Thailand islands - the Five Reasons that Make Koh Phangan
the Perfect Choice
by Ella Evans
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.
About the author:
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 <a
href="http://kohphangan.eternaltrave
the Perfect Choice
by Ella Evans
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.
About the author:
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 <a
href="http://kohphangan.eternaltrave
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