Top 10 reasons why Koh Phangan Island is NOT paradise!
01. RACISM
02. Loud GAY TRANCE Music
03. Dishonesty
04. Thieves
05. Drug Induced Drunken Lunatics
06. Violence
07. Assault On Ones Intelligence
08. Buddha Masks
09. GREED
10. Attachment To Walking ATM’s
If you do not like it here- FUCK OFF and go home!!!!
koh phangnan are THE PLACE…. so nice love it…. im going there one month in januar
who’s the racist? i think its the english
WELL SAID
This Island is paradise. It is what you make it
Stop complaining and go to Iraq…
Sometimes I really do wonder a lot about those fascinating comments posted here … sometimes I ask myself … where do these comment posters get their amazing creative input from?
God bless you all!!!
Many people just complain and complain about this beautiful island. I ask: Why are you all here if it is so disgusting? There is no place in this world where you don”t have these ten points. So fuck of and go to hell or where you think there is paradise. Or just try to see the beauty in life and shut up!!!
Well … by your way of seeing the beauty in life you still react some sort of disgusting by yourself … fuck of … go to hell … and simply just shut up!
Where is all the beauty in your life gone?
u fukking idiot get a grip.I GOT 200 REASON TO TELL YA WHY THIS IS NOT PARADISE….BUT AS I CAN SEE U MUST BEE ONE OF THESE FUKING NEW TECHNO WENKERS THAT THEY VE SPOILET THE ISLAND…..SO U SHUTTAFUCK UP…..AND LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT THAILAND INSTEAD TO LIVE YOUR LITTLE BRAIN ON HAADRIN BEACH.
ONE DAY MAIBY U GOING TO DROWN FULL OF LIQUID ….ANOTHER IDIOT LESS,FUCK U”!
Yes … that article was posted by Pete … my canadian friend … and YES … he has finally left Koh Phangan Paradise Island a few days ago!
Are you satisfied now?
why do you stay here. your name is not che guevara. tell me what can i do. show me the paradiese and don’t make people included the thais angry.
I’ve visited Koh Phangan a few times and have experienced both good and bad points of the island, but they’ve all added up to my “island” experience. How can we fully appreciate things if all we’ve ever experienced were good. I love Koh Phangan! My partner and I are hoping to move there one day…when we pay off all of our debts, hopefully in 5 years! Though I understand that these sort of comments will always come back round again….you win some you lose some ha!
Wow Pete, your really getting a reaction from this post. I always see the good the bad and the ugly in Koh Phangan, fortunately it’s mostly good and that’s why we keep returning..
I like the reactions so don’t stop, it’s good to see the local farangs care!
Mostly Good for me Too. I love the place,In all my years on KP never had a problem that I didn’t cause Papa
The above comments just show, why a paradise is not possible with human beings
So if he left already because he does not like it here, why post shit like this anyway!?
You forgot to mention the Taxi Mafia in your list, but I agree Koh Pha Ngan is a shithole
to the comment above- since KP is such a “shit hole” as you put it, i’m sure you won’t be returning, right? It’s probably best as KP is home and paradise to a lot of people. I’m sure noone appreciate having their home being slaged off by an “Anonymous”. good luck to you mate!
Nor do they enjoy to have their Home, once in middle of the jungle or on a Paradise Beach, sourroundet by Karaoke or Girlie Bars. OK, be flexible, understanding, move away in the quiertness of the jungle and five years later, you’re surrounded by Half-, Black-, WhatDaFuck Parties till early morning. Why not make Party free zones, Jetski free beaches? Why not use Koh Tainai or Koh Tainok for parties? Well at least on the beaches facing the mainland.
Yeah “my” Koh Phangan has changed since 1978. First car, first road, electricity, TV’s, School, more tourists, Postoffice, Hospital, new farang and Thai businesses, then came the police and with it, crime, more tourists, Parties, Karaoke Bars. Shit hole? Maybe not quite but more and more people come here and behave like assholes, so it did start to smell a bit.
So after 32 years living and working in Magical Koh Phangan, maybe I move to New York. I got assaulted here, I get assaulted there. Many Thais on Koh Phangan would love to move to America. Yeah, it stinks and is a shithole too but at least the changes are copeable.
Well, in the moment I’m still on the “I Give A Fuck” island and so, if anyone dislike my comment, I put on my Silly Smile and give a fuck and don’t care.
Yeah racism, tell me somebody that likes those israelis? ! Anybody remmember the sign outside paradise bungalows small mart that said> No Israelis Allowed?
yeh, i remember that sign but do you know why it was put up.
Here`s my comment, Racism–everywhere, Gay trance music–everywhere,Dishonesty–everywhere,etc,ect it`s everywhere. I just think that to make than kind of a comment, that person is probably just an asshole anyways.
