An unforgettable and wonderful island in Thailand is Koh Phangan.

Phangan or Phangan (Kho Phangan) is an island located in the Gulf of Thailand with an area of 125 square km. The name Ko Phangna comes from the Thai "Ko" - "island" and "Ngan" - "sand spit". The distance to the mainland is about 56 km, distant from the islands: Koh Samui is 16 km, Koh Tao is 35 km.

Tourism on the island is a relatively young industry, no more than 30 years old, but in such a short time the island of Koh Phangan has managed to gain popularity both among European youth with the opportunity to participate in party events in the south of the island, and among lovers of a relaxing exotic holiday (west and north).

Koh Phangan island on the map of Thailand

A special feature of the island is the (Full Moon Party) - a grand open-air event that brings together thousands of people in one place.

Sports lovers on Koh Phangan have excellent conditions for active and extreme recreation on the water. Fans of a relaxing holiday will find the wild beauty of untouched nature, deserted beaches and a leisurely, quiet life here.

Approximate prices:

Taxi from the main pier in Thongsal to many parts of the island 150-200 baht per person;
Scooter rental from 200 baht per day;
Accommodation from 300 baht per day;
Meals from 100 baht per person for 1 meal in a cafe or restaurant.

How to get there

By plane from Bangkok

There is no airport on Koh Phangan, the closest ones are Surat Thani and.

Sending from Bangkok to Samui is very expensive, but the fastest and most convenient. You can go to the pier from the airport by taxi. And from the pier you take a ferry to Koh Phangan. Ferries cost 200-300 baht one way. At Samui airport, you can buy a combo ticket (bus + ferry).

The second option is to fly to the nearby airport in Suratthani. You can fly to the airport much cheaper using the services of local airlines: Nok Air, Air Asia, Thai Smile and Lion Air. From airlines Air Asia and Nok Air you can purchase a combined ticket (Joint ticket) plane + bus + ferry. Bangkok-Surat Thani tickets cost 1,300 baht; there are often discounts for flights after 17.00, resulting in tickets available for 600 baht. (there are no return flights from Surat Thani).

By bus

Buses run to the bus station in Surat Thani, from where you can buy a package ticket that includes a bus ride to Donsak Pier and a ferry to Koh Phangan. The cost of such a ticket will be from 300 baht. There are also routes that go straight to the Donsak pier, from which you can take a ferry.

Bangkok-Surat Thani depart from Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal or Sai Tai Mai. The typical cost is from 500 baht, depending on the class of the bus.

You can easily get to Surat Thani by bus from anywhere in southern Thailand: Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai and other resorts. For schedules and prices, visit www.sawadee.com

By train

You can travel by train from Hua Hin and Bangkok. The train goes to Phun Pin Railway Station, near Surat Thani. The train departs from Bangkok Hualamphong railway station. The cost of the trip ranges from 150 to 1500 baht depending on comfort (from seated 3rd class to compartment).

It is most convenient to travel at night.

Very often, buses and minibuses run from the train station to the pier, from which you can cross to the island of Koh Phangan.

Sea communication

The final stage of each of the above transport is crossing by water. If you have a comprehensive ticket with the final stop on Koh Phangan, then you don’t have to worry about anything, everything will be organized for you.

Sea routes

If you decide to travel alone, you can take a ferry from any pier. Ferry services between the mainland pier of Donsak (Donsak International Port), Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan are very well developed. Ferries to Koh Phangan dock at the Thong Sala pier.

Ferry schedule

The information above is for informational purposes only, as schedules may change.

Transport

The main transport on Koh Phangan are scooters and motorcycles. They can be rented from 150 baht/day. There is a taxi Songthaew on the island - pickup trucks with a roof and benches, fares from 20 baht. On the main street in Thong Sala you can rent a pickup truck from 1500 baht per day, a sedan 800 - 1000 baht per day.

It is better to go to some beaches of Koh Phangan on foot or travel on specially equipped boats (taxi-boat). The fare for one person will be 150-350 baht depending on the distance.

Beaches

Crowded Haad Rin beach. Tourists call it the beach of the rising sun. Located in the southeast of the island, it is famous for its monthly Full Moon festivals. This is where lovers of fun evenings and parties flock. From Haad Rin, you can take a small path or boat to the beaches of Naad Yuanili Naad Tian, where peace and quiet reign.

