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| Home » Thailand Travel Guide »
Surat Thani » Ko Pha Ngan |
| DESTINATION THAILAND |
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KO PHA NGAN
GUIDE |
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 ATRACTIONS IN
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| HIGHLIGHTS IN
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| QUICK GUIDANCE |
| The breathtaking landscapes, beautiful coastlines, cultural delights and historical significance, make Thailand an enjoyable stop in Asia travel map. To help you plan a trip in Ko Pha Ngan - Thailand, we provide the useful guide of hotel options, package tours, transport, attractions, shopping and entertainment. You just click the sections below for helpful information. |
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KO PHA NGAN
OVERVIEW |
| This is an ideal destination for travelers who prefer less crowded, more private beaches set in a laid-back atmosphere. Ko Pha Ngan has swathes of beautiful beaches, great walks, adventurous boat and fishing trips and even kite-boarding. Equally compelling for many is just spending a few weeks in a hammock, watching the sun rise and fall.
Ko Pha Ngan is the second largest island after Samui in the southern Gulf of Thailand, and is around 100km from the mainland. Stretching over an area of 168 sq km, 70% of its topography is mountainous with the remainder beaches and coconut groves.
Over 10,000 people permanently live on the island, with the majority concentrated around Thong Sala. A huge number of migrants also call the island home, so the guy taking your dinner order is as likely to be from Roi Et as Thong Sala. As in the rest of Thailand, most people are Buddhist, but some Muslims live in the village of Baan Tai. The first inhabitants of the island are believed to have been Muslims from Pattani or Malayans from Nakhon Sri Thammarat.
Aside from the tourist trade, the mainstays of the island's economy are fishing and coconuts. It's worth knowing that between them, Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Samui produce more than one million coconuts each year for export to Bangkok.
The best time to visit Ko Pha Ngan is during the hot season from January to April. May to December sees the monsoon set in, with poor weather and a quick deterioration in road quality. The crowds thin out then, however, making the island appealing to some travellers.
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KO PHA NGAN TRAVEL TIPS |
Climate
The weather in Ko Pha Ngan varies depending on the period. The rainy season lasts from October to November and the temperature drops to 25oC during these two months. The temperature rises from 30oC between December and February and 40oC from March to April. During May and June , the temperature dips followed by some rainy periods. The temperature rises up again to 35oC from July to September but there are usually some tropical downpours
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GETTING IN - OUT
KO PHA NGAN |
* Plane: The closest airport is Ko Samui (USM) which has frequent flights from Bangkok and Phuket, daily flights from U-Tapao and Singapore, and several direct flights each week from Chiang Mai and Kuala Lumpur. Transportation to the ferry dock is easy to find at the airport. Ferries depart several times a day with the last one around dusk.
a. Ko Samui to Ko Pha Ngan
There are approximately 10 daily transfers to Ko Pha-ngan. Boats depart between 7.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. The trip takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour, depending on weather conditions. Boats leave from Thong Sala Pier and Hat Rin on Ko Pha-ngan to Ko Samui Pier including Na Thon Pier, Mae Nam and the Big Buddha. The fare is approximately 115 baht to 250 baht / trip / person.
b. Surat Thani to Ko Pha Ngan
Surat Thani Pier operates a minimum of 6 daily departures to Ko Pha-ngan. Boats leave from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. and arrive at Tha Sala Pier on Ko Pha-ngan. The fare ranges from 200 baht to 370 baht / trip / person.
c. Ko Tao to Ko Pha Ngan
Approximately 6 daily departures from Thong Sala Pier to Ko Tao are provided. They leave from 8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. The fare ranges from 180 baht to 350 baht.
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GETTING AROUND
KO PHA NGAN |
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Traveling around the island by rented motorcycle from bungalows is recommended. The cost is approximately 200 baht / day. For those who prefer truly Thai-style transportation, songthaew services are also available. The fare is 50 baht from Thong Sala Pier to any place on the island. Exceptions are on routes to Ban Khai (30 baht) and Ao Thong Nai Pan (80 baht). Car rental service is also available at approximately 1,000 baht / day.
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KO PHA NGAN FOODS |
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The best area for authentic cheap eats is defintely Thong Sala, the main town on the island. Thong Sala has a night market which consists of multiple food carts ranging from ready made curry stalls, made-to-order restaurant carts, noodle carts, chicken vendors, and desserts such as Thai confections and banana rotee (pancakes).
Also, along the road near Thong Sala, you will see many "BBQ" restaurants advertising "all you can eat" for about 99 baht. This is a great way to eat, and it is economical as well as delicious.
During the day, food carts are to be found in Thong Sala, or parked wherever they find a customer. Great food cart items include Som Tam, the tasty spicy papaya salad, pad Thai, and chicken vendors.
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ENTERTAINMENT |
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| Northern Thailand |
| Chiang Mai - Chaing Dao - Mae Ai , Chiang Rai - Chiang Khong - Chaing Saen , Lampang, Lamphun , Mae Hong Son - Pai ,
Nan ,
Phayao, Phetchabun, Phitsanulok , Phrae , Sukhothai - Sisatchanalai, Tak - Maesot, Buriram , Mukdahan, Nakhon Phanom,
Nakhon Ratchasima,
Nong Khai , Surin, Ubon Ratchathani , Udon Thani , Yasothon |
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| Central Thailand |
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Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Kanchanaburi - Sai Yok , Lop Buri, Nakhon Phathom, Nonthaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan - Hua Hin,
Phetchaburi - Chaam ,
Ratchaburi, Chanthaburi , Chon Buri - Pattaya, Rayong - Ko Samet, Trat - Koh Chang , Lop Buri |
| Southern Thailand |
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Chumphon, Krabi - Ao Nang - Ko Phi Phi - Rai Leh , Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat,Pattani,
Phang Nga - Ao Phang Nga - Khao Lak, Phatthalung, Phu ket - Karon Beach -Patong Beach , Ranong, Satun - Tarutao,
Songkhla,
Surat Thani - Ko Pha Ngan - Ko Samui , Trang, Yala |
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