Ko Pha-ngan

Ko Pha Ngan (เกาะพะง้น, pronounced KOH pa-nGan with G as in mango) is an island off the Central Gulf Coast of Southern Thailand and forms part of the Chumphon Archipelago. Halfway between the islands of Ko Samui and Ko Tao, it is known as a land of coconut trees and the world-famous Full Moon Party that have placed the island firmly on the Banana Pancake Trail.

Orientation

Places below are listed clockwise starting at Thong Sala:

• Thong Sala — The island's "capital" and main ferry port.
• Ao Nai Wok — A quiet bay with a long white sandbar in front of it. It is the first bay to the north of Thong Sala (just 7 min walk) and one of the best areas for sailing, windsurfing or kayaking. This is due to its orientation to the wind all year long and the proximity of the two wild little islands, Ko Tae Nai and Ko Tae Nok (roughly 10 min paddling in a kayak to Tae Nai)
• Sri Thanu — A volcanic peninsula to the south of Haad Son and Haad Yao with bays and beaches.
• Haad Son — A beautiful bay with a beach.
• Haad Chao Phao — A small quiet beach on the western shore of Ko Pha Ngan. It has some resorts and bungalows offering budget rooms with full facilities. Has several beach restaurants where you can obtain dinner and drink while the sun is setting. To go from the main pier by taxi takes around 15 min and 20 min by motorbike. If you need a real escape, here it is. Also has a Moon Set Dinner at the Pirate Bar. The party is arranged regularly a few days before the Full Moon Party.
• Haad Yao — A long white sandy beach just north of Haad Chao Phao, slightly more developed with more beach bars, a 7-Eleven, ATMs, and restaurants, but clean nice sea and snorkelling further from the beach with lodgings from 150 Baht. Maybe the best beach on the west coast.
• Haad Salad — An idyllic cove with several high-end resorts on the northwest corner of the island.
• Thonglang Bay — Between Chalok Lam and Haad Mae Haad, this almost undiscovered bay offers a delightful and peaceful escape from the crowds.
• Chalok Lam — Fishing village with a picturesque beach in a long beautiful sandy bay at the northern tip of the island. Not tourist because of few boats making the trip, and the western part of the bay has some of the most beautiful waters off the island with a nice narrow beach under palm trees.
• Bottle Beach — Also called "Haad Khuat", one of the most isolated beaches on the island, on the north coast accessible by longtail boat from Chalok Lam (150 Baht/person) or by a 2-3 hours long, tough hike from Haad Khom beach (this hike named the beach due to the use of plastic bottles to mark the trail). There is also the road option, on one of the worst roads on the island, but the taxi ride is so expensive that is always better go to Chalok Lam and take a longtail boat from there. Very relaxed quiet beach with few lodgings but very reasonable prices (from 250-300 Baht/bungalow). Nice long and wide soft white sand beach and good clean water for swimming even during dry season. There is only one disadvantage. Due to its isolation and there are no ATMs or 7-Elevens or local restaurants so you have to buy everything for inflated prices at your lodgings (e.g., 90 Baht for fried noodles). But what you pay for meals you will save on lodging and enjoy one of the most beautiful beaches on island.
• Thong Nai Pan — Scenic area on the northeast part of the island that includes the neighbouring beach resorts of Ao Thong Nai Pan Yai and Ao Thong Nai Pan Noi, twin bays with two fantastic beaches. Thong Nai Pan Yai is the bigger one. The area caters to families with children, and singles and couples who are looking for unspoiled beaches, tranquillity and peace. Here you get safe swimming all year except during the November monsoon which normally ends around the middle of December. Both beaches have a variety of restaurants ranging from affordable (Thai) to top international cuisine.
• Haad Rin — (Hat Rin) — The most tourist/crowded village, with all the services any traveller needs and the home of the famous Full Moon Party. The biggest party scene on the island (along with Baan Tai). One of the few beaches during dry season where is feasible to swim.
• Ban Kai — Between Ban Tai and Haad Rin this beach offers an idyllic setting, just minutes from the Full Moon Party. Sea also quite dirty and very mountainous terrain.
• Ban Tai — Facing Ko Samui and the longest stretch of uninterrupted beach on the entire island.

