Luna Lounge

Thong Nai Pan Noi – Absolute Paradise

Thong Nai Pan is on the north east corner of Koh Phangan island – the beach is very remote but one of the most stunningly beautiful in Thailand.   Access to the beach is from the main port town of Thong Sala, about 40 mins away over a ‘rugged’ jungle road, or you can arrive directly onto the beach via private speedboat.

Please view our accommodation page for more information about Thong Nai Pan hotels.

Time to Visit -

You can visit Thong Nai Pan at almost any time of year, the only month that is almost certainly monsoon is November. Not to worry, you are welcome to come at many other times, as we understand many people prefer to keep dry and listen to the rain outside whilst watching TV or playing online bingo rather than tackling the weather brought on by the seasonal monsoon.

Christmas/New Year usually has good weather, and february-may is very often gloriously hot. June through to the beginning of september is a bit cooler than the hot hot season, but can still be gorgeous weather. From September onwards it is much quieter on the beach and the weather becomes more blustry and wet.

GETTING THERE……..

• By Plane

The easiest way to get to Thong Nai Pan is by direct flight from Bangkok to Koh Samui.  The airlines that fly this route are www.bangkokair.com and thai air.  Expect to pay about 8000 THB for a round trip (or about £150 depending on the exchange rate and time of day).  Then you can take a ferry straight to Thong Sala, and a truck taxi onwards to Thong Nai Pan, or a speedboat direct to the beach.

A cheaper option is to fly into Surat Thani on the main land – which is served by thai air and www.airasia.com -this is much cheaper but you still have to get a bus to Don Sak port and then a three hour ferry to Thong Sala.

• By Train

You can take the train from Bangkok to Surat Thani and then purchase a joint ticket taking you from the train station to the pier, and including the ferry to Thong Sala.  The train takes a long time (about 16hrs) but is very comfortable, you have a nice big seat that turns into a bed at night, with clean sheets, a pillow, and turn down service!  This option only costs about 800THB (or about £15) plus about another 500THB for the bus and ferry joint ticket.

• By Bus all the way!!!!

There are numerous cheap bus deals on tourist coaches sold for rock-bottom prices on the Khao San Road and surrounding areas- however we would never recommend these as this route is notorious throughout Asia for robbery!

If you do want to take a bus take the government bus from the southern (Sai Tai) bus terminal which will take you all the  way to the island for a very reasonable price – about 800THB – be warned though it is LONG!!

• By Ferry

From the mainland (Don Sak Pier) you can take Raja or Songserm ferries, both about three hours.

From Koh Samui -

Haad Rin Queen – From Big Buddha Pier in Bo Phut,  goes into Haad Rin, it can be difficult to get a taxi to take you from Haad RIn to Thong Nai Pan after 4pm, before 4pm you will probably have to take a taxi to the 7/11 and from there another taxi to Thong Nai Pan.  This is the closest ferry to the airport

Lomprayah-

Hi Speed hovercraft from Mae Nam, takes about 30 mins into Thong Sala, usually met by plenty of taxis to take you to the beach.

Songserm -

From Nathon to Thong Sala, about 45 mins – can be a bit tricky to get to Nathon though as its on the other side of Samui to the airport – the only car ferry to Koh Phangan runs from here too.

A word about Taxis……

On Koh Samui expect to pay a minimum of 300THB for any journey – there is a huge controversy over the taxis refusals to put on the meter – taxi drivers have agreed across the whole island not to put on the meters, if you try to force the point they just  wont take you – its a giant monopoly and a rip off, but rest assured they do it to locals too.   A journey across half the island will normally cost you at least 800THB.

On Koh Phangan there are no meters and you can expect to pay 50B on a Song Thaew (local pick-up truck taxi) to go from Haad Rin to Thong Sala.  From the ferry to Thong Nai Pan you can expect to pay around 200THB on a shared taxi (also a pick up truck) or 800THB if you choose to hire a taxi just for yourself- be aware it is easier and quicker to take this road in a four wheel drive especially if its raining – and two wheel drive vehicles may be reluctant or refuse to take you in adverse weather conditions.

Speedboats -

K at Hideaway has a speedboat that will pick you up at Big Buddha pier and deliver you to Thong Nai Pan directly, expect to pay about 8000THB to charter this.  Or you can contact Petchurat Marina, which is right next to Big Buddha and they have speedboats that go to Thong Nai Pan for about 10,000 THB.

There is also a high speed rigid inflatable boat that operates out of this marina, the Phangan Express.  It does the trip from next to Big Buddha, to Ban Tai on Koh Phangan (where you will still need to get a taxi to Thong Nai Pan) on an hourly basis for 400THB per person. (+66 (0)77425262.  Hold onto your hats…..