15 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE Visiting KOH PHANGAN, THAILAND (2024)

Summary

In this insightful travelogue, the author shares essential tips for a memorable visit to Koh Phangan, Thailand. They highlight the importance of knowing the local transportation options, such as flying to Surathani and taking a ferry, and choosing the right beaches to avoid sand flies and box jellyfish. The author also emphasizes the need for proper visa arrangements, suggesting an e-Visa for longer stays. Engaging in local activities like Muay Thai and exploring the island's spiritual side through yoga and workshops is highly recommended. The narrative provides a balanced view of the island's beauty, from the stunning east coast to the lively west side, offering advice on where to stay for different experiences. The author also dispels misconceptions about traveling solo, noting the island's welcoming atmosphere for digital nomads and solo travelers, making it an ideal destination for a mix of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion.

Takeaways

• 🚫 No airport in Koh Phangan: You must fly to the nearby island of Koh Samui or Surat Thani and then take a ferry.
• ⚓️ Ferry tip: Arriving to the main areas of Koh Phangan, take the ferry to Thong Sala instead of Haad Rin, unless attending a full moon party.
• ☔️ Weather warning: Avoid November and early December for heavy rain.
• 🐙 Jellyfish danger: Be cautious of box jellyfish on certain beaches, especially when swimming at night.
• 🇹🇭 Visa advice: For stays over 30 days, consider an e-Visa for 60 days to avoid multiple immigration office visits.
• 🥋 Muay Thai opportunity: Easily join a class without prior experience and consider attending fight nights.
• 🌅 Sunset spots: Enjoy the beautiful sunsets in various locations around the island.
• 🛵 Scooter safety: Always wear a proper helmet with a good visor for safety and comfort.
• 🌴 East coast beauty: The east side of the island is considered the most beautiful and worth exploring.
• 🏖️ Beach selection: For a mix of good beaches, restaurants, and activities, consider staying between Haad Rin and Haad Salad.
• 🏞️ Hiking options: There are great hiking trails on the east side of the island, including from Chalum to Bottle Beach.
• 👥 Solo travel: Koh Phangan is a welcoming place for solo travelers and digital nomads, with many opportunities to meet people.

Q & A

What is the main airport for reaching Koh Phangan?

The main airport for reaching Koh Phangan is Surat Thani (URT), which can be cheaper and more convenient than flying to the nearest island, Koh Samui (Koh Samui Airport), and then taking a ferry from there.

Why should you be cautious about visiting Koh Phangan in November and early December?

You should avoid visiting Koh Phangan in November and early December due to the heavy rainfall during this period, which can significantly impact the weather and potentially ruin your trip.

What are sand flies and how can you avoid getting bitten by them on the beach?

Sand flies are small insects that bite and can cause irritation. To avoid bites, move around on the beach instead of staying in one spot for too long, and use mosquito spray for additional protection.

What is the danger associated with box jellyfish on the beaches of Koh Phangan?

Box jellyfish are a potentially deadly marine species that can cause severe harm if a person is stung. They are most active at night and can be difficult to see, so it's advised not to swim during these times to avoid the risk.

What is the recommended visa type for staying in Koh Phangan for two to three months?

For stays of two to three months, it is better to obtain an e-Visa, which offers a 60-day stay, reducing the need for multiple visits to the immigration office.

Why is joining a Muay Thai class in Koh Phangan recommended for visitors?

Joining a Muay Thai class is recommended as it is a cultural experience that is a must-do in Thailand. It is also a fun activity that can be easily joined without prior experience or the need for a partner.

What is the best area to stay in Koh Phangan for a more relaxed and local experience?

Chaloklum, located in the Northwest of Koh Phangan, is recommended for a relaxed and local experience. It is close to Malibu Beach and Comae for morning walks and sunsets, respectively.

Why is it beneficial to stay closer to the west side or northwest of Koh Phangan?

Staying on the west side or northwest of Koh Phangan allows you to be close to Malibu Beach, Comae for sunsets, and is more relaxed and local. It also provides easier access to restaurants and activities in the Satun area.

What is the significance of the east side of Koh Phangan in terms of natural beauty?

The east side of Koh Phangan is considered the most beautiful part of the island, with stunning beaches and landscapes that are worth exploring.

What are some activities that can enhance one's experience in Koh Phangan?

Activities such as yoga, attending spiritual workshops, participating in fire dance events, and exploring the island's hiking trails can significantly enhance one's experience in Koh Phangan.

