Kho Phangan

[eek]

(Did a search. Honest! But i still cant seem to find quite what im looking for..)

I wish to move South but im very ignorant at what is and isnt available. I will be taking a trip to some locations shortly to check out which place to lay my hat for a while (6-12 months).

Can you help with me with a few questions please, to see if Phangan is a possibility..?

Ive seen some wonderful homes for rent, not expensive, and seemingly in quiet locations..but..where is the best place to be if you wish for:

Quiet area (full moon parties etc, not my scene really)

Would you consider the island safe for solo(pretty reclusive) female? (I realise thats a "groan" question...as everywhere has potential problems, just wish to know in general really. Ie: dont go 'x' side of island, better to be at 'y'. hope thats making sense.)

Net connection!!<--this one is a biggie for me. I need my net for various reasons. How easy is it to set up an internet connection? Is it via wifi card or can i get my own independent connection? Is it limited to a section of the island only?

During the rainy season is the island pretty much shut off from Koh Samui? Or is it still ok to travel? (or a bit hit and miss?) (Does net go down a lot?)

Getting around: public transport? bikes?I imagine most get around via their own motorbike/car? I use a bicycle in CM as im yet to feel confident on a moto..but..if the roads are less busy than CM im sure i will feel more comfortable. What is the recommended mode of transport?

Anyway..um..yeh...ok so thats a lotta questions..so ill leave it at that, but any advice on top of the questions would be most helpful. (ie: Thai language teachers/schools. Would be nice to carry on my studies,but can just use my books instead tbh. Atm/bank access..dont mind travelling to get to one tho rather than sacrificing living in a quiet location.)

I admit that i wish for certain comforts even though considering living on an island. Mainly I want to feel safe and secure and have net. Thats my main priorities, the rest i can work around.

Tnx.

Edited December 22, 2007 by eek

[sbk]

eek, please come and see me when you make your trip. I will be happy to show you around. Just make sure it isn't around FM time

1, Don't stay in Ban Tai Village (Black Moon and Half Moon parties are very loud and near Ban Tai Village), don't stay in hadrin. Otherwise, you are fine

2. Well, I am sure I will get shot down for this but generally, yes, its safe. As per usual, don't indulge in risky behavior, don't be overly friendly with strange men but don't be rude either --make sure its known you have local connections (I am happy to be your local connection ) and you should have minimal bother.

3. Net connection, best the closer you are to Thong Sala as you can get DSL but mac.wheeler is using an EDGE connection/phone thingy and seems very happy with it.

4. Boats usually run, it is the rare day that no boat is running. Just take some benadryl if you get seasick. And avoid the Songserm boat in rough weather

5. transportation, well avoid Hadrin and TNP roads as they are either busy and/or pretty hairy. If you live near thong Sala (which is what I would recommend for your situation) then you could use a bicycle as the Wok Tum road is far less busy than the Ban Tai road.

Again, PM me when you come. I'd be happy to share my experience with you

[mac.wheeler]

(Did a search. Honest! But i still cant seem to find quite what im looking for..)

I wish to move South but im very ignorant at what is and isnt available. I will be taking a trip to some locations shortly to check out which place to lay my hat for a while (6-12 months).

Can you help with me with a few questions please, to see if Phangan is a possibility..?

Ive seen some wonderful homes for rent, not expensive, and seemingly in quiet locations..but..where is the best place to be if you wish for:

Quiet area (full moon parties etc, not my scene really)

Would you consider the island safe for solo(pretty reclusive) female? (I realise thats a "groan" question...as everywhere has potential problems, just wish to know in general really. Ie: dont go 'x' side of island, better to be at 'y'. hope thats making sense.)

Net connection!!<--this one is a biggie for me. I need my net for various reasons. How easy is it to set up an internet connection? Is it via wifi card or can i get my own independent connection? Is it limited to a section of the island only?

During the rainy season is the island pretty much shut off from Koh Samui? Or is it still ok to travel? (or a bit hit and miss?) (Does net go down a lot?)

