| The islands of southern Thailand are widely known | | | | "paradise islands" were the place in which one can |
| as "Island Paradise". Their picturesque beaches, | | | | sit on a lonely beach and share his or her |
| moderate tropical climate and unique, extremely | | | | thoughts with a single coconut tree, are a thing of |
| relaxing lifestyle account for this reputation. | | | | the past. Still, in Koh Phangan one can find some |
| Travelers from all over the world come to these | | | | "reservations" of remote picturesque beaches |
| southern Thailand islands to experience the | | | | with only a limited choice of accommodation, such |
| famous transition to another dimension, as they | | | | as Haad Thong Reng, Haad Yao and Haad Sadet. |
| gradually absorb the overwhelming serenity and | | | | Some of these forgotten venues feature about |
| ephemeral separation from the dynamic and | | | | three dozens bungalows hidden in the midst of |
| straining modern life style. | | | | the jungle. These "old school" beaches make you |
| In the eyes of the inexperienced traveler at the | | | | fell like merging with a "real" paradise, created by |
| very first stages of planning his or her trip to | | | | true nature and not by wise and experienced |
| Thailand, all "paradise islands" may look exactly the | | | | tourism industry entrepreneurs. |
| same: all the islands are tropical (in the classic | | | | 3. Breathtaking diving sites. The Gulf of Thailand is |
| sense and climate wise), picturesque and serene. | | | | considered to be an excellent diving area, due to |
| But in fact, a more thorough perspective would | | | | its clear lucid water and the huge variety of |
| reveal that each island, just like every individual | | | | underwater life. Until recently, the consensual |
| traveler, has its own set of unique qualities. The | | | | opinion stated that the only place for "real" scuba |
| cost of stay in some islands can turn out to be a | | | | divers in the Gulf of Thailand is Koh Tao Island, |
| surprisingly expensive experience, while visiting | | | | next to Koh Phangan. Nowadays, more and more |
| other islands can be quite a bargain; some islands | | | | divers are choosing Koh Phangan as a launching |
| are dramatically peaceful while others are loaded | | | | ground for their preferable diving sites: a small |
| with exciting nightlife activities; some islands | | | | island Koh Ma, connected to Koh Phangan by a |
| provide the perfect conditions for divers while | | | | sand bar; the neighboring beaches Haad Salad, |
| others are ideal for backpackers. | | | | Haad Yao & Haad Chaophao, offering a |
| After years of intensive research, and after | | | | hugevariety of tropical fish and coral reefs; and |
| exploring every dark corner on every island in | | | | Ang Thong National Marine Park - a group of 42 |
| southern Thailand, my final conclusion is that Koh | | | | islands, protected as a National Park. |
| Phangan is no doubt and by far the perfect choice | | | | 4. The Full Moon Party. The full moon party, held |
| for the perfect vacation. Koh Phangan is the | | | | in Koh Phangan since 1989, attracts thousands of |
| perfect choice because it has this unique ability to | | | | travelers every month coming from all corners of |
| adopt itself to the likes and needs of every | | | | the globe. Even if you are not the classic |
| individual traveler in the limits of being an island | | | | partygoer - the full moon party could be a unique |
| (except from providing the ultimate urban | | | | and unforgettable opportunity to join thousands of |
| environment. But nobody visits the Thai islands to | | | | joyful, exhilarated people dancing together in the |
| relive his urban daily lifestyle). Here are the five | | | | most beautiful place in the world to the sounds of |
| elements that make Koh Phangan the ultimate | | | | the best music. |
| vacation choice: | | | | 5. To experience radically unique travel activities. |
| 1. The best value for your money. Until recently, | | | | Koh Phangan is quite a small sized island (about |
| Koh Phangan had a strong reputation of a | | | | 170 km2), but it offers a widest variety of |
| backpackers' island. As a result, the island's costs | | | | activities. You can come on a Sunday, as a |
| of living had been adjusted to the target audience. | | | | backpacker to Sunrise Beach, become a |
| Food and accommodation on the island cost | | | | professional diver on Monday in Koh Ma and turn |
| surprisingly low, so that even a backpacker with a | | | | into a seasoned partygoer on Tuesday as you |
| budget of 30$ per day can provide himself or | | | | take part in the exhilarating full moon party. If |
| herself with a reasonable, almost western life | | | | you're able to wake up on Wednesday morning, |
| standard on the island, which includes air | | | | you can meet local people in the fishermen's |
| conditioned rooms and delicious cuisine. During the | | | | village Chaloklum learn and experience their |
| last several years, when more spoiled tourists | | | | traditional way of life. Additionally, you can join |
| discovered this island, local entrepreneurs began to | | | | forces with your sportsperson alter ego and go |
| invest in luxury accommodation. Nevertheless, the | | | | trekking on Thursday; and on Friday you'll have |
| best quality accommodation in Koh Phangan is still | | | | the unique opportunity to pretend being a Mowgli |
| cheaper, on average, compared to the same | | | | riding an elephant's back in Phangan Safari. On |
| standard accommodation offered on other islands. | | | | Saturday, you can try living as a sheikh in a |
| 2. The rare opportunity to experience the "old | | | | luxury resort with a spa...and maybe get the |
| school" island paradise. Even the sworn lovers of | | | | chance to write a novel on the seven most |
| Thailand will agree, that the days when the | | | | unforgettable days of your life. |