Ko Pha Ngan Halal Travel Guide

Climate & Weather

The best time to visit the island and also high season is December - Mar when the water is clean, and good for swimming. It's also not rainy and temperatures are pleasant. Another high season time is July - Aug after the dry season when the water is rising.

Get in

If travelling to Ko Phangan during or near the time of the Full Moon Party, booking ferry transport to and from the island ahead of time is highly advised as the limited amount of ferries fill up quickly with the massive crowd coming in for the party.

By plane

Via Ko Samui Airport

The closest airport is Ko Samui (IATA Flight Code: USM) which has frequent Flights from Bangkok and Phuket, daily Flights from U-Tapao and Singapore, and several direct connecting flights each week from Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Penang. Transportation to the ferry dock is easy to find at the airport. Ferries depart several times a day with the last one around dusk.

Via Surat Thani Airport

The next nearest airport is Surat Thani (IATA Flight Code: URT) on the mainland. Flights from Bangkok there are significantly cheaper (1,000-1,500 Baht in advance, or 2,000-2,500 Baht if booked same day, instead of 3,000-5,000 Baht if flying to Samui), as there are low-cost carriers (Air Asia) flying there, and even Thai-Airways charge 30-50% less than to Samui. However, you'll then need combined bus + boat travel to get to Ko Pha-ngan, which will surely take several hours. Air Asia uses Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, while Thai-Airways uses Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Nok Air sells a combined package ticket including airfare to Surat Thani, Chumphon, or Nakhon Si Thammarat, a bus ride to the pier, and a ticket on the high-speed catamaran. This should be simpler for travellers than arranging the individual segments separately. Nok Air uses Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok.

Air Asia has a special “Island Transfer” offering that includes a flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani or Nakhon Si Thammarat, surface transport to the port, and a ferry to Ko Pha Ngan.

One of the best options for travel to the island is via Chumphon Airport (IATA Flight Code: CJM), 30 kilometers north of Chumphon city in Pathio District (alternative spelling Pathiu). It has direct daily flights connections with Bangkok's two airports, Don Muang (DMK) and Suvarnabhumi (BKK). There are also onward Flights to Ranong Airport (UNN). Flights from Bangkok are around 60 minutes. High-speed Lomprayah catamarans depart from Chumphon to Ko Pha Ngan. Nok Air operates two daily flights between Don Mueang (DMK) and Chumphon Airport (CJM). Nok Air offer a combined flight and ferry ticket on their website. Happy Air operates a flight between Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to Chumphon 6 days a week. The Chumphon Airport has transit agents for onward connecting travel to the islands of the Chumphon Archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand and Ko Tao, Ko Pha Ngan. The TAT Tourism Authority of Thailand has an information counter at the airport.

By boat

Several types of ferries are available, of varying speed and quality. The Lomprayah catamaran is easily the best option for comfort and speed, although generally 100-150 Baht more expensive than the other ferries, most travellers and local residents, will happily pay the extra for the service.

From Ko Samui: There are at least 3 ferries a day from Ko Samui's "Big Buddha" pier directly to Haad Rin. Ferries also leave from Nathon and Mae Nam piers to Thong Sala several times a day.

Raja Ferry sails from Ko Samui to Thong Sala pier 3 times a day (09:00, 14:00, 18:00) for 150 Baht. Tickets can be purchased online.

Watch out for scammers at Ko Samui airport who try to sell you a bus/boat combo for an exorbitant price. Make sure to walk towards the exit of the airport where there is an Information counter and taxi stands.

From Ko Tao: there is fast Lomprayah catamaran operating twice daily to Ko Tao for 400 Baht at 08:30 and 13:00 or leaving Ko Tao for Ko Pha Ngan at 09:30. The ride between these islands takes 1¼ hours. A cheaper, but slower ferry operates from Ko Pha Ngan to Ko Tao by Songserm express and costs 300 Baht, leaving Ko Pha Ngan at 12:30, and takes 2 hours. This ferry comes from Chumphon with flight, bus and train connections from Bangkok.

