BEACH
Thong Nai Pan Noi is one of the north eastern bays of Ko Phangan. The beach is getting busier every year but it remains not too crowded. Still, it is one of the more social beaches on the TreasureBeaches site.
This picturesque bay is surrounded by impressive nature and has pearly white sand. Even at high tide there is plenty of room for sunbathing, and the pristine sea is usually great for swimming. At Thong Nai Pan Noi there is a mixture of upper range stays. In the village, only 50-100 meters from the beach, you can find more mid-range and budget options.
WHERE TO STAY
Anantara Rasananda is a nice upper range resort along the main part of the beach. In the northern part of the beach, hidden behind the rocks, is Santhiya Resort and Spa, an upper range stay with a private beach. Moreover, Buri Rasa is a good upper range alternative in the south part of the bay. Make sure to check the booking websites to see which hotel best suits your needs.
All of the stays have a restaurant, and within 5-10 minutes walking distance, there is the small village of Thong Nai Pan Noi with a good choice of restaurants and small stores. We love to eat at the food court in the middle of the village. Definitely don’t forget to take one of the delicious fruit shakes when you are here!
From the pier in Thong Sala, you can take a shared taxi for 300 baht per person or an individual taxi for 700 baht. You can rent scooters in the bay itself. Keep in mind the road is in an overall good condition but sometimes steep and winding.
ISLAND
Ko Phangan in the Lower Gulf is a nice surprise because most of the island is very touristy (the kind of place we normally avoid). However, we did find some very nice TreasureBeaches. Ko Phangan is perhaps most famous for its Full Moon Party, a monthly beach party held on Hat Rin during the full moon. It is probably better to avoid the island during this period. Outside this period, however, it remains a fun destination to visit.
WHAT TO DO
The island offers a diverse range of activities, making it suitable for travellers with different interests, whether you seek adventure, relaxation, or cultural experiences. From scuba diving and snorkeling trips, to visiting a coconut plantation or feeding elephants. In addition to the opportunity to sign up for cooking or boxing classes, the island offers great hiking trails that take you to the island’s tropical rainforest. There are also kitesurfing spots located on the south coast.
Ko Phangan is known for its numerous wellness and yoga resorts that offer classes and retreats for those looking to rejuvenate their minds and bodies.
You have to visit Ko Ma! This is the most photographed beach on Ko Phangan. This island is connected to Mae Hat beach by a pure white sandbank. Bring your beach towel so you can sunbathe on the sandbank. Although the beach can be relatively crowded, Ko Ma is definitely a nice day trip.
The Thong Sala Night Market, also known to locals as Pantip Market, is home to Ko Phangan’s best street food vendors. The market is located near Thong Sala Pier.
TRANSPORT
The most common way to reach Ko Phangan is by plane, train, or (mini)bus from Bangkok to Chumphon or Surat Thani. You can take different types of ferry services to Ko Phangan from Dansok Pier near Surat Thani or from the Lompraya Pier near Chumphon.
Some people fly to Ko Samui and take the ferry from here. This is much more expensive, but faster compared to the Surat Thani and Chumphon connection – although the time savings are somewhat disappointing.
When you enter the pier in Thong Sala in Ko Phangan, take a shared taxi or private taxi to your beach. You can easily rent a scooter on the island.
