Koh Phangan

As Koh Samui developed into an international tourist hot spot, travelers looking for a cheaper and/or more laid-back scene headed for Koh Phangan. Decades ago, the few wanderers who arrived here stayed in fishermen's houses or slung hammocks on the beach. Gradually, simple bungalow colonies sprang up on even the most remote beaches, and investors bought up beach property with plans for sprawling resorts. Although some large commercial development did occur, a funny thing happened on the way to Samui-like development: the allure of Koh Tao's crystalline waters starting drawing away a lot of the attention. While Haad Rin boomed as a result of its world-famous Full Moon Party, most of Koh Phangan's smaller beaches continued to develop, but at a much less rapid pace. For now, most of Phangan remains a destination for backpackers looking for beautiful beaches with budget accommodation and hippies (old-school and nouveau) searching for chilled-out beaches and alternative retreats.