1)There is less tourism and it's not as built up, which is nice. In Chaweng, Koh Samui, there were McDonalds everywhere, Starbucks, 7-Eleven stores every other shop. Here there is only one 7-Eleven in town.
2) Nicer beaches, the sea is also calmer.
3) Koh Pha Ngan is beautiful - there is a lot more mountainous terrain than in Samui.
4) You don't get hassled into buying things by the locals. 'Cheap cheap,' 'we give you good price' - No I don't want an icecream after I've just finished one, and no I really don't need a tailored made suit for backbacking!
5) The night life is great - with pool parties, jungle parties, Full Moon, Black Moon, Silver Moon, Half Moon.... In Chaweng, Koh Samui, The Green Mango area is fun and busy but not quite the same.
6) Everything is cheaper in Koh Pha Ngan. In Chaweng and the southern beach in Lamai, expect to pay 600 baht for a nice room. Here it is 400 baht in the nicest hotel with A/C
7) The people are more friendly. Yes they think both Lynsey and I are called Jennifer, but they make the effort to talk to us, and are not trying to sell us anything.
8) Even though in Lamai everywhere you went you got a free buffet if you brought a drink, here you can get free transfers to hotels and a free bus into town.
9) The Hippies we met on the bus down from Bangkok said so.... Well they described Koh Samui as a place that boys in Manchester United tops and Fat Germans with prostitutes go. Which brings me onto the final reason....
10) Less prostitutes, in fact I've seen none so far! Even I have been chatted up by the lady boys in Koh Samui. I can tell you how much they charge, as they like to tell you. Here there are no 60 year old men with 21 year old Thai women. I find them scary. A drunk one on a moped had a go at us one night, and after a show we had a picture taken with one - who then asked for a tip. We managed to cobble together about 2 baht between us, but she bitchily said 'no, you keep it. You need it more than me it seems!'
fletch! this sounds wicked, loving your adventures and experiences....glad your having an amazing time. will send you a mail soon, not much to report on here though! keep safe and hear from you soon xxxxxx love ya xxxx
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