Every year Thong Nai Pan is taken over by around 200 Germans coming for Thaibreak, two weeks of mad partying with top german DJ’s on a beautiful and normally fairly quiet beach on Koh Phangan. The Thong Nai Pan hotels, bungalows and resorts are fully booked and other tourists have a hard time finding accommodation. Arranged by a man called Thomas who pre-books all the parties with the different bars and restaurants. From the opening night at Baan Panburi which is awash with fireworks and fireshows, each bar decorates and prepares for the hordes who arrive on the evening of their party. At Luna Lounge we are hosting two of the parties, the first of which was last wednesday and was a big success. With a great fireshow from Zen and some fantastic DJ’s the night went of with a blast and we hope their final party, also at Luna on the 31st will be an equally great night.
The revenue brought to the beach every year by Thaibreak is fantastic and is often the busiest night a year that many places have. They only hold one party in Thong Nai Pan Yai which is a fundraiser for the local school and is held on their grounds and at the local temple. Almost everywhere else closes and the majority of both beaches attend. Local businesses often hold food stalls and the choice of local cuisine is mouth-watering! The school children perform traditional Thai dancing on a stage in front of hundreds of tables and chairs set up for eating and socialising. The locals spend the days leading up to the party decorating especially around the temple where they build a DJ booth and set up a bar. As you walk from the school to the temple you are greeted by fantastic decorations and a night of dancing awaits you. It is a festive evening and a lovely chance for the both beaches to do something together.
The opening of the Sala Cafe on Feb 20thwas a great success. With a colourful array of the new deserts and lots of friendly faces, we enjoyed celebrating the start of a new journey. The free tasters dissapeared rather quickly and so the afternoon was spent enjoying the new space to relax with friends. The passion fruit Cheesecake is set to be a favourite and many a person has already popped in for an afternoon slice. Bringing some new flavours to Thong Nai Pan, Gordon has created a menu featuring many a favourite and some interesting new things to try too.
The venue in the centre of Thong Nai Pan Noi, Koh Phangan, has proved a success, and with the open air and comfywicker chairs its the perfect place to while away an afternoon with a good book or good conversation. Being central in the village it is great for people watching and a nice place to take a desert and coffee after dinner. Unfortunately we are not selling food in the evenings however there are many other Thong Nai Pan restaurants serving dinner including Luna Loungejust down the road. Luna and now Sala too seem to be favoured by a lot of people staying in the Thong Nai Pan hotels and resorts and we regularly get complimented on the standard of the food and the general all round experience.
Sala Cafe is open everyday from 10am till late in the evening serving breakfasts and Lunch’s. Luna Lounge is open 6.30pm till late for dinner’s and both places have a selection of our new mouth-watering desserts.
Here’s a treat: I just found this video from one of the Luna Phangan Island parties last year. Zin is an amazing fire dancer graces us with his presence on occasion. Just watch this boy’s style…..
We are happy to finally anounce the opening of the Luna Cafe! We have a great location in the centre of Thong Nai Pan Noi opposite the Jungle Bar which over the next few weeks we will be transforming into another great place to eat scrumptious foods and sit about chatting over coffees. We will be doing a delicious brunch menu featuring homemade breads, (I’m sure some of you will remember the sandwiches we were selling at Luna for a short while last year,) salads and a fantastic selection of deserts and mixed fruit shakes with as always our own Luna twist. After having many a complaint that we are not open during the day, we are now creating the perfect day time chill out spot with all the great flavours of Luna and a new menu to boot! We will be opening on Febuary the 14th so make your lover’s Valentine’s Day by treating them with a new Luna desert or even just a great cup of coffee (no nescafe in sight).
Other things on in Koh Phangan at the moment are the Flair cocktail shows over on Thong Nai Pan Yai. Central Cottage Resort has had the winners of ‘06 and ‘07 Flair Bartending championship perform twice now on the beach outside their restaurant and hope to make it a regular event with the Champion of Asia coming to perform too. So far both men have been fantastic to watch as they spun alight bottles through the air, juggling and drawing in the sand with fire. Along with fantastic local fire spinner Zin (who is also a regular to perform at Luna parties and also Rasananda) and cheap deals on cocktails, it makes for a great evening out.
