Getaway Phangan

Phangan Island is located just 12 kilometers north of its sister Island Samui. As Koh Samui is constantly aiming towards becoming an up-market and international destination, Phangan has not lost its old charm and stayed relatively low cost. Backpackers and budget travelers won't have a hard time trying to find a bed for the night, and it is also becoming increasingly attractive to other travelers who have not found the changes to Samui quite to their tastes. The island has evolved into two separate sections; Haad Rin and everywhere else! Haad Rin has become a traveler's hangout, party center, and a cool place for the international backpacker to meet fellow travelers. However, it should be remembered that Haad Rin is just one small area of island's shoreline. Most of the other beaches are tropical hideaways and laid back retreats.

Thong Nai Pan Beach
Thong Nai Pan is a magnificent double bay, which is split by a narrow cape creating two wide beaches of white sands: Thong Nai Pan Yai and Thong Nai Pan Noi. As a major attraction for members of the Thai royal family, the beach has long been kept as a secret and hidden place away from the crowds. There is not much development going on around here and it has the old and authentic atmosphere of Thai beach village. You may have to put in some effort to go there, but it is well rewarded with perfect beaches and friendly people.

On the southern bay, Thong Nai Pan Yai, the bigger of the two, is the residence of nearly all the local population. The beach has a wide sandy beach and a small village encircled by coconut plantations. There are a few bungalow resorts along the beach, two shops and a few bars and restaurants and the locals own most of the businesses here. Thong Nai Pan Noi, the quieter of the two, is a magnificent long beach of white sands with coconut trees in the background and surrounded by mountains. There are plenty of beach huts and bungalows along the beach. Thong Nai Pan Noi is a good place for pleasurable swimming and snorkeling.

Yao Beach
On the west coast of the island, Hat Yao means Long Beach. It has almost one and a half kilometres of white sand with deep water making for good swimming. There are just a few basic and low budget bungalows on the beach, but a more comfortable and expensive resort is in the process of construction. One main thing to be informed of is that Hat Yao is quite a laid back village, but under development. Once Hat Yao was quite difficult to reach because there was no proper paved road, but now the situation is better as the road from Thongsala to Hat Yao is almost finished. Not everywhere in Hat Yao has electricity yet. All the electricity used during a few hours each evening comes from the main generator. So no nightlife and entertainment at all.

Than Sadet Waterfalls
Than Sadet Waterfalls means "Royal Stream" as many members of Thai royal family have made frequent visits here, including King Rama V, King Rama VII, and King Rama IX, the present king. For a confirmation, the three kings left their signature on the rocks below the falls. It could be assumed that the waterfalls must have some sort of extraordinary beauty to attract even the rulers of the country to come for their vacation.