Why is it recommended to have a proper helmet when riding a scooter in Koh Phangan?

A proper helmet with a good visor is recommended for safety and comfort when riding a scooter in Koh Phangan, as it protects the rider from the elements and potential debris on the roads.

Outlines

00:00

🗺️ Travel Tips for Visiting Koh Phangan

The speaker shares essential tips for first-time visitors to Koh Phangan, Thailand. They discuss the lack of an airport on the island and the cheaper alternative of flying to Surat Thani, then taking a ferry. They also highlight the importance of choosing the right ferry port for different destinations on the island. The speaker warns about the rainy season in November and December, the presence of sand flies on certain beaches, and the danger of box jellyfish. They also touch on the visa situation, recommending an e-Visa for longer stays, and the availability of Muay Thai classes and fight nights as key cultural experiences.

05:01

🧘‍♂️ Exploring the Spiritual Side of Koh Phangan

The speaker emphasizes the island's reputation for yoga and spirituality. They share their wish to have known about the variety of long-term residents and their knowledge of local activities. The speaker recommends engaging with the community to learn about unique experiences like fire dance events and workshops. They also discuss the importance of trying new activities outside one's comfort zone to fully immerse in the local culture. The speaker highlights the beauty of the east side of the island, unknown to them prior to their visit, and the various parties and events that occur around the island.

10:02

🏝️ Beaches, Hiking, and the Best Places to Stay

The speaker talks about their snorkeling experience and the conditions that affected visibility. They discuss the beauty of different beaches on the island, including Bottle Beach and Hat Yuan, and the various ways to access them, such as by boat or hiking. The speaker reveals their preference for the west or northwest side of the island for a more relaxed and local experience, with easy access to beaches and sunset spots. They also mention the central location of Thongsala for those who wish to be close to restaurants and activities, and the challenge of finding good accommodation in the most desirable areas.

15:02

💼 Solo Travel and Working in Koh Phangan

The speaker addresses the suitability of Koh Phangan for solo travelers and digital nomads. They share their initial hesitation about working alone in cafes but soon discovered the abundance of solo travelers and long-term residents. The speaker recommends places like Indigo and Daily Dei for work and socializing, noting the ease of meeting people even when traveling alone. They conclude by encouraging viewers to like and subscribe for more content.

Keywords

💡Kopang

Kopang is an island that the video's speaker highly recommends visiting. It is portrayed as a paradise island with unique experiences and activities. The term is central to the video's theme as it is the primary location discussed throughout the transcript.

💡Thailand

Thailand is the country where both Kopang and Kosamu are located. It is known for its rich culture and tourist attractions, and the video suggests that it offers a variety of experiences, including beach activities and Muay Thai.

💡Muay Thai

Muay Thai is a form of martial arts that the speaker recommends trying while in Thailand. It is described as a 'must do' activity, indicating its cultural significance and the unique experience it offers to visitors.

💡Sand Flies

Sand flies are insects that bite and can cause discomfort. The video mentions them as a consideration for beachgoers on Kopang, highlighting the need for precautions like moving around or using mosquito spray to avoid bites.

💡Box Jellyfish

Box jellyfish are dangerous marine creatures that the speaker warns about when swimming in the waters around Kopang. The mention of box jellyfish emphasizes the importance of safety and awareness while enjoying beach activities.

💡Visa Situation

The term 'Visa Situation' refers to the immigration and travel regulations for staying in Kopang. The video discusses the process of obtaining an e-Visa for longer stays, which is a crucial piece of information for travelers planning an extended visit.

💡Yoga and Spirituality

Yoga and spirituality are highlighted as significant aspects of the culture on Kopang. The video suggests that engaging in yoga and spiritual practices can enhance one's experience on the island, offering a deeper connection to the local way of life.

💡Sona Intiva

Sona Intiva is mentioned as a place where long-term visitors gather, and it serves as a social hub for learning about various activities and events on the island. It represents the community aspect of the island's culture.

💡Hiking

Hiking is presented as an activity that allows visitors to explore the natural beauty of the island. The video talks about specific hiking trails and viewpoints, emphasizing the scenic and adventurous opportunities available on Kopang.

💡Accommodation

The choice of accommodation is discussed in relation to the island's various areas, such as Chaloklum and Haad Rin. The video suggests that the location of one's stay can significantly impact the experience, with proximity to beaches, restaurants, and activities being important factors.

