Koh Pha Ngan in the Gulf of Thailand is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as backpackers destination is divided into three sub districts (tambon). Koh Pha Ngan, Ban Tai and Koh Tao. The islands originally, were administrated from Koh Samui.

Koh Pha Ngan covers an area of about 168 square kilometers it's in the province of Surat Thani the distance form the mainland is about 55 kilometres, Koh Samui 15 kilometres, Koh Tao 35 kilometres, Thong Sala is the main town. The name of Koh Pha Ngan comes from the word Ngan the southern dialect meaning sand bar there are many sand bars offshore around the island.

The island is a natural paradise is the perfect retreat, where one can relax on quiet deserted beaches. It’s the simple beach life which continues to attract visitors each year along with the islands full moon parties and its laid back approach to life.

If you're after a party heaven you can't do better than the Full Moon Party at Haad Rin, an expanded village of beach bars, cheap chicken burgers, and low cut figure hugging outfits. It is most popular one night a month, on Koh Pha Ngan. Every bar is hopping, the beaches packed.

The full moon party runs with a cast of thousands in high season on the beach. Hedonists everywhere still flock to the world's biggest beach party every month. The music from the multiple sound systems is mostly ear splittingly loud trance and house, and a predominantly youthful crowd dance from dusk till dawn on party nights. This may not be to everyone's taste, but it's definitely a unique cultural experience.

If you're not on Koh Pha Ngan during the full moon, don't worry, there are other parties to be had, including Half Moon (2 times a month), Black Moon, Jungle Parties and the Shiva Moon party. The events attract large crowds. However, it is still possible to visit the island and avoid the full moon party altogether, with dozens of quiet, secluded resorts and beach huts dotted all over the island.

Thong Sala is the islands capital and main ferry port, Haad Rin (Hat Rin) is the site of the famous Full Moon Party. Thong Nai Pan, a scenic area on the north eastern part of the island that includes the neighbouring beach resorts of Ao Thong Nai Pan Yai and Ao Thong Nai Pan Noi.

Haad Chao Phao is a beautiful beach fringed by a vibrant coral reef, on the western part of the island. Haad Yao is long white sand beach just north of Had Chao Phao, slightly more developed with more beach bars and restaurants. Haad Salad is an idyllic cove on the north western part of the island, there are several exclusive resorts.

Haad Mae Had is a wide sandy beach joined to Koh Ma by a sand spit. It’s a National Marine Park with some of the best scuba diving and snorkelling on Koh Pha Ngan there is also a small village and a variety of resorts, restaurants and bars. Not the entire island has been developed; there are still quiet deserted beaches which can be very attractive. Many of the beaches have live coral formations, which are idea for snorkelling.

Koh Pha Ngan has many interesting attractions, temples, stunning waterfalls around the island that are idea for trekking adventures, morning and evening markets in Thong Sala, and villages with plenty of food stalls selling delicious tasty Thai snacks a great way to sample local Thai food and local Thai life.

Wat Pho herbal sauna is a great relief after long party nights. It's near the 7/11 branch in Baan Thai, on the south western side of the island. Don't forget to leave a donation and always wear a sarong (over your bikini) remember that you are on Temple Territory, locals find nudity offensive, sitting naked will get you into trouble.

On the road between Thongsala and Chaloklum there is a beautiful Chinese Temple which is overlooking Chaloklum Bay. The Elephant Camp is on the way from Baan Tai to Thong Nai Pan, idea for trekking adventures through the jungle.

Than Sadet - Ko Pha Ngan National Park is located in the Territory of Pha Ngan Island the island forest of national forest reservation. There are waterfalls, forests and wild animals. The park covers a total area of approximately 65.93 square kilometres.

The landscape is high and mountainous. Ra hill is the higest peak 627 meters above sea level. The mountain forests cover many of the islands such as Pha Ngan island, Tae Nok island, Tae Nai island, Ma island, Tung Ku islands, Tung Ka island, Wao islands and Hin Bai island, about 30 kilometres to the north from Pha Ngan island.

The overlapping mountains and the plain stand by the valley and the bay area around the island. Lush primary evergreen forests with all year round green fresh trees with dry primary forests covering the hillside and channels of the stone mountains.

The park has much wildlife, mammals, monkeys, langur, and many javan mongoose, to name a few plus exotic birds and soft shelled turtle living in the forest rivers. Not forgetting the sea two kinds of sea turtles, the green turtle and hawksbill turtle and marine life.

Than Sadet Waterfall is the biggest waterfall of Pha Ngan Island, 25 kilometres far from the head office the royal visit paid by Chulalongkorn the Great, Rama V, King Rama VI, Rama VII and the present monarch, Rama IX. Especially, the King Rama V visited it a total of 14 times, by inscription on giant stone and the royal pavilion near the waterfall and souvenir store.

Than Sadet Bay area next to Than Sadet waterfall, it is the plain area nearby the coastal, covering the area of approximately 3 rai. There sandy beach has a very beautiful and the crystal clear water, appropriate to relax and play sea water, 25 kilometres far from the head office of national park.

