There
are approximately 10 daily transfers to Ko Pha-ngan.
Boats depart between 7.30 a.m. and 4.30 p.m. The trip
takes approximately 30 minutes to an hour, depending on
weather conditions. Boats leave from Thong Sala Pier and
Hat Rin on Ko Pha-ngan to Ko Samui Pier including Na
Thon Pier, Mae Nam and the Big Buddha. The fare is
approximately 115 bahts to 250 bahts / trip / person.
From
Surat Thani
Surat
Thani Pier operates a minimum of 6 daily departures to
Ko Pha-ngan. Boats leave from 7.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.
and arrive at Tha Sala Pier on Ko Pha-ngan. The fare
ranges from 200 bahts to 370 bahts / trip / person.
From
Ko Tao
Approximately 6 daily departures from Thong Sala Pier to
Ko Tao are provided. They leave from 8.30 a.m. to 1.00
p.m. The fare ranges from 180 bahts to 350 bahts.
Getting around Ko Pha-ngan
Traveling around the island by rented motorcycle from
bungalows is recommended. The cost is approximately 200
bahts / day. For those who prefer truly Thai-style
transportation, songthaew services are also available.
The fare is 50 bahts from Thong Sala Pier to any place
on the island. Exceptions are on routes to Ban Khai (30
bahts) and Ao Thong Nai Pan (80 bahts). Car rental
service is also available at approximately 1,000 bahts /
day.
Ko Tae Nai
A
charming island with jungle-covered hills, a long
stretch of golden sandy beach and colorful coral reefs,
Ko Tae Nai is located near Ko Pha-ngan, and can be
reached just 5 minutes by chartered boats.
Accommodations are available but are mostly middle to
top-end.
Ko Tao
A small
isolated island situated 45 kilometers to the north of
Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Tao was once used as a prison for
instigators of the Bavordet coup d'?tat. The island is
famous for its rich sea coral reefs and inhabitants and
secluded beaches set in a laid-back atmosphere. Ideal
for snorkeling and diving, there are numerous diving
schools scattered around the island that have always
attracted diving students. With exceptional underwater
visibility, Ko Tao is one of Thailand’s finest offshore
diving spots with main attractions such as White Rock,
Shark Island, Chumphon Pinnacle, Green Rock, Sail Rock
and Southwest Pinnacles. The stunning viewing point is a
spot where visitors can see three connecting beaches
stretching beautifully to the horizon.
Apart
from Ko Pha-ngan, Ko Tao can be reached either from
Surat Thani or Chumphon Provinces. Accommodations in the
form of bungalows, at various price ranges, are
available. The best time to visit Ko Tao is from
February to April. Traveling on the island is possible
by boat, car or motorcycle.
Wat Khao Tham
Located
on the hilltop of Khao Kao Haeng, Mu 1, Bang Tai
Sub-district, the monastery is ideal for meditation
amidst the unspoiled nature. Foreigners mostly visit the
compound to learn how to practice meditation between
September and November. To reach the monastery, take a
chartered car or rent a motorcycle at Thong Sala Pier
and drive for approximately 3 kilometers. From the
entrance of the temple, drive approximately 1 kilometer
up to the compound.
Wat Maduea Wan
Apart
from beaches, sand and sea, Ko Pha-ngan also has
cultural attractions such as Wat Maduea Wan, located at
Mu 3, where the replica of the Lord Buddha’s Footprint
is enshrined on the hilltop Mondop. To reach the temple,
take a songthaew from for a total distance of
approximately 3 kilometers for a fare of 20 bahts / trip
/ person.
Distances
From Amphoe Mueang (Surat Thani Town) To Other Districts:
Ban Na Doem
Ban Na San
Ban Ta Khun
Chai Buri
Chaiya
Don Sak
Kanchanadit
Khian Sa
Khiri Ratniyom
Ko Pha-ngan
Ko Samui
Phanom
Phra Saeng
Phunphin
Tha Chana
Tha Chang
Wiang Sa
Vibhavadi
50
41
71
112
68
61
18
61
55
100
84
80
68
12
78
37
68
70
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
kms.
By
Car
Surat Thani
can be most conveniently reached by car from Bangkok by taking
Highway No. 4 to Chumphon Province via Phetchaburi and Prachuap
Khiri Khan Provinces and then taking Highway No. 41 and Highway
No. 401 directly to Surat Thani City.
By
Bus
Air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus
Terminal to Surat Thani Province everyday. Call the southern Bus
Terminal tel: 0 2434 5557-8 or visit
www.transport.co.th
By
Train
Trains leave
Bangkok's Hua Lamphong Railway Station 10 times daily from 12
p.m. until 10.50 p.m. The trip takes approximately 12-13 hours.
Ask for the train from Bangkok to Phun Phin, the closest station
to Surat Thani. For further details, please call 1690, 0 2223
7010, 0 2223 7020 or visit
www.railway.co.th.
Surat Thani Railway Station is 12 kilometers from town. A bus
service between the station and the town is available.
By
Air
Thai Airways
International has 2 daily flights connecting Bangkok with Surat
Thani. The flight time is approximately 70 minutes. For more
information, contact their Bangkok office at tel. 1566, 0 2280
0060, 0 2628 2000 or get your on-line e-ticket at
www.thaiairways.com
By Boat
Seatran (077
275060, 136 Na Meuang Road) operates a bus/boat combination to
Ko Samui. The fee is 150 bahts.
Phantip Travel
(077 272230, 293/6-8 Talat Mai Road) offers tickets to Ko Tao
(500 bahts), Ko Pha-Nhan (250 bahts), and Ko Samui (140 bahts).
The operator is Raja Ferry (07 314523, 077 371151 or 077 371206)
who offers bus/boat combinations to the islands.
Getting
around the city
Apart from the
local orange bus (9 bahts / trip / person),songthaews are
another option to get around the city. It costs 10 bahts / trip
/ person. Samlors will cost approximately 20-30 bahts. The
orange bus departs from the Phu Phin train station to the city
every 10 minutes from 6.00 a.m. until 8.00 p.m. The same ride by
taxi will cost approximately 100 bahts.
Air-conditioned vans connecting the airport and town costs 70-80
bahts / person / trip. Tickets can be purchased at travel
agencies or THAI office (077 272610).