💡Solo Travel

Solo travel is mentioned as a common and comfortable experience on Kopang, with the video noting that many people travel and work alone on the island. It reflects the welcoming and social nature of the community, making it an inviting destination for individual travelers.

Highlights

The speaker highly recommends visiting the island of Koh Phangan in Thailand and shares 15 important things they learned during their stay.

There's no airport in Koh Phangan; you need to fly to the neighboring island of Koh Samui or Surat Thani and take a ferry.

It's cheaper to fly to Surat Thani and take a ferry to Koh Phangan instead of flying to Koh Samui.

If visiting Koh Phangan, stay in Tong Sala for the main areas, and Haad Rin for the Full Moon Party.

Avoid visiting in November and early December due to heavy rain, which can ruin the trip experience.

Be cautious of sand flies on the beach, especially at Malibu Beach and Hing Kong Beach.

Moving while on the sand can prevent sand fly bites, and mosquito spray can be used for protection.

Box jellyfish can be found in some beaches in Koh Phangan and can be extremely dangerous if encountered.

Visa advice suggests getting an e-Visa for a longer stay to avoid multiple visits to the immigration office.

Muay Thai classes are easily accessible and a fun experience to try in Thailand.

Muay Thai fight nights are a popular event and a cool experience to join.

It's beneficial to learn basic Muay Thai moves before joining a group class.

Driving a scooter in Koh Phangan is better with a proper helmet for safety and comfort.

Be careful on the roads due to sand, which can make them slippery.

Koh Phangan is known for yoga and spirituality, with many long-term residents offering valuable insights.

The east side of the island is considered the most beautiful and worth exploring.

Hard Yuan beach is incredibly beautiful and a must-visit, despite the cost of transportation.

Chaloklum in the Northwest is recommended for a longer stay, offering a balance of relaxation and access to amenities.

The west side or Northwest of the island is the best area to stay for a more immersive experience.

Haad Salad or Haad Yao are optimal areas to stay, being close to good beaches, restaurants, and the main town.

Solo travelers and digital nomads will find Koh Phangan a welcoming place with many opportunities to work and meet people.

Transcripts

here's 15 things I wish I knew before

visiting kopang and Thailand I really

love this island and I highly recommend

for you to come here also but these 15

things are very important I have learned

the last two months I stayed here to

make sure you have the best time here

and avoid some big

[Music]

mistakes I will also later go over some

important things to make sure you have

the best experience here like where to

stay and where to not stay and also some

unique things you definitely need to do

here to make the most out of your time

in this Paradise Island but let's start

with couple of quick tips I have learned

and one is when you are arriving here

there's basically no airport in kangan

so you need to fly to the next Island

kosamu but what I didn't know that you

can also fly to surani that is the main

airport in this area it can be way

cheaper to fly there and take fery from

there instead of from kamoi and talking

about the fairy make sure if you're

coming to the main areas to stay in

kangan take it to Tong Sala not to hard

Rin but yeah if you going to the full

moon party then take it to HR and if you

don't love rain don't come to November

and early December as I did the first

time because I thought as it's close to

the sunny season it would be already

quite good weather but it was so rainy

all the time so definitely kind of

ruined my trip here the first time and

one thing is sand flies on the beach I

never heard it before I came to kopang

and the first time I got so many bites

here in Malibu Beach and also in Hing

Kong Beach not all beaches have them so

much but a lot of them have here and

here are some tips with the Sandfly so

if you move when you're in the sand they

don't bite it's only when you stay a

long time in one spot they will find you

and bite you and also you can put some

mosquito spray if you're for example

watching sunset on the beach but yeah if

you get the bites you can also buy from

the pharmacy on the each cream I have it

really helps and the next thing is when

you swim on these amazing beaches

there's so many in kangan there's one

thing to be careful with is box

jellyfish I really had no idea of that

thing even exist before I came this year

and I got some comments and I did some

research and yeah there are some box

jellyfish in Thailand in kosamu and

kopang on in some beaches more than

others and it's it's really dangerous so

if you get sting by you are in big

trouble so it's definitely something to

be a little bit careful with it

shouldn't be too probable to happen but

it's good to know that for for example

during night you shouldn't really swim

because they're the most active during

that time and you also can't really see

them and the next thing is the Visa

situation what I thought is just 30 days

Vis an arrival and then extending in the

immigration office here in kangan and

that's what I did but for two months or

three months day it's actually better to

get an e Visa apparently there is an

option for 60 days e Visa if you stay

for example two months that's perfect or

even 3 months it's just one less visit

to the immigration office but now to

more posi POS and exciting topics but

before that please like the video if

you're liking it so far and subscribe to

the channel if you don't want to miss

the next videos and help your boy

[Music]