In the northeast of Koh Phangan are the beaches of Thong Nai Pan Yai and Thong Nai Pan Noi, surrounded by green mountains. Here you can dive into the water to discover the beauty of the underwater world.

Not far from Thong Sala, the main port of the island, is Ban Tai Beach. The beach is interesting because of the coral reef located close to the shore, which can be clearly seen by daring scuba diving enthusiasts. But it is precisely because of it and the pronounced low tides that swimming here is problematic from May to November.

But in the port itself there are small beaches at hotels. However, the proximity of the port and the ongoing Half Moon Festival and Shiva Moon Party for accommodation here does not attract tourists who come to take a break from the hustle and bustle.

Tan Sadet. This secluded beach and nearby Than Sadet Waterfall were once a favorite destination for the Thai royal family.

Hotels

There are different types of accommodation on Koh Phangan depending on the preferences of the tourist. Wooden bungalows are the most common type of housing. But it is worth considering that not everyone has hot water. Prices per day start from 400 baht.

▣ Housing is presented for every taste and budget.

You can also rent a good guesthouse on the island, equipped with air conditioning, internet, refrigerator and TV. Its cost is very pleasing and amounts to 300-700 baht.

There are more than 290 hotels on the island. You can choose the one that suits you based on price or comfort. Prices range from 1000 to 1200 baht per room in a 3* hotel.

The most popular among tourists are:

Le Divine Comedie, located 8 kilometers from Haad Ried beach.
Milky Bay. The hotel with its own outdoor pool is located near Ban Tai Bay.

All hotels have free Wi-Fi (but not always in the rooms) and almost all have free parking areas. All rooms are equipped with amenities and air conditioning.

Hotel prices are approximate. Depending on the season, they increase and especially during periods of national holidays and festivals.

Attractions

All the natural beaches of the island with their waterfalls can be classified as its attractions. But the largest is Than Sadet National Park. The park is open to visitors at any time and admission is free.

The park is famous for the largest and most beautiful waterfall in Phangan called Peang. Its multi-tiered structure gives the waterfall an impressive appearance, especially in winter. In the spring, in the absence of rain, it dries up, and instead of a stormy stream of water, a thin stream of water flows down the wet stones.

The park also contains the wonderful Laem Son Lake, surrounded by coconut palms under which you can relax. The Chinese temple with the statue of Guan Yin, the Mother of Mercy of the East, is also interesting to visit.

One of the popular temples is Wat Thong Sala. Wat Pho Herbal Sauna is also worth a visit. Here you will relax, relieve fatigue after long excursions, gain new vital energy and be in a good mood.

▣ Wat Pho Herbal Sauna - herbal sauna.

On the territory of the marine reserve you can visit a “small copy of paradise” - the evergreen island of Koh Nang Yuan. Here you have the opportunity to see rare inhabitants of the underwater kingdom, such as clown fish and sea angels.

Since the island is very large, there are also a lot of attractions on Koh Phangan. We will tell you about the sights in more detail in the next article.

The first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “Phangan” is, of course, the Full Moon Party - the most famous and loudest in all of Thailand. But Koh Phangan is not just about parties. Like other islands in Thailand, there are good beaches, waterfalls, temples and attractions.

Let's look at the best beaches of Koh Phangan, what to see on Koh Phangan besides partying and what to do on Koh Phangan for nature lovers. Koh Phangan has two main tourist areas - Thong Sala and Haad Rin. Thong Sala is the name of the main town in the southwestern part of the island, where the ferry pier of the same name is located. This is where most of the hotels, restaurants, shops are located, as well as the popular night market. The beach is 200-300 meters from the main road.

Haad Rin is the most famous and popular beach on Koh Phangan and hosts the Full Moon Party every month. There are almost as many hotels and restaurants as Thong Sala and many atmospheric beach bars. Apart from these two main tourist areas, Koh Phangan has several other interesting places in the northern part of the island - Malibu Beach, Had Khuat Bottle Beach and Phangan Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach. They are quieter and suitable for couples or families.

