Food & flavours
Koh Phangan is home to a wide range of cuisines to suit every budget. Whether it's a quick Pad Thai noodles for $2 at a local market or a fancy French restaurant watching a beachside fireshow.
Discover Koh Phangan Tropical paradise
Unwind on pristine beaches, explore lush jungles, and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of one of Thailand’s most beautiful islands.
Why Koh Phangan?
Experience island life while training in paradise
Culture & traditions
Koh Phangan is not just natural beauty — it's a vibrant cultural hub. Explore local markets and artisan shops, experience traditional Thai festivals and visit the island's many temples.
Nature & adventure
Koh Phangan has 35 beaches and 70% is unspoilt nature. Hike to stunning viewpoints, bathe in beautiful waterfalls, or grab a boat tour to the famous Ang Thong National Marine Park.
Wellness & relaxation
The island is renowned for its holistic wellness activities, including world class yoga studios, meditation workshops, and fantastic spas offering a huge range of treatments.
Things to do
Koh Phangan is an island full of adventure, culture, and relaxation. Whether you want to explore waterfalls, discover local markets, or simply unwind by the sea, there’s something here for everyone.
Visit 35 stunning beaches
Chase hidden waterfalls
Hike through jungles
Snorkel crystal-clear reefs
Explore surrounding islands by boat
Visit world class yoga studios
Unwind with traditional Thai massage
Watch legendary Koh Phangan sunsets
Discover panoramic viewpoints
Find hidden cafés & beach bars
Recover with ice baths & saunas
Plan your trip
Koh Phangan has high and low seasons, dry and rainy seasons. So, it is important to understand the pros and cons of each time of year when deciding when to come.
HIGH SEASON (DEC, JAN, FEB, MAR, APR)
weather
Dry & sunny (little to no rain). Temperatures mainly hot.
crowds
Busiest (especially around Full Moon Party dates).
pros
+ Busy gyms, lots of sparring partners and new friends.
+ Great weather. Lots of fight nights.
cons
– Higher priced accommodation. Less availability.
– Some days can be very hot.
SHOULDER SEASON (MAY, JUN, SEP, OCT)
weather
May-Jun: Moderate rain, mostly sunny. Sep–Oct: More rain, but still plenty of dry days.
crowds
Fewer tourists, less busy.
pros
+ Quieter gyms, no problem with availability.
+ Cheaper accommodation options. Cooler weather.
cons
– Maybe less sparring partners.
– Might be less fight nights.
LOW SEASON (JUL, AUG, OCT, NOV)
weather
Jul–Aug: Intermittent rains with mainly dry days. Oct–Nov: Heavy rains with not many dry days.
crowds
Not many tourists, island not all busy.
pros
+ Gyms quite empty, maybe more attention from trainers
cons
– Fewer activities outside training due to rain.
– Might be less fight nights
If you are looking for the authentic Thai-style training experience, then it does not get more real than staying at the gym. You live with fellow students and fighters, are surrounded by the sounds and atmosphere of the Muay Thai gym and it is a great way to meet new friends. Having said that, gyms are noisy places! So if you prefer a bit of separation from training, or privacy, and staying at the gym is not for you, then here's a breakdown of budget-friendly accommodation options in Koh Phangan for Muay Thai students, ranging from ultra-cheap to affordable comfort. Price ranges are approximate (2025) and vary by season.
DORM BEDS & HOSTELS
best for
Solo travelers on a tight budget.
pros
Cheap, meet other travelers. Plenty of options.
cons
Shared dorms and bathrooms, limited privacy.
how to find
Search on google maps and platforms like booking.com.
BASIC FAN BUNGALOWS
best for
Those who want privacy but still save money.
pros
Private room, often near beaches. Plenty of options.
cons
No AC, basic amenities (cold water showers).
how to find
Search on google maps and platforms like booking.com.
BUDGET AC ROOMS
best for
Those who struggle with heat or want comfort.
pros
AC, better sleep for recovery. Plenty of options.
cons
Slightly pricier.
how to find
Search on google maps and platforms like booking.com.
MONTHLY RENTALS
best for
Long-term students (negotiate discounts for 1+ month stays).
pros
Kitchen access, cheaper than nightly rates. Maybe AC.
cons
May be located in more remote areas, need scooter.
how to find
Search on Koh Phangan facebook groups, maybe gym can recommend.
SHARED HOUSES
best for
Groups or making friends.
pros
Split costs, often include WiFi/laundry.
cons
Less privacy than having own bungalow. Harder to find.
how to find
Search on Koh Phangan facebook groups for houses offering rooms.
