Thailand Islands -- The Five Reasons that Make Koh Phangan the Perfect Choice

The islands of southern Thailand are widely known as “Island Paradise”. Their picturesque beaches, moderate tropical climate and unique, extremely relaxing lifestyle account for this reputation. Travelers from all over the world come to these southern Thailand islands to experience the famous transition to another dimension, as they gradually absorb the overwhelming serenity and ephemeral separation from the dynamic and straining modern life style.

In the eyes of the inexperienced traveler at the very first stages of planning his or her trip to Thailand, all “paradise islands” may look exactly the same: all the islands are tropical (in the classic sense and climate wise), picturesque and serene. But in fact, a more thorough perspective would reveal that each island, just like every individual traveler, has its own set of unique qualities. The cost of stay in some islands can turn out to be a surprisingly expensive experience, while visiting other islands can be quite a bargain; some islands are dramatically peaceful while others are loaded with exciting nightlife activities; some islands provide the perfect conditions for divers while others are ideal for backpackers.

After years of intensive research, and after exploring every dark corner on every island in southern Thailand, my final conclusion is that Koh Phangan is no doubt and by far the perfect choice for the perfect vacation. Koh Phangan is the perfect choice because it has this unique ability to adopt itself to the likes and needs of every individual traveler in the limits of being an island (except from providing the ultimate urban environment. But nobody visits the Thai islands to relive his urban daily lifestyle). Here are the five elements that make Koh Phangan the ultimate vacation choice:

1. The best value for your money. Until recently, Koh Phangan had a strong reputation of a backpackers’ island. As a result, the island’s costs of living had been adjusted to the target audience. Food and accommodation on the island cost surprisingly low, so that even a backpacker with a budget of 30$ per day can provide himself or herself with a reasonable, almost western life standard on the island, which includes air conditioned rooms and delicious cuisine. During the last several years, when more spoiled tourists discovered this island, local entrepreneurs began to invest in luxury accommodation. Nevertheless, the best quality accommodation in Koh Phangan is still cheaper, on average, compared to the same standard accommodation offered on other islands.

2. The rare opportunity to experience the “old school” island paradise. Even the sworn lovers of Thailand will agree, that the days when the “paradise islands” were the place in which one can sit on a lonely beach and share his or her thoughts with a single coconut tree, are a thing of the past. Still, in Koh Phangan one can find some “reservations” of remote picturesque beaches with only a limited choice of accommodation, such as Haad Thong Reng, Haad Yao and Haad Sadet. Some of these forgotten venues feature about three dozens bungalows hidden in the midst of the jungle. These “old school” beaches make you fell like merging with a “real” paradise, created by true nature and not by wise and experienced tourism industry entrepreneurs.

3. Breathtaking diving sites. The Gulf of Thailand is considered to be an excellent diving area, due to its clear lucid water and the huge variety of underwater life. Until recently, the consensual opinion stated that the only place for “real” scuba divers in the Gulf of Thailand is Koh Tao Island, next to Koh Phangan. Nowadays, more and more divers are choosing Koh Phangan as a launching ground for their preferable diving sites: a small island Koh Ma, connected to Koh Phangan by a sand bar; the neighboring beaches Haad Salad, Haad Yao & Haad Chaophao, offering a hugevariety of tropical fish and coral reefs; and Ang Thong National Marine Park - a group of 42 islands, protected as a National Park.

4. The Full Moon Party. The full moon party, held in Koh Phangan since 1989, attracts thousands of travelers every month coming from all corners of the globe. Even if you are not the classic partygoer - the full moon party could be a unique and unforgettable opportunity to join thousands of joyful, exhilarated people dancing together in the most beautiful place in the world to the sounds of the best music.

5. To experience radically unique travel activities. Koh Phangan is quite a small sized island (about 170 km2), but it offers a widest variety of activities. You can come on a Sunday, as a backpacker to Sunrise Beach, become a professional diver on Monday in Koh Ma and turn into a seasoned partygoer on Tuesday as you take part in the exhilarating full moon party. If you’re able to wake up on Wednesday morning, you can meet local people in the fishermen’s village Chaloklum learn and experience their traditional way of life. Additionally, you can join forces with your sportsperson alter ego and go trekking on Thursday; and on Friday you’ll have the unique opportunity to pretend being a Mowgli riding an elephant’s back in Phangan Safari. On Saturday, you can try living as a sheikh in a luxury resort with a spa…and maybe get the chance to write a novel on the seven most unforgettable days of your life.