The best beaches of Koh Phangan

There are more than a dozen beaches on the island; this is what you should see first on Koh Phangan.

Koh Phangan Haad Rin Beach

Haad Rin is the Full Moon Party beach and the most famous place on Koh Phangan. It can be compared to Chaweng Beach on Samui; the most tourists come here because it has the most developed infrastructure.

Haad Rin Beach has waves. This of course depends on when you visit Koh Phangan. But unlike Malibu Beach, Haad Rin is not so shallow. There are numerous bars nearby. Tourist prices are average. For example, Singa beer costs 70 baht, tom yam - 120 baht, papaya salad - 100 baht.

Koh Phangan Malibu Beach

The second most beautiful beach on Koh Phangan after Haad Rin is Malibu Beach. It is located in the northern part of the island, the easiest way to get there is by motorbike, which can be rented for 250-300 baht per day. The road is hilly but interesting; along the way you can see one of the attractions of Koh Phangan - Paeng Waterfall. On Koh Phangan Malibu beach there is a nice bar where you can sit and relax in a relaxed atmosphere and drink a cool beer. There is an open-air massage parlor nearby.

Phangan Thong Sala Beach

Thong Sala Beach is the largest and widest beach on Koh Phangan. The sea is incredibly shallow and calm, so kitesurfers love to hang out here. If you are thinking about what to do on Koh Phangan, then you can master this sport. Here you can rent a full set of kitesurfing equipment. Prices start from 1000-1400 baht per hour, 3000 baht for half a day and 4000 baht for a full day. For beginners, you can take a kitesurfing course; it costs 4,000 baht per day, or 11,000 baht for a full 3-day course.

Not everyone likes the shallow sea, but with children, for example, it is convenient to swim here. There are many nice beach bars where you can sit and have a cooling drink.

Koh Phangan Nai Pan Noi Beach

Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the northern coast of Koh Phangan. There are several beach bars here, but they are quite expensive for tourists. In local cafes the cheapest Thai dish is 150-180 baht.

Lookout point and Paeng waterfall

If relaxing on the beach gets boring, there are several other attractions on Koh Phangan. Like other islands like Koh Chang and Koh Samui, Koh Phangan has waterfalls. The most famous is Paeng. This is a great, beautiful and refreshing place, especially in this heat.

There is an observation deck with panoramic views of the island. From here you can see that Koh Phangan is a green island, most of which consists of forests, and a small area near the sea is reserved for tourists.

The path to the waterfall goes along a rather steep road; along the way you can see several small waterfalls. After a walk, it is very good to cool off in a cool waterfall. Entrance to the waterfall is free, which is nice. Because on Koh Chang, for example, they charge 200 baht for nothing. In general, it is customary among Thais to charge for everything they can. They came up with all sorts of fees for entering the “reserve”, paid beaches, paid temples, etc. For example, for entry into the “reserved area” of Phi Phi they charge 400 baht from tourists, and 40 baht from Thais. When you take a boat excursion from Koh Chang to the islands of Koh Rang, Koh Kood, etc., they charge 200 baht for such a “protected area”.

And on Koh Phangan it’s free, which is nice.

Attraction Koh Phangan Koh Ma

Koh Ma is a small island connected to Koh Phangan by a sandbank. There is nothing special about it, just an island, but it’s still worth a look at Koh Phangan. Koh Ma Island is conveniently located next to Had Mae Haad Beach, so if you go by motorbike to Paeng Falls and Malibu, you can stop by to see Phangan and Koh Ma.

Phu Khao Noi Temple

Phu Khao Noi Temple is one of the most beautiful temples and a landmark of Koh Phangan. What’s noteworthy is that you can also see this temple on Phangan and go inside for free.

There is a mini golf course 100 meters down the road from Wat Phu Khao Noi. This is for amateurs, there are several holes here that you can play. The owners of this field are a Swedish and Thai family. They also rent out bungalows. Mini golf costs 150 baht.

We looked at the sights of Koh Phangan, the best beaches of Koh Phangan, what to see in Koh Phangan on your own and what to do in Koh Phangan.

The island of Koh Phangan, in Thailand, attracted my attention just by its many names: Koh Phangan, Koh Phangan, and Kho Phangan.