Getting around: public transport? bikes?I imagine most get around via their own motorbike/car? I use a bicycle in CM as im yet to feel confident on a moto..but..if the roads are less busy than CM im sure i will feel more comfortable. What is the recommended mode of transport?

Anyway..um..yeh...ok so thats a lotta questions..so ill leave it at that, but any advice on top of the questions would be most helpful. (ie: Thai language teachers/schools. Would be nice to carry on my studies,but can just use my books instead tbh. Atm/bank access..dont mind travelling to get to one tho rather than sacrificing living in a quiet location.)

I admit that i wish for certain comforts even though considering living on an island. Mainly I want to feel safe and secure and have net. Thats my main priorities, the rest i can work around.

Tnx.

1: For quiet and easy access (not knocking the folks over on the east side but it's not a 10 minute poodle into town along the Tong Nai Pan road) anywhere north of Thongsala.

2: If you apply simple common sense in your life then yes.

3: Unless you are close to a local exchange then ADSL is going to be out, depending on where you stay you then have 2 options. My personal choice is a CAT CDMA connection, very stable, about twice the speed of a dialup, pretty cheap. The other option is using GPRS (with maybe EDGE) on either the DTAC or AIS network, both offer similar packages, the only real downside is the reliability, quite often it will hang (like a few times a day) and you have to reset it. Not a problem for browising and email but if you work via the internet then it will be a pain.

4: Pretty much no problem.

5: You are gonna need some form of motorised transport here, we don't have taxi's in the traditional sense, they are more like a cross between buses and taxis, only really useful if you live somewhere near where they consider a good pickup up point for new fares.

Drop me a PM if you need more advice on the net connection.

Edited December 22, 2007 by mac.wheeler

[eek]

Thank you both.

Im still not 100% sure where south i wish to be, but this helps a lot. I think its a toss up between Koh Phangan and Koh Lanta.

I had a feeling you would be first to lend helpful suggestions/replies sbk Its also nice to know I could give you as a local connection, very kind indeed. If I make this move i will pm you. Ty ty ty!

[girlx]

Quiet area

Definitely would recommend Thong Nai Pan Yai... feel free to PM me if you want to come visit. Also check out Wok Tum on the west side. Thong Nai Pan gets pretty isolated in rainy season and the road is bad (have to depend on taxis) so Wok Tum might be a better option if you are worried about getting around.

Net connection!!

It is easiest to get a good internet connection in Thong Sala and in the western part of Ban Tai. In other areas, if there is not already an existing phone line, it is difficult to get a new one, you have to be on a waiting list. Also ADSL is not available to all areas (ie. Ban Khai). Thong Nai Pan is actually the easiest area to get a phone line as it is a newer development and they don't require a waiting list before the phone line is installed. You can ask a neighbor to share their phone line if they have one. Also, the connection is getting more and more reliable, but it is still rather difficult in rainy season as electricity goes out quite often, which means their servers go down.

Would you consider the island safe for solo(pretty reclusive) female?

I have lived on Koh Phangan for 3 years as a solo female... it does have it's problems... #1 is that it is easy to piss off the locals (simply by not patronizing their businesses, for example, or gossiping at all)... so you have to strike a balance between socializing and keeping to yourself. You will need to make some local friends to back you up when problems do arise. I've found this to be true all over Thailand, but more so in a village full of uneducated, traditional people with small mindsets... The other thing is that they see a woman alone as someone who is always looking to hook up with someone. The men can be a pain, but if you make it clear that you are not interested they usually take no for an answer. Along with that, you will want to dress and act appropriately if you want to be taken seriously.

p.s. i would definitely choose Koh Phangan over Koh Lanta, but then I am not a big fan of Lanta's beaches or Muslim Thailand.

Edited December 25, 2007 by girlx

[Dingojoe]

Thank you both.

Im still not 100% sure where south i wish to be, but this helps a lot. I think its a toss up between Koh Phangan and Koh Lanta.