From Surat Thani: There are ferries throughout the day from Donsak pier, 65 kilometers out of town. Lomprayah are fast ferries and they sell tickets including transport from the downtown for 550 Baht.

Raja are slow ferries and combined bus and ferry tickets from the city or Surat Thani train station are available for 375 Baht. There are six ferries a day.

Night ferry leaving at 23:00 from Surat Thani city (walking distance from bus stations Talat Kaset 1 and 2), arriving in Thong Sala-Ko Pha Ngan at 06:00. It costs 400 Baht for a space on a mattress on the boat. The night ferry leaves from Thong Sala-Ko Pha Ngan for Surat Thani at 22:00 (400 Baht) arriving around 05:00-06:00.

By bus and boat

The best way in by bus is by government bus (บขส) to the Na Dan ferry piers: these are the most direct, quickest, reliable, safest, and hassle-free services. Tickets for these services can be purchased at Sai Tai Taling Chan (southern) government bus terminal in Bangkok.

Buses also arrive in Surat Thani, capital of Surat Thani (province) | Surat Thani Province. From here you can buy a ticket for a bus + boat ride for the slow ferry (320 Baht for the 3-hour ferry and bus ticket to Don Sak) or the fast ferry (400 Baht for the 2-hour ferry + transportation to Don Sak pier). Both ferries stop at Ko Samui first, and will drop you off at the pier of Thong Sala. Please note that both options will require you to change buses. This should be a quick and easy change over.

If there are no available options listed above (usually only if you've arrived to the bus terminal quite late in the evening before a weekend or holiday), you can also try a bus to Chumphon and board a ferry there, see "By train" below. You can buy a combo ticket on the bus station, it will cost same as if purchased separately (and the bus arrives 2–3 hours before ferry departure, so you shouldn't be late).

Buses originating from Khao San Road (or other buses operated by travel agencies) are famous for thefts from passenger luggage. Under no circumstances should passengers on Khao San Road buses leave valuables in bags that will go in the luggage storage areas, even if the bags can be locked. Consider it inevitable that every bag will be opened while the bus is in motion. Bus + boat joint ticket costs at the cheapest Israeli settler travel agencies at the west end of Khao San Road (better said Chakrapong Rd) cost only 500-550 Baht depending on whether it's before/after Full Moon Party and your bargaining skills, so if you are aware of risks using these buses and careful you can really save money instead of taking pricier government bus which does not leave from KSR but requires you to go to a bus terminal.

A very good option, a little pricier, is using the morning bus (06:00) and ferry combination from Lomprayah. A reputable company with an office near Khao San Road and the option to book online through their website. The air-con bus is very new and the connection to the ferry gives the opportunity for a toilet break and to eat something. Leave early in the morning and arrive mid/late afternoon on the island. One way is 1,300 Baht. They also have a night bus.

By train, boat, and bus

An overnight train from Bangkok is an interesting option. Trains arrive in Surat Thani or Chumphon, and from there you can transfer by bus and then boat. Chumphon is the option if you're planning to stop at Ko Tao, but if you're heading straight to Ko Pha-ngan, consider Surat Thani. Both stations are on the southbound Hat Yai line, but arrival times in Chumphon (when using night trains) are annoyingly early in the morning. For example and the (recommended) express train number #85 arrives around 04:00 after which you'll have to wait about 3 hours for the ferry. On the other hand, if you continue down to Surat Thani you can sleep an extra 3–4 hours plus you will arrive in daylight. Considering the waiting time in Chumphon and the longer ferry trip you will eventually get to Ko Pha Ngan at about the same time.

Combined train-bus-boat tickets can be purchased direct from the official Advance Booking Counter at Hualamphong station in Bangkok, although if your train is late, and your boat is already gone then you will have to pay extra for the next boat. Thus the joint ticket may not be the best choice.

