>> General Info Koh Phangan

>> Paradise Island of the Kings

As a natural paradise island in the Southern Gulf of Thailand, Koh Phangan serves as the perfect getaway retreat; relaxing on quiet deserted beaches, snorkeling and learning to dive at the distinctive island of Koh Ma – a protected National Marine Park.

Trekking in the footsteps of Thai Royalty at Than Sadet National Park steeped in history and culture, seeking adventure in the nearby Ang Thong archipelago composed of over 40 islands endowed with pristine beaches, natural caves and the tranquil Tha Laem Nai – the salt water blue lagoon lake featured in “The Beach” by Alex Garland. It seems that whatever you are looking for, there is something for everybody.

>> The People and Culture

There are approximately 14,000 people living in Koh Phangan, the majority of which are Chinese descent. Most inhabitants live in Thong Sala, the main gateway into the island from Samui.

Around 95 per cent of the island’s population are Buddhists and it plays as very significant role in their daily life. Buddhism inevitable involves almost every occasion such as birthdays, marriages, moving to a new house, funerals, opening business offices and buying new vehicles etc.

>> Climate and Topography

Positioned harmoniously in the east coast on the Gulf of Thailand, Koh Phangan is the third largest island in Thailand and most of the island’s area of 168 square km is made up of mountains and tropical forest. The lowlands are abounding with coconut fields and sandy white beaches so beautiful they sometimes appear to be true.

Due to its proximity to the equator, Koh Phangan`s temperature remains fairly constant all year round and the conditions are tropical. Sunshine can be found even during the monsoon season setting an ideal scenario for positive energy alternatives, for example it is considered tropical regions offer a better solar resource than more temperate latitudes.

There are three main seasons in the Southern Gulf of Thailand:

Dry season - Mid December to April is the dry and coolest time
Hot season - May to September is hot with occasional showers
Wet season - October to Mid December is when the monsoon season kicks in

>> Development and Infrastructure

Koh Phangan inadvertently benefited from an increase in tourism set off by completion of an airport on the neighboring island of Samui back in the late eighties. It has, however, fortunately steered away from rapid development. Instead there has been a focus on putting infrastructure in place first to hold Koh Phangan in good stead for responsible development. It is mostly for this reason that Koh Phangan has long been the favored island for back papers and more recently for those who have been in search for an island escape that actually does feel like an island! Nevertheless, as more and more people have discovered Koh Phangan`s charms, more have become interested in investing foreign capital in this island haven.

Most of Koh Phangan`s land has been retained by the locals which has been steadily increasing in value over the last five years. This is what many of the local families have been waiting for and similarly for those interested in investing in Koh Phangan. Land costs presently sits at approximately one third the price of Samui and one rai real estate around THB 1,2 Mio.

>> Government Direction

The Thai Government is now seriously investing in this island which had until recently lost out in capital funding to its glossier ‘Big Brother”, Samui. Construction is already under way on a marina, roads have been upgraded with plans to extend a circular link road to better access northern beaches and construction on the island`s own airport has been approved to commence in the near future.

It would be a fair assumption to make with such infrastructure in place that this relatively laidback and undeveloped little island could soon become a copy image of some its island neighbors. The “Nai Umphur” (Chief of District) has in fact earmarked the island as a future eco tourism destination. This is good news for those have been fortunate enough to experience first hand what makes Koh Phangan unique and reassuring that development is not necessarily going to become an ugly world.

>> Foreign Investment

In an increasingly manic and turbulent world it is not too hard to fathom why this part of the world is generating so much interest to those jaded by the “rat race” of the Western world and looking for an escape route. Thailand’s benevolent King and his strong commitment to upholding a democratic government have concreted the country’s reputation as a safe Asian travel and investment destination.

It is one of the Thai government priorities to ensure that Thailand remains attractive to foreign investors. The Board of Investment (BOI) is the principal government agency responsible for providing incentives to stimulate investment. It is empowered to grant a wide range of fiscal and non-fiscal and guarantees to investment projects that meet national economic development goals.

The cost of living for day-to-day consumables in Thailand sits at approximately 500-600% less expensive than Western Europe and human resources around 600%. This coupled with a government striving towards and achieving high socio-economic agendas, Thailand is paving a road to prosperity.

The south west of Koh Phangan is the island’s biggest lowland area and was the earliest settled with the first main town in Wok Tum, not far from Thong Sala where it is now. The inland areas are a melting pot of rivers and streams that spring from the surrounding mountains and the fertile plains are home to many small villages and hamlets, some unchanged in centuries. There are paddy fields guarded by wise looking water buffalos; temples to visit, including Wat Khao Noy with its ancient Chedis set on the only mountains in the region, and some good accommodation options.

Thong Sala became the island’s capital around a hundred years ago and serves as Koh Phangan`s main communication, services and transport center. The port is expanding with two new jetties under construction to handle the increasing amounts of visitors to the island, and the town is also changing with better banking services, a greater variety of Thai and European restaurants and some good bars. The shopping facilities in Thong Sala tend to be better value than in Samui, nearly all shops have low fixed prices, and there are some good boutiques with interesting and unique clothes. Internet and telephone services are cheap, the main Post Office and Police Station are there and it now has no less than two markets and five ATM machines.

The road network of the island meets in Thong Sala, thus it provides easy access to virtually any point on Koh Phangan, by land or sea. It is the main taxi pick-up point and it has numerous guesthouses and two hotels, useful for overnight stays to meet Travel connections.

Up the coast, starting at the northern end of Ao Nai Wok, there are steep hills and rounded volcanic boulders around the south west’s only mountain, Khao Hin Nok. The coast is broken into rocky outcrops and the odd cluster of mangroves, with small coves and idyllic views over Anthong National Marine Park. South of Thong Sala, the coastline is a lot straighter with an unbroken stretch of sand all the way up to the start of the Had Rin hills. The surrounding flat land has all been used for coconut farming and long stretches of beach allow for a decent amount of space between the resorts, many offering high standards of accommodation in well-maintained surroundings.