I had a feeling you would be first to lend helpful suggestions/replies sbk Its also nice to know I could give you as a local connection, very kind indeed. If I make this move i will pm you. Ty ty ty!

Dont think youll have any probs at all, friend of mine Girl 28 on here own spent 8 months believe it or not just travelling around Koh Phangan on her own.

3) Internet::: Doent ICHIWAWA have wireless all over the island, its where Tony started that wireless internet before he came to Samui yes, sit on the beach and surf the net if you want.

[girlx]

yeah but he didn't provide any support for his service and on thong nai pan yai, at least, ichiwawa does not work.

[sbk]

yeah but he didn't provide any support for his service and on thong nai pan yai, at least, ichiwawa does not work.

Supposedly Ichiwawa is available in Ban Kai as well but I've never gotten a signal from it.

[ham]

Hi

Quiet area

- allmost everywhere on Phangan. The island follows the moon pretty much ;-) and it gets busy allways over the fullmoon-party time of course. But even in hadrin you have quiet areas, after few days when the "hooligans" leaving the island again.

- I think the sunset side (westcoast) is the better choice i.e. "Thongsala, Wogtum, Hinkong, Srithanu, Had Chaopao, Had Yao". And it does not really matter where you want to stay, nearer to the maintown or just in the north of the island, as long you can drive a bike.

- Taxis are also everywhere but night time it can be expensive to get back to your place.

- Tong Nai Pan is beautiful, little more expensive and a long ride to the maintown, also a bit anoying during rainy times, because the street is not yet fully paved and you have to cross some steep hills (through a beautiful primary jungle). No problem with a car.But I would not consult you this area alone.

Would you consider the island safe for solo(pretty reclusive) female?

- as everywhere in Thailand, mostly depending on your own awareness or consciousness. I guess it is no problem here right now.

Net connection!!

- if you plan to rent a house, there are many with internet access. You can buy a phone (CAT, wireless) and then you have a selection between 230 kbs and 2mb (590 Baht up to 2700 Baht/m) but as i said, there are many houses to rent with internet

During the rainy season is the island pretty much shut off from Koh Samui?

- that's history. You have several lines. Main port is main town Thongsala. Boats to Samui, Nathon, Meanam Beach and Big Buddha, daily (mostly 2 to 3 times).

- the hadrin queen is heading for samui (big buddha) all day long (and back of coarse).

- the lomphraya line takes only 20 min to meanam beach, departure in Thongsala, same for Seatran. Car-Ferrys every 2 hours to Donsak (mainland near Suratthani)

Getting around: public transport? bikes?

- bicycle is ok on the west and better at the south coast (Bantai). Motorbike no problem with the automatic version, not to compaire with busy CM. Everywhere Taxis (songthaew) during daylight. Night time = ripp off, if you live on a remote place, not so much on the mainstreet to hadrin!

- there is one school at least (which i know) little outside of thongsala (250 B/h)

- ATM's everywhere even on remote sites, sometimes several bankes at the same shop!!

hope this helps a little bit

ham

(had chaopao)

Thongsala (maintown)

[macleod101]

Would you consider the island safe for solo(pretty reclusive) female?

- as everywhere in Thailand, mostly depending on your own awareness or consciousness. I guess it is no problem here right now.

I once rfused to pay 100 baht for a taxi fare back too thong sala (from had rin) and got beaten up

My freindwas travelling alone to afull moon party and got mugged in his bungalow room by thai's

but we are male.. and probably look agressive

[sbk]

I knew a guy who refused to pay the taxi after already taking the ride, and gotten beaten up for it. However, he got beaten up after he swore at the driver (f_ you was the term, I believe) and threw his money on the ground and then stepped on it.

Not saying you did the same but there are sometimes more than one side to a story and not all Thai people are evil violent people.

Regardless, none of this really answers the OP's questions.