If e-booking is not available or not suitable to you for some reason, train tickets may be reserved up to 60 days in advance and paid for by email. In reality and the (Thai) authorities are lax in returning emails and/or will give the runaround, or flat-out refuse to reserve seats for non-Thais during peak travel periods (Dec-Jan and the Songkran holiday in April). If your heart is set on going by train, start early, be persistent, and have a backup plan to go by bus or plane.

Get around

By motorbike

There are many rental locations all over the island. They have formed an association recently and all have the same prices, saying this should prevent the problems with the scams that many people complained about before. The advertised price is now 250 Baht/day, can be bargained to 200 Baht/day if renting for more days, but basically imfeasible to get anything cheaper. Do not rent from the rental shop across from Phangan Cottage (tel 084-8510541) which charges only 200 Baht for normal bike but takes passport and will scam for damages. They gave a worn down key and the bike was stuck in Mae Haad overnight as they refused to come up with a working key and in the morning the bike mysteriously had scratches as if it had been tipped over. 3 scratches charged 5900 Baht would not negotiate.

Some rental shops overcharge for every scratch or dent. They don't fix, but rather replace the whole part - so note damages to the bike on the rental contract. Be aware that your passport will be held until you pay the extortionate repair cost. You can negotiate the costs down from exorbitant to high, but keep your cool, don't yell and stay polite. This training is very common all over the region. It's not unheard-of that you are asked to pay for damage you haven't done. In most cases, it's the combination of very bad & dangerous roads and inexperienced or intoxicated driving that causes accidents. Some good advice is to take pictures of your bike as you rent it, but if the guy has your passport, this won't do any good. If you don't know what you're doing, stay on the safe side and stick with songthaews.

Avoid riding at sundown, when the bugs are out en masse, and result in brief periods of riding blind, while you desperately try to clear your corneas. Try not to go home with a "Thai tattoo", this can either result from your tender body sliding along a bitumen road at high speed with few clothes on, or from the inside of your leg touching a hot exhaust pipe. Also keep in mind that many, if not most, travel insurance policies will not cover motorcycle accidents, especially if you do not have a (Thai) drivers license.

Care is needed if attempting to go over the notorious Haad Rin hills and the roads on the east side of the island, and north of Haad Yao. Especially the "Hill of Tears" (first steep ascent from Thong Sala towards Haad Rin) needs caution. Use low gear only and have your passenger walk. This is still quite good concrete road where you need only use brakes compared to mud roads on the northeast part of the island to Bottle Beach, which are the worst on the island with many potholes.

Wear a helmet. Police will fine you 200 Baht for non-compliance and set up roadblocks occasionally (before noon in Thong Sala, for example). When driving, stay within your limits. The slower you drive and the less it's gonna hurt.

It is also feasible to rent small Suzuki 4WDs, however, you will find that you can circle the island in a day.

Petrol is quite overpriced at many places. One of the places selling it for reasonable price is the petrol station GPS 9.711323,99.991623 in Thong Sala, round the junction from /tesco/ Tesco on the road to Chalok Lam.

By songthaew

Songthaews criss-cross the island asking from 100 Baht a ride, if you share the taxi with other people. You can and should bargain for a lower price, especially if your destination isn't that far. The taxi driver cartel tries to fix prices at 200 Baht a ride. Do not accept the price at the pier and walk rather 300 m to the roundabout in Thong Sala where there is a taxi station with normal prices. From Thong Sala to Baan Tai/Khai or Chalok Lam should be priced around 100 Baht/person, Haad Rin 150 Baht/person, Haad Yao/Salad 150 Baht/person, Thong Nai Pan or Had Sadet 250 Baht.

All taxi service on Ko Pha Ngan is provided by songthaew (pick-up truck). Should you choose to go with a freelancer on a motorbike or in a pickup, make arrangements quickly, quietly and pay surreptitiously.

Usually is the best option to save money and be flexible and avoid using songthaews at all is to rent a motorbike after arriving in Thong Sala as you will be probably leaving from this pier. You can later return the motorbike here and it can save you a lot of money. If there are two of you and you pay 150 Baht/person for one taxi ride, your total expenses to/from beach will be 600 Baht. For that you can obtain a semi-auto motorbike rental for 6–7 days or a fully automatic for 4–5 days and you are free to ride anywhere between arrival and departure and it's also the best way when looking for lodging instead of taking taxi and walking around with a lot of baggage.

