Ko Pha Ngan (or Koh Phangan, ) is an island in the Gulf of Thailand in South East Thailand. It is famous for its full moon party at Haad Rin Beach and as a backpackers destination. Ko Pha Ngan has two sister islands: the larger Ko Samui to the south and the smaller Ko Tao to the north.

• Area: about 168 km²

• Estimated perimeter: 50 km EST. (10hrs average walking time)

• Province: Surat Thani

• From mainland: about 55 km

• From Ko Samui: about 15 km

• From Ko Tao: about 35 km

• Population: 11,846 (2004)

• Main town: Thong Sala

• Highest Point: Khao Ra, 630m asl.

History

The Bronze Drum of Dongson Culture (500BC - 100BC) that was found on Ko Samui in 1977 is evidence that there were settlements of people on Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, and their islets from more than two thousand years ago. Some historians and archaeologists believe that the first group who migrated to Ko Pha Ngan were the Muslim sea Gypsies (Pygmy, Semung, and Proto-Malay) who travelled by boat from the Malay Peninsula. However, nowadays there are few Muslims who live on the island. The name of Ko Pha Ngan comes from the word 'Ngan', the southern dialect meaning 'sand bar', for there are many sand bars offshore around the island. Ko Pha Ngan has been a long time favorite of past kings of Thailand. Specifically Rama V, or Chulalongkorn visited Ko Pha Ngan 14 times during his reign.

Administration

Ko Pha Ngan together with Ko Tao forms the district (amphoe) Ko Pha Ngan. The district is subdivided into three subdistricts (tambon):

Originally the island was administrated from Ko Samui district. The minor district (King Amphoe) Ko Pha Ngan was established on October 1 1970, then consisting of the two tambon Ko Pha Ngan and Ban Tai. . It was upgraded to a full district on April 12 1977.

Parts of the tambon Ko Pha Ngan and Ban Tai form the township (thesaban tambon) Ko Pha Ngan. There are further three Tambon administrative organizations (TAO).

Reference in Popular Culture

Ko Pha Ngan featured promiently in Alex Garland's 1997 novel The Beach, and is also mentioned in the song Magick by the new rave band Klaxons' (but probably more as a reference to the 1997 novel The Beach than the island itself).

The infamous Full Moon Party, which often involves illegal drugs, occurs on Ko Pha Ngan every full moon of the month. Recently, though, steps have been taken to stop the drugs at these parties and make Ko Pha Ngan into a more family-friendly tourist destination.

See also

• List of islands of Thailand

• Banana Pancake Trail