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Places
Of Interest
Phangan
Beaches
-
Had Rin
 One
of Pha-Ngan's most popular beaches where the famous
Full Moon Party takes place every month. It actually
consists of two beaches, one on each side of Cape
Rin, which sticks out like a thumb from southeast
corner of the island.
The
east side has the best beach which is good for
swimming and snorkelling. The west side has a
wider selection of bungalows and it doesn't really
matter which side you stay, it's only a short
walk to the other side.
-
Ban Tai and Ban Kai
Two small villages located halfway between Thongsala
and Haad Rin. The beaches here are clean and tidy
with over two dozen bungalows to choose.
- Haad Tien
10 minutes by boat on the east of Haad Rin. The
beach is remote with only 2 bungalow resorts:
Haad Tien Resort and Sanctuary.
- Thong Nai Pan
18 km of beautiful unspoiled beaches tucked away
amongst beautiful capes and coves. A dirt trail
runs all the way from Ban Tai Village up the coast
to Thong Nai Pan Bay. It consists of two bays:
Thong Nai Pan Yai and Thong Nai Pan Noi. There
are many bungalows along the beach to choose.
-
Nai Wok Bay
Just a short walk from Thongsala in case you wish
to stay near town. There are plenty of bungalows
both on the beach and up the hillside to choose
from.
-
Bottle Beach
One of the most popular hideaways on the island,
tucked along a secluded cove on the nothern shore.
It can be reached by hiking 3 km along an inland
trail or by taking a boat from Chaloklum Bay to
the west.
-
Chaloklum Bay
A a large, attractive bay with several nice beaches.
On the East End, enveloped in its own cove, is
Khom Beach. Further west along the main beach
areseveral more faciities. At the fishing village
of Ban Chalokum you can shop for basic provisions
and catch taxis back to Thongsala.
-
Mae Haad
Good snorkelling place along the coastel coral
reefs and around the off shore islet of Koh Ma.
There are several bungalows and a small village,
Ban Mae Had, located 3 km from Ban Chaloklum.
-
Chao Pao Bay
Usually lumped together with neighboring Srithanu
Bay. There are extensive coral reefs offshore
for snorkelling and an inland lake behind the
cape called Lam Son for swimming and relaxing.
-
Wok Tum Bay
A big bay with an open beach and some fairly good
spots for snorkelling and scuba diving.
Wat
Kow Tham
Every month, this beautiful old temple is a pilgrimage
site for people from all over the world who come
to meditate for 10 days. Known as the "Meditation
Retreat", from the top of the hill
you can get stunning views of the island.
Wat
Nai
About 4 km from Thongsala Town in Ban Nua, this
old temple was built arond the 13th century.
The
"Big Tree"
From Wat Nai, a the junction to Thong Nai Pan, this
huge rubber tree is almost 14m round it's trunk!
Than
Sadet Waterfall
Between Ban Tai and Thong Nai Pan Beach, a trail
leads down to this waterfall. King Chulalongkorn
(Rama V) was a frequent visitor here, thus giving
the waterfall his "Royal Approval".
Along
the river are his engraved initials in several stones,
sacred sites to the local people. In the 60's the
current King Bhumipol (Rama IX) added his own initials
to a stone.
Kuan
Yin Shrine
Stunning Chinese temple, high in the
hills overlooking Chaloklum Bay. A statue of Kuan
Yin, Goddess of Mercy, is in the high building.
Update....
Full Moon Fever-
"This joint looks expensive!"
Full Moon Party Time - at the end of each month,
is fast becoming a time for partygoers to indulge
in the delights of "homemade" cigarettes!
If this is your thing all well and good, but try
to remember that the parties are now attracting
the attentions of the local police.
They
are not looking to throw you in jail, just to make
some money. Full Moon is a lucrative time for these
guys. If you are seen with a "cigarette",
you will be carted off to the police station and
given a choice;
1- Work off your crime in a Thai prison (no thanks!),
2- Deportation (no thanks!), or..
3- Pay up and we'll all say no more.
Obviously the first two options are not appealing
so you will end up taking the third. This however,
will cost you a minimum of 20,000Baht (US$500).
If you are on a budget, this is painful.
We are not giving a "Just Say No" message
here, more "Just Be Careful".
The police WILL catch someone. Make sure it isn't
you!!
A very expensive joint indeed!
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