The name Ko Pha-ngan derives from the word "ngan", meaning 'sand bar' in southern Thai, for there are many sand bars offshore. Ko Pha-ngan has been a longtime favorite of past kings of Thailand. Rama V, or Chulalongkorn, for example, visited Ko Pha-ngan 14 times during his reign. The Bronze Drum of Dongson Culture 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 more than two thousand years ago. Some historians and archaeologists believe that the first group who migrated to Ko Pha-ngan were sea gypsies who travelled by boat from the Malay Peninsula. Over the last century the island's population has steadily expanded, first living off the sea and the land and farming coconuts. Later, tin mining became part of the economy. In the 1970s the mining industry faltered and finally petered out. Over the next decade tourism took hold. Now the island is primarily a tourist destination. Fishing and coconut farming remain important to the local economy. Due to its topography, the population hugs the coastline. The mountainous interior is generally inaccessible. More than half the island designated as national park and Ko Pha-ngan has more than of relatively unspoiled rain forest with diverse flora and fauna. It is also considered a spiritual place, with numerous Buddhist temples around the island and a thriving spa, retreat, and meditation industry.
Transport
Visitors can reach the island by ferry from the mainland from three ports in Surat Thani and one in Chumphon. There is an option to reach Ko Pha-ngan by ferry from Ko Samui. Since 2012 Kannithi Aviation has attempted to construct an airport on the island. Kan Air has spent some 500 million baht to acquire about 32 hectares of land to build a passenger terminal capable of handling 1,000 passengers a day and a 1,095 metre runway to accommodate turboprop aircraft such as Kan Air's ATR 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-issued environmental impact assessment and other complications, which pushed back initial plans to open in 2014. Kan Air's president claimed the airport would be open by the end of 2017.
Administration
Central administration
Ko Pha-ngan together with Ko Tao and a few minor islands forms the district Ko Pha-ngan. The district is divided into three subdistricts, which are further subdivided into 17 administrative villages.
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
Local administration
There are four subdistrict municipalities in the district:
Ko Pha-ngan consisting of parts of subdistricts Ko Pha-ngan and Ban Tai.
Phet Pha-ngan consisting of parts of subdistrict Ko Pha-ngan.
Ban Tai consisting of parts of subdistrict Ban Tai.
Ko Tao consisting of subdistrict Ko Tao.
History
Originally the island was administered from Ko Samui District. The minor district Ko Pha-ngan was established on 1 October 1970, then consisting of the two tambons, Ko Pha-ngan and Ban Tai. It was upgraded to a full district on 12 April 1977. Ko Tao subdistrict was established on 15 August 1982 by splitting off three administrative villages from Ko Pha-ngan subdistrict.
Environmental issues
the island receives about 458,000 visitors per year. They and the island residents generate about 7,300 tonnes of solid waste per year. Untreated wastewater discharges and on-going coral bleaching are also issues.
Ko Pha-ngan featured prominently in Alex Garland's 1996 novel The Beach and is also mentioned in the 2006 song Magick by the new rave band Klaxons. The Full Moon Party is a monthly dance music festival set on Hat Rin Nok Beach scheduled every month at full moon. The event primarily features electronic music and attracts around 30,000 party-goers in a normal month. Steps are being taken to make Ko Pha-ngan a more family-friendly tourist destination, promoting the island's natural attractions and also stepping up the police presence; road blocks with stop and search procedures are commonplace and undercover police also patrol parties. There are also a Half Moon Party and Jungle Experience Party held every month. They take places in the jungle inland from Ban Tai requiring tuk-tuk, taxi or bike transport to and from. Koh Pha-ngan's nightlife had a strong influence on the development to tourist industry by regular parties with local and International guest DJ's:
Techno and House music: LightHouse and Loi Lay Floating Bar.
Psytrance music: Ban Sabai Party.
The song "Vision in Blue" on the album The Golden Ratio by Ace of Base mentions Ko Pha-ngan. DJ/producer Ashley Wallbridge titled his 2012 song "Kopanang", an anglicized version of Ko Pha-ngan. The British psychedelic rock band Ozric Tentacles featured a song called Ko Pha-ngan on their 1989 album The Bits Between The Bits. In 2016, Infected Mushroom collaborated with Hatikva 6 to release a song called "Hotel Koh Phangan."
Education
Thai Schools
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.
Schools for Foreigners
There are some private educational institutions following the national curriculum of England:
Nurseries
The Learning Tree Nursery & Kindergarten was opened in 2008 for children 2 to 7 years old.
Primary
Si Ri Panya International School opened in 2012 provides education for children 5 to 11 years old.
Lower Secondary
Wisdom College Tutorial School mirrors the Cambridge curriculum for children 11 to 14 years old. The school also practices outdoor learning to find a balance between children's academic progress and joy.
