Basically, there are three ways to travel in Thailand: by flight, by ride (by bus or train), and by sail. Keep in mind that as part of your journey to Koh Phangan you’ll have to do some sailing, whereas getting from Bangkok to one of the seaports near Koh Phangan requires either plain or a bus. Although, I was lucky enough to try both, I do prefer to dedicate this post to my flying experience.

Koh Phangan can be easily reached from Koh Samui Island, which serves as an air link from Bangkok to Koh Phangan. A ferry from Koh Samui (Buddha Pier) takes you to Koh Phangan in less than one hour. Bangkok Airways is the sole company, which operates daily flights to Koh Samui (has more than 30 flights per day to Koh Samui from Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Krabi and Phuket). A ticket from Bangkok to Koh Samui had cost me about 3700 baht.

It is also possible to use the “One-to-go” service offered by the Orient Thai Airlines, which operates daily flights to Surat Thani for 1850 baht only. Note that this saving may be unworthy, since the ferry and taxi fares from Surat Thani are usually high.

Some tips I would like to share regarding getting to Koh Phangan by flight:

1. After landing at Bangkok’s International Airport, I would recommend taking the free shuttle bus to the local flights’ terminal.

2. Although Bangkok Airways operates flights from Bangkok to Koh Samui in a once an hour frequency (the last plan departures at 22.00) - you should consider ordering your ticket in advance. The reason is that sometimes tickets simply run out for the day. On the other hand, in the case of a delay in your flight to Bangkok you can miss the flight to Koh Samui. So it’s your call. My sister and I have ordered the tickets to the 7 p.m. flight in advance (we have arrived to Bangkok’s International Airport at 3.30 p.m and our stay in the airport was long enough for me to almost lose my handbag). Our friends arrived at the same time, but were forced to stay in the airport till the 9.30 p.m. flight, because there were no available flight tickets to Koh Samui.

3. The last ferry to Koh Phangan leaves the Buddha Pier at 6.30 p.m. (except of the Fool Moon Party, during which you have ferries all night). So if your flight arrives at Koh Samui later than 5 p.m., you should consider staying at Koh Samui for the night.

4. No matter which ferry you use (either from Koh Samui or Surat Thani) – taking a big suitcase with you is not something I would recommend. The platforms in all the piers are extremely narrow and occasionally unstable. So if you’re really lucky – your big suitcase will be safe. If you’re a little bit less lucky – it can fall into the water. If you’re not lucky at all – you can fall into the water together with your suitcase. I seriously think a back bag would be your best bet.

Useful information

Bangkok Airways - Flight Schedule: Bangkok - Samui

Bangkok Airways - Flight Schedule: Samui - Bangkok

Bangkok Airways - Head Office, Bangkok
Address: 99 Mu 14, Vibhavadirangsit Rd., Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok
Tel: (66) 02-2655678
Fax: (66) 02-2655500
Ticket/Reservation: (66) 02-2655555
Reservation Center: 1771
Fax (Reservation): (66) 02-2655556
Fax (Sale): (66) 02-2655522

In addition to being an unbelievably beautiful resort area, Koh Phangan is also considered a spiritual place for the Thai people. About six hundred years ago Koh Phangan was uninhabited, until migrant monks revealed its unique spirit and established a settlement near Thong Sala, the modern capital of the island. The four kings of Thailand visited this island. King Churalongkorn, also known as the Great Rama V, came 10 times to bath in the pool at Than Sadet Waterfalls, which means “Royal Stream”. The present King Bumipol (Bhumibol Adulyadej), also known as the Great Rama IX, followed his footsteps and had also came to visit Than Sadet.

Despite its astonishing beauty and spiritual significance, Koh Phangan has been unfairly considered for many years a miserable stepbrother for the crowded and hopelessly commercialized Koh Samui. Since then, it has turned into the widely known international resort as soon as the first Full Moon Party took place (in 1987). Every year more and more bungalows and resorts have been established on the island.

I have visited the island along with my daughter and sister, who had been there 8 years ago. When the Koh Samui ferry got closer to the island, she looked as shocked as if a red snapper fish took his head out of the plate and asked her for a cigarette. She was relatively disappointed by the rapid development that took over the island. Instead of wonderfully deserted sand beaches, where you can be alone to share your thoughts with a single coconut tree, huge modern resorts were everywhere. Having said that, after three days on the island and after surrounding its territory by Taxi boat (the typical transportation tool in Koh Phangan), we have discovered more remote beaches, less developed and crowdie… You can read more about it here.

As I was planning my first vacation in Thailand, I’ve heard from my Thailand veteran friends two things that almost spoiled my whole trip. The first one was a promise that Thailand is a paradise. Of course, Thailand is extraordinary beautiful, the people are warm and honest, and the food is delicious. But if you expect to land in “Paradise” – nothing will really excite you. The second obstructive factor was budget estimation. Some of my best friends told me, that with a 40,000 baht budget I’d have the ability to travel “as a queen” in Thailand. What can I say? I never met such a modest, unpretentious queen… So here a word of advice: base your budget on more concrete information not on the estimations of someone who visited Thailand 10 years ago as a backpacker.

