Phangka Beach is on Koh Samui island. it is one of the least visited and least known of the beaches in Koh Samui. Whereas most people tend to head for either Chaweng or Lamai on the east coast or Bophut on the north coast there are few people that make it down to the south west peninsula of the island.
Phangka Beach is also known at ‘Emerald Bay’ on account of the beautiful emerald colored water in the bay. The area has very little development. It is dominated y rich vegetation. There is a long stretch of beach and a small fishing village that still has many original wooden houses built in a Chinese style.
You can walk down the beach at Phangka and not meet anyone. It is a very peaceful area, ideal for couples and those looking to escape from stress and noise. Phangka is a west facing beach so it gets a stunning sea view. In some ways the lack of over development on Phangka is reminiscent of the best aspects of Koh Phangan.
There are only a few places to stay at Phangka. The best of them is Elements Boutique Resort and Spa. It features private pool villas with direct access to the beach. Have a look at the video below to check out what you are missing:
Carbon emissions are getting out of hand. The Global Financial Crisis has diverted attention away from the pressing problem of limiting carbon emissions. World leaders are now busy stopping the debt crisis spiraling out of control, stopping protestors from changing the system and setting up new trade agreements. The world made very little comment when on November 11th 2011 the International Energy Agency declared that the ‘door was closing’ on reducing carbon emissions.
It seems that the effort to save the environment is now in the hands of consumers. We must do what our leaders are reluctant to do, and that is be more environmentally friendly. A great time to start is this Christmas. Here are a few ways that you can make your Christmas green:
Cut down on transport costs. Try to buy presents locally and even try to buy gifts that are made locally. It makes no sense to buy things made in China if you live in Vancouver. The carbon emissions involved in getting the stuff to Canada are melting the polar ice caps.
Use recycled paper for Christmas cards and wrapping paper. This helps to slow down deforestation.
Buy gifts that are made from renewable materials. Green gift ideas made from renewable materials include bamboo blinds, bamboo kitchen ware, water hyacinth furniture, coconut oil, coconut milk and rattan baskets. A coconut Christmas or a bamboo Christmas present is a very good way to start going green during the season of goodwill.
Another green gift idea is to get recycled goods or upcycled goods. The later is something made of recycled material that has a higher value – such as jewelry or a laptop case from an old wetsuit.
Turn off the Christmas lights when you go to bed. Kill stand by lights they do nothing but waste power.
Buy a programmable thermostat for your home, buy one for your friends and family too. You can buy a good 5+2 thermostat such as the Lux Products TX500E for as little as $40.
Practice green cleaning. Stop using polluting detergents in the home: either use green detergents or use vinegar, bamboo vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda.
Plant a tree this Christmas. Give plants and trees as presents. Contribute to nature, rather than just taking from nature. Moreover, if you are considering buying hardwood flooring, consider the cost in terms of valuable trees. Buy antique hardwood flooring, reclaimed hardwood flooring, bamboo flooring or cork flooring instead. All these types of sustainable flooring stop deforestation and look just as good and perform just as well as hardwood flooring.
Replace old electrical appliances with Energy Star appliances that save electricity and money. It is worth spending on Christmas gifts that will save you money in the long run.
These are just a few ways in which you can make your Christmas celebrations more environmentally friendly. Whether you buy bamboo gifts or energy efficiency devices or plant a tree every little contribution counts. It is the season to show your love to your family and friends; why not show some love to nature too?
The first Full Moon Party or FMP as it is called was held by Paradise Bungalows in 1987 on Haad Rin Nok beach in Koh Phangan. It was meant to be a one off party but it was so successful that they decided to hold another beach party the next full moon. The party grew in size and word got out about the great beach party on Koh Phangan. The town and beach has developed as a result of the success of the party scene in Koh Phangan in Thailand.
A few years later the party had taken over nearly all of Haad Rin Nok beach. It had also become the biggest drawcard for the town of Haad Rin that hosts the party. The town quickly quickly developed – lots of bars, restaurants and hotels were opened.
Locals were quick to notice the success of the Full Moon Party and it wasn’t long before imitation parties started to spring up around the island. The small coastal village of Ban Tai with its long beach and plenty of flat jungle land was an obvious choice. Now there are a number of regular parties in the Ban Tai area. They are the Jungle Experience, the Shiva Moon Party (or Shiva Moon Family), the Black Moon Culture Party and the Half Moon Party. All these parties have a small cover charge at the entrance which includes 1 free drink. All the parties focus on techno and trance music. As opposed to the FMP only 1 DJ plays at a time. They also have plenty of fluorescent decorations.
After all the parties there are now after parties. The two most famous famous venues for after parties are the Backyard Pub in Haad Rin (after party for the FMP) and Ban Sabai Resort (after party for the Half Moon, Black Moon, Shiva Moon and Jungle Experience parties).
One of the latest parties to emerge from Koh Phangan is the Blue and Green Sramanora Waterfall Party. It is held every Sunday in the jungle near Ban Kai. It features minimal techno and tech-house, and offers a different genre to most of the other parties in Koh Phangan.
Other beaches have developed their own small parties. There is now quite a big party scene in Koh Phangan. Most notable is the Paradise Waterfall Party 1 km from the small fishing village of Chaloklum on Koh Phangan. It is only a small waterfall but makes a picturesque setting for an outdoor party.
In Chaloklum there is also a nascent live music scene centered around the Omega Bar. Every Wednesday they have an Art Music Event. During the day there are arts and craft activities for children in the area, and at night there is a lively jam session.
Having night parties in Koh Phangan is not enough there are also a number of after parties on the island. The best of these are the Backyard Party that starts at 11am after the Full Moon party stops. The Backyard Party is often considered a better party than the actual Full Moon Party. Also on Ban Tai beach Ban Sabai holds an after party the day after all the other parties.
It seems to be non-stop parties in Koh Phangan.
Afternote
It is interesting to compare Koh Phangan nightlife with Koh Samui nightlife. While the neighboring island of Koh Samui has better accommodation and cooler bars it seeks to imitate Koh Phangan with its Black Moon Party and Escape House Party at Chaweng Lake View. The interesting thing to note is that Chaweng Lake View is the largest indoor venue in South East Asia, capable of holding 4,000 people. In the past such names as DJ Marky and Judge Jules have played at Koh Samui’s Black Moon Party. Despite having a more sleazy element to it than does Koh Phangan’s it does also have a good party scene. Moreover, Koh Samui parties are less fixated on psy-trance music than Koh Phangan parties.