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Ko Pha-ngan เกาะพะงัน Koh Pha-ngan | |
|---|---|
District | |
 Ko Pha-ngan | |
  Ko Pha-ngan | |
| Coordinates:09°44′24″N100°01′48″E / 9.74000°N 100.03000°E /9.74000; 100.03000 | |
| Country |  Thailand |
| Province | Surat Thani |
| Area | |
• Total | 125 km2 (48 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• Total | 10,094 |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| Area code | (+66) 77 |
Ko Pha-ngan[1] (Thai:เกาะพะงัน,RTGS: Ko Pha-ngan,pronounced[kɔ̀ʔpʰā.ŋān]) is anisland in theGulf of Thailand inSurat Thani Province ofsouthern Thailand.[2] Ko Pha-ngan has two sister islands: the largerKo Samui to the south and the smallerKo Tao to the north.
The name Ko Pha-ngan derives from the word "ngan", meaning "sandbar" insouthern Thai. There are many sandbars offshore.[citation needed]
Ko Pha-ngan has been a longtime favorite of past kings of Thailand. KingChulalongkorn (King Rama V) visited Ko Pha-ngan 14 times during his reign.[3]
The Bronze Drum of Dongson Culture (500–100 BCE) that was found onKo Samui in 1977 is evidence that there were settlements of people on Ko Samui, Ko Pha-ngan, and their islets more than 2,000 years ago. Some historians and archaeologists believe that the first group to migrate to Ko Pha-ngan wereAustronesian peoples who traveled by boat from theMalay Peninsula.[3]
There used to be an option to reach Ko Pha-ngan by car ferry from Ko Samui (Raja Ferry Port, which is 9 km (5.6 mi) from Ko Pha-ngan) and from Donsak on the mainland.
Since 2012 Kannithi Aviation (Kan Air) has attempted to constructKo Pha-ngan Airport on the island. Kan Air has spent 500 millionbaht to acquire about 32 ha (79 acres) of land to build a passenger terminal capable of handling 1,000 passengers a day and a 1,095 m (3,593 ft) runway to accommodate turboprop aircraft such as Kan Air'sATR 72-600 series. The project, originally estimated at 900 million baht, now estimated to cost two billion baht, has faced inflated costs, delays resulting from the yet-to-be-issuedenvironmental impact assessment, and other complications, which pushed back initial plans to open in 2014.
Ko Pha-ngan together with Ko Tao and a few minor islands forms the district (amphoe) Ko Pha-ngan (148 km2 (57 sq mi)). The district is divided into three subdistricts (tambons), which are further subdivided into 17 administrative villages (mubans).
| No. | Name | Thai | Villages | Pop. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ko Pha-ngan | เกาะพะงัน | 8 | 10,094 |
| 2. | Ban Tai | บ้านใต้ | 6 | 4,865 |
| 3. | Ko Tao | เกาะเต่า | 3 | 2,357 |
The district has four subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambons):
Originally the island was administered byKo Samui District. The minor district (king amphoe) Ko Pha-ngan was established on 1 October 1970, then consisting of the twotambons, Ko Pha-ngan and Ban Tai.[4] It was upgraded to a full district on 12 April 1977.[5] Ko Tao subdistrict was established on 15 August 1982 by splitting off the three administrative villages onKo Tao Island from Ko Phangan subdistrict.[6]
As of 2018[update] the island receives about 458,000 visitors per year. They and the island residents generate about 7,300tonnes of solid waste per year. Untreated wastewater discharges and ongoing coral bleaching are also issues.[7]
TheThai government, the local government, local nonprofit organizations such asEcoThailand Foundation and Trash Hero, local businesses such as the Sea Flower Bungalows, Sarikantang Resort, and locals, both Thai citizens and expatriates, have worked for years to preserve, clean, and restore Koh Phangan, which is unique in the Gulf of Thailand.
Onep deputy secretary-general Noppadol Thiyajai said, "We hope the declaration will at least help maintain the environment on the islands. We understand the measure may not result in significant environmental improvements, but it is better than having nothing."[8]
TheTAT has helped the island to be promoted as a Green Island following the strong will of its inhabitants.[9]
The fauna and flora of the island of Koh Phangan is exceptional, rare pink dolphins are even spotted its waters.[10]
The island is regularly under the spotlights for its remarkable community involving both Thai and Foreigners working more and more together for a sustainable and socially fair tourism benefiting directly the local community.
The island is also strongly engaged in organic sustainable farming producing and produces a large amount of organic fruits, vegetables, fertilisers and insect repellents. The Raitiaviset farm is a perfect example of this success.[11]
Ko Pha-ngan featured prominently inAlex Garland's 1996 novelThe Beach and is also mentioned in the 2006 songMagick by thenew rave bandKlaxons (but probably[original research?] more as a reference to the 1996 novelThe Beach than the island itself).
The song "Vision in Blue" on the albumThe Golden Ratio byAce of Base mentions Ko Pha-ngan.
DJ/producer Ashley Wallbridge titled his 2012 song "Kopanang", an anglicized version of Ko Pha-ngan.[12]
The British psychedelic rock bandOzric Tentacles featured a song called Ko Pha-ngan on their 1989 albumThe Bits Between The Bits.
In 2016,Infected Mushroom collaborated withHatikva 6 to release a song called "Hotel Koh Phangan."
Drain Gang collaborative albumTrash Island was created on Ko Pha-ngan, with most of its tracks being recorded in a vacation home on the island, and a set of individual covers of each song also shot on various points on the island. The album cover is a picture of a trash fire occurring on the island at the time.
In 2022, Vice reporter Tir Dhondy visited the island and enrolled in multiple sexual, tantric classes run by various Gurus.[13]
In season three ofThe White Lotus, several characters attend a full moon party on Ko Pha-ngan.[14]
There are about 10 Thai governmental schools for children on Koh Phangan. The education is free, but the learners are required to speak and write in Thai Language.
There are some private educational institutions following the national curriculum of England.
The Learning Tree Nursery & Kindergarten was opened in 2008 for children 2 to 7 years old. Currently closed.
Seeds of Phangan Kindergarten ages 2-5.
Tiny House daycare for babies from 8 months.
Babelikoh nursery was opened in 2022 for toddlers from 1 to 3 years old.
Si Ri Panya International School opened in 2012 provides education for children 5 to 11 years old (Key stages 1 & 3).
Si Ri Panya International School provides education for children ages 11–16 (Key stage 3) following the British National Curriculum and the Cambridge Curriculum.
Wisdom College Tutorial and Vocational School,is an international educational institution founded in 2018, offering comprehensive education for students aged 6 to 18, leading to an internationally recognized graduation certification to facilitate worldwide university enrollment, complemented by dedicated IELTS tutoring, as indicated by their partnership with IDP IELTS as a Referral Agent.
Ko Pha Ngan travel guide from Wikivoyage| International | |
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| National | |
