht a ride, or 150 baht for less accessible destinations. The tuk tuk mafia runs the show here so don’t try to bargain down. They have set their prices and don’t really offer deals unless there is a lot of people involved.
Things to Do in Ko Phangan
- Swim in a Natural Mountain Pool: Not to far out from Haat Rin on the way to Baan Tai, there is a turn off to the right to the “river on stone” natural pool and waterfall. It is a little out of the way to get to but well worth the effort.
- Snorkel Day Trip: They sell these trips all over the island. There will be tons variety. They usually run from 11am-5pm and include transportation by boat, snorkel, swim, lunch for about 400-600 baht. You meet tons of people on them as well. There is also a tour called the munchies tour and another called the reggae tour and both include, as you might guess, marijuana.
- Lay in the Sun: The real treasure in Koh Pha Ngan are the many idyllic beaches. This is a great place to sit around, get a tan, cool off in the ocean, and play games with your friends.
- Yoga: The island is also home to a couple of yoga schools where you can go to relax and revitalize your body. Depending on how much time you have and how serious you are you can go for a single lesson or stay there for six months learning to be a yoga instructor.
- Full Moon Party: The Full Moon Rave is a giant party with a lot of drinking, dancing, drugs, and sex. Each bar has its own sound system, so you’ll hear different music every few feet. The beach is lined with people selling alcohol, fire dancers put on shows. Little booths are also set up selling glow-in-the-dark face paint as kids run up and down the beach selling trinkets and glowsticks. It happens during the full moon of every month. High season parties see about 20,000-30,000 people, with the full moon around New Year seeing the most. It you miss it, there’s always the half moon party, quarter moon party, and black moon party. Really, every day is a party here.
Budget Tips for Ko Phangan
- Find deals on a room: As a general guide: As further you walk along the beach to the last resort, the better and quieter deal you get! If you are coming near the Full Moon Party, arrive at least 3 days before to secure yourself a decent place.
- Drink Cheap: Buckets, the famous alcohol filled sand pales, cost a lot of money. Save them until later (and save yourself from passing out too!). You can go get cheap beers at 7-11 and bring them onto the beach. A single beer will cost about 20 Baht compared to 80-100 at a bar.
| Bangkok | Chiang Mai | Ko Phi Phi | Phuket |
Once, I waited over an hour for a bus that didn't exist because information in a guidebook was out of date. After that, I never wanted out of date travel information to exist. After traveling the world for over five years, I know exactly what type of information travelers want. I update this guide section every six months so you never have to go through what I did. 
