Thailand has many unique places and the island of Koh Phangan, located in the Gulf of Thailand, is certainly one of them. He is widely known for his large-scale Full Moon Party, which takes place once a month, but many people love him for nothing at all, and one might even say for things completely opposite.
Balance of savagery and civilization
Khangan is a subtle, almost borderline state between the time when sufficient infrastructure already exists for a comfortable, fulfilling life, and the time when civilization begins to spoil nature with its presence.
There are large supermarkets on the island (Tesco, Big C and Macro),
hospitals (including a branch of Bangkok Hospital),
good selection of hotels, cafes and restaurants. But at the same time, on the island there are, in fact, only three relatively large roads (one goes along the coast, the other leads to the east and the third to the north). But if in neighboring Samui, which is 1.5 times larger, huge, noisy trucks rush along the ring road, the traffic, in many places, is very noticeable, and traffic jams are not uncommon, then on Koh Phangan the usual situation is when transport on the main road passes once every 10 minutes. And if you turn a little to the side, you already feel like a pioneer.
Snow-white beaches
If you had to find just one word to describe the beaches of Koh Phangan, it would be “paradise”! Yes, yes, this is not a joke, there are about 30 beaches on the tiny island, and most of them fully fit this description.
The beaches of Koh Phangan are beautiful natural bays, with clear turquoise water and a clean shore, “uncluttered” by the benefits of civilization.
Most beaches boast stunning, pleasant-to-touch fine sand and a comfortable entrance to the sea, where you can snorkel among tropical fish or just swim calmly without fear of currents and waves.
Some of the beaches on Koh Phangan have good access; hotels there, as a rule, are located right on the shore, which makes these beaches accessible to the majority of tourists (for example, Baan Tai, Haad Yao, Haad Rin). Nearby there are massage parlors, shops and other infrastructure. But at the same time, there are quite a lot of semi-wild beaches on Koh Phangan, where there are only a couple of small hotels, beaches far away from civilization, and accordingly with a different atmosphere, complete solitude and relaxation, where you can take a break from the hustle and bustle and fully recuperate (for example, Haad Yuan, Coconut Beach, Thong Nai Pan Noi and Yai).
And also, almost any beach on Koh Phangan is simply an amazing find for photographers. Natural scenery in the form of rocks, coastal stones, white sand, inclined palm trees with rope swings on them and delightful sunrises and sunsets are a mandatory attribute of almost every beach here, so you definitely won’t leave the island without beautiful landscape sea photographs.
Trekking and viewing platforms
Climbing to any observation deck, you will instantly see how green the island is – there are jungles and hills all around – just a paradise for lovers of active recreation, namely hiking and trekking.
The most popular route on Koh Phangan is the climb to the highest point of the island, the peak of Mount Khao Ra (627 m). The climb is not very difficult, it takes about 1 hour, the route runs through a real jungle with vines and trees with intricate huge roots protruding from the soil.
In the Tan Sadet National Park there are several very simple treks leading to the observation deck around the Phang waterfall, and the royal trail runs straight along a shallow river bed with small rapids-waterfalls, where on the way you can find huge cobblestones with marks indicating that you are here The Thai king loved to come. The path leads to the stunning eastern beach of the same name, Tan Sadet, in a natural bay.
Trekking to semi-wild beaches is no less exciting, for example those to which there is practically no normal access, and where people arrive mainly only by boat (for example, Haad Khonti, Haad Yuan, Bottle Beach). These routes also, as a rule, go through the jungle, periodically leading to rocky ledges – natural viewing platforms. Sometimes the paths run right along the edge of hills and rocks along the sea.
Most trekking routes have markings, signs and are drawn in Google Maps, so all you need to do is arm yourself with a smartphone with the application installed, and off you go!
Full Moon Party
Full Moon Party,
The largest open-air party in Asia has been held here on the island of Koh Phangan since 1985. The most famous DJs from all over the world come here to play, which, of course, attracts a lot of people every month.
On the eve of the party, young people come to the island not only from neighboring Thai resorts, but also from all over the world; many specially plan their vacation around these dates in order to see everything that is happening and take part in this large-scale fun under the starry sky. It takes place during the full moon on Haad Rin Nok Beach, on the southernmost tip of Koh Panagan.
A dozen stages are set up on a long sandy beach, where DJs play all night, replacing each other, and here, in the light of the full moon, young guys and girls in colored T-shirts have a blast and have a blast with with the inscription Full Moon Party, with faces and other open parts of the body painted with luminescent paint.
The main attribute of such a party is an alcoholic cocktail in a children’s plastic bucket. Such buckets, T-shirts, and paint are sold on every corner. Even if you are not a fan of such parties, it is still definitely worth being on such a large dance floor at least once.
Spirituality
Many people come to Koh Phangan for the atmosphere and spiritual practices. There is a center on the island where you can take a meditation course (at the Wat Kow Tham temple),
as well as several certified yoga centers, whose programs are designed for both teachers and students (for example Agama yoga and Ananda yoga),
there are also just small yoga schools and detox centers.
Another option is to contact private teachers who have either lived on the island for a long time or organize on-site yoga tours and retreats; in general, there is everything for practicing yoga on Koh Phangan, for every taste and budget. And if you don’t need any schools/courses, then you can practice yoga on your own; the atmosphere of complete relaxation here is the most suitable.
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