out the next thing is Muay Thai I wish I

knew how easy it is to join one of these

classes here in MAA in the beginning I

was a really shy because I never did a

Muay Tha class like this before so I

thought I need to find a friend to do it

with but then when I went with my friend

Justin finally I realized that actually

it's so e to just come here and join any

time and it's so much fun so I highly

recommend trying at least once or twice

while you're in Thailand it's kind of a

must do here and also there's sort of

Muay Thai events like fight nights they

advertise them all the time around so

yeah you should also Join one of those

it's really cool experience and yeah I

think MAA is the coolest place they have

here in kopa it's really so beautiful

they even have Sunset View it's just so

nice they have Cafe and everything here

but one thing I wish I also knew is that

when you come in here they don't really

in the group classes they don't teach

the K specific GS and everything so I

didn't really know any of those before

so it was a little bit awkward in the

beginning because they just told me to

do things when I'm on the pad and but I

I'm like what what is that I don't know

what that is so I would recommend

checking quickly on YouTube just like uh

what are the basic kicks and everything

not necessary but yeah would be helpful

look at this Sunset spot I found so

beautiful I'm all alone on top of this

rock it's so peaceful and so beautiful

sunset as almost always in kopong and I

just wanted to quickly mention also that

when you drive a scooter here is so much

better if you have proper helmet with

good visor you can always use because

the distance is a little bit longer here

the roads are almost always empty so it

just makes your life so much better if

you have uh visor or you and just drive

comfortably and not get everything into

your eyes and of course for safety also

it's good and talking about safety be

careful on the roads there's a lot of

sand on many of them so yeah don't drive

too fast it can be slippery next I will

talk about some things I wish the most

that I have known before I came here but

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[Music]

screen

I just did yoga here in Sati yoga it's a

really beautiful place and really good

yoga kangan is famous for yoga and

spirituality and I always knew that but

what I wish I knew before is that it's

not just about yoga basically one tip is

to go to the Sona intiva and talk to

people because there's a lot of people

who stay here long term and they know

about all these things and I heard about

so many things from those people for

example Fridays in Al there's this

really cool aesthetic dance with fire

and like it's really amazing experience

my first time doing aesthetic dance but

yeah it was just incredible experience

and I highly recommend trying it like

there's so many events and workshops and

all kind of things on this island is

really the most rewarding like

experience to experience on this island

to really immerse yourself into that

culture of spirituality and all these

things they do on this island because

for me I haven't really tried many of

these things just yoga before and it's

really like a really level up your

experience you can have here if you just

try a lot of those things that are a

little bit out of your comfort zone and

different and yeah it's very unique on

this island specifically here in Copan

it's just like uh you can't really

experience so many places doing so many

different things I haven't seen that

anywhere else that there's so much

offerings and so many things so yeah

it's really cool to take advantage of

that and also for example on the Zen

Beach they have every Friday for sunset

this kind of drum dance thing event lot

of people go there it's really cool

there's so many things you can do and

really get part of the community here

and I'm sure there's so many other

things I haven't tried because yeah

there's just so

[Music]

