|
KOH PHANGAN PARADISE OF THE KINGS
Koh Phangan (also spelled: Ko Pha Ngan) is the island of freedom. A relaxed oasis in the Gulf of Thailand with some of the best beaches found in the whole South Eastern region of the country. Accommodation can be found in a cozy resort or beach side hotel to very reasonable prices. If you are into dancing and party, one of the largest beach parties in the world is arranged here - The famous Full Moon Party!
Koh Phangan is located in the Gulf of Siam a little North of Koh Samui. About 75 % of the island is mountains covered by tropical jungle. The coconuts are still produced and exported here and an important income, together with the growing tourist industry and fishing. There are several coconut fields here. In the south end of Ban Tai there is a big coconut storage.
Koh Phangan is a very special place, there are few places in this world where you can live out your desert island dreams of palm trees and white sand beaches, and still have a blinding night out at a rocking party every month. With the global notoriety that the Full Moon Party has gained as being one of the biggest and best beach bashes in the world, we get more than our fair share of hedonists gracing our shores. Each year the scene here grows with the ever-increasing number of party faithful that return, bringing their mates and spreading the vibe.
Haad Rin is home to the Full Moon Party and also houses about 3-5000 rather mad people; it is the island's nightlife capital and has Koh Phangan's biggest concentration of beach clubs that collectively put on the ultimate travellers get together. There are over 12 major sound systems running the length of Had Rin beach, catering for 8000 to 12,000 punters in low season, 15,000 to 20,000 in high season and up to 30,000 at New Year. Within this transient crowd of party animals some highly talented DJ's pass through, banging out their wares to the raging lunar explorers that have landed on planet party.
HISTORY
A hundred years ago, Koh Phangan was not just an island of nowhere. On the contrary, every siamese at that time knew that Koh Phangan was one of the most favourite places of their king. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V, 1868 - 1910), on his way to visit Europe and the Malay or Peninsula, had come tovisit Koh Phangan Thansadet or "The Royal Steam" , as he named it, fourteen times between 1888 and 1909. He spent more then 7 nights on the island with his royal entourages of about 30, swimming, relaxing and exploring the steam up to the top of the hill.
However, the history of Koh Phangan did not start from those days. The Bronze Drum of Dongson Culture (500 BC-100 BC) that was found in Koh Samui in 1997 is an evidence that there were settlements of people on Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and their islets from more than twothousand years ago. Some | 