KP is the only place that lets me feel like i am in the late 60s again….and the reason why i have been coming back over and over since 97′. i’ve seen changes on almost every trip made and i have heard of at least one farang getting killed every other FMP.. most of the time, the drugs do it the themselves.
and thats what i love about KP.. it allows you to slip in to ur own world – hazzle free. only if you’re a fuckin idiot will u let an OD stop u from experiencing the next FMP. KP is home to me man.. and i am coming home soon..again (would luv to meet up with u becki)
so dont let comments from people like Pete get you down.. he came, he saw, and he didnt like what he saw. so what.. you and i and every other person whose been slamming this guy, still love this place.. i just think we should all meet, smoke a muther of a spliff, for Pete’s loss!
whaddya think?
I pity you pete and think that maybe you should throw the backpack away and stay home. If your not willing to adjust to the culture and way of life in a country then you wont enjoy it! did you honestly think it’d be like home??? I think the reason why you had such a shit time was due largely to your attitude….hell i’d rip you off as you sound like a right wanker.
** … you and i and every other person whose been slamming this guy, still love this place.. i just think we should all meet, smoke a muther of a spliff …**
You think you still will love KP after you paid 40’00, 80’000 or 120’000 baht to the “Police Private Pension Fund” because you just been caught with your “muther of a spliff” in your mouth?
And if you’re so invitingly, will you pay my bribbe too?
Pete throw away the backpack and stay at home. clearly your not the kind of person able to adjust to a different culture. You’d have to be deaf, blind and fucking stupid not to know that KP is famous for being a party place where any drug goes. Hell i’d rip you off cos you sound like a prize prick. I’ve never experienced any racism at all in the whole of thailand, maybe they just didn’t like you??? Just a thought……
Different pricing according to ethnic origin…
Thai boxing in Thong Sala…
Farang price: 5-700 THB
Local Thai: 50-100 THB
I love Koh Phangan, still Pete is right about some issues about this paradise island. And I don’t think he wrote the article being 100% serious… there is a bit of sarcasm and irony in pretty much every article you find on this website, thats why I love it!
Keep up the good work Becki!!
The reason the place sucks now, is because it became to welll known, and now there are a lot of low class western tourists (Europeans,Israelis) too many. It was paradise in 1994 when I was there. You used to be able to smoke a joint anywhere you wanted. And they used to sell huge bags of weed at the bar for $4. A a bottle of whisky for $2.
And I foergot also mushroom (pilosibin) omlette for $4
How can they be low class tourists they have shit loads of money to spend
* – How can they be low class tourists they have shit loads of money to spend – *
Money = Class ??? (Hmmmmm…. since when?)
Loads of Money? Months at the time to spend partying? Off course low class!!
OK, maybe not all but many are students or they get their money from social security, don’t have to pay tax and don’t have to go to work in the morning, …… :).
Ohhhh and they behave worse then they would at home. If one has just a tiny bit of class, with or without money, with what ever social background, one would never get down to such behaviour.
I agree with this list, and I only spent 5 days there for the last FMP. Didn’t take long to pick up on these things. I miss the island in retrospect, but generally, I felt insulted and unwelcome during my visit.
Don’t mean to sound snobby, but I really expected more diversity since there were people from so many different countries. But it felt like a high school clique more than anything. I got the impression that the majority of travelers there were just not that intelligent.
And by the way, being ripped off or blatantly ripping people off is NOT OK. There’s a little phenomenon known as kharma. It’s not wise to think you are immune from it because you reside on an isolated island. Just ask the people of Krabi and Phuket (though it doesn’t look like they have learned anything there).
If you stay for one or 2 weeks, sure you realy not feel it…..However it will be better for the island if a Fuck of Taxi driver to fuck a way from the island or the asshole local mafia to up to date their brain or mental attitude so the island will be more kind of paradise. It is not the metter if you do not like move your bloody ass from the island, only because they realy like Koh Phangan and they want some thing to improve……..
Feels like a bad reality TV show except that the backpackers that are talking shit and backstabbing etc aren’t gonna win big bucks like they do on TV.
Reality is that Thailand is cheap.
That is why some people return even though they don’t like the ugly aspects.
Having said all that, it is a big island and you can still avoid the crap. It may be quieter than you would like though. Oh well, can’t have everything.
I’ve travelled for the last 7 years, and believe me: anywhere in the world that becomes popular is going to eventually attract the less adventurous, less educated, less cultured types. That’s life.
First I’d like to reply to the comments attacking the person who posted this list. What the fuck…you can’t mention some negative aspects of the island now….a-la “this is paradise and I’ll kill the first son of a bitch that says any different” Ooo, sounds convincing. Everythings perfect now. I’d rather look at the darker side of the island honestly than put my head in the sand or in a splif or a dose. Duh.
I’d like to add to the list (at the top) “Rapes during the full moon party”. Yes I’ve met with the some victims. It’s for real and horrifyingly destructive. Also, the uber obnoxious taxi boat mafia (long live the trail!) should make the list. As well, the emerging songthaew mafia. Actually, all the mafia’s as there is a grip of organized crime on the island.
That said…there is a lot to love about the place as well. I can appreciate the wild aspect of the island, but trying to make it sound a soft and safe and paradisiacal is downright negligent.
Example, 50 baht to travel to FMP via songathaew. Same songthaew back to your bungalow at the end of the evening, 200 baht.
I walked from Haad Rin to Ban Tai (I know, call me crazy), and to give you an idea of the “island hospitality”, I was offered not a single ride by the dozens of motorbikes that passed by.
