Ao Si Thanu
Located at Mu 8, Pha-ngan District, approximately 10 kilometers from the District Office is the one of the most beautiful beach of Ko Pha-ngan. To reach this beach, take a songthaew from Thong Sala Pier for a fare of 40 baht / trip / person.
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Ao Thian
Part of Ko Tao, Ao Thian can be seen from a viewing point located on the hilltop of Ta To Cape.
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Ao Thong Nai Pan
Located at Mu 5, Ban Tai Sub-district, approximately 23 kilometers from the District Office is the second most beautiful beach on Ko Pha-ngan. To reach this beach, either take a boat or songthaew from Thong Sala Pier. The songthaew fare is 80 baht / trip / person while that of chartered boats is up to negotiation.
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Ban Chalok Lam
The village is situated along the bay to the north of Pha-ngan Island. The area is lined with shops selling merchandise and souvenirs with the most popular item being dried squid. There are songthaew services from Thong Sala Pier with a fare of 50 baht / trip / person.
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Hat Rin
Located at Mu 4, Ban Tai Sub-district, approximately 12 kilometers from the District Office is the most beautiful and famous beach on Ko Pha-ngan Hat Rin. The white sandy beach stretching for 2 kilometers is accessible by a long-tailed boat from Thong Sala Pier and Ban Kai. The fare is approximately 30 baht and 20 baht respectively. The Full-moon Party, with over a thousand party lovers in attendance is held on this beach.
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Ko Nang Yuan
The island is nothing but a group of three small islands located to the north of Ko Tao. Offering stunning and breathtaking views, the islands are connected by a three-way stretch of pure white powdery beach.
The rich marine life at Ko Nang Yuan is similar to that of Ko Tao. With a wide variety of coral formations, the island is also an ideal diving and snorkeling spot. Accommodations and facilities are available with daily boat service to and from Ko Tao.
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Ko Pha-ngan
Another ideal destination for travelers who prefer less crowded, more private beaches set in a laid-back atmosphere. However, this is also a very hip place to b
e as the island hosts the world famous, and perhaps the biggest beach party on this planet the full moon party on Hat Rin.Covering an area of 191 square kilometers, Ko Pha-ngan is located 20 kilometers directly north of Ko Samui, or approximately 100 kilometers from Surat. The best time to visit Ko Pha-ngan is from February to September. Interesting attractions include secluded and virgin beaches around the island, a hilltop temple called Wat Khao Tham which is ideal for meditation, Than Sadet Waterfall, and the Namtok Phaeng National Park. Renting a motorcycle to explore the island is recommended as there is a lot to see and do.
Boat Services to Ko Pha-ngan
From Ko Samui
There are approximately 10 daily transfers to Ko Pha-ngan. Boats depart between 7.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. The trip takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour, depending on weather conditions. Boats leave from Thong Sala Pier and Hat Rin on Ko Pha-ngan to Ko Samui Pier including Na Thon Pier, Mae Nam and the Big Buddha. The fare is approximately 115 baht to 250 baht / trip / person.
From Surat Thani
Surat Thani Pier operates a minimum of 6 daily departures to Ko Pha-ngan. Boats leave from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. and arrive at Tha Sala Pier on Ko Pha-ngan. The fare ranges from 200 baht to 370 baht / trip / person.
From Ko Tao
Approximately 6 daily departures from Thong Sala Pier to Ko Tao are provided. They leave from 8.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. The fare ranges from 180 baht to 350 baht.
Getting around Ko Pha-ngan
Traveling around the island by rented motorcycle from bungalows is recommended. The cost is approximately 200 baht / day. For those who prefer truly Thai-style transportation, songthaew services are also available. The fare is 50 baht from Thong Sala Pier to any place on the island. Exceptions are on routes to Ban Khai (30 baht) and Ao Thong Nai Pan (80 baht). Car rental service is also available at approximately 1,000 baht / day.
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Ko Tae Nai
A charming island with jungle-covered hills, a long stretch of golden sandy beach and colorful coral reefs, Ko Tae Nai is located near Ko Pha-ngan, and can be reached just 5 minutes by chartered boats. Accommodations are available but are mostly middle to top-end.
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Ko Tao
A small isolated island situated 45 kilometers to the north of Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Tao was once used as a prison for instigators of the Bavordet coup. The island is famous for its rich sea coral reefs and inhabitants and secluded beaches set in a laid-back atmosphere. Ideal for snorkeling and diving, there are numerous diving schools scattered around the island that have always attracted diving students. With exceptional underwater visibility, Ko Tao is one of Thailand's finest offshore diving spots with main attractions such as White Rock, Shark Island, Chumphon Pinnacle, Green Rock, Sail Rock and Southwest Pinnacles. The stunning viewing point is a spot where visitors can see three connecting beaches stretching beautifully to the horizon.
Apart from Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Tao can be reached either from Surat Thani or Chumphon Provinces. Accommodations in the form of bungalows, at various price ranges, are available. The best time to visit Ko Tao is from February to April. Traveling on the island is possible by boat, car or motorcycle.
