Thong Nai Pan in Koh Phangan

The area of Thong Nai Pan in Koh Phangan is undoubtedly one of, if not the most, beautiful beaches on the island.

With its heavenly pure white sand which is soft upon your bare feet and turquoise waters which are deep enough to swim in at this side of the island.  It is a favourite location for families, friends and honeymooners as well.

Thong Nai Pan Noi and Thong Nai Pan Yai are twin coves that form a scenic double bay and are the most popular beaches in the east and sunrise side of the island. Both beaches are the image of paradise with softly curved white sand bays surrounded by mountains covered in rich tropical rainforest. The surrounding mountains make these beaches fairly inaccessible with a steep and rutted dirt road the only overland option; though road works have commenced to make it a dual lane concrete road, another way to get to there is by boat from Had Rin or Chaloklum.

Thong Nai Pan in Koh Phangan consists of two different beaches, each with its own charm.Thong Nai Pan Yai is the larger of the two beaches, the resorts are more spaced out and it has no village, as a result it is quieter than its counterpart. There are numerous trails to walk and waterfalls to visit, and Thong Nai Pan Yai also has a decent set of rocks for experienced climbers. This side of the island is still pretty wild, and the surrounding jungle is haven for many exotic tropical creatures. Giant water monitor lizards, "Takuad" in Thai, can be seen feeding outside the Panviman Resort at sunset and small wildcats have even been spotted deep in the trails.

Thong Nai Pan Noi is the smaller one and it’s the deepest bay. There is little to see in the way of marine life, but there are some decent waves for body surfing. Thong Nai Pan Noi is the more popular of the two beaches with a bohemian vibe and has a small village with some cool bars and restaurants. People get up early for sunrise and long-termers patiently wait to graduate to the coolest of bungalows, beachfront space is premium.

 

Activities for Thong Nai Pan in Koh Phangan

To be in Thong Nai Pan in Koh Phangan is to experience the glory of nature's beauty - the beach, the mountains and the jungle are full of things to admire. For those with some experience using a kayak it is possible to explore beyond the bay of Thong Nai Pan. Just around the headland from Santhiya is a small cove called Laem Pak Chong. If you follow the coast around past Thong Nai Pan Yai you come across a small beach, Ao Krang Khai. You might be able to catch fish by throwing a line out from the rocks at the end of the beaches. There are several operators that do day trips to other beaches and include snorkeling.

Add a little fun to your stay in paradise with an experience at Phangan Adventure Mini Golf. Escape to the best beach in Thailand and relax on the sun-soaked deck of your Ocean Pool Suite. Let us whisk you over to Phangan Adventure Mini Golf for an entertaining game on an exciting 18-hole course surrounded by lush gardens. Beautiful and modern 18-hole adventure mini golf lies with a waterfall and tropical surrounding. You can play on professional putting green with real golf putters and balls. Great fun for everyone. Drinks and ice-cream available. Come and enjoy the course with your friends and family. Phangan Adventure Mini Golf is located at Thong Nai Pan Yai beach – just a short drive or 20-minute walk from the resort. It is open daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.

 

Restaurants and Bars in Thong Nai Pan

Eating and drinking is an essential part of a beach holiday. Thong Nai Pan in Koh Phangan offers hotel dining, beachfront meals, BBQs as well as smaller 'local' places to try. One of the great pleasures of Thong Nai Pan is checking out the different restaurants. There are plenty of great places to choose from. Besides, many businesses are both restaurants and bars. There are a couple of good beach bars such as the Flip Flop Pharmacy. You can get draught beer, export beers, cocktails and wine.

 

How to Get There

To get to Thong Nai Pan in Koh Phangan from Thongsala, the island’s main port, you’ll have to either grab a taxi/pickup truck or a much more expensive but quicker speedboat. The ride over the spine of the island is memorable to say the least as most of the ‘road’ is unpaved and deeply rutted, making it almost impassable after several hours of rain. Count on at least a 45-minute ride/drive and if you take a song teaow taxi make sure that it is heading for the right Thong Nai Pan in Koh Phangan - not all go to the beaches.