Independent researcher, MA in anthropology, and travel enthusiast Ella Evans has spend more than a decade exploring Thailand focusing on the Southern Islands. The fruits of her labor can be found in the Koh Phangan Experience Website: a comprehensive travel guide to Koh Phangan, Thailand, which includes information articles, tips, advice and a message board. To visit Koh Phangan Experience Guide, click here: http://kohphangan.eternaltravel.net/

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Samui – Thailand: top 1o things to see and do

Located off the coast of Surat Thani, Samui can be reached via a 2-hour ferry. It’s one of Thailand’s most popular island resort destinations, and due to its location on the Gulf of Thailand, it has overtaken Phuket in tourist numbers since the tsunami of 2004. With abundant wildlife, spectacular corals and an intense party scene, Samui has something for every visitor.


Temple of the Big Buddha
Wherever they go in Thailand, most tourists enjoy visiting the areas most well-known temples. Wat Phra Yai, or the Temple of the Big Buddha, is Samui’s most popular sacred site, with its 12 metre Buddha which was built in 1972. The temple is located just off the main island on a smaller island that can be reached via a connecting bridge. Worshipers and visitors alike are expected to take off their shoes as well as to wear long pants and long sleeves.


Partying and nightlife
In addition to the Full Moon parties on a neighbouring island, there are plenty of other nightly parties to found on Samui. The red-light district is at Lamai Beach, with more reputable clubs at Chaweng, where you’ll also find restaurants with live house bands that play well into the night. Big Buddha Beach offers the most relaxed atmosphere and many of the bars and restaurants here are owned and operated by expatriates who schedule events that may appeal to western tastes.


Viewing wildlife
Snake farms, aquariums, tigers and butterflies: there’s a facility that houses almost every size and specimen of wildlife on Samui. There’s a crocodile farm which hosts daily man versus beast wrestling matches. Probably the most extreme event takes place is at the buffalo stadiums, where hordes of spectators watch as gory fights between two angry buffalos take place. Another buffalo centre across town glorifies the hard-working, peaceful side of these animals with daily agricultural exhibitions and cart rides.


Full Moon parties
Many tourists come to Samui exclusively for the high-energy parties held in honour of the full moon on the adjacent island of Pha Ngan. These parties are not for the faint of heart, and those who wish to join in the hedonism have to board a small boat that taxis passengers back and forth between the two islands. Half Moon Parties have also been added to the repertoire. Participants are warned to be careful boarding shuttle boats that are already overloaded with passengers, as overzealous boat operators will seldom turn down another paying passenger.


Eating out
The calibre of cuisine on Samui is as reputable as any major destination in Thailand with the added benefit of the freshest seafood money can buy. Beachfront restaurants offer an amazingly relaxed atmosphere, sometimes right on the sand, where patrons can enjoy some fabulous local food at moderate prices. The most authentic food can be had for almost nothing at the roadside vendors and noodle shops. Meanwhile, tastes of home can be had all over the major tourist areas as well, with a broad spectrum of international cuisine available.


Daytrip south
Samui’s south side stands in stark contrast to the highly developed, northern part of the island. Here, you’ll find secluded beaches, quiet fishing villages that are mostly inhabited by a predominately Muslim population and rowed groves of coconut palms. There is an aquarium that warrants a visit as well as some interesting temples and chedis (pagodas).


Beaches
It seems like almost every daytrip worth taking on the island of Samui is to one of its many spectacular beaches. The variety of water sports makes Lamai Beach popular for families, while the luxurious accommodation and seclusion of Choeng Mon makes for a more romantic stay. Ao Tong Takian is also known as Silver Beach in light of its shimmering sand and clear waters. Chaweng Beach is the most popular and can become quite crowded during peak seasons however it has become popular for a reason and is a must-see for all visitors to Samui.


Diving
Advanced and beginner divers head to Samui to capitalise on the island’s coral reefs and hospitable diving scene. The most enthusiastic divers may wish to head to Koh Tao, which isn’t that far away and proudly boasts the best diving conditions in all of Thailand. Those staying closer to Samui may wish to visit Ang Thong National Marine Park, which is a wonderful nature reserve spread across 40 islands. Meanwhile, those trying out their fins for the first time can take lessons at one of the many dive shops at Lamai, Chaweng or Bo Phut.