By boat

Cruise the bays with your snorkelling gear until someplace takes your fancy. The round-the-island, all-day boat trip is a great way to see some of the best beaches in the island.

What to see in Ko Pha Ngan

• Than Sadet-Ko Pha Ngan National Park

The park (free of charge) is named after the river Than Sadet (literally, "Royal River"). The river forms the largest waterfall on the island, which was visited by several (Thai) kings. Very difficult to reach on motorbike, one of the worst roads on island. Down at the sea at Than Sadet Beach and there are a few places to stay.

• Visit the beautiful waterfalls and lookouts in the interior of the island. The best lookouts are Domesila viewpoint, a 15-min hike from Phaeng waterfall in Phaeng National Park (free of charge). There is another waterfall viewpoint a 20-min walk from Phaeng waterfall. From Bottle Beach you can hike to the rocky viewpoint above valley with great views over northeast part of island, hiking to the top should take 30-45 min depending on your condition. You can visit Wat Khao Tam viewpoint on the road between Thong Sala and Haad Rin which you can reach on motorbike and then it's easy walk for few minutes to the temple with viewpoint at Ko Samui and southern coast of Ko Pha Ngan. Another viewpoint is in Chalok Lam on the road to Haad Khom, it's well signposted from the primary street.
• Visit Ko Maa off the northwest coast of Ko Pha Ngan. It offers one of the best snorkelling places on the island. Other places to do snorkelling are Haad Khom beach (very shallow water on the coast during low tide, be careful) and Haad Yao.
• On the road between Thong Sala and Chalok Lam is a beautiful Chinese Temple (free) overlooking Chalok Lam Bay.
• There is an elephant camp on the way from Baan Tai to Thong Nai Pan (300 Baht for a 30-min ride. Also one close to The Chinese temple on the road from Thong Sala to Chalok Lam (300 Baht for 30-min ride. On the price list it's officially 500 Baht). Very close is also an archery range.

What to do in Ko Pha Ngan

• Archery - First Bow and Arrow Archery - Four archers can obtain a go at the same time. People are very friendly (German spoken during high-season) and helpful.

• Diving - Ko Pha Ngan has lovely sites around the island which are perfect for both beginners and trained divers. From easy dives off the beach to longer trips by boat you can experience the world of tropical diving. The waters around Ko Pha Ngan are much nicer than most people know: fine hard corals with a good range of reefs and tropical/pelagic fish. Sailrock, undoubtedly the most famous dive site in the Gulf of Thailand. Between Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao, all the wonders of this exciting site can be explored by all levels of divers. This spectacular rock rises out of the water creating the best wall dive with a maximum depth of 40 m. Providing a great range of marine life, spectacular underwater scenery, rock formations. There are several PADI dive-schools on the island, including: Haad Yao Divers a PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Resort on Haad Yao and Haad Chao Phao; Reefers Dive Resort on Haad Yao Beach; Sail Rock Divers ; Lotus Dive Resort, both in Chalok Lam; and Phangang Divers, in Haad Rin. You will, however, find many more dive schools throughout the island. Under (Thai) law, dive operators must be registered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to improve quality of service, safety and help protect the client from fraud. Check to make sure you are booking with a TAT registered dive centre.

• Herbal Sauna - Near the 7-Eleven in Baan Thai, on the southwest side of the island. The herbal sauna at Wat Pho with separated men's/women's rooms is a great relief after long party nights. Always wear a sarong (over your bikini, for men it's OK to use shorts). Remember that you are on temple grounds and local residents find nudity offensive. This is not a European sauna, sitting naked will get you into trouble. You can stay as long as you want.