If you can shut down half of your brain and don’t mind being swindled or have any financial concerns, then this island might be considered paradise. Otherwise, it is quite an unsafe illusion, one perpetuated by the farcical “Land of Smiles” moniker. Absolutely not a good destination, especially if you are traveling alone.
Dear Pete
hope you found your way back to Idaho by now. ‘gay trance’ what kind my bru? maybe asia is better off without you
happy trails Petie
Get the f&%$ outta here!!! I found NO racism, NO dishonesty, NO thievery, in fact – NONE of the above mentioned points in my entire 2 week stay on the island. I absolutely loved the place and we’re coming back as soon as out bank balance allows it. No rudeness, gangsterism, drugs, domestic violence, child abuse or drunken disorderly conduct was to be experienced from any of the Thai locals. Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said of a lot of the foreigners.
Dudes, its just an island. try to have some fun
What island did you goto? This is a site for Koh Phangan, maybe you were on Koh Boo Boo on the other coast.
wow, you really got to know alot in those two whole weeks that you spent here? I guess you got really involved in the local community both thai and farang. Don’t be so obtuse to even asume that none of the above happens beacuse your two week holiday was joy and laughter.
Stay for a couple of years and when your eyes are open and you see past the smiles you can find out what it is like to live on a beautiful island, where unfortunatly the main source of income is tourism. What you think the locals want to go back to picking up coconut or fishing? How old are you, really. You looking at Koh Samui in 5 – 8 years.
Who are worse, it does not matter where your from there is no excuss for the list of bad behaviour from racism to using date rape drugs at parties, something than both men and women are at risk from.
Maybe you will get some real experience to back your opions before you open your mouth or indeed type.
I guess you have been to Iraqu recently and in your experience you found the american and the locals sharing late night eveningcomparing the two great leader of their countries.
How did you get a passport?!
what kind of frustrated person must you be ? 🙂
cant afford a white chick and has to pay for isaan treatment? bet u love it.
Thank you koh phangan friends who’s love koh phangan, i understand that some stupid people they’re just want thailand to be in the way they want to be,but sadly thailand is also one of the country in the earth,which mean is the same as every country,..you might get some good some bad experience more people get killed in england in a week than they do here in thailand in a year,if you who don’t like it here just don’t ever return or you who such a chicken shit don’t ever step out from your hometown,..
Ever since Eden Paradise is and always will be a state of mind, live it up bruthas and sistas – it’s actually more easy than u THINK ..and remember, wherever u go u always take the weather with U 😀 😀 😀
Beck,s comments are great !!! Who doesn,t love the truth?? I,m coming to KP since 1988 and again and again and I know there is a danger always. Take care not to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. And good luck. Phangan was a great place and dangerous from the time I got to know it. It,s paradise and dangerous at the same time.
Take care…..trouble is round the corner….
Koh Phangan is still PARADISE. The problem is that this Island host now the most worst kind of turists around Thailand. If you cannot traveling without behaving badly, you should stay at home!!
You have took a liberty with a good lad.
He was enjoying local culture and being friendly.
It took ten to distract his mate and another ten to punch his teeth out and ruin his holiday.
Let me tell you. In England you would be hunted like a rapist for what you have done.
Does this make you lot Mafia?
Dont make me laugh.
You mugs only fight englishman in numbers, it is the same in ur mainland and Malaysia.
You better hope we dont return in numbers to match and take the fucking island over. You are coward cunts that think you are big on your little island.
Who goes to KPG to fight? Return in numbers? Man, you need to change your attitude.
As for being rascist. The Israelis are the worst.
Dishonest? The feral backpackers that try to do a runner in the night without paying their bills.
Greed? Once again, the Israelis, French and Yanks are the worst, they want/expect, everything for nothing and can be damn agressive in their pursuit of it.
Danger? Its what you make it. Been going there 15 years aand NEVER had a single problem.
KPG is WHAT YOU MAKE IT. Act like the rascist pommy prick above and you will get hurt, as you should.
Show some respect and it will be returned. It aint rocket science is it?
having lived and worked in thailand for 7 years.. i thought the full moon/new year in KP would be great. so a buddy and i packed our bags and bicycles and shot down there. that night, we both were drugged and robbed.. camera, watch, wallet, phone.. everything. had to sell my bicycle to get off the island. i don’t hate the place… but there is some very scummy locals there.
Having lived here for over five years, bought land and built houses I can say that these top 10 comments are absolutely correct. End of story. The locals are uneducated and think that ripping foreigners off earns them some kind of status. I mean it’s potentially the single most lowbrow on the face of the planet. Idiots on scooters that no one needs a licence for. Unchecked aggression and no security at any venue whatsoever. Home cooked drugs on offer pretty much everywhere by the most paranoid pseudo dealers you will ever encounter. And a local culture which is not interested in being a part of another culture. They don’t even know the world exists. You try to talk to locals in Thai, they laugh at you, don’t bother sharing any food even though you do and are the most selfish amoebas on the planet.
Make no mistake. This place is a shithole.
If this is the best you can do then stay at home.