Ko Pha Ngan - Island

Ko Pha Ngan (เกาะพงัน) is famous for the Full Moon Party which is held on full moon night every month. This world famous beach party brings thounsands of party lovers to the island. Ko Pha Ngan has tranquil places for visitors to enjoy. You can relax under shade of coconut trees by white sand beaches and absorb the spirit of nature.

• See •

- Visit the beautiful waterfalls and lookouts in the interior of the island.
- The herbal sauna at Wat Pho is a great relief after long party nights. It's near the 7/11 branch in Baan Thai, on the south-western side of the island. Don't forget to leave a donation, always wear a sarong (over your bikini) - remember that you are on temple-territory and locals find nudity offensive. This is not a European sauna, sitting naked will get you into trouble.
- If you're into fire, you'll find spinners and twirlers on many of the beaches, teachers abund and poi are easy to find.

• Activities •

- Full Moon Party - if you're after party heaven you can't do better than Haad Rin, an expanded village of beach bars, cheap chicken burgers, and low cut figure-hugging outfits. It is most popular one night a month - the night of the Full Moon Party. Every bar is hopping, the beaches packed with trance, dance, buckets, and various other suspicious substances. However, if the sight of thousands of bottles and other trash repulses you, make sure you leave the beach area before the sun comes up, or grab a garbage bag and help tidy up a little. If you're not on Ko Pha Ngan during the full moon, don't worry: there are other parties to be had, including Half Moon (2 times a month), Black Moon, Jungle Parties, as well as the Shiva Moon party. There is always something to do in Ko Pha Ngan.

- Archery can be attempted at the "First Bow and Arrow Archery" close to Chaloklum on the road to Thongsala. Four archers can have a go at the same time, people are very friendly (German spoken during high season) and helpful.

- Hiking can be done all around the island. There is a trail that leads between Haad Rin and Haad Tien, which many enjoy however the route can become difficult to discern, and bringing enough water is necessary.

- Muay Thai gyms such as "Jungle Gym" in Haad Rin and Thong Sala offering training and work out facilities, as well as camps such as "Horizon" located in Haad Tien (east) which is an intensive training camp. There are also frequent matches in Thong Sala and Haad Rin for spectators who don't want to learn the sport.

- Tantra Yoga is offered at Baan Tai, and Shri Kali Ashram offers casual classes and teacher's training in the traditional style of Shaivism.

- Yoga is offered at multiple locations including Agama Yoga, which is located in the northwest of the island, and has month long intensive courses.

• Food •

For an authentic experience (and cheaper than the well-decorated cafe/restaurants by Haad Rin beach), look at the more modest cafes where you might see some Thais eating.

The best area for authentic cheap eats is defintely Thong Sala, the main town on the island.

Thong Sala has a night market which consists of multiple food carts ranging from ready made curry stalls, made-to-order restaurant carts, noodle carts, chicken vendors, and desserts such as Thai confections and banana rotee (pancakes).

Also, along the road near Thong Sala, you will see many "BBQ" restaurants advertising "all you can eat" for about 99 baht. This is a great way to eat, and it is economical as well as delicious.

During the day, food carts are to be found in Thong Sala, or parked wherever they find a customer. Great food cart items include Som Tam, the tasty spicy papaya salad, pad Thai, and chicken vendors.

• Buy •

Both Thong Sala and Haad Rin sell pretty much anything you can think of, and probably some things you don't need at all. You can try to bargain, but realistically, the prices are set. You may get a deal every now and again, but it's the exception to the rule. Remember that you're in a tourist area and that prices usually are above the level of for say Bangkok.

Main purchases you will find on Ko Pha Ngan include hammocks (check out "Hammock Home" in Thong Sala) as well as some of the local artists works. Most of the clothing is of the variety that you will find in Bangkok, but generally it is a bit more expensive, as it has been imported to the island for sale.

Like the rest of tourist Thailand finding accommodation, transport, food only requires asking a local, or responding to one of the many touts that greet boats on arrival - don't be afraid to check a place out that they tell you about, and then look elsewhere - there is a wide range of standards, and they don't necessarily coincide with prices.

• Stay Safe •

Yes, the Full Moon Party is full of drugs, but these days it's also full of plainclothes policemen out to bust you. Be very careful if you intend to consume illicit drugs. Roadblocks are common, particularly in the week before the FMP between Thong Sala and Haad Rin. Remember that the Thai have harsh penalties for drug offences and the police is working to meet their "quota". Be aware that you may NOT be able to bail yourself out of trouble - especially if you get transferred to Suratthani - and that bribing Thai police will at least cut a deep hole into your travel budget, if it is possible at all.

It's not a good idea to accept drinks or food from strangers, there are reported incidents of spiked drinks (from both: locals and "fellow" travellers), followed up by sexual harrassment, or even (gang) rapes. Best idea is to afford your own drinks and stay with your friends.