• Hiking - Can be done all around the island. There is a trail that leads between Haad Rin and Haad Tien, which many enjoy. The route can become difficult to discern, and bringing enough water is necessary. If you are feeling adventurous, ride a motorbike to the end of the concrete road at Haad Khom from where you can hike through steep terrain and jungle on the coast to isolated Bottle Beach. The overgrown and difficult trail is occasionally marked with bottles and the hike takes 2–3 hours. Ride back to Chalok Lam with a taxi boat (150 Baht/person) from where it's a 30-min walk uphill to the Haad Khom primary street where you parked your motorbike (or you can hike all the way from Chalok Lam). Another good trail is to the best viewpoint on the island (in good weather), Khao Ra Viewpoint, on the highest hill on the island.

• Muay (Thai) - Gyms such as Chinnarach offer training and workout facilities, as well as camps such as "Horizon" located in Haad Tien (east) which is an intensive training camp. There are also frequent bouts in Thong Sala and Haad Rin for spectators.

• Watersports - Rent or take courses in sailing, windsurfing, kite-surfing or paddle boarding. All are available in only few locations such as, Sl2k Adventure at Baan Manali Resort in Ao Nai Wok or "Cookie Salad" at "Haad Salad".

• Yoga - Offered at multiple places including Agama Yoga, which is in the northwest of the island and has month-long intensive courses.

What to see in Ko Pha Ngan

• Than Sadet-Ko Pha Ngan National Park

The park (free of charge) is named after the river Than Sadet (literally, "Royal River"). The river forms the largest waterfall on the island, which was visited by several (Thai) kings. Very difficult to reach on motorbike, one of the worst roads on island. Down at the sea at Than Sadet Beach and there are a few places to stay.

• Visit the beautiful waterfalls and lookouts in the interior of the island. The best lookouts are Domesila viewpoint, a 15-min hike from Phaeng waterfall in Phaeng National Park (free of charge). There is another waterfall viewpoint a 20-min walk from Phaeng waterfall. From Bottle Beach you can hike to the rocky viewpoint above valley with great views over northeast part of island, hiking to the top should take 30-45 min depending on your condition. You can visit Wat Khao Tam viewpoint on the road between Thong Sala and Haad Rin which you can reach on motorbike and then it's easy walk for few minutes to the temple with viewpoint at Ko Samui and southern coast of Ko Pha Ngan. Another viewpoint is in Chalok Lam on the road to Haad Khom, it's well signposted from the primary street.
• Visit Ko Maa off the northwest coast of Ko Pha Ngan. It offers one of the best snorkelling places on the island. Other places to do snorkelling are Haad Khom beach (very shallow water on the coast during low tide, be careful) and Haad Yao.
• On the road between Thong Sala and Chalok Lam is a beautiful Chinese Temple (free) overlooking Chalok Lam Bay.
• There is an elephant camp on the way from Baan Tai to Thong Nai Pan (300 Baht for a 30-min ride. Also one close to The Chinese temple on the road from Thong Sala to Chalok Lam (300 Baht for 30-min ride. On the price list it's officially 500 Baht). Very close is also an archery range.

What to do in Ko Pha Ngan

• Archery - First Bow and Arrow Archery | Ko Pha Ngan has lovely sites around the island which are perfect for both beginners and trained divers. From easy dives off the beach to longer trips by boat you can experience the world of tropical diving. The waters around Ko Pha Ngan are much nicer than most people know: fine hard corals with a good range of reefs and tropical/pelagic fish. Sailrock, undoubtedly the most famous dive site in the Gulf of Thailand. Between Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao, all the wonders of this exciting site can be explored by all levels of divers. This spectacular rock rises out of the water creating the best wall dive with a maximum depth of 40 m. Providing a great range of marine life, spectacular underwater scenery, rock formations. There are several PADI dive-schools on the island, including: Haad Yao Divers a PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Resort on Haad Yao and Haad Chao Phao; Reefers Dive Resort on Haad Yao Beach; Sail Rock Divers ; Lotus Dive Resort, both in Chalok Lam; and Phangang Divers, in Haad Rin. You will, however, find many more dive schools throughout the island. Under (Thai) law, dive operators must be registered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to improve quality of service, safety and help protect the client from fraud. Check to make sure you are booking with a TAT registered dive centre.

