Blog about Phangan
Articles, tips and guides from expats living on the island
Party island reputation vs. my actual days here
My mum still asks if I'm "partying every full moon." I've been to two Full Moon Parties in three years. Here's what my actual week looks like. 💻
Indigo Coffee Thong Sala — a ferry-wait review
Had two hours to kill before a ferry, wandered into the new Indigo branch in Thong Sala instead of just sitting at the pier. Genuinely glad I did. ☕
A weaker baht — what it actually changed in my budget
I get paid in dollars. The baht just hit a 15-month low. I actually went and checked what that meant for my real spending this month — here's the honest number. 💱
Government hospital vs private clinic — my real bill
Private clinic quoted me almost $1,200 for two stitches. I went to the government hospital instead at 3am. Here's what actually happened 🩹
I went out to Sail Rock hoping for a whale shark and actually got one
Kept hearing whale sharks were showing up at Sail Rock again. Finally went to check for myself. Spoiler: worth every baht of the boat fee 🦈
My new go-to work spot in Srithanu: ETHOS, and why the purple pancakes are worth the hype
Everyone in Srithanu kept telling me to try ETHOS. Finally did. Now I'm one of those people recommending it to everyone else, sorry 😅
Phangan's getting fancier resorts. Here's how that actually feels from where I live.
Heard about the new luxury tented resort going up on the NE coast and it got me thinking about how much the island's vibe has actually shifted since I got here. Mixed feelings, honestly 🌴
I finally swam out to Koh Ma to see the coral recovery everyone's talking about
Went out to Koh Ma after hearing about the coral recovery numbers. Here's what it actually looks like in the water right now 🐠
What I actually spend living on Phangan every month
A real, itemised monthly budget from someone who actually lives here — rent, food, bike rental, the surprise costs nobody warns you about.
Working remotely from Phangan — the good, the bad, and the wifi
A year of taking client calls from a Thai island: what actually works, what doesn't, and where to go when the power cuts out mid-deadline.
Wet season on Phangan — what nobody warns you about
Rainy season isn't the washout people expect, but it's not nothing either. What actually happens on the island from May to November.
How to protect your tech from humidity on Phangan
The tropical climate destroys electronics faster than you think. Practical tips for protecting your phone, laptop and camera from humidity.
Phangan phrase guide — Thai words and phrases you'll need
Thai words you need on Phangan: ordering food, bargaining, giving an address. With transliteration and pronunciation.
Bike rental on Phangan: the complete guide
Who to trust, which model to choose, how to rent without being scammed on return, what to do in an accident. All based on real experience.
Full Moon Party: complete guide 2026
Everything you need to know about Asia's most famous party: history, how to get there, what to bring, safety and tips for first-timers.