I agree that a motorbike is much easier, the roads aren't very wide and people aren't used to seeing people on bicycles so much anymore these days. Wok Tum is a much quieter area with less traffic so may be more up your alley eek.

[Hex]

This once happened to me in Samui, a taxi driver overcharged me and I refused to pay that much. He attacked me but I beat the shit out of him, I stomped his ass until shit came out of his ears. Later he came with a couple of friends, at a bar I hanged around in and I held my own against the three of them. They eventually went away and never bothered me again.

[sbk]

Thats fine, but I doubt it has anything to do with eek's original questions.

[SamuiJens]

This once happened to me in Samui, a taxi driver overcharged me and I refused to pay that much. He attacked me but I beat the shit out of him, I stomped his ass until shit came out of his ears. Later he came with a couple of friends, at a bar I hanged around in and I held my own against the three of them. They eventually went away and never bothered me again.

You did??? Well, congrads, mr. Hex (which is witch from where he comes from). Sad to read such BS , now it's you eek will be asking about!

Edited December 28, 2007 by SamuiJens

[Dingojoe]

This once happened to me in Samui, a taxi driver overcharged me and I refused to pay that much. He attacked me but I beat the shit out of him, I stomped his ass until shit came out of his ears. Later he came with a couple of friends, at a bar I hanged around in and I held my own against the three of them. They eventually went away and never bothered me again.

Wow my Hero,

you could be the Specialist we all been looking for.

"Body Guard'

[sbk]

Lets have some respect for eek's original post here, please.

[BL4u]

eek, please come and see me when you make your trip. I will be happy to show you around.

Again, PM me when you come. I'd be happy to share my experience with you

Nothing is for free in this world. Just wondering if you could have a personal interest sbk. I can remember a post on thai visa where you were promoting/ selling 5 rai of land near choeng mon for your in-laws? Nothing wrong with that but always nice to know someones background.

[Samuian]

Well, what is your business then?

[Dingojoe]

eek, please come and see me when you make your trip. I will be happy to show you around.

Again, PM me when you come. I'd be happy to share my experience with you

Nothing is for free in this world. Just wondering if you could have a personal interest sbk. I can remember a post on thai visa where you were promoting/ selling 5 rai of land near choeng mon for your in-laws? Nothing wrong with that but always nice to know someones background.

Rai's in Choeng Mon ill av some of that, any left? PM me

[sbk]

eek, please come and see me when you make your trip. I will be happy to show you around.

Again, PM me when you come. I'd be happy to share my experience with you

Nothing is for free in this world. Just wondering if you could have a personal interest sbk. I can remember a post on thai visa where you were promoting/ selling 5 rai of land near choeng mon for your in-laws? Nothing wrong with that but always nice to know someones background.

cynical SOB, aren't you?

So, as a farang woman living on an island I must have an ulterior motive in looking forward to meeting another woman I have conversed with on ThaiVisa for over a year now.

Yup, I do have an ulterior motive. It would be nice to make a new female friend on the island as we are so few and far between. Enough background for you nowBL4u?

[Boo]

BL4u

(sbk @ 2007-12-22 16:31:54)

eek, please come and see me when you make your trip. I will be happy to show you around.

Again, PM me when you come. I'd be happy to share my experience with you

Nothing is for free in this world. Just wondering if you could have a personal interest sbk. I can remember a post on thai visa where you were promoting/ selling 5 rai of land near choeng mon for your in-laws? Nothing wrong with that but always nice to know someones background.

Wow how rude!!! If eek is looking to move to KPG then how on earth has one post about land for sale on KOH SAMUI from months back got to do with anything!!! Sbk has offered to take care of us too when we come over next year & I aint looking to move there but maybe I need to hunt out some kind of possible ulterior motive hey?. hmmm Good lord!!

[sbk]

You've got me there Boo, I want you and your husband to move here so I can get your money

That's the same reason I gave Stevethongsala advice on how to get a phone line for cheaper with TOT, because hey, I must be getting a cut from TOT as well.