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Wat Khao Tham
Located on the hilltop of Khao Kao Haeng, Mu 1, Bang Tai Sub-district, the monastery is ideal for meditation amidst the unspoiled nature. Foreigners mostly visit the compound to learn how to practice meditation between September and November. To reach the monastery, take a chartered car or rent a motorcycle at Thong Sala Pier and drive for approximately 3 kilometers. From the entrance of the temple, drive approximately 1 kilometer up to the compound.
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Wat Maduea Wan
Apart from beaches, sand and sea, Ko Pha-ngan also has cultural attractions such as Wat Maduea Wan, located at Mu 3, where the replica of the Lord Buddha's Footprint is enshrined on the hilltop Mondop. To reach the temple, take a songthaew from for a total distance of approximately 3 kilometers for a fare of 20 baht / trip / person.
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Amphoe Phanom
Khao Sok National Park
This virgin rainforest dotted by limestone mountain ranges and rugged high cliffs was established as a national park in 1980. The poised limestone mountains resemble to those in Guilin, China resulting in the local nickname of Thailand's Guilin. Covering an area of approximately 646 square kilometers, the park extends beyond Ban Ta Kun, Phanom and Khiri Ratniyom Districts.
The main attractions in the park include Namtok Mae Yai which can be reached by car and Namtok Sip Ed Chan (eleven-tiered waterfall), situated approximately 4 kilometers from the park office. There are also other magnificent waterfalls and caves, which are mostly accessible by foot.
Khao Sok is inhabited by rare wildlife such as wild elephants, leopards, serow, banteng, gaur, dusky languors, tigers and Malayan sun bears. Bird lovers will be enthralled visiting, as there are over 180 bird species to watch.
Rare floras are found along nature trails particularly to the south of the park where local plants such as lianas, bamboo, ferns and giant rattan, of over 10cm. in diameter, can be found. To top it all, the bua phut is perhaps what visitors to Khao Sok look forward to seeing most. Bua Phut or Rafflesia kerri meyer, a flower which can only be found in Khao Sok, is claimed as the largest flower in the world. When in full bloom, the Bua Phut is approximately 80 centimeters in diameter. The flower is a natural parasite without roots of its own, but relying on roots of a jungle vine to survive. The best time to see Bua Phut is from October to December, when they are in full bloom. Contact the parks headquarters for a local guide. Note that a 5-8 hour walk is required to see such a rare flower. However, there photographs of Bua Phut in the headquarters office, with information displayed on the ecological system of the park.
The park and other entrepreneurs provide bungalows, camping areas and raft-houses while accommodation owners normally provide food. Contact TAT Region 5 at 077 288818-9 for more details on a complete list of accommodations.
The park office is located 1.3 kilometers off of the Surat-Takua Pa Road at kilometer 109 marker. From Surat Thani City, take Highway No 401 to Takua Pa District (in Phang-Nga province). Total distance is approximately 100 kilometers. The park is at its best from December to April.
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Khuean Ratchaprapha
Another name of this dam is Khuean Chieo Lan. The dam, built in 1982, is a rock with fat-clay core dam that is 94 meters in height and 761 in length. The reservoir (lake) covers an area of 185 square kilometers and boasts an electricity generating capacity of approximately 554 million kilowatt / hour. The lake offers an incomparably breathtaking view of limestone mountains and over 200 small islands. Accommodations near the dam are available from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Tel. 02 436-3179 or 77 311-364, 311-522. For those wishing to see the lake closer, boat rental service is also available. Contact 077 311522, or 02 2407405 ext. 5008 for more details.
The dam is located 70 kilometers west from Surat Thani on Highway No. 401. Travel along the Highway, turn right at the kilometer 52-53 marker and proceed for another 12 kilometers along an access road until you see the extensive lake beyond the Dam.
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Amphoe Mueang
Khao Tha Phet Wildlife and Nature Education Center
The Center is located approximately 6 kilometers from the Surat City. Covering an area of 2,906 rai or 4.65 square kilometers, the Center is home to numerous wild animals. Its headquarters is situated on a hilltop, which rises approximately 200 meters above sea level. At the peak of the hill is Phra That Si Surat, locally known as Khao Ta Phet. Built in 1957, this candle-like stupa contains Lord Buddha's relics donated by the Indian government. The hilltop is an ideal place to get a bird eyes view of the City and Tapi River, as well as Ban Don Bay.
An informative 800-meter, nature study trail is introduced by the Center with captions providing detailed information on each plant enabling visitors to learn on their own in an enjoyable manner. For those interested in staying overnight, it is recommended that they bring their own tents. Advanced reservations in writing are required and should be sent to Khao Tha Phet Wildlife and Nature Education Center, P.O. Box 29 Muang District, Surat Thani, 84000.
To get there from the provincial capital, drive along Highway No. 4009 (the Surat Thani-Na San route) for approximately 6 kilometers, then turn left at the sign of the Center and proceed approximately 1.5 kilometers along an access road to the Center.
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Pak Nam Tapi (Tapi River Estuary)
The Tapi River Mouth is located approximately 7 kilometers from Ban Don Municipality. The area is particularly well known for its excellent seafood restaurants. Apart from serving reasonably priced tasty dishes, they are located against a magnificent backdrop of the peaceful Tapi River. Getting to the place from the city is easy. Just use tuk-tuk services located opposite Chula Shopping Mall.
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