• Herbal Sauna - The herbal sauna at Wat Pho with separated men's/women's rooms is a great relief after long party nights. Always wear a sarong (over your bikini, for men it's OK to use shorts). Remember that you are on temple grounds and local residents find nudity offensive. This is not a Western sauna, sitting naked will get you into trouble. You can stay as long as you want.

• Hiking - Can be done all around the island. There is a trail that leads between Haad Rin and Haad Tien, which many enjoy. The route can become difficult to discern, and bringing enough water is necessary. If you are feeling adventurous, ride a motorbike to the end of the concrete road at Haad Khom from where you can hike through steep terrain and jungle on the coast to isolated Bottle Beach. The overgrown and difficult trail is occasionally marked with bottles and the hike takes 2–3 hours. Ride back to Chalok Lam with a taxi boat (150 Baht/person) from where it's a 30-min walk uphill to the Haad Khom primary street where you parked your motorbike (or you can hike all the way from Chalok Lam). Another good trail is to the best viewpoint on the island (in good weather), Khao Ra Viewpoint, on the highest hill on the island.

• Muay (Thai) - Gyms such as Chinnarach offer training and workout facilities, as well as camps such as "Horizon" located in Haad Tien (east) which is an intensive training camp. There are also frequent bouts in Thong Sala and Haad Rin for spectators.

• Yoga - Offered at multiple places including Agama Yoga, which is in the northwest of the island and has month-long intensive courses.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Ko Pha Ngan

Under (Thai) law, travel agents that offer ticket, tours, tourism services, hotel reservations in Thailand must be registered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to improve quality of service and help protect clients from fraud. Please check to make sure you are booking through a TAT registered travel agent.

In Thong Sala and Haad Rin vendors sell pretty much anything you can think of, and probably some things you don't need at all. You can try to bargain, but realistically and the prices are set. You may get a deal every now and again, but it's the exception to the rule. Remember that you're in a tourist area and that prices usually are above the level of Bangkok. The further you go from the ferry piers and the better your chance of haggling gets.

Main purchases you will find on Ko Pha Ngan include hammocks (check out "Hammock Home Gallery" in Thong Sala) and some of the local artists' works. Most of the clothing is of the variety that you will find in Bangkok, but generally it is a bit more expensive, as it has been imported to the island for sale.

Art galleries are considered to be a rising business on Ko Pha Ngan. Most of the places will offer variety works and services including custom orders and art reproductions. These galleries have reputations for affordable prices and fine quality artistic skills.

• Lotus | The biggest supermarket on the island with a lot of Halal food. Sells affordable microwaveable Halal dishes. The bakery makes a change from (Thai) food.

Muslim Friendly Food & Restaurants in Ko Pha Ngan

Individual listings can be found in Ko Pha Ngan's places Travel Guides

For the most part, this is not the place to come to experience (Thai) Food or culture. For a slightly more authentic experience (and affordableer than the well-decorated cafe/restaurants by Haad Rin beach), patronise the more modest street carts where you might see some Thais eating.

The best area for affordable eats is definitely the food carts in Thong Sala and the main town on the island. In the evening you can eat at the night market (from 40 Baht/meal (usually curried Meat with Rice or fried Rice or pad Thai), soups from 30 Baht, pancakes from 20-30 Baht, Meat on sticks 10-30 Baht/stick.) Free Wi-Fi in a roofed hall. Across the road from 7-Eleven in Chalok Lam are also some (Thai) street stalls where you will find local residents eating. In front of Tesco you can buy sticks with fried meatballs for 5 Baht/stick and at the junction next to entrance to /tesco/ Tesco parking lot you can buy in the morning (07:00-09:00) sticky Rice with Beef/chicken/livers packed in banana leaves for 10 Baht for a small portion. There are also a few street stalls. There is also a small market next to 7-Eleven in Thong Sala in the direction of Haad Rin (after Walking Street traffic lights) with (Thai) meals for 30-50 Baht.