Koh Phangan is, I must say, an extraordinary island. And recently it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations.

I've been here at different times of the year. Thailand is a great place to holiday. But, if you are planning a trip, keep in mind that in April-May the island is swelteringly hot, however, if you like it, why not, and in October-November is the rainy season. Nobody will like this. So at any other time, and this is the tourist season, the weather is excellent here, and you can safely become a tourist on this dream island.

Sandy beach on the island of Koh Phangan But before I talk about the high stuff, first about rental housing.

Housing prices and rental features

Important! If you are planning on a short stay (up to a month), it is better to book it in advance, of course, if you know specific dates and the time of visit falls on the tourist season.

You will have to be prepared for the fact that housing on Koh Phangan is, to put it mildly, specific:

The cheapest bungalows are available right next to the beaches. They are dark and often without hot water. And, although they are inexpensive, in the range of 10-20 dollars, not everyone will want to spend their vacation in such a place;
prices in a good hotel or hotel that is considered inexpensive - from 25 to 40 dollars, if you want something luxury - from 80. But if you book hotels on the website, they can cost even cheaper;
If you are traveling during the season of the grandiose Full Moon Party, and many come here to take part in this magnificent spectacle, book your ticket much earlier than your trip, because budget rooms sell like pie. Not to mention that you are unlikely to be able to rent a room on the spot. When the time comes for the Full Moon Party, prices for the simplest bungalows suddenly turn out to be twice or three times more expensive, and they are sold out instantly.

But, if you're interested:

hotellook.ru – compares prices in different booking systems, so you can choose a cheaper offer; here the price for the room is indicated taking into account all additional payments;
booking.com is the most popular booking service in the world, but sometimes the prices here are higher than in the first option.

Before getting to Koh Phangan, you need to be in Bangkok and find cheap air tickets to the Thai capital. We also bought them from Moscow online.

How to get to Koh Phangan Island? Very simple. There is a ferry. If you are coming from Koh Samui, take a ferry or boat, and if your departure point is Bang Kok or Phuket, there is a ferry bus at your service, tickets are sold for it.

Important! Be sure to check prices in advance. On party days they also increase.

By the way, they can also be purchased in advance - we did this using the Asian local search engine for local transport.

And, for reference, prices:

150-200 baht per person - taxi from the main pier in Thongsal to many parts of the island;
200 baht per day – scooter rental, and renting a bike on the island of Koh Phangan will cost from 150 to 500;
from 100 baht per person – 1 visit to a cafe (restaurant).

Here is a selection of the cheapest and most expensive hotels on Koh Phangan:

Why should you go to Koh Phangan?

View of Koh Phangan island

On my very first trip, I was driven solely by curiosity. What kind of island is this? And why, of the many magnificent holiday destinations on the planet, do so many people flock here?

Important! By the way, there are a lot of Burmese living on the island. For them it’s all dirty work. Considering their reputation as famous sluts, the perfect cleanliness on the island is simply amazing.

Each subsequent visit brought new discoveries. Now I know exactly why it is necessary to visit this island.

Full Moon Party

It has already been said that this party is the biggest in Thailand. It is not for nothing that it is considered the hallmark of the island. One side of it – skyrocketing prices – has already been mentioned. But that's not the most remarkable thing about her.

Full Moon Party in Thailand

Full Moon Party is an open-air beach disco, noisy and cheerful, when thousands of people dance on the sand at the same time, have a blast, make new acquaintances at this bright celebration of life.

Animal paradise.

Here you will have to be prepared for the fact that uninvited guests may visit your bungalow in the form of green-tailed lizards the size of squirrels, called “lekki geckos,” which are quite harmless. Until you see it, it seems that it is a frog croaking.

Everywhere you go you will come across numerous ubiquitous puppies and dogs, and it is also easy to meet a lone monitor lizard walking along the beach.

The amazing talking bird Mynah also lives here. We met her on the beach, in a cage. However, they say that they are also found at gas stations, where such a pet very accurately depicts a car or a scooter starting up, or the sound of a horn.

Beaches

Paradise - Koh Phangan

They occupy almost the entire coast. It is very important to choose the right beach. Low tides make them unseaworthy for six months.

