The name Ko Pha-ngan derives from the word "ngan", meaning "sandbar" in southern Thai. There are many sandbars offshore.[citation needed]
Ko Pha-ngan has been a longtime favorite of past kings of Thailand. King Chulalongkorn (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 on Ko 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 were Austronesian peoples who traveled by boat from the Malay Peninsula.[3]
Transport
Motorbikes are a major means of travel
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 construct Ko Pha-ngan Airport on the island. Kan Air has spent 500 million baht 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'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.
Administration
Central administration
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).
The district has four subdistrict municipalities (thesaban tambons):
Ko Pha-ngan (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลเกาะพะงัน) consisting of parts of subdistricts Ko Pha-ngan and Ban Tai.
Phet Pha-ngan (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลเพชรพะงัน) consisting of parts of subdistrict Ko Pha-ngan.
Ban Tai (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลบ้านใต้) consisting of parts of subdistrict Ban Tai.
Ko Tao (Thai: เทศบาลตำบลเกาะเต่า) consisting of subdistrict Ko Tao.
History
Originally the island was administered by Ko Samui District. The minor district (king amphoe) Ko Pha-ngan was established on 1 October 1970, then consisting of the two tambons, 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 on Ko Tao Island from Ko Phangan subdistrict.[6]
Environmental issues
As of 2018[update] 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 ongoing coral bleaching are also issues.[7]
The Thai government, the local government, local nonprofit organizations such as EcoThailand 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]
The TAT 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]
Drain Gang collaborative album Trash 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]
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.
Seeds of Phangan Kindergarten ages 2-5.
Babelikoh nursery was opened in 2022 for toddlers from 1 to 3 years old.
Primary
Si Ri Panya International School opened in 2012 provides education for children 5 to 11 years old (Key stages 1 & 3).
Secondary
Si Ri Panya International School provides education for children ages 11–16 (Key stage 3) following the British National Curriculum and the Cambridge Curriculum.
Tutorial & vocational
Wisdom College Tutorial and Vocational school starts Forest Schools primary programme for children 7-9 years old.
Wisdom College Tutorial and Vocational School mirrors the Cambridge curriculum for children 10 to 18 years old (Key stage 3).