It a fact: the expenses gaps in Thailand can be huge. These are the gaps between cheaper North and more expensive island resorts; differences between basic accommodation and “western standard” accommodation; and gaps between a backpacker’s budget and a spoiled tourist’s one. The following information may be useful for you, if you are interested in planning your budget in Koh Phangan in advance and… the right way!

The costs of getting to Koh Phangan from Bangkok can vary from about 4,000 baht (if your transportation choice includes a flight to Koh Samui with “Bangkok Air” and sailing to Koh Phangan from Koh Samui by a ferry) to 650 baht (if you prefer to get there by a night bus).

The costs of accommodation depend on many factors, including the distance to the sea beach, season (a period between December and February considered as a high season, due to the wonderful weather conditions) air conditioning in the bungalow, access to hot water and other general factors. Air-conditioned bungalows on the front of the beach in high standard resorts such as Cocohut in Leela beach, Phangan Utopia in Haad Thong Lang, or Panviman in Thong Nai Pan will cost you in the high season about 2100 to 3500 baht per night (including a breakfast). The smallest bungalows, with no air condition and only cold water in the shower, quite far from the sea – could be as cheap as 200 baht per night. It should be mentioned, that the price refers to a whole bungalow, which could always be shared by two people. (Note that in most cases even three people can share a bungalow for additional pay).

Food is inexpensive in Koh Phangan – if you know how to choose the right place for your meal. The less you pay for your food In Thailand – the more you enjoy it. For the best meals in Koh Phangan I paid as little as 100 - 150 baht per meal, including the soup, salad and beverages. On the other hand, in a fancy restaurant you could end up paying up to 500 baht and the food wouldn’t necessarily be better (of better quality or taste). One beer costs 40-50 baht (the small one) or 60 – 70 (the big one); one cocktail costs about 130 – 150 baht, and for single aperitif drink you could be charged up to 250 baht.

Thailand is widely known for its traditional body massage, so don’t skip it during your stay in Koh Phangan. The usual costs vary from 200 baht (for the food massage) to 300 baht (for the Thai Traditional herb massage; Oil massage; or Swedish massage).

If you came to the island and you’re not suitably dressed for the beach life – you can purchase everything you need in Thongsala or Haad Rin shops. T-shirt will cost you 100 – 300 baht, pants or skirt – 250 – 600 baht, cheap sunglasses about 200 baht, and a pair of sandals – 130 – 400 baht. Try not to pay more than the prices above, because you’ll probably never use any of your new clothes again.

Taxi fares depend on the distances and amount of passengers. For example, traveling from Haad Rin to Thongsala in a jeep full of passengers will cost you about 50 baht, whereas traveling alone from Haad Rin to Thong Nai Pan could be as expensive as 300 baht. Long tail more information about transportation options and prices within the island territory can be found here. Information about special activities and their costs can be found here.

What is the name of the currency used in Thailand?

The name of the currency used in Thailand is baht (THB). Using this site, you will be able to find the exchange rate of bath to other major currencies.

Koh Phangan – financial matters

Koh Phangan offers every tourist, equipped with, either a credit card, foreign currency or traveler checks- plenty of places to get cash, especially in Thongsala and Haad Rin. In my opinion, when it comes to money issues - your first choice should be using your traveler checks. Most bungalows, including relatively expensive ones, have no safes but lockers, commonly located in the main office of the resort, and traveler checks are the only method of payment that can be recovered if either lost or stolen.

Bear in mind, that theft is highly uncommon in Koh Phangan. Even in Bangkok – the city that is far from being as calm and serene as Koh Phangan is – I had the opportunity to experience firsthand what Thai honesty really is. One hour after I’ve arrived in Bangkok, I tried calling overseas using my credit card, as I was waiting to my order in one of the airport’s restaurants. I’m not so gifted, apparently, because my call failed again and again. Completely frustrated, I went back to the restaurant. Suddenly, I felt somebody was running after me. I was right; it was an old cleaning lady who picked up my handbag with the credit cards and cash in it. Although the amount of cash in the handbag was huge compare to her salary – she had put a big effort on finding me in the huge crowd only to return my loss. Thanks to her, my magical vacation in Koh Phangan was carried out with ease.

Even so, I think that no matter how honest our hosts are – there are always reasons to be cautious. In Koh Phangan, the closer you get to the time when a full moon party takes place – the more crowded the island is and all its resorts, especially these in Haad Rin. You can’t trust everybody. So if you prefer credit cards and cash to traveler checks –at least use a locker.

If you have a foreign currency – in Thongsala and Haad Rin you’ll find the best selection of exchange points, offering both Internet and telephone services. The exchange rates are supposed to be similar – however, after a detailed comparison you will be able find out the small differences between them. It happened to me only once – but I’m not sure if I actually tried hard enough.

If you’re using your credit card to withdraw cash – just remember that you pay commission to your bank for each withdrawal. To minimize your amount of withdrawals you should plan your expenses ahead. You may also find the following link useful for you.