Ko Pha-ngan

Ko Pha-ngan[1] (Thai: เกาะพะงัน, RTGS: Ko Pha-ngan, pronounced [kɔ̀ʔ pʰā.ŋān]) is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in Surat Thani Province of southern Thailand.[2] Ko Pha-ngan is best known for its Full Moon Party at Hat Rin Beach. Ko Pha-ngan has two sister islands: the larger Ko Samui to the south and the smaller Ko Tao to the north.

  • Estimated perimeter: 40 km (estimated 10 hr average walking time)
  • From mainland: about 55 km
  • From Ko Samui: about 15 km
  • From Ko Tao: about 35 km
  • Main town: Thong Sala
  • Highest Point: Khao Ra, 630 m
Ko Pha-ngan

เกาะพะงัน

Koh Pha-ngan
District
Ko Pha-ngan
Ko Pha-ngan
Coordinates: 9°43′0″N 100°0′0″E
Country Thailand
ProvinceSurat Thani
Area
 • Total125 km2 (48 sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Area code(+66) 77
Motorbikes are a major means of travel
Sunrise, Thong Nai Pan

History

The name Ko Pha-ngan derives from the word "ngan", meaning 'sand bar' in southern Thai, for there are many sand bars offshore.

Ko Pha-ngan has been a longtime favorite of past kings of Thailand. Rama V, or Chulalongkorn, for example, visited Ko Pha-ngan 14 times during his reign.[3]

The Bronze Drum of Dongson Culture (500–100 BCE) that was found on Ko Samui in 1977 is evidence that there were settlements of people on Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and their islets more than two thousand years ago. Some historians and archaeologists believe that the first group who migrated to Ko Pha-ngan were sea gypsies (Semung, and Proto-Malay) who travelled by boat from the Malay Peninsula.[3]

Over the last century the island's population has steadily expanded, first living off the sea and the land and farming coconuts. Later, tin mining became part of the economy. In the 1970s the mining industry faltered and finally petered out. Over the next decade, tourism took hold and now it is primarily a tourist destination. Fishing and coconut farming remain important to the local economy.

Due to its topography, the population hugs the coastline. The mountainous interior is generally inaccessible. More than half the island designated as national park and Ko Pha-ngan has more than 80 km2 (31 sq mi) of relatively unspoiled rain forest with diverse flora and fauna. It is also considered a spiritual place, with numerous Buddhist temples around the island and a thriving spa, retreat, and meditation industry.

Transport

Visitors can reach the island by fast passager's commercial boats from the mainland from three ports in Samui, three ports in Surat Thani and one in Chumphon.[4]

The main boat transport companies are Seatran Discovery, Lomprayah, Raja Ferry, Hadrin Queen, Nighboat and Songserm.

There is an option to reach Ko Pha-ngan by car ferry from Ko Samui (Raja Ferry Port, which is nine kilometres from Ko Pha-ngan) and from Donsak on the mainland.

Since 2012 Kannithi Aviation (Kan Air) has attempted to construct an airport on the island. Kan Air has spent some 500 million baht to acquire about 32 hectares of land to build a passenger terminal capable of handling 1,000 passengers a day and a 1,095 metre runway to accommodate turboprop aircraft such as Kan Air's ATR 72-600 series. The project, originally estimated at 900 million baht—now estimated to cost two billion baht—has faced inflated costs, delays resulting from the yet-to-be-issued environmental impact assessment and other complications, which pushed back initial plans to open in 2014. Kan Air's president claimed the airport would be open by the end of 2017.[5]

Administration

Central administration

Ko Pha-ngan together with Ko Tao and a few minor islands forms the district (amphoe) Ko Pha-ngan (148 km2). The district is divided into three subdistricts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 17 administrative villages (mubans).

No. Name Thai Villages Pop.
01.Ko Pha-nganเกาะพะงัน0810,094
02.Ban Taiบ้านใต้0604,865
03.Ko Taoเกาะเต่า0302,357

Local administration

There are four subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambons) in the district:

  • Ko Pha-ngan (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลเกาะพะงัน) consisting of parts of subdistricts Ko Pha-ngan and Ban Tai.
  • Phet Pha-ngan (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลเพชรพะงัน) consisting of parts of subdistrict Ko Pha-ngan.
  • Ban Tai (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลบ้านใต้) consisting of parts of subdistrict Ban Tai.
  • Ko Tao (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลเกาะเต่า) consisting of subdistrict Ko Tao.

History

Originally the island was administered from Ko Samui District. The minor district (king amphoe) Ko Pha-ngan was established on 1 October 1970, then consisting of the two tambons, Ko Pha-ngan and Ban Tai.[6] It was upgraded to a full district on 12 April 1977.[7] Ko Tao subdistrict was established on 15 August 1982 by splitting off three administrative villages from Ko Pha-ngan subdistrict.[8]

Environmental issues

As of 2018 the island receives about 458,000 visitors per year. They and the island residents generate about 7,300 tonnes of solid waste per year. Untreated wastewater discharges and on-going coral bleaching are also issues.[9]

The Thai government, the local government as well as local non profit organisations such as EcoThailand Foundation or Trash Hero, local businesses such as the Sea Flower Bungalows, Sarikantang Resort but mainly locals both Thai citizens and foreigner's expatriates work for many years to continue the preservation, cleaning and restoration of the Green Island of Koh Phangan which is unique in the Gulf of Thailand.

On May 2014, The Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (Onep) has declared Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phangan districts in Surat Thani province part of an environmentally-protected zone after nine years of efforts to regulate commercial development on the islands.

