Phangan Royal Navy Ship

The Phangan Royal Navy Ship is a retired Royal Thai Navy vessel set beside Thong Sala Pier, the main ferry arrival point on Koh Phangan. The United States gave the ship to Thailand as a symbol of relations between the two countries; it served during the Vietnam War era and was decommissioned on 5 June 2008. Since 2014 the hull has housed the Rama IX Memorial Museum, and entry is free.

What you’ll see

The ship itself is the exhibit. Inside, a small memorial museum displays photographs, images and documents relating to Thailand’s monarchy, centred on the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). It is a modest, quiet stop rather than a large collection — most visitors spend 20 to 30 minutes here, walking the deck and reading the displays. A memorial statue of Rama IX stands close by.

Insider Tip: Because it sits right at Thong Sala Pier, this is an easy thing to see on the day you arrive or leave. If you have an hour to spare before a ferry, it fills the time without needing transport.

Getting there

Thong Sala is where boats from Surat Thani and Koh Samui dock, so the ship is one of the first landmarks you pass on the island. From the party beaches around Haad Rin it’s a 20-minute drive across the south of the island. The ship is on public land near the pier — there is no gate or admission booth.

Watch out: This is a landmark and a small memorial, not an interactive attraction. Set expectations accordingly — it works best as a short cultural stop, not a half-day out.

Phangan Royal Navy Ship is located at PX6M+VHX, Koh Pha-ngan District, Surat Thani. View on Google Maps.