It's advisable to leave all valuables in a safety deposit box or at your guesthouse owner's hands instead of taking them to the party. Wear shoes or sandals to avoid injury from broken bottles or burning cigarettes.

If you're averse to getting knocked on the head with flaming batons, then don't venture too close to the Fire Poi swingers on the beach, as skillful as they may be, the fire sometimes gets out of hand and hits nearby tourists.

If you plan to leave the island the day after the Full Moon Party, be aware that the boats are usually packed with other tourists who have the same idea. Make sure you're not getting on an overloaded boat. Same applies to taxi-boats before and after the FMP. The Thai frequently overload their longtail boats and lost luggage is at your own expense. Rather get off, reclaim your money and wait for the next one.

There are many good places to stay in Koh Pha Ngan, if you want to stay close to the action, but not TOO close you may choose the resorts on the "sunset side" of Haad Rin. Amongst the best places to stay on Ko Pha Ngan is the Had Son Bungalow resort. There are a limited number of very cheap basic rooms at this resort which also has its own restaurant pool and private beach.

On closer inspection of the buckets sold, most liquor bottles are unsealed, so who knows what is really in there. This may be why so many people get sick. Before buying a bucket, check the seal of the bottle. Apart from that, remember the fact that buckets can be VERY strong and unpredictable. If you intend to get drunk, try to have goo solid food before that, or you might "loose it" very fast.

Try to WALK AWAY from every potential conflict with locals. You will sand no chance and it's a surefire way to get hospitalized. In April 2007 an Israeli tourist got stabbed to death right on the dancefloor in one of the bars on Haad Rin beach - violence is frequent. The locals will not help you in a fight and "fellow" travellers will do their best to stay out of it, too. If you find yourself seriously aimed for, LEAVE THE PLACE and don't come back the same night. Thai who lost their temper usually are back to normal the next day. Be friendly and smile - you're on a holiday!

Have a nice Trip !!

credit : kohphangan

wikitravel

Ko Lanta - Islands & beaches

Ko Lanta (เกาะลันตา) is an island district off the west coast of Thailand. Like many other destinations in Krabi Province it is known for its diving and long white beaches.

Ko Lanta is popular with tourists seeking a holiday away from the parties: more walking on the beach and watching the sunset than drinking and dancing. It is also popular with families with young children, and of course, with divers. The two largest islands are Ko Lanta Noi and Ko Lanta Yai. Although Ko Lanta Noi is inhabited, Ko Lanta Yai is the primary tourist destination.
Ko Lanta is a little less well-known than nearby Ko Phi Phi but it is hardly undiscovered: the several beaches on the west coast of Ko Lanta Yai are each strung with an unbroken line of resorts and bungalows. Ko Lanta is especially popular with Swedish tourists: although the "tourist language" is English as it is in most places in Thailand, and you will find menus and so on are translated into English, expect the poolside language to be Swedish much of the time.

The main road which loops around the island is paved with cement. Some roads are unpaved dirt. Most of the unpaved roads are in very bad condition with deep ruts; some would be very difficult to negotiate in an ordinary sedan car. It's worth knowing the names of the resorts near yours: both the pickup trucks and motorcycle taxis will often want to pick you up or drop you at a nearby resort with a better road.
Resorts and some of the major tourist services (like the dive shops) own large pickup trucks and transport tourists around in the tray. Very occasionally, they own minibuses instead. If you come in by ferry your resort will almost certainly meet you at pier with their truck; if you're travelling with very small children who you don't want to cling to while you bump along sitting on the side of the truck you might want to warn them in advance that you'll want to ride in the cab: it's generally assumed to be the private domain of the driver.
You will find the locals almost exclusively ride motorcycles; you can hire these in several places for a few hundred baht a day. You can also hire motorcycle taxis with sidecars. These will happily take you on the unpaved roads but the ride can be as slow as walking. A typical fare for a ride from Saladan to Klong Dao Beach is 40 baht.
Jeeps can be hired for 1200 baht per day. Be sure to check insurance, contract terms and the condition of the vehicle. The "roads" of Ko Lanta combined with the driver operation characteristics of some renters are a serious challenge for any car. The frequently available Suzuki Sporty seems primitive and therefore sturdy, and a replacement should cost around 150000 baht.

• Activities •

- Scuba diving

Ko Lanta has no dive sites, but there are plenty of dive centers offering dive tours and PADI dive courses from beginner upwards. Dive resorts on Ko Lanta run boat trips to many of the major dive sites in Krabi province. Almost all dive resorts offer free pickups from your resort. Prices are fairly consistent at about 2500 baht for a day's boat diving (usually two dives), 10000 baht for a four day PADI Open Water course, and 8000 baht for a two day PADI Advanced Open Water course (five dives)

• Food •

Ko Lanta has a wide variety of restaurants, the kind that most visitors travel to Thailand for: beach-front locations serving delicious and inexpensive Thai and seafood dishes. Eateries line the beaches in front of the bungalows and no visitor to Lanta will starve from lack of variety or interesting places to dine.