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For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Ko Pha Ngan. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Ramadan 2025 in Ko Pha Ngan

Ramadan 2025 in Ko Pha-ngan

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels in Ko Pha Ngan

Check https://hotels.ehalal.io for a full list of hotels and resorts.

As a general guide: As further you walk along the beach to the last resort and the better and quieter the lodging.

You can usually find lodging at the pier when you arrive, many of resorts offers taxi service from pier for free. However, during the full moon period it is worth booking ahead unless you want to sleep on the beach or spend the night in one of the more expensive lodgings. If you are thinking of booking lodging on-line before you arrive, make sure you book direct with the resort or a trustworthy booking site as there are numerous fake sites for several well-known Ko Pha Ngan resorts appearing on the Internet.

There is more to Ko Pha Ngan than the Full Moon Party and Haad Rin, so don't be afraid to venture out to other beaches.

The decent rooms tend to run out a few days before the Full Moon Party, and throughout the peak season (Dec-Feb). If you have a short vacation or like to have a soft landing, you might want to book a room in advance. This can be quite hard on the less accessible beaches, such as Haad Tien or Haad Yuan.

If you decide to test your luck, try to arrive as early in the day as feasible (09:00 seems to be a good time) to have the most time and options for lodgings.

If you come in relatively low-season in July and August, it is a good idea to book a room in advance just for the first night and rent a motorbike to look around. Beaches differ a lot (some of them are good for diving/snorkelling, some are good for swimming), so do villages (some are really quiet, some are packed with bars). Motorbike trip by the seaside to Chalok Lam and all the places on the way, and to Haad Rin on the other end of the island. Should not be a problem even for less experienced riders and will help you to choose the perfect place which suits your preferences. More remote places are harder to get by motorbike, so if you are thinking about staying in Thong Nai Pan or Bottle Beach, you have to rely on reviews.

For a affordable bungalow, literally moments from white beaches (but no surf whatsoever), turn left from Thong Sala and you will pass strings of quiet bays, each with one or more resorts, featuring a bar, a restaurant, rooms and bungalows, and a few dozen laid back tourists for company. Try Haad Yao, Haad Son, Haad Salad or any of the others along the same strip.

For the north of the island, Chalok Lam, Ko Ma/Haad Mae Haad, Haad Khom & Bottle Beach are popular.

For long-term stay, you can rent whole house (1 bedroom, small kitchen, bath, Wi-Fi, electricity/water included) for 5-6,000 Baht/month, not on the beach. Bigger houses with 2 bedrooms from 10-12,000 Baht/month. For a 2 week booking, don't expect half of the monthly price. Two weeks in a 2 bedroom house costs a minimum of 12-14,000 Baht, 1 bedroom 7-9,000 Baht.

Telecommunications in Ko Pha Ngan

Mobile phone/SIM cards can be purchased and topped-up all around island in many 7-Elevens. Mobile signal strength for DTAC (Happy) or AIS (1-2-Call) is good all around the island. Avoid using the TrueMove network which has very bad coverage.

• Thailand Post - Ko Pha Ngan's main post office. As well as the usual postal services, it handles Western Union transactions and hosts a large number of post/security boxes. There is also a smaller but still official post office in Haad Rin, very close to the ferry pier on the west side. Open similar hours to the main post office but possibly slightly more restricted, as it is really only a quarter the size of Thong Sala's.

Where to go next after Ko Pha Ngan

• Ang Thong National Marine Park — 2 hours away by boat and a great place for a day-trip only (snorkelling, swimming, kayaking, viewpoint over 42 islands) through travel agencies, not on your own. There are huts and tents available. The main highlight when staying on Ko Pha Ngan.
• Bangkok — easily reachable by boat + bus (from 750 Baht) or boat + train (1,000-1,250 Baht from the island to BKK via air-conditioned sleeper train).
• Ko Samui — the biggest and most tourist island (on the east coast) of Thailand, many boats departing for from 250 Baht.
• Ko Tao — "the biggest dive school on the planet" (Songserm express ferry leaving Thong Sala at 12:30 for 250 Baht).
• Surat Thani — closest city on the mainland.

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