Green IslandKoh Phayam is the New Koh Phangan
July 24th 2008 03:44
Unspoiled and nearly deserted
First it is necessary to give some background information about Koh Phangan. It is the sister island of Koh Samui and today it is a mecca for party goers. There is not only the famous Full Moon Party, but also the Half Moon Party, Shiva Moon Party, Backyard Party, Black Moon Party and a motley array of smaller bashes. It’s not exactly as full blown in its development as Koh Samui but Tesco Lotus has arrived and many of the old basic coconut wood bungalows have been replaced with concrete blocks with air-con and hot water. And the most telling sign of the times – swimming pools are becoming more and more evident. Only the rich will go for a beach holiday and swim in a pool every day.
I first went to Koh Phangan in 1997. I didn’t know what to expect; I just wanted a refuge from the claustrophobic bizarreness of living and teaching in China. I was instantly impressed – the main port town was not much more than a one horse town that had recently upgraded to five horses but still had a one horse mentality. The taxi was a fixed price and within 15 minutes of driving the concrete road had turned into a dusty rutted track through a jungle that soared above our heads. The beach only had a couple of bungalow operations at either end. Where the white sands of the beach ended the coconut trees and granite boulders began. In every direction you had lengthy vistas. The accommodation was a basic 100 Thai Baht bungalow furnished with a mosquito net and fan which sporadically worked when they switched on the generator. There were no mobile phones or internet shops just one quaint phone box, which made me wonder if Dr Who was visiting. And best of all the place was nearly deserted – just a few hippies and backpackers hanging out.
At this point some of you will be thinking, “Well what the hell is there to do?” And that was the genius of the place for me and my girlfriend. Nothing really except smoke weed, go for a swim, lie in a hammock, listen to cassette tapes, play cards and read books. The highlight of the week would be watching a ripped off DVD of the latest rubbish Hollywood movie. In 10 days we went on one walk to a view point. To some of you readers this might sound like tedium verging on the suicidal and to others the inevitable lethargy of the pothead. Each to his own opinion; however, in the words of Wordsworth: “Bliss was it that dawn to be alive, but to be young was very heavenly.” It was just me my babe, my hammock, my stash, the technicolour jungle, blue skies and warm water.
No cars or pick up trucks. Very 1 horse.
She dwelt among the untrodden ways
The expensive place to stay.
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Comment by TimmyH
Tech News
Can you HACK it?
Genyration
Comment by Bitter Bastard
Comment by Neil Cocker
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by dan london
I think thanks to you I have found a place to go.
what are the retaes like there for basic accom?
Comment by Anonymous
With a bathroom it's 250 or 300 thb a night.
Of course if you stay a few days or go in the low season then there is room for negotiation.
People will meet you off the boat. You can often get a free motorbike trip if you agree to stay at a place.
Comment by Anonymous
I am one of those ganja loving chiled types, just want to go to a warm and beautiful island read books and smoke a lot of herb. Is Koh Phayam for me? I think you have stated that, what about the one police officer on the island. Can you hide from him? Is it hard to get weed? The laws are sick in thailand when it comes to Sensi. I need to be 100 procent that im safe or i will be tripping.
Bless!
One love
Comment by Green Island
Trippy Traveller
The policeman usually keeps himself to himself. If you just smoke in your bungalow you should be fine.
The key in these things is to see what everyone else is doing.
Sadly, you are never 100% safe anywhere in Thailand.
Comment by Anonymous
thanks for your little write up on Koh Phayam! Even though I am not a weed smoker, all I want is a QUIET and RELAXING beach holiday, away from all the noise and commercial rubbish. To me, it was obvious that Koh Samui and Koh Phagnan are to be avoided if you are seeking these. Your words and pictures put me at ease and I look forward to arriving on the island in a few days.
Kind regards,
Richard (South Africa - currently in Bangkok.
Comment by Jacky
Last month, a few people were arrestetd. The thai people there want to make a drug free island.
It is dangerous to smoke on koh phayam.
Comment by Jacky
Last month, a few people were arrestetd. The thai people there want to make a drug free island.
It is dangerous to smoke on koh phayam.