Koh Phangan Culture Travel Guide  Jump to: Culture Galleries
Koh Phangan has a rich and varied culture. The Thais have many festivals that they celebrate to commemorate various events, and you are welcome to participate in any that catch your fancy. [more]
Koh Phangan Art
Several resorts and restaurants have Koh Phangan art galleries that display local artists' works. Koh Phangan art is very important and original works can be found in many places on the island. Local artists are encouraged to display their works by presenting them to large audiences that patronize the bars and ... read more. |
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Koh Phangan cultural rules
Koh Phangan, much like any other place in the world has cultural rules that those visiting should know at least a little about. Koh Phangan cultural rules should be known by those visiting the island because not knowing them could end up causing problems, not only with insulting the locals ... read more. |
Koh Phangan History
Koh Phangan history is a rich, vibrant topic that deserves to be explored if you're headed to the island in the near future. The island, which sits in the Gulf of Thailand in the south eastern portion, is now famous for attractions such as the Full Moon Party and Haad Rin Beach, but Koh Phangan history runs muc... read more. |
Koh Phangan locals
Many people go to Koh Phangan, the island paradise just off of Thailand, in order to experience tropical vacations and honeymoons. However, when travel brochures tell about Koh Phangan, locals that reside there year round are often not mentioned. The Koh Phangan locals live both in the city and in rural areas, ... read more. |
Major religions in Koh Phangan
Religion plays a large role in regular life in Koh Phangan. Major religions in Koh Phangan influence the way of life, not only in Koh Phangan, but also throughout Thailand. The major religions in Koh Phangan are Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and Catholicism. The major religions in Koh Phangan should be known to th... read more. |
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Songkran Festival (Thai New Year)
With all of the parties and festivals happening in Koh Phangan each month, it can be easy to overlook the Songkran Festival in Koh Phangan. It is actually one of the largest festivals in the world and Thailand's largest yearly festival. The festival is held each April and is three days long... read more. |
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Experience Koh Phangan's favorite sights as others see them. Let our visual picture tour of Koh Phangan help you choose the best places to visit in Koh Phangan:
Full Moon Party
There are those who think the full-scale partying on the night of the Full Moon can't possibly qualify as cultural, but they are wrong. The Full Moon festivities are more than just a collection of people getting drunk to music-they are full-scale international events.
Songkran (Thai New Year) on Koh Phangan
Otherwise known as Thai New Year. Actually, in the spirit of international understanding, Koh Phangan has three New Years parties: one on January 1st for their European friends, one in early February that they celebrate with their Chinese community and guests, and the Thai new year celebration on April 13th. For a people who are generally joyous and celebrate life with abandon, this is the most celebrated occasion in The Kingdom.
During this holiday Thais spend time with their families, and throw large quantities of water at everyone within reach, including foreigners. This pastime is so beloved, it has its own word-sat nam. Only police officers in uniform are immune to attack; everyone else is expected to take their punishment with good humor. If you are in Thailand on April 13th, either stay in your room or prepare your own bucket of water and join in the fun.
Loy Krathong (Festival of Lights)
On November 14, Thailand's waterways, right down to hotel swimming pools are ablaze with dazing lights. Loy Krathong is one of the year's most important festivals. Most Thais also believe the floating of the krathong is a yearly sloughing off of all the sins and calamities that have befallen a person.
The annual festival is always held on the full moon day of the 12th lunar month. Thais place great importance in this event and it passes with great celebrations all over the Kingdom.
Ceremonies organized by the government
Ploughing Ceremony
This ceremony serves to boost the morale of farmers, and remind those that do not farm of the significance of the occupation. During the ceremony the Farming Lord ploughs land near the Grand Palace. This signals the beginning of the ploughing season. He also offers food to the cows used during the ploughing.
Constitution Day
This celebration falls on the 10th of December. This is the day King Rama VII granted the First Constitution of Thailand to his people in the year 1932.
Royal ceremonies
His Majesty's Birthday Anniversary
His Majesty's birthday falls on the 5th of December. It is also considered Thai National Day. There will be songs sung, and farangs (non-Thai's) generally lend their support by singing 'Happy Birthday' in English. It is appreciated as the good will gesture it is meant to be.
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