You will not be faced with the question of how to get to some secluded beach, which you will prefer to the huge crowded Haad Rin beach. There is a “sea taxi” here, and you can safely use it. And there are plenty of deserted beaches on the island.

And if you find yourself at Mae Haad Beach at low tide, you can walk to the neighboring island of Koh Samui.

Serpentines

Roads. We very quickly realized that there are plenty of mountains here too. Ride Haad Rin for steep climbs and descents that will take your breath away. This is confirmed by tourists with bandaged legs or arms - with “Phangan tattoo” (this is the name given to these characteristic injuries).

Waterfalls

They are incredibly beautiful here. Especially the Than Pravet waterfall, which is reached by the road from Thong Nai Pan Noi beach. How to get there? You can rent a moped and ride it or go on foot, using the map and signs on your own. It is not difficult. You can also get there along the bay from the main road. Don’t go alone, it’s better to go with a whole group – it’s more fun and safer.

Waterfalls of Koh Phangan

And there is also a multi-tiered Peang in Than Sadet National Park. It is considered the most beautiful on the island.

You will enjoy it - on a hot day such pleasant coolness comes in very handy. And what photos...

Mangrove trees

This sight is amazing. Thickets of trees whose roots rise above the water in Hin Kong Bay on the west coast. It is even called “mangrove beach”, although the bottom is too muddy for a beach. There are almost no tourists here. But there is a great variety of corals and numerous signs asking you not to take them, and even shells, from the beach.

What else?

The island has something for those who love active and extreme recreation on the water. This includes diving around Koh Phangan, wakeboarding, and even fishing, and you can fish with a variety of seines, just take a fishing tour.

Crystal clear waters of Koh Phangan

Would you dare to ride elephants like we did? There is a safari park not far from Ao Chaloklum beach. Once was enough for me, but you can watch the tricks of elephants endlessly. The show with snakes and crocodiles is not for the faint of heart. But feeding fruits and nuts to monkeys and squirrels is always welcome. Moreover, there is no ban on this.

You can visit the sights of the island - ancient temples. Usually, tourists do this, especially since Guan Yin and Phu Khao Noi are still active today. But the viewing platforms on the terraces are especially attractive. The views of Koh Phangan are wonderful.

Not many people know how to find Phangan Island on the map, and even fewer know that it is part of the Samui archipelago. We corrected this gap in education before the first trip.

The beauty of Koh Phangan

Finally

It doesn’t matter whether you are on the island for the first time, or, like us, you are coming here more than once, you will agree with the statement that the entire island is a complete attraction, a kind of natural monument with picturesque landscapes and very special sunrises and sunsets.

Important! You can buy a tour to Koh Phangan, but it’s expensive. Prices for tours to Koh Phangan in Thailand start from 100,000 rubles, but if you take advantage of last-minute tours, you can find cheaper ones. Try searching here: travelata.ru

If you hear from someone that Koh Phangan is heaven on earth, do not doubt it. The way it is. And reviews from numerous tourists confirm this.

The island of Koh Phangan, or as it is also called Koh Pangan, is not yet as popular as Phuket or Koh Samui, but this does not mean that it is completely uninteresting and there is nothing to see. Eat! And there is a lot of things. Many beautiful waterfalls, beautiful temples, elephant farms, Laem Son Lake and much more.

It’s probably worth starting a review of the sights with the waterfalls, of which there are many, moreover, the most famous of them, Tan Sadet, is loved by the royal family and is sacred. Water is drawn from it for royal ceremonies.

The waterfall itself stretches for three kilometers and is an agglomeration of boulders creating several pools with running water.

You can get to it from the beach of the same name, although the road is very treacherous and driving to it on your own by scooter or car is not recommended. It’s better with an experienced guide, and even better, buy a tour of several waterfalls at once.

Hikers will love the Tan Pravet waterfall. The multi-level waterfall is located in a hard-to-reach place on the island, which attracts tourists to it.

Bizarre shapes, virgin jungle, romanticism of falling water. Great place for picnics.