Adventure sports
If the adrenaline produced from the constant parties isn’t enough, try boosting it with a bungee jump during daylight hours. This popular leap can be taken in Chawang near the Reggae Bar. Whole families will enjoy go-karting or elephant trekking through the jungle. Another adventurous offering is the Samui Shooting Range in Chawang, which is open every day.


Waterfalls
Many tourists enjoy visiting the waterfalls of Samui, which allow for a cooling freshwater swim and make a good spot for a picnic. Na Muang Fall 1 cascades down a cliff more than 120 feet tall, while its counterpart, Na Muang Fall 2, is a popular spot for trekking troupes and caravans of elephant riders. Hin Lat Fall is just south of Na Thon and boasts magnificent scenery and an abundance of plant life.

About the Author

Samui island in Thailand is a favourite relaxation choice for travel writer Andy Burrows, he recommends resources online;
Samui web travel guide
Beaches of Samui

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Thailand Scuba Diving - When And Where To Go

Thailand is famous for its scuba diving, where warm, calm waters and an abundance of incredible marine life makes for spectacular dives. Thailand's diving is also very cheap compared to diving in Europe and the Caribbean, although for safety's sake care must be taken to use a reputable dive operator.

To get the most out of diving in Thailand, you need to know when and where to go. Not all of Thailand's dive sites are available all year round, so it pays to do a bit of planning.

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are widely regarded as one of the Top 10 Dive Destinations. They are a small group of uninhabited islands in the Andaman Sea, just off the western Thai coast. The Similans are usually visited by liveaboard boats from Phuket and Khao Lak, where divers eat sleep and dive on the boat for several days. Usually the liveaboard lasts 4 days / 4 nights and lets the divers get 14 dives.

The Similans are an ideal place to learn to dive, as taking a liveaboard trip will let a new diver be able to have lots of practice by doing so many dives. It's important to be taught by a reputable liveaboard operator with full PADI certification and experienced instructors. Be sure to ask your operator about the newness of their scuba equipment and their staff qualifications.

The Similan Islands are only open to divers from October to May each year. The monsoon season arrives during June to September and makes the seas too rough for safe diving.

Hin Daeng / Koh Bida / Phi Phi / Koh Ha

This is a group of dive sites further south in the Andaman Sea from the Similan Islands and accessible from Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. They are usually visited on daytrips from these destinations, although there a couple of liveaboards who visit them. Koh Lanta in particular is a beautiful Thai island that is not as busy or expensive as Koh Phi Phi.

Hin Daeng and Koh Ha are also only open from October to May each year. Koh Bida and Phi Phi have a few reefs that are open all year round if you are visiting Koh Phi Phi.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a tiny island on the other, eastern coast of Thailand, above Koh Phangan, home of the Full Moon Parties. Koh Tao is a four hour ferry ride from Surat Thani on the mainland. Koh Tao is a burgeoning island for divers and also for chilled out escape - while popular, Koh Tao remains quite uncrowded.

There are lots of dive shops here that offer diving daytrips - there are very few scheduled liveaboards, although they do occasionally happen. The diving around Koh Tao is not considered as good as the Similans or Hin Daeng, but on its day it can be fantastic.

Koh Tao is also the most popular place to learn to dive in all of Asia Pacific, except for Cairns in Australia. If you want to learn to dive but don't want to commit to doing a liveaboard, Koh Tao is a great place to learn and also enjoy the laid back party scene as well.

Koh Tao's monsoon season lasts from September to December - it's still possible to dive during this time but the weather can be pretty rough.

Best Times Of The Year To Dive Thailand

• Similan Islands and Hin Daeng / Koh Ha -- October to May


• Koh Tao - January to September

Planning Your Thailand Diving Trip

When choosing your Thailand diving trip, think about what time of year you can go and then decide if you want to do a liveaboard trip or if you'd prefer to do daytrips and return to a hotel each evening. Then ask Thailand dive operators about what trips and dive packages are available - sometimes you can get real bargains. The dive operator can also give you the best advice of how to get from Bangkok to your preferred dive destination.

Chris Mitchell is a scuba diving journalist based in Bangkok, Thailand. He manages the Thailand diving websites Phuket-Diving-Safaris.com, AmazingLanta.com and Divehappy.com

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