[BL4u]

eek, please come and see me when you make your trip. I will be happy to show you around.

Again, PM me when you come. I'd be happy to share my experience with you

Nothing is for free in this world. Just wondering if you could have a personal interest sbk. I can remember a post on thai visa where you were promoting/ selling 5 rai of land near choeng mon for your in-laws? Nothing wrong with that but always nice to know someones background.

cynical SOB, aren't you?

So, as a farang woman living on an island I must have an ulterior motive in looking forward to meeting another woman I have conversed with on ThaiVisa for over a year now.

Yup, I do have an ulterior motive. It would be nice to make a new female friend on the island as we are so few and far between. Enough background for you nowBL4u?

Not very polite to call me a SOB sbk.

I questioned your motives because you as the moderator remove posts and close threads with no more explanation than:

Seems this thread has run about as long as it needs to run.

//CLOSED///

[sbk]

Term of endearment in my family, BL4u. Apologies if you found son of a buck offensive

And I will repeat, lets have some respect for eek's original request for information, if you don't have anything to offer except trolling then may I suggest you refrain from posting?

[Boo]

oh so you saw this thread as a chance to bitch about moderation?? Suggest you read the rules & refrain from hijacking threads with your own agenda.

[macleod101]

sorry for not answering your question directly, I guess the answer is, its fairly safe to live on the island, crime rate out of hatrin is very low with comparsion to most of Thailand. There is a big drug problem on the island. Higher prices attract intl smugglers. However these people are harmless to the joe public. The west side of the island has excelent facitlity's and good roads (making it safe to ride a bike), THE SOUTH East rd's are fairly dangerous, however have improved a lot, if your safety cautious then use a car or jeep. The vast majority of crimes on the island are drug crimes though, and drug related...

(I was sworn at by the taxi driver after taking the ride, and then I swore back and got beaten up)

partly my fault I admit, but it was very quickly sorted out in their own way (head buts & body punche's)

sounds like he does it a lot

[girlx]

actually mcleod does have a good point- there is a big drug problem on koh phangan, and the police don't seem to go after the thais much, it's mostly the foreigners they target. this is too bad because a good deal of the local population (especially aged 20-35) on the island is utter scum, and i agree they should be avoided as they are volatile.

[mac.wheeler]

actually mcleod does have a good point- there is a big drug problem on koh phangan, and the police don't seem to go after the thais much, it's mostly the foreigners they target. this is too bad because a good deal of the local population (especially aged 20-35) on the island is utter scum, and i agree they should be avoided as they are volatile.

I think it really depends upon which part of the island you call home, where I live, apart from the odd whiff of ganja if you decide to drop into one of the known smokers bars then I see far less signs of drug use than I do in my hometown in the UK.

As for a good deal of the local population being scum, once again, back in the UK my hometown is flooded with croatian and romanian wannabe gangsters, these people are much worse than just about every local Thai I have met here. It's all relative. Yes I've met a few rather unsavoury characters here but I've also met some very good ones, all of my neighbours are incredibly cool.

Certainly if a person were to come to KPG and live a normal life that didn't include dealing drugs or selling ladies by the night then I don't think they would have any problems at all.

[girlx]

well yeah of course i don't mean that all the locals are scum, but especially the ones involved in the parties (and there are some of these in every part of the island) are not people you want to get too close to.

[Jose]

there is a big drug problem on koh phangan, and the police don't seem to go after the thais much, it's mostly the foreigners they target. this is too bad because a good deal of the local population (especially aged 20-35) on the island is utter scum

Sounds to me like you're hanging around the wrong crowd, GirlX.

I've lived (and kept my eyes open) full-time on Koh Pha-Ngan for over a year now, and I've seen much less of a drug problem here than you'd find on any Western town. Matter o' fact, I have yet to see any local Thai nodding off on heroin, and seldom see anyone on yaa baa (methamphetamines). My feeling is that 99%+ of local thais are too busy with living their lives to bother with recreational drugs.

jose '-)