In the northwest of Koh Phangan there is another majestic waterfall called Vang Sai. It is attractive not only for its appearance, but also because it is an excellent place for swimming and jumping into the water (you can take wonderful photographs, see photo).

Thanks to the constant filling of the reservoir with water and the bright vegetation around, water in sunny conditions can take on rich shades of the entire color spectrum.

These are not all the waterfalls of the island, there are many of them and it makes no sense to describe them all. This is a must watch. By the way, excursions to the waterfalls should be purchased on the spot. The routes have been worked out, there is no particular risk.

Lake Laem Son, near Bovi Beach, deserves a separate description. Agree, it is rarely possible to combine swimming in fresh and sea water during one vacation.

Thanks to the lush vegetation around the lake, it has become a favorite place not only for local residents, but also for tourists who escape the sweltering heat in the shade of the trees. A favorite activity on the lake is bungee jumping, so familiar to us from our distant holidays in the village with our grandmother. The lake itself is not that big in size, just over 500 meters long and just under 150 meters wide. Despite this, it is rich in fish, but catching it is prohibited at the state level.

These were all natural attractions, but Koh Phangan is not only rich in them, there are also man-made ones. First of all, these are temples.

The most famous of them is Madia Wang. According to legend, it was on Mondop Hill, where it was built, that Buddha left his mark. For many years, Buddhists from all over the world have been coming to this temple to meditate against the backdrop of slopes overgrown with jungle.

The oldest surviving temple on the island is considered to be the Phu Khao Noi Temple. And he looks his age. Dilapidated buildings, against a backdrop of beautiful views. By the way, some of the monks speak English very fluently and are willing to talk. So if you want to talk about the eternal, then welcome.

Wat Phu Khao Noi

And if you want to see almost the entire island from a bird's eye view, then you should go to Mount Khao Ra. This is the highest point on the island and its height is 630 meters. The road to the mountain passes through the Pfeng waterfall and starts near the village of Ban Madia Won. The path is not easy and it is easy to get lost. So you should first find a guide (in the village), and it’s better to climb in a group. Both more fun and safer.

When friends invited us to visit the island, we unanimously asked, “What can you do there for a whole vacation? Die of boredom?!”
We spent five full days on Koh Phangan, and this period was barely enough to explore the surrounding area.

Immediately after arriving in the port city of Thong Sala, it is worth renting a motorcycle for all days of your stay. A bike significantly increases freedom of movement; the entire island becomes at your service.

On the first day we went to have breakfast at Chaloklum Bay, where in the morning there was not a single person except the fisherman. Even in the cafe, the aunt did not appear right away. What could be better than diving into the sea while your breakfast is being prepared?
Chaloklam, a small fishing village in the past, has now become a tourist attraction. Most of our compatriots live happily here, in the north of the island.

After breakfast there is a walk. Yang Na Yai tree, the tallest on the island. In Russian it is called winged dipterocarpus or guriun. But this name, just like you, didn’t mean anything to me :) The tallest such tree in Thailand reaches a height of 53.5 meters. The foliage creates shade and coolness, which is why bees love to settle on dipterocarpus.

Near the trunk, of course, there is a house with spirits.

The island is hilly, the roads go up and down the mountain, there are a lot of turns. Dangers await young motorcyclists everywhere! The coolest slides are in the south of the island, on the way to Haad Rin beach.

Of course you need try the fruit! We bought them at the supermarket, you can also look at the market.
Salak, snake fruit. The skin is peeled off like the shell of an egg. Or scales from a molting snake :)

On the market. There are often “Do not touch” signs next to fruit.

Excellent on the West Bank mangroves, we stopped there specifically to wander.
For me, seeing mangroves is probably like seeing the Eiffel Tower: I’ve heard so much and now, finally, I’m convinced with my own eyes that it exists.

The roads on the island are different, but almost everywhere is asphalt. Palm trees grow along the sides, which you quickly get used to. And only sometimes the thought comes to mind: “Wow! Here palm trees grow like birches along the roads!” Wires abundantly complement the roadside picture, as throughout the rest of the country.

What do you say about having lunch in a cafe on the shore, right in a hammock?

Or climb a mountain in Amsterdam bar and watch the sunset and night fishing?