The Onep declaration, which came into force on May 30, means all commercial activities on Koh Samui, Koh Tao, Koh Phangan and 39 other islands in those districts will be restricted to preserve the environment, said Onep deputy secretary-general Noppadol Thiyajai. “We hope the declaration will at least help maintain the environment on the islands. We understand the measure may not result in significant environmental improvements, but it is better than having nothing,” Mr Noppadol said.[10]

The TAT has helped the island to be promoted as a Green Island following the strong will of its inhabitants.

The fauna and flora of the island of Koh Phangan is exceptional, rare pink dolphins are even spotted its waters.

The island is regularly under the spotlights for its remarkable community involving both Thai and Foreigners working more and more together for a sustainable and socially fair tourism benefiting directly the local community.

Beach cleaning operations have been done for years and are gaining popularity.

In 2020 the Island standing out with its new social actions during the Covid-19 crisis with food distributions, food banks, free community gardens showing above words that this community is about actions.

The island is also strongly engaged in organic sustainable farming producing and produces a large amount of organic fruits, vegetables, fertilisers, insect repellents and more. The Raitiaviset farm is a perfect example of this success.

Refill shops are blooming following this philosophy such as Unpacked.

Mr Pirat Promcharoen says "We'd like to turn the tourism industry into a more sustainable community-oriented affair" illustrating this will of the island inhabitants to turn towards a more high-end quieter and sustainable economy aiming at protecting the landscape, the Nature and most of all the unusual vibe of this famous Phangan hippie trail community.

Ko Pha-ngan featured prominently in Alex Garland's 1996 novel The Beach and is also mentioned in the 2006 song Magick by the new rave band Klaxons (but probably more as a reference to the 1996 novel The Beach than the island itself).

The Full Moon Party is a monthly dance music festival set on Hat Rin Nok Beach scheduled every month at full moon. The event primarily features electronic music and attracts around 30,000 party-goers in a normal month.[11] Steps are being taken to make Ko Pha-ngan a more family-friendly tourist destination, promoting the island's natural attractions and also stepping up the police presence; road blocks with stop and search procedures are commonplace and undercover police also patrol parties.

There are also a Half Moon Party and Jungle Experience Party held every month. They take places in the jungle inland from Ban Tai requiring tuk-tuk, taxi or bike transport to and from.

Koh Pha-ngan's nightlife had a strong influence on the development to tourist industry by regular parties with local and International guest DJ's:

  • Techno and House music: LightHouse and Loi Lay Floating Bar.
  • Psytrance music: Ban Sabai Party.

The song "Vision in Blue" on the album The Golden Ratio by Ace of Base mentions Ko Pha-ngan.

DJ/producer Ashley Wallbridge titled his 2012 song "Kopanang", an anglicized version of Ko Pha-ngan.[12]

The British psychedelic rock band Ozric Tentacles featured a song called Ko Pha-ngan on their 1989 album The Bits Between The Bits.

In 2016, Infected Mushroom collaborated with Hatikva 6 to release a song called "Hotel Koh Phangan."

Education

Thai Schools

There are about 10 Thai governmental schools for children on Koh Phangan. The education is free, but the learners are required to speak and write in Thai Language.

Schools for Foreigners

There are some private educational institutions following the national curriculum of England:

Nurseries

The Learning Tree Nursery & Kindergarten was opened in 2008 for children 2 to 7 years old.

Primary

Si Ri Panya International School opened in 2012 provides education for children 5 to 11 years old (up to Stage 6).

Lower Secondary

Wisdom College Tutorial School mirrors the Cambridge curriculum for children 11 to 14 years old (Stage 7, 8, 9). The school also practices outdoor learning to find a balance between children's academic progress and joy.

See also

References
  1. ประกาศราชบัณฑิตยสถาน เรื่อง การเขียนชื่อจังหวัด เขต อำเภอ และกิ่งอำเภอ (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai). 117 (พิเศษ 94 ง): 2. 14 Sep 2000.
  2. "About Koh Pha-ngan". Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Retrieved 17 July 2019.
  3. Tom Vater (1 October 2020). "Ko Pha Ngan: Thailand's tropical refuge, then and now". Travelfish.org. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  4. "LOMPRAYAH ROUTE". Lomprayah High Speed Ferries Co., Ltd. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  5. Kositchotethana, Boonsong (5 September 2016). "Koh Phangan airport developer seeks loans". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  6. ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง แบ่งท้องที่ตั้งเป็นกิ่งอำเภอ (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai). 87 (90 ง): 2790. 24 Sep 1970.
  7. พระราชกฤษฎีกาตั้งอำเภอปลายพระยา อำเภอห้วยเม็ก อำเภอละแม อำเภอแม่จริม อำเภอหนองกี่ อำเภอโคกปีบ อำเภอเกาะพะงัน อำเภอสนม อำเภอโซ่พิสัย อำเภอโนนสะอาด และอำเภอนาจะหลวย พ.ศ. ๒๕๒๐ (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai). 94 (31 ก): 326–330. 12 Apr 1977.
  8. "ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง ตั้งและเปลี่ยนแปลงเขตตำบลในท้องที่อำเภอเกาะพะงัน กิ่งอำเภอบ้านนาเดิม อำเภอบ้านนาสาร จังหวัดสุราษฎร์ธานี" (PDF). Royal Gazette (in Thai). 99 (130 ง): 3671–3675. 1982-09-14.
  9. Chaolan, Supapong; Wipatayotin, Apinya (8 April 2018). "Islands seek clean break from trail of tourist trash". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  10. Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Islands get ecozone protection". bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 2020-08-28.
  11. Hunwick, Robert Foyle (2014-06-27). "The Worst Party in Asia". Slate. Retrieved 2015-01-16.
  12. Kechagias, Dimitri. "Interview with dj & producer Ashley Wallbridge..." Flux BPM Online. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
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