There are many different ways to get to Koh Phangan. Some cheap, some less cheap. It is an island with no airport. so ultimately your journey will always end with a speedboat or ferry. Whether you are already in Thailand or flying in from abroad, this simple guide covers everything you need to know about how to get to Koh Phangan.
FROM OVERSEAS (INTERNATIONAL)
fly via Koh Samui
1. International flight to Bangkok (BKK) or Phuket (HKT)
- Flight time: 1 hour
- Airline: Bangkok Airways
- Cost: 2,500–4,000 baht one-way
- Make sure you check to see if baggage allowance is included or if you have to add it to your booking.
2. Domestic flight to Koh Samui (USM)
- Journey time: 5-10 mins
- Cost: 300-400 baht
3. Taxi from airport to Bangrak Pier:
- Journey time: 30 mins
- Ferry company: Lomlahkkhirin
- Cost: 350 baht
- Make sure you book your ferry well in advance. They get busy during high season. Book here: https://www.lomlahk.com/.
- When booking your ticket, make sure you select "Koh Samui (Bangrak Pier)".
4. Speedboat to Thong Sala Pier (Koh Phangan)
fly via Surat Thani
1. International flight to Bangkok (BKK) or Phuket (HKT)
- Flight time: 1 hour
- Airline: Vietjet Air, AirAsia
- Cost: 1,000-1,500 baht one way
- Make sure you check to see if baggage allowance is included or if you have to add it to your booking.
2. Domestic flight to Surat Thani (URT)
- Journey time: Approx 4 hours
- Company: Lomprayah
- Cost: 950 baht
- Visit https://www.lomprayah.com/ to book your minibus and ferry ticket combo in advance.
- Minibuses depart the airport at 09:30, 11:00 and 12:30 every day.
- If your flight arrives after these times, then you will need to get a taxi to Seatran Ferry at Donsak Pier and buy a ticket with them there,
3. Minibus from airport to Donsak Pier and then Ferry to Thong Sala Pier (Koh Phangan)
FROM BANGKOK
fly via Samui or Surat Thani
1. Catch a domestic flight to Samui (USM) or Surat Thani (URT)
2. For transport options to Koh Phangan from both airports see "FROM OVERSEAS (INTERNATIONAL)" section.
coach from Bangkok
- Coach leaves from Khaosan Road at 20:30, arrives Chumphon Pier around 5am next day.
- Ferry leaves Chumphon Pier around 7am, arrives Koh Phangan at 10:30.
- The ferry stops for 30 minutes at Koh Tao, before continuing on to Koh Phangan.
- Journey time: Approx 14 hours
- Company: Lomprayah
- Cost: 1,350-1,650 baht
- Visit https://www.lomprayah.com/ to book your coach and ferry ticket combo in advance.
1. Coach from Bangkok to Chumphon Pier, Ferry to Thong Sala Pier (Koh Phangan)
FROM CHIANG MAI, PAI
fly via Samui or Surat Thani
- Make sure you check to see if baggage allowance is included or if you have to add it to your booking.
1. Catch a domestic flight to Samui (USM) or Surat Thani (URT)
2. For transport options to Koh Phangan from both airports see "FROM OVERSEAS (INTERNATIONAL)" section.
FROM PHUKET, KRABI
fly from Phuket via Samui
- Flight time: 1 hour
- Airline: Bangkok Airways
- Cost: 2,500–4,000 baht one-way
- Make sure you check to see if baggage allowance is included or if you have to add it to your booking.
1. Domestic flight from Phuket (HKT) to Koh Samui (USM)
- Journey time: 5-10 mins
- Cost: 300-400 baht
2. Taxi from airport to Bangrak Pier:
- Journey time: 30 mins
- Ferry company: Lomlahkkhirin
- Cost: 350 baht
- Book your ferry in advance via https://www.lomlahk.com/. The ferries get very busy during high season so book well in advance.
- When booking your ticket online, make sure you select "Koh Samui (Bangrak Pier)" under FROM.
3. Speedboat to Thong Sala Pier (Koh Phangan)
minibus via Donsak Pier
- There are various companies offering minibuses to the pier. Most will collect from your resort or hotel.
- Cost: 600-1,200 baht
1. Minibus from Phuket or Krabi to Donsak Pier (Surat Thani)
- Journey time: Approx 1.5–3 hours
- Companies: Lomprayah, SeaTran
- Cost: 250-550 baht
- Visit https://www.lomprayah.com/ or https://www.seatrandiscovery.com/ to book your ferry ticket in advance.
2. Ferry from Donsak Pier to Thong Sala Pier (Koh Phangan)
Koh Phangan is an affordable destination, but costs can add up if you’re not careful. Here’s a realistic budget breakdown for Muay Thai students, covering accommodation, training, food, and extras.