Than Prapat Waterfall Pha Ngan island ,that The Chulalongkorn the Great, Rama V paid the named waterfall, when he visited Ban Don Bay in 1898.

Phang Waterfall originates from the mountain range Ban Ma Duea Wan. The waters rush down form high cliff, very beautiful and water flow all year round, 25 kilometres far from the head office of national park.

There is a road to the waterfall which is a popular activity for tourists taking round the island trips to take a rest. The forest is quite rich and beautiful all around.  At Phang waterfalls visitor center there is vocal equipment, an exhibition and souvenir stores.

Domsila Viewpoint - Khao Lar Viewpoint is the highest hill of Pha Ngan island, around 627 meters above sea level. The viewpoint overlooks the beautiful views below clearly around the island, is 10 kilometres from the parks head office.

There is two first aid centres located, at Phang waterfall and Than Sadet waterfall. Rescue centre at Than Sadet waterfall Than Sadet - Koh Pha Ngan National Park, 108, Mu 3, Ban Madueawan, Koh Pha Ngan Sub district, Amphur Koh Pha Ngan Surat Thani Thailand 84280. Tel: +66 (0) 7723 8275.

National Parks Thailand

From Koh Samui there are at least 3 ferries a day from Big Buddha pier directly to Haad Rin. Ferries also depart from Nathon and Maenam piers to Thong Sala several times a day.

Direct flights are available to Koh Samui  from Don Muang airport Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong to Koh Samui.

Koh Samui Airport is privately owned and operated by Bangkok Airways. The price of the ticket is high by comparison to other comparable destinations throughout the country.

Lomprayah High Speed Ferries offer a combined bus and high speed catamaran ferry service from Bangkok to Koh Samui which takes about 11 hours. The bus pauses in Hua Hin and then stops at Chumphon where it connects with the ferry. Which stops at Koh Nang Yuan, Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan on it's way to Koh Samui. The air conditioned buses and ferry are very comfortable.

Buses arrive in Surat Thani from Bangkok and other destinations in Thailand from Surat Thani there are many ferries to Koh Sumui, Koh Pha Ngan, Koh Tao and behond. For more details see Transport Services.

By train to Chumphon or Surat Thani from there you can transfer by bus and then boat. Combined train bus boat tickets can be bought direct from the Advance Booking Counter at Hua Lamphong station Bangkok and official travel agents. Tickets  can be booked up to 60 days in advance.

Air Rail and Bus Time Tables

Songthaews criss cross the island for around 100 baht a ride or 150 baht for the less accessible destination of Thong Nai Pan, sharing with other people saves on costs.

All day boat trips are a great way to see the best beaches on the island. The boats cruise around the islands coves and bays with snorkelling gear, you tell them where you want to stop

Motorbikes - Jeeps can be hired from around 200 baht/day, larger capacity models cost 300-700 baht/day. It is also possible to rent small Suzuki jeeps, however you will find that you can circuit the island in a day. Foreigners may be required to leave their passport as a deposit.

Shopping on Koh Pha Ngan. Thong Sala and Haad Rin sell pretty much anything you can think of, and probably some things you don't need at all. You can try to bargain, but realistically, the prices are set. You may get a deal every now and again, but it's the exception to the rule. Remember that you're in a tourist area and that prices usually are above the level of Bangkok.

Main purchases you will find on Koh Pha Ngan include hammocks as well as some of the local artist’s works. Most of the clothing is of the variety that you will find in Bangkok, generally it’s a bit more expensive, as it has been imported to the island for sale.

Koh Pha Ngan has an excellent selection of sea food restaurants around the island, There is also many good western restaurants in resorts serving international cuisine, for an authentic Thai experience (cheaper than the well decorated cafes and restaurants of Haad Rin beach) look at the more modest cafes where you might see some Thais eating. The best area for authentic cheap eats is definitely Thong Sala, the main town on the island.

Activities available on the island include scuba diving with a number of companies offering very reasonably priced training courses and excursions, snorkelling, wakeboarding, archery, fishing, trekking in the national park or simply relaxing on the beaches in the company of others.

Hiking can be done all around the island. There is a trail that leads between Haad Rin and Haad Tien, which many enjoy however the route can become difficult to discern, and bringing enough water is necessary.

Muay Thai gyms such as the Jungle Gym in Haad Rin and Thong Sala Muay Thai offer training and work out facilities, as well as camp Horizon located in Haad Tien (east) which is an intensive training camp. There are also frequent Tournaments in Thong Sala and Haad Rin for spectators who enjoy the sport.

Koh Pha Ngan has over 250 resorts to choose from, ranging from the budget 300-500 Baht a night beach huts without private toilet to luxury air conditioned family accommodation with private swimming pool.

Many of the more up market resorts offer such facilities as daily yoga, yoga teachers training, meditation, and a variety of healing and healthy natural therapies, spa massage and herbal steam rooms.