much today I came to explore this one

area in the northeast of the island and

I'm going to talk about a few things I

wish I knew before I came when it comes

to exploring around the island this view

is really

insane it's crazy definitely wor to

drive 30 minutes from Tong Sala to come

here next I will go to the bottle Beach

down there but yeah one thing I also

wish I knew is that the east side of the

island is actually the most beautiful

part of the island I had no idea I just

heard from from a few people and then I

went with my new friend Valentine to

check this one party in bamboo on this

beach that apparently it's really

beautiful beach and we drive to hrin and

I was surprised that actually even hrin

is very beautiful where the full moon

party is and uh yeah the boat Drive was

like 300 bus per way and it was very

beautiful also at the beach itself hard

yuan is incredibly beautiful it's

definitely the most beautiful beach in

kopanga I have seen is absolutely

beautiful the party itself wasn't really

R why but it's good to know that there's

actually so many crazy parties every

week around the island in all kind of

places and all kind of theme parties so

it's not only the full moon party if you

want to go to all kind of special

parties I'm finally at the beach after

hiking so long down because driving with

scooter wasn't possible and there's some

taxis they bring you down but there was

nothing available so I just walked uh

but yeah it feels extra good to swim

after the hike and next I will go

snorkling apparently it's a good place

to snorkel so we'll see yeah the

snorkling didn't really work the

visibility was like zero because it's

quite windy and wavy today so I came to

the other side of the beach that seems

more beautiful and better for swimming

it's really beautiful beach for sure but

what I would say is that because you can

also come here with a boat so that stay

eest way from Jello Clum where I stay

just taking a boat tuxi here here it's

like 300 bus also like I heard from my

friends they did a hike like all the way

back there they there's some way from

chalum area to hike here and apparently

it's really really beautiful everybody

say it's definitely like something to do

here I had no idea that you can hike in

cion and there's other ones also in the

east side of the island so yeah it's

good to know that if you like hiking you

can do really good hikes here also but

yeah I would say that it's really

beautiful beach but it's not like super

incredibly amazing like there's better

Beach I like some beaches just close

where I stay better than this and the

East Side the hot Yuan was definitely

more beautiful in my opinion so I don't

know if it's like you don't necessarily

need to come here but what I would say

that the Viewpoint with The Rock was

like that's a must is really incredible

to just hike a little bit there from the

road and also just driving around

through the jungle to get here to this

area of the island it's really beautiful

I came here to coma for sunset it's

really beautiful area for sunsets and

even during the day especially when the

tide is correct and it's really nice

with the sandbank and everything and I

stay quite close to here and yeah that's

the next topic what is the best area to

stay the most probable place is probably

hard dream because of the full moon par

there but if you don't want to go to

full moon party or generally if you want

to do anything else than just party you

shouldn't stay in hring the best area to

stay if you're staying for longer and if

you want to experience all the things

this amazing island has to offer is on

the west side of the island or in the

Northwest basically I'm living in

chaloklum and that's in the Northwest

and it's close here to coma and uh I

really love this area because I can go

to Malibu Beach which is my favorite

beach every morning for morning walk and

also it's close here to Coma which is

nice for sunsets and actually that's one

thing I wish I knew before it's really

nice to what sunset here in K is just

really beautiful and it's so close to

where I stay I always go further before

or on the hill it's not so nice there

but now I realized just recently that I

can actually just come here very easily

that's one thing I wish I knew because

in chaloklum the negative is even if

it's really amazing area and it's more

relaxing and chill and calm here also

and more local but it's a little bit

further away from all the restaurants

and gyms and activities that are more

generally in the S tanu area and uh yeah

that's good area to stay because then

you close all those things but there's

not so good beaches there like there's

Zen Beach that is apparently really good

for swimming also but it's also nude

beach during the day but my

recommendation would be to be somewhere

between zanu and Hing Kong and the north

side because then you close to all the

nice beaches you close to all the

restaurants and everything and kind of

like in middle of all that so I think

the optimal would be like H ya or H

salad area either of those Beach is are

really good good for swimming and it's

really nice area in general and there's

some restaurants already there and then

you still close to the north side and

you're close to Sano and still a little

bit closer to the main town tongala

where is for example really good food

market and some other cool stuff but it

can be hard to find good accommodation

with good price in those best areas at

least I didn't really find any but I

wish I knew how important it is to stay

closer to that area so I would have put

more effort to find something there and

even maybe less nice place there than

where I stay now would have been better

for longer term in the end I really

think kopanga has the most beautiful

sunset it has been pretty incredible

here the whole time I've been is so nice

almost every day the ocean is so calm

it's just so relaxing

[Music]

here I came here to Indo to get some M

and get some work done and the next

thing is that I wish I knew that there's

actually lot of people traveling solo

and even working here in kangan so it's

definitely not like I was a little bit

shy in the beginning to go alone to the

cafes and work but actually there's a

lot of people doing that in pretty much

all the places and especially here in

Indigo this good place to come to work I

learn it from one of you guys who told

me that I should come here and also

Daily Dei is a good place to work

there's a lot of people working in this

place is always and generally the vibe

is in that way that it's easy to meet

people even if you're alone because

there's lot of other people who are also

traveling alone or even staying here

long term alone especially in the SAA

and the paddle and there's so many

places where you can meet people very

easily and even in the cafes and in the

beaches and anywhere all in the events

also so yeah it's a good place to travel

alone I didn't know that before but

that's all I hope this video was helpful

like And subscribe and see you next week