ESTIMATED MONTHLY LIVING COSTS
Muay Thai Training5,000–12,000 THB
This will depend on which gym you choose and the type of training package you opt for.
Accommodation6,500–18,000 THB
Prices can get higher during high season or if you choose non-budget accommodation.
Food / Drink5,000–12,000 THB
Thai food can be really cheap (60-80 THB per dish). Western food is always more expensive.
Scooter rental4,000–6,000 THB
If you are just renting per day, then budget for about 300 THB per day. Generally you'll need to leave a 5,000 THB deposit.
Electricity / Water0-2,000 THB
Most accommodation include these in the price. But with bungalows, often you have to pay extra for these, especially if you have AC.
TOTAL: 27,500–70,000 THB
Although health care in Thailand is free for Thais, it is not free for foreigners. So, if you don't have health insurance and you need to get medical treatment, you will have to pay for it. And it is not cheap! You can get basic medical coverage from all travel insurers in your country before you fly. We strongly advise you to do so. Chances are you won't need it. But why take the risk?
There are a couple of visa options for Muay Thai students visiting Thailand to consider. Which one you choose will depend on the length of your stay and your own personal preferences.
VISA EXEMPTION
Free
possible length of stay
60 Days, extendable to 90 days
possible length of stay
9 months with visa extensions and border runs
description
Allows visitors from 93 countries (see below for the list) to enter Thailand without a visa. Travelers from eligible countries don't need to apply for a visa in advance. You must have your return flight booked before entering the country.
visa extensions
At the end of the 60 days, you can apply for a 30 day extension at the immigration office in Koh Phangan (cost 1,800 baht).
staying longer
You can stay longer than the 90 days (visa + extension) by doing a border run. A border run is essentially when you briefly leave the country (crossing the border) and then cross back again, giving you another 60 day tourist visa on arrival. This then allows you to do another 30 day extension at the end of the 60 day period.
land border runs
Companies offer organised land border runs from Koh Phangan to Malaysia. It is an overnight trip and costs around 6,000 baht. You are officially allowed to two border runs per year.
air border runs
This means flying out of the country and flying back again. There is no official limit to how many times you can do this, but there have been reports of immigration officers questioning travelers who have evidence of multiple border runs in their passports.
DTV VISA — MUAY THAI
10,000 baht processing fee plus the cost of your training paid in advance
what is the DTV
The DTV Muay Thai Visa is a new type of tourist visa designed to make it easier for students of Muay Thai to train in Thailand long-term.
length of visa
180 days.
possible length of stay
5 years.
how to apply
To apply for the DTV Muay Thai Visa, you must be overseas (i.e. outside of Thailand) and you must apply through the Thai E-Visa Official Website. Before you apply, please read the Thai Government’s User Manual on how to use the Thai E-Visa Official Website. This will guide you through the application process. After you have created an account on the Thai E-Visa Official Website, you will need to fill out the online application forms and also submit various documents. These documents include:
• Photo of the biodata page of Passport
• Passport photo of you taken within the last six months
• Proof of your current address
• Proof that you have no less than 500,000 baht (or the equivalent amount in your currency) in your bank account, e.g. pdfs of bank statements
• A receipt from the gym proving that you have booked and paid for your Muay Thai training in advance.
• Letter of invitation from the gym
• Copies of the gym's certificates and licenses
eligible gyms:
The gym must have a commercial license and be certified by the Sports Authority of Thailand if you want to use this visa to train there.
visa extensions
At the end of the 180-day visa period, you can apply for a 180-day extension at the local immigration office in Koh Phangan. This can be done multiple times until the end of the 5 year period.
SCOOTER HIRE
A couple of things to consider before you hire a scooter:
•
Before you get on the scooter, make sure you walk around it and video every part of the bike paying particular attention to any existing damage or scratches. This will protect you against any disputes later when you return the scooter. And make sure you keep the video!
•
There are rental shops everywhere in Koh Phangan. Most of them do not ask for a driving licence, just a deposit. But you need to know that these scooters are not insured. That means that if you damage the scooter, then you will have to pay cash for the repairs.
•
Scooters are the main cause of injury in Thailand.
SIM CARDS
You can pick up a Thai SIM card in the airports when you arrive, or in any convenience store in Koh Phangan.
BUYING MUAY THAI GEAR
We sell a range of gloves, shin guards, mouth guards, hand wraps, muay thai shorts and t-shirts. Download our catalogue here
LAUNDRY
There are loads of laundries everywhere in Koh Phangan and are very cheap to use. They weigh your clothes and then charge by the kg. Expect to pay around 400 baht per kg. You can normally collect your laundry the next day.