Have a nice Trip !!

credit : wikitravel

Ko Chang - Islands & beaches

Ko Chang (เกาะช้าง) is in Trat Province, in Eastern Thailand, about 330 kilometers from Bangkok. It is Thailand's third largest island, and the biggest in Ko Chang National Park. With about 5000 permanent residents the island is not heavily populated, but tourism (and development) has increased dramatically over the last few years.

In the daytime, you can catch a songthaew on its route around the main road. These taxis are also waiting at the Dan Kao Pier. At the Dan Kao Ferry-Pier there may be no taxis available. If you arrive without a vehicle you may have to walk the 400 metres to Dan Kao Pier.
Small motorcycles can be hired for 150-250B. The main road almost circles the island and there are plans to complete the circuit in the near future. Cars are also available for rental, most hotels can help with it. 4x4 car recommended, since some roads might be in bad condition, especially near Lonely Beach.

• See •

- The Mu Ko Chang National Park. A Marine National Park that comprises of Ko Chang and 46 other islands.
- War monument. In the very south of the island there is a war monument being built. As for spring 2005, there was nothing but a small store and an unfinished hotel at the site.
- Waterfall

• Activities •

- Elephant rides
- Package tours for snorkeling, diving, elephant riding etc. are widely available.
- Thaifun day cruise to southern islands. Relaxing and snorkeling. Very nice crew on board.
- Khlong Plu waterfalls is medium size waterfall within a half a mile walk from parking area. Swimming possibility. Entrance fee to park 400 baht.
- Ploy Scuba Diving come to the best dive sites with speedboat. All PADI Course / Diving Trips / Snorkelign Trips.

• Food •

Similiar to the rest of Thailand, including the prices. There are many restaurants at the beach open both daytime and evening.

Have a nice Trip !!

Credit : wikitravel

Photo by Chingsan

Ko Samet - Islands & beaches

Ko Samet (เกาะเสม็ด) is a small island in Rayong Province , within easy reach of Bangkok.

• Catch the sunset from dramatic cliffside locations along the south-west coastline.
• A fireshow at the renowned Silver Sand Bar on Ao Phai Beach. They are usually held around 10pm, and are biggest later in the week and on weekends when the party crowds come in .

Ko Samet, including all of the good parts, is a national park and has an entry fee. Thais pay 40 baht, foreigners 400 baht. If your ferry arrives at the main pier and you take a songthaew to the beaches, there will be a stop at the main ticket checkpoint. If your ferry arrives at one of the beaches, an officer will collect the fee as you step out of the surf. Note that there is plenty of foot traffic in and out of the park to the 7-Eleven, ATM or other shops and restaurants and if you have no bags you can nonchalantly walk into the park without anyone checking your ticket. (There is a road via the temple, take that and you won't get near the checkpoint.

• Activities •

- Hiking

- Boat trips
A boat trip with any of the number of companies should cost around 600B and can include snorkelling, fishing, a visit to the fish farms and floating restaurant, or a tour around the island.

- Snorkeling/Diving

-Traditional on almost every South-East Asia beach, Ko Samet has started featuring "Full/Half/Dark Moon" nights. These should not be confused with the massive Full Moon Parties on Ko Pha Ngan or other parts of Southern Thailand - here they are simply an excuse for drink specials, which are present every night of the year anyway.

- Drink the local speciality, a SangSom bucket, which is a toxic mix of Thai whiskey, red bull and coke, served in a kids sandbucket with lots of straws.

• Food •

Seafood, seafood, and seafood, some of the best barbeques are found along Ao Phai and Haat Sai Kaew beaches. But there's also meat and veggie curries as well as Western favorites like pizza, and a bakery that makes fresh bread at the Naga Bar and Bungalows on Ao Hin Khok. The best Burgers on the Island you get at the restaurant SAFFRON. Almost every hotel and bungalow operation has its own restaurant but it's only the movies that differentiate them. Many also set up tables and chairs at night for dining on the beach.
If you are relaxing on the beach during the day there are plenty of hawkers selling fresh fruit, BBQ chicken wings, dried squid, papaya salad (can be extremely spicy) and even ice creams at reasonable prices.

Also if you need a break from Thai cuisine a number of the restaurants along Haat Sai Kaew make excellent club sandwiches. They also offer western style breakfast. (eg. bacon and eggs, yogurt or breakfast cereal)

Have a nice Trip !!

credet : wikitravel