Of course it's worth going to night market, where you can try a variety of dishes or snack on whatever your heart desires.

And a little further away they sell all sorts of junk. But nowhere was there a tray of fried insects waiting for me :(

You can do more than just eat on the island! To shed pounds, you should go snorkel to Koh Ma island. Although why am I lying, slow swimming on the surface has never made anyone slim.

There is a sandbank leading to the island, which you can walk along without getting your swimming trunks wet. True, oncoming waves collide on the spit and sometimes the spray flies high :)

There are not as many fish there as on the Phi Phi Islands, but it was interesting for inexperienced divers like me.

Inexperienced divers like me found it interesting even on the shore :)

In addition, there was an excellent massage on the shore. During the first session, I was sure that my head would come off. Then nothing, I got used to it :)

Haad Rin- a beach in the south of the island, a party center. Once a month there is a big party here - Full Moon Party. They say it’s better not to show up there at this time... The party was supposed to happen on the evening of our tour, so we weren’t able to look there even for informational purposes.

But there are always waves on this beach. Oh, and we dived there!

Cafe over the sea. It's either working or abandoned.

Another beach, but on another part of the island - Coral beach. There is no one there, you can dig around in the sand to your heart's content, remembering your childhood and collecting tiny “Shiva's eye” shells. However, swimming here at low tide is disgusting: you can break your knees and scratch your stomach on the dead coral reef.

On the way to the beach.

Have you noticed that we haven't taken a ride yet? on elephants during your entire stay in Thailand? Let's catch up urgently!

The lesson turned out to be extremely boring! The elephant stopped all the time, either to eat, or to poop, or to dream. It's much more interesting (and scary) to take pictures with an elephant :)

There are also secret places. For example, abandoned quarry.

Unexpectedly, we found a completely empty cafe in the center of the quarry. The owner invited people to come and bring friends:) It feels like the house came here from a torn parallel reality. How else can you explain its strange location far from all roads?

Here there are only lizards basking in the sun and no one else.

Looking for cultural and architectural experiences?
There you are chinese temple on the road from Thong Sala to Chaloklam. There are zero people!

And this is a Thai temple, Wat Khao Noi.

And the local crematorium.

Lovers of active recreation can climb the highest point of the island - Mount Khao Ra like we did. It is advisable to be at the foot as early as 7 am, so as not to die from the heat on the way up. They write that the road to the top takes 2 hours, but we barely made it in an hour. But they were still soaking wet!

There was a bummer hidden on the mountain: everything was in the clouds. We waited a little, but there was no change.

Sometimes the vegetation got too close.

Springs at the foot of the mountain supply drinking water to the main part of the island. And we swam under the stream from a leaky hose :)

Do you recognize the houseplant?

There are several waterfalls on the island, one of them - Than-Sadet - was visited by as many as three of the Thai kings. We looked Phaeng No Waterfall. Well, as we looked... It definitely lived up to part of the name: No Water.

Another beach - Bottle beach- a separate bay, according to many, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island. You can only get there along a forest path or by boat. There is also a road to the place, but it is so broken that a rare daredevil dares to drive along it.
We set off on foot, intending to return by boat in comfort. The entire length of the trail is marked with empty plastic bottles, which gives the beach its name.
The path to the beach was excellent: in some places we had to climb, but overall it was a quite pleasant walk for a couple of hours (4-5 km).

There were waves at sea that washed a lot of marine debris onto the shore, the beach seemed littered and there was no desire to swim. On top of that, the boats weren't running because of the waves...

The photographer is tilting from the wind :)

There is nothing to do, we went back on foot. We chose the second path, which led along the shore.

We noticed an excellent natural bath. The place is secret, and therefore the coolest :) To get to the water, we had to turn off the path and show the skill of rock climbers.

However, the climbers’ skills had to be demonstrated on the trail as well. I don’t know what smart guy called this a trail, but I would have broken his legs. I hope he broke them for himself when he conquered the coastal cliffs and jungle.

The photo perfectly conveys the scale of the disaster. I almost died there and became mentally unstuck.

End the day pleasantly while watching the sun in the sea (if you haven’t walked to Bottle Beach and back before). True, we had